Here are the five poems I read last week:
- The Arrow and the Song – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
- “Do You Have Any Advice For Those of Us Just Starting Out?” – Ron Koertge
- Numbers – Mary Cornish
- Ozymandias – Percy Bysshe Shelley
- At the Un-National Monument Along the Canadian Border – William Stafford
I still have a student who says, “That was short” when I finish reading a poem. All of these fit on a single page except for “Numbers”. There was some discussion of the last stanza of that one, a bit of confusion about what to make of “three boys”, “two Italians”, and “one sock”.
I think I’m going to drop “Ozymandias”. While I like it, and it’s fun to read aloud, I think it’s too heady for ten-year-olds. They just don’t know what to make of it.
Sadly Waiting for Recess 
Richard, I just reread “Ozymandias,” and I agree, it’s too much. The language is arcane; the whole poem probably has to be dismantled to decipher the words before the actual meaning of the entire work is understood; and finally, the irony that nothing is left will be lost on them.
May i suggest something from Carl Sandburg’s “Chicago Poems”? They, too, are short, but they speak to the growing class struggle of the rich vs. poor and the lack of a middle class. Just a thought. My goodness, I wish Riley had had you for a teacher. Not only do you challenge your students, but I believe she would have LOVED the challege…
Thanks so much. Peace, Amy http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/la-bella-luna-poetic-bloomings/
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Amy, thank you. Your analysis of why “Ozymandias” just doesn’t work is spot on.
Thank you for the suggestion about Carl Sandburg. I’m not too familiar with his work or with his “Chicago Poems” in particular, but I’ll look into them. I’m always open to new ideas and suggestions. Thanks again.
Richard
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love the poetry 180 site. wish I’d had a teacher like you who would have affirmed my love of words.
walk in beauty.
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Joceline, thank you. Part of why I do it is because I enjoy it – and because I wish I had had the same thing when I was younger.
Richard
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Hi!
Thought I posted here…but circled back around and don’t see a comment…….so, now here it is: thanks again for posting these! I’m enjoying this process of seeing what you’re sharing with your students…I just might learn something along the way! 🙂
~Paula
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Paula, thank you. I’m glad you and others are enjoying these posts. The students are reacting positively to the poems, so I’m enjoying it as well.
Richard
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Creative writing copywright: How to protect work when submitting to potential publishers or literary agents?
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