Becoming a reader of poetry coincided with returning to work while raising three very active boys. I found I had time to read poetry whereas I had time for little else. I didn’t have any desire to analyse, just to enjoy the emotions and wonders told in a few verses. As my children have grown I again have time for reading novels but continue to regularly dip in and out of poetry.
Through poetry I first began to notice the craft of writing and how powerful a few words can be. Raw emotions and shared humour – no matter what was happening in my life there was a poem that captured the moment. Yes I know I need to attempt capturing those moments with my own poems – one day soon I will try.
I recently came across Timothy Walsh’s At the Goodwill . (yes this too did capture a moment in my life but that is for another slice) I couldn’t help but smile at the images which came while reading the first verse. This is one I will tuck away as a mentor text when working with students on similes, imagery or word choice. Do you have a poem which is a favourite mentor text for an aspect of writer’s craft?
At The Goodwill 
Timothy Walsh (Verse 1 only)
Like crows tearing at roadkill,
people rummage among the aisles
and clothes bins,
ransacking the discarded clutter of other lives
for that special undiscovered something.
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/timothy+walsh
A new book to read. Thank you for letting me share this moment. I now want to read more of his work.
I think this is so important. I love poetry myself and always love working with my students on this kind of writing and reading. I have many favoriite mentors, but am sitting at a volleyball tournament without my books at my fingertips. There have been many written during this event that would be great mentors.
Cathy
Being a reading intervention teacher for the last two years, I haven’t gotten to teach writing in the same way I love, so I don’t have a mentor text poem for you. However, I use a lot of poetry for fluency practice when reading, and I must say, the kids love it! I wish I could write it as well as so many bloggers have been able to this month!
That is a funny poem. As the literacy coach in my building, I’ve been trying hard this year to encourage teachers to use poetry. Some have and others are reluctant or unsure of the purpose/potential or have stated that it isn’t a large part of the standards. As a child, poetry captivated me. I read it, wrote it, and felt it. As an adult I had moved away from it and am now rediscovering it. I’ve been checking out all the kid’s poetry books I can at the library. So I’m still working on my favorite mentor texts but I just wanted to say that I agree with you – poetry is POWERFUL.
Your slice made me think of Nancie Atwell referring to poetry as the mother genre. I am glad that poetry has had such a powerful impact in your life.
The poem does create a vivid picture. I also appreciate how Dana mentioned in her comment about her history with poetry; she read it, wrote it and felt it. I look forward to your slice, maybe even a poem, about your Goodwill experience and feeling that moment right along with you!
Poetry is often my life-line in the classroom. I have many favorites…two mentors come to mind, one a book – Red Sings from Treetops by Joyce Sidman and the other poet extraordinare, Amy Ludwig Vanderwater.