I think this poem, by Sarah, speaks for itself.
You are like a dragon engulfed in power
Flaming like a brilliant sun
Scaly like a serpent
Freckled - black spots adore you
You're like a teardrop sliding down my cheek
Did you fall hard?
Or crunch softly among your brethren?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
A Few of My Favorite Things
No, I don't mean raindrops on roses. I'm talking about the humorous memoirs which I have recently finished grading. I cacluated it out, and I have read almost 400 pages of student work in the last week and a half. Wow -- that's like an entire novel!
I decided to share a few lines that stood out from the crowd. I'd love to hear you weigh in with comments on which of these are your favorites out there in cyberspace!
1. When I was little, I spent countless hours jumping from couch to couch, thinking I was an airplane, slashing through the clouds. -- Luisa
2. He was almost through [his Rice Crispie treat], but unlike every other kid, he wasn't finished. The wrapper awaited, seeming to stare at him as he stuffed his small mouth with the last piece of the crisp snack. -- Chris
3. It felt like time had slowed down. Her lips moved, talking to her friend next to her while she held her books in her hands. Her footsteps echoed. Step, step, step. They interwined with the beating of my heart. Every step was like a stake being driven into my chest. My breathing hastened. I was going to faint. -- Eric
4. We roll into the kitchen like ninjas, thinking we are the most secretive people on Earth, feeling like no one will ever catch us or defeat us. -- Kylie
5. Noiselessly grabbing the bottle of lotion, we turned around, creeping back downstairs, careful not to creak the stairs again. Once back downstairs we could finally breathe again. -- Karen
I decided to share a few lines that stood out from the crowd. I'd love to hear you weigh in with comments on which of these are your favorites out there in cyberspace!
1. When I was little, I spent countless hours jumping from couch to couch, thinking I was an airplane, slashing through the clouds. -- Luisa
2. He was almost through [his Rice Crispie treat], but unlike every other kid, he wasn't finished. The wrapper awaited, seeming to stare at him as he stuffed his small mouth with the last piece of the crisp snack. -- Chris
3. It felt like time had slowed down. Her lips moved, talking to her friend next to her while she held her books in her hands. Her footsteps echoed. Step, step, step. They interwined with the beating of my heart. Every step was like a stake being driven into my chest. My breathing hastened. I was going to faint. -- Eric
4. We roll into the kitchen like ninjas, thinking we are the most secretive people on Earth, feeling like no one will ever catch us or defeat us. -- Kylie
5. Noiselessly grabbing the bottle of lotion, we turned around, creeping back downstairs, careful not to creak the stairs again. Once back downstairs we could finally breathe again. -- Karen
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Fusing the Words of Others
No, this post's title does not refer to plagiarism! Earlier this year, in class we fused together words that came from famous quotes about war and crafted them into our own original poems. Here is Lizzy's effort; it's a good one!
War
War determines the end of mankind,
Marching our brothers into battle,
With honor and liberty.
Prisoners of battle,
Eye to eye with death watching all men.
A cry for peace with the enemy,
But we are only blinded by the rifles.
War
War determines the end of mankind,
Marching our brothers into battle,
With honor and liberty.
Prisoners of battle,
Eye to eye with death watching all men.
A cry for peace with the enemy,
But we are only blinded by the rifles.
A Creative Approach
I always love it when students surprise me with an approach to an assignment that I didn't anticipate. When we wrote poems inspired by Linda Gregg's 2005 poem, "Whomever" I assumed most people would write about a person in their life. Marc chose to write about an animal.
The Lonely Stranger
You are not even human, except to your owner maybe.
I saw you again as I walked across the bridge.
You were lying down in your capacious cage.
Outside in the cold, all alone, dressed in black fur.
I bet you are warmer than I.
With the time passing by and the sky turning to black, I am hoping you will go inside, for it is also getting colder.
I’m glad you have someone to care for you, because others do not.
I think there is a kindness in you, although I am told to stay away,
Like the way bullies act tough to hide what they are really feeling inside.
