How Poems Happen by Barbara Kingsolver, August 1998, pg. 36

The author wrote this article in response to the removal of poetry as a requirement in Arizonas schools. The author argues that poetry is something that just happens to us and not something we plan to write. I agree that poetry is a natural event. It helps us to express emotion and reflect moods. It is a form of creative expression that should not be left out of our schools.

Throughout my elementary years and high school years, I enjoyed reading and writing poetry as a part of class and on my own as another form of expression. Sometimes, writing poetry for a class assignment caused me to struggle, but I loved playing around with the words in the English Language and trying to be creative. I suspect that this was and is not a natural experience for everyone, but that doesnt mean it should be excluded as a form of written expression.

Poetry has long been a useful tool in teaching the written word. It motivates students to learn language patterns. We have used it in simple forms like Mother Goose with our preschool children. Many songs began as poetry. I use it regularly in my third grade classroom. We listen to poetry for the joy of it. My students love to laugh at Shel Silversteins The Upside of Down. We spend time discussing feelings and ideas and drawing pictures that poetry brings to mind. Some of us will have poems happen to us and for others, poetry will remain a mystery. However, for the young people we teach, we need to let them know about t

-- Anonymous, February 14, 1999

Answers

Dear Cindy: You have expressed some neat insights in your article. Poetry is the "music" of our lives. We do need to spend more time with it because it also allows us to understand the confusing that we face every day. What do you think we can do to expose our students to poetry? I would be interested in your thoughts. Thanks, John

-- Anonymous, March 03, 1999