Framed & Hung

Poetry Links How Do We Inspire Poetry Could I REALLY Be a Poet Someday? More Than Fluff Literacy Through Poetry in Primary Grades White Knuckles A Poetry Connection Framed & Hung: a Poem genre description poetry prompts tech tips for poetry

by Amy Shultz

Turn on.
Point.
Click.
A picture is taken.
It is blurry and not very interesting, but at least the camera worked.
It will be thrown away.

Let’s try again.
Consider the subject, the lighting.
Turn on.
Point and look again.
Consider the background.
Point and look at a different angle.
Get closer. Zoom in.
“Don’t move!”
Click.
A memory is captured.
The eyes sparkle as the ribbon is held high.
It will be framed and hung in a special place.

Write big.
And hurry.
Because the teacher said so.
Words are scribbled on a page, but at least it can be turned in.
Nobody will want to read it anyway,
Except to put red marks over misspellings.

Let’s try again.
Recall the emotion.
Pick up the pencil.
Words fill the page, remembering.
Cross out, move around, add some more
To the picture.
“Don’t give up!”
Read out loud and consider.
Erase, change a word,
A memory is captured.
The eyes sparkle as the teacher holds it high.
It will be framed and hung in a special place.

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.