About Poetry by Children
All the poets below are in 4th or 5th grades, unless otherwise noted.
The Happiest thing that Ever Happened to Me
by Lauren
The day I was happy
was when I knew I was in poetry class
I was so happy
The day of poetry
was like the day I could walk
I was nervous but excited at the same time
and all the times I went
were all the times I was happy
I love Poetry Because ...
by Sara
It's inspiring It's joyful
It helps me get my feelings out
If I had a bad day
I write it in a poem
If I had a good day
I write it in a poem
Poetry
by Ashley
Poetry is like flying
only with words
Poetry is like gliding through the water
only with words
Poetry is a gift
Poetry is something you treasure forever
Catching Poems
by Jacob, Grade 2
Catching poems
that soon fill your head
With pictures and words
until it bursts into a wonderful poem
Poetry
by Ana
The feeling of being free
Of doing something amazing
Flying to the stars
letting go
letting all of your feelings out
Being able to explain your feelings
without talking or telling anyone
Poetry is the best way
to unlock the door to your feelings
to imagine
to talk to your self
to become yourself
overcome all of your stress
feel completely calm
The Soul of Poetry
by Mark, age 8
You have taught us the soul of poetry
It soothes the heart
It calms the soul
as you hear a partial blessing
not a prayer
nor a song
A group of words that soothe and calm
is poetry
The Wonder of the World
by Christian
Poetry is the noble, sacred art
writing our inner thoughts
weaving short pages of wonder
of imagination, hope and joy
When I'm Writing Poetry
Mei Mei
grade 5
When I'm writing poetry
my thoughts all come together
It's amazing
I can actually think what I'm thinking
It makes me feel calm and relaxed
and everything's quiet
When I'm writing poetry
my heart is pounding with ideas!
When I'm writing poetry...
It's the best thing that every happened to me
Poetry
by Celeste, grade 3
When I listen to poetry the words
ring in my head and I understand every word
But when I read poetry
the words explode in my ears ..
You Have a Angel
by Elizabeth, grade 2
I have a angel.
You have a angel
You might not be able to see it.
But it's inside you, I know.
Because one night I talked to it - last night.
We talked and talked until it was 12:00
We said bye and my angel
went back in my heart.
So this is my story to you
If you don't believe me
ask my angel.
Listen Closely
by Elizabeth
Listen closely
hear the words
When you listen
you will understand
what it is and it is inspiring
Lovely, sad, honest
royalty
Look inside you
and you will find that inner poet
So listen closely
Joseph
I wish you could see the poetry inside of me
after Carol taught me.
Humanities Department
Lenox Memorial Middle and High School
East Street
Lenox, Massachusetts
William J. Irvin Ph.D.
Your work with school children, inspiring them to write and share poetry, is a fine example of how enrichment can aid in the development of what are often called "basic skills." So often school departments focus on individual literacy procedures in an attempt to improve student performance, most often with very limited positive results, and frequently with the negative result of labeling the student a failure. Your work with the students, however, addresses the very heart of communication in a way which allows each student to develop and value his own voice, share that voice with others and appreciate what he receives from them.
