Better late than never...

Ok, so I wrote a Mother poem... I'm not too sure how I feel about it, but if you guys see this...tell me what you think :-)  

Hands

Those hands

an externalization of ourselves

worn...

aged...

softened solid marble

the secret lines worn

worked deep

bearing 

a lifetime

and smiling 

sweetly 

reflecting my secret 

hiding places 

for memories

placed 

deep

dancing

past

Drawing joy

sharing pain

Hands touch

the lines meet 

with laughter shared

secret pains made right

and life...

life briefly is 

simple.

One more poem because there are just so many I love

Crutches

it's not the crutches we decry
it's the need to move forward
though we haven't the strength

women aren't allowed to need
so they develop rituals
since we all know working hands idle
the devil
women aren't supposed to be strong
so they develop social smiles
and secret drinking problems
and female lovers whom they never touch
except in dreams

men are supposed to be strong
so they have heart attacks
and develop other women
who don't know their weaknesses
and hide their fears behind male lovers
whom they religiously touch
each saturday morning on the basketball court
it's considered a sign of health doncha know
that they take such good care of their bodies

i'm trying to say something about the human condition
maybe i should try again

I am sad this is ending...summer book club anyone!!

Hi girlies. Hope you are enjoying your weekend and the beautiful weather! I just sat down to write my mid-term and re-read over all of our main posts and side comments. This blog was a great experience and I am sad it is ending. Having coversations about teaching and poetry and Giovanni has been a great experience. I am looking forward to the "paired teaching" and winding down on this project, but hope to continue the concept of book/blog clubs/groups, in my personal life and in my classroom. :)

umm hello? anyone there? Bueller?

OK :) Happy almost springish. We need to start talking about the paired teaching... I would love to do a poetry introduction or close reading of a poem orrr have students (aka our peers) write thier own poetry. What can we really accomplish in, what is it, 20 minutes? I love this idea that is introduced about how poems can be poems when they don't "look like ine or anything" (xii). I think our lesson (whatever we choose), should focus around this poetry as "power per word quotient." I think I am leaning toward a close reading of one of our favorite Nikki Gio poems. What are your thoughts?

Hey Guys, 

So I'm finishing up the NCTE Book...Overall I really like the techniques that Jago uses, and totally agree that using Nikki Giovanni's poems as a model is a great way to help struggling writers.  Actually the set up of her classroom reminded me a bit of a poetry writing workshop I took here for 2 semesters.  I love the fact that she isn't forcing the meaning of the poem onto the students, meaning in some cases is not everything.  

Also, though, as Jago puts it... she offers Nikki Giovanni's work "as a model rather than a straight jacket." (Jago, 39).   That was one thing that always put me off in HS... teachers assign a poetry assignment but it HAD to be in a specific that specific format.  By offering poetry to class in this manner, by modeling but not necessarily require the same "structure," students really have an opportunity to let the style inform their own writing style in a manner that they see fit. 

Also, As I was reading this book, aside from my love of her techniques, I was debating if a Unit of study around a single poet is better or worse than studying the work multiple poets?  Though I know the book only focuses on Nikki Giovanni, it would be great to use Giovanni's poetry to introduce other contemporary poets like Gwendolyn Brooks, Rita Dove, Adrienne Rich and so many others.  I'm not sure how I would feel about a unit solely on Nikki Giovanni (Don't get me wrong I love her work) but just it would be interesting to study how her work differs from a few other contemporary poets, and for students to share their ideas about other poets as well.  Maybe I'm being too much of an English Major...but I think there is a of value in bringing other poets works in, to juxtapose against Giovanni's.  

See you in class!

"Reading and writing poetry helps us to find the notes we share"

I just finished reading the NCTE portion of this "book club" and found the information to be so useful. I really can't wait to talk about it in person...we need to move this virtual book club into real life with real cups of coffees and smiles! (ha. you guys are great!)

Anyways, I liked the suggestions about modeling poetry, or borrowing ideas from poets in order for students to write thier own poetry. Sometimes the hardest part about poems is starting... So I felt inspired to write my own inspired by Knoxville Tennesee.

20 Orchard St

I always liked 20 Orchard St
best
You never knock
are always invited
to drink coffee
and eat a meal
and play cards
or tiles
watch a movie
or just talk
at the kitchen counter
while the sun beams in
the skylights
from outside

I always liked
20 Orchard st
best
G&Gs.

:)

So many great ideas you can borrow from this, I am interested to read the other NCTE books.

Being and Nothingness

By Nikki Giovanni

I haven't done anything 

meaningful in so long

its almost meaningful 

to do nothing

I suppose I could fall in love

or at least in line

since I'm so discontented but that takes effort

and I don't want to exert anything 

neither my energy nor my emotions

I've always prided myself 

on being a child of the sixties

and we are all finished

so that makes being

nothing