Slice of Life Challenge #29 - March 29, 2011In preparation for poetry month, I’m still trying to write some different styles of poetry in order to show students the possibