Rich Novach in this video led us on a trail to writing found poetry. My students and I selected a National Park to research and “find” text that can be placed into a poem.
I visited Glacier National Park a few years ago, and the experience has stayed with me. I found my poem on the park’s website. I wrote it in the form of a nonet, 9 lines with each line using a syllable count of 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1.
Ya-qawiswitxuki*
A place where there is a lot of ice
of meltwater irrigation
ice flowing under its weight
alpine meadows showcase
adventurous wild
carved paradise
history
melting
ice*Kootenai word for Glacier National Park
Margaret Simon, found on the trail
To view some of my students’ poems and leave comments:
Kailyn: Hot Springs National Park
Carson: Olympic National Park
Avalyn: Yellowstone National Park
John-Robert: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Reflections on the Teche 
I love the idea of going back and finding a poem from somewhere you’ve been. It’s like you get to relive the experience. Beautiful phrases in your poem, like “carved paradise” and “adventurous wild”
Ooh that poem melting to “ice” at the end is lovely! Such a great project for you and your students. Thanks for all you give, Margaret. xo
I love your found poem about Glacier National Park! I visited last year, and your words brought me back to that beautiful place. I also enjoyed your students’ poems. I enjoyed Carson’s line “It’s like 20 trillion ice cubes.” : )
I love that you used the native word as your title, Margaret. And it makes me smile that you’re doing Write Out with your students!
Ooh, that’s lovely. Great combo of a found poem and a nonet! I extra love “ice flowing under its weight.”
I visited Glacier as a child, would love to return. Your students’ poems are bright stars indeed! Thanks for the inspiration.
I think the nonet with its diminishing lines is a perfect form for your poem, Margaret. I have memories of visiting Glacier many years ago when the ice was much thicker than now.
A spectacular take on that specific place…wonderful nonet. And, all the words are found? Wow!
Your opening native word is intriguing and sets the tone for your found poetry on the trail, Margaret. Thanks for sharing the video. I saw Kevin Hodgson’s music /poetry/video additions this morning and started on the journey of following Write-Out poets. Your poem and the students’ poems are great examples. Please tell the 3 children who participated in my Destination: Summer’s End Gallery that I showcased the work in a Canva slideshow. I hope you have time to show them the digital gallery with their work.
Send a link and I’ll try. There are many district regulations as well as the fact that my smart board isn’t working. Thanks for making them feel famous.
Hey, that’s a cool icicle, Margaret! I like the way the number of words reduces as the poem comes to a close.
The poem reminds me of an icicle the way the number of words reduces at the end. Very cool (so to speak), Margaret!
Another appreciation for your choice of form that matches your content! Like Susan said, your poem is like an icicle!
I’ve always wanted to visit Glacier National Park. It does indeed look like a “carved paradise!”
Such a strong “found” poem, and your ending is eerily powerful,
“history
melting
ice”
Thanks Margaret!