We were also strongly encouraged to teach poetry to our students once we were in classrooms of our own. So, I did. A co-teacher recommended I begin with nonsense poems for my low ability students. It was fine, but not a big deal in my mind. I still didn't get it. Up until now that has been my experience with poetry in a nutshell- significantly lacking in zeal.
When I joined our local co-op community, I watched these young kids read Shakespeare, and Robert Frost and John Greenleaf Whittier like it was second nature, and I caught the poetry bug. I finally got what all the fuss was about. The words were a delight to my ears and the process was an enjoyable way to pass part of a morning. What a revolutionary idea! Read poetry, and enjoy it. Hmmmmm.......
Now at home, we read a poem usually during lunch. It's nice. The interesting thing is that my son is starting to request it if I get busy with his brother and forget.
Daddy kept the baby warm indoors and started breakfast!! while the two of us bundled up and headed out to wonder at the...
The pines are white-powdered,
Delicately tossed
With fairy filigrees
Of silver frost.
The top of the mountain
Is lost in a cloud,
While the world is silent
And the winds unloud.
Drink in the beauty,
The shadows… the glow…
The wonder of winter
And the new white snow!
-Catherine Bryant Rowles
"A thousand thoughts that burn come to us on the wings of verse."
(Vol.4, pg.10)
I love sharing this beauty with my boy.