Could I REALLY Be a Poet Someday?

A True Story . . . by Amy Shultz

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I held my ten year-old daughter on my lap, reading Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. It’s a short story about a boy who doesn’t believe he can write poetry. But through the process of listening to poetry, struggling with poetry, and writing poetry he doesn’t think is poetry, he becomes a poet. Anna and I read the whole thing. And when she emerged from her bath, she grabbed a paper and pencil and wrote (with no urging from Mom):

Guess, guess who I am. Pant, swish, swish. Chew, bark, wag, Lick, love, like! Don’t take a hike. Pounce, squeak. Flap, flop, flash, Whine, wind, wow! Guess, guess who I am. Red flash of fur. Loving smiles are exchanged. I, I am sweet Daisy.

She sheepishly handed me the poem, asking that I read it to the family. We clapped and cheered. And yet, she asked, “Mom, do you REALLY think I could be a poet someday?”

Poetry comes naturally to us as children. It is already there... in our hearts, in our songs, in our play, in our imaginations. But at some point in childhood, doubt creeps in to all of us. Writing requires a confidence that we have something important and worthwhile to say. (Not to mention overcoming the intimidation of the red pen!) Poetry lurks inside each one of us. As educators, we must lead the way in overcoming self-doubt and in celebrating the words we have to share with each other.

Teaching poetry doesn’t have to be complicated. Share good poetry together, taking pleasure with your students in the beauty of language. Open your students’ eyes to new poetry forms, giving them time to write everyday, urging them to read their verses out loud, and encouraging them through the struggle of revision. Most of all, take the time to celebrate and publish your student’s work, in effect saying, “Yes, I REALLY do think you are a poet!”

Amy Shultz

Amy Shultz, former fourth grade teacher, works as a facilitator for the Buddy Teaching and Learning Center. She also writes for The Write Connection newsletter and The Writing Site, under the Buddy System Project.

This featured article appeared in Volume 1, Number 3 issue of the Write Connections quarterly newsletter. View other archived newsletters , a topical organization of all newsletters, or sign-up to receive notification when the next newsletters are ready to download.