I wish I had been proactive enough to take photographs of my students today, sharing the poems that they picked out, of over 30 anthologies and single books I have from teaching , college, and life. POETRY was my LIFE in college.
I went in thinking I was going to master the “communications” field, as per everyone’s opinion that I should b the next Barbara Walters. Then I got there,and didn’t like it at all. I’d look at the semester catalogs,and wonder how I could take all of the English classes that I wanted to. By my sophomore year, I realized I could ‘change my major’. So, creative writing it was. I understand that these days, they are taking away that major as it isn’t profitable. they’re not wrong. No one would pay me to read my poems either.
THANKFULLY SOMEONE SUGGESTED I BECOME A TEACHER THE LAST YEAR IN COLLEGE, AND THAT IS WHAT IV’E DONE EVER SINCE.
Needless to say, this was/is my favorite dorky poem day I get a year! Here is one of the poems I had in my pocket. I read it at Gerry’s eulogy. It is written by Mary Oliver.
“IF YOU ARE HOLDING THIS BOOK”
You may not agree you may not care, but
if you are holding this book you should know
that of all the sights I love in this world –
and there are plenty–very near the top of
the list is this one: dogs without leashes.
Awww I love it! She is one of our favorite poets.
We should have guessed you have a creative writing background. Your blog is always full of such heartfelt, authentic writing.
I was introduced to her work a few years ago with “Dog Songs” and have purchased many of her other books as well. Maybe I’ll highlight her as “Woman of the Month” and blend into “National Poetry Month” next year.
I picked Malala Yousafzai for this year’s heroine, and then the children wrote Haiku and Biography poems about her this month, which we displayed. I’m going to send her copies.