Other times I think you are tough,
The way you sit up in alert as my footsteps pound against the wooden bridge.
Always it is a joy to see you, until a man takes you inside
leaving your cage alone and cold in the night.
The Lonely Stranger
You are not even human, except to your owner maybe.
I saw you again as I walked across the bridge.
You were lying down in your capacious cage.
Outside in the cold, all alone, dressed in black fur.
I bet you are warmer than I.
With the time passing by and the sky turning to black, I am hoping you will go inside, for it is also getting colder.
I’m glad you have someone to care for you, because others do not.
I think there is a kindness in you, although I am told to stay away,
Like the way bullies act tough to hide what they are really feeling inside.
Other times I think you are tough,
The way you sit up in alert as my footsteps pound against the wooden bridge.
Always it is a joy to see you, until a man takes you inside
leaving your cage alone and cold in the night.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Who Says You Can't Write Happy Poetry?
Whoever said the best poetry has to be sad has obviously never heard from these two poets before.
The poem "What Is Caring?" by Jess is inspired by the poem "What Is Success?" by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Her poem makes us all think about how we can show compassion and concern for our fellow human beings.
The poem "Love" by Samantha uses a series of metaphors to write about an emotion that is oft addressed in poetry. The imagery is classic, but the word choice is fresh. See if you can spot Miss Ambrosini's favorite Super 70 word inside of this poem!
What is Caring? To give a kind word to someone who is lacking confidence To be willing to give your life for someone who is losing theirs To make people believe dreams come true To bestow your heart to someone in pain To elevate one’s spirit when they’re finally giving up To embrace someone’s hand when they're frightened of the future To show a soul you will always be by their side To show love to somebody who is fighting for their life To open one's path when another is closing To guide someone’s footsteps when they don’t know where to turn To make a friend simply laugh when they shed one tear To reach out to someone who is in need of a companion To stride beside a friend for years and years to come And to live happily knowing you put a smile upon someone’s face This is to care. | |
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Thursday, October 15, 2009
Returning At Last
Well, we're back for another year with a whole new crop of writers to showcase. I thought I'd begin the year with this post, which my Advanced English class wrote collaboratively (and yes, that is a vocab word!) Our goal was to "explode a moment," bringing it to life in full color, clarity, and a hint of slow motion. Enjoy!
The salty smell tempts me. As I raise it closer and closer to my mouth, another idea comes to mind. I glare across the cafeteria at my nemesis, Ryan . The memory of my face covered in ketchup burns in my mind, and suddenly I realize, I have to do it. I wind up my arm like Cliff Lee in the big game. The greasy heat of the fry between my fingers urges me on. My arm launches through the air in a dramatic arc. I release the weapon. It sails through the air, zinging like a stealth bomber, tumbling like an acrobat, and finally unleashing its greasy load right between his eyes.
Disclaimer: Scribbles and Bits in no way advocates throwing food in the cafeteria.
The salty smell tempts me. As I raise it closer and closer to my mouth, another idea comes to mind. I glare across the cafeteria at my nemesis, Ryan . The memory of my face covered in ketchup burns in my mind, and suddenly I realize, I have to do it. I wind up my arm like Cliff Lee in the big game. The greasy heat of the fry between my fingers urges me on. My arm launches through the air in a dramatic arc. I release the weapon. It sails through the air, zinging like a stealth bomber, tumbling like an acrobat, and finally unleashing its greasy load right between his eyes.
Disclaimer: Scribbles and Bits in no way advocates throwing food in the cafeteria.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Headline Poems
Earlier this year, I awarded "Vogie" awards for the documentary "Things Not Seen" films that most impressed me and my classes. Since these awards are only for film, I guess I can't bestow a Vogie upon these poems, but I can say that according to a vote taken in my eighth period class, these were the three best headline poems from the team.
The inspiration came first from clipping words related to Twelve Angry Men, followed by a second step of clipping words with intriguing qualities either of sound or meaning. Then by creative arrangement of these words, we arrived at these poems. Enjoy! They are by Allie, Sarah, Madison, Luke, and Spencer.
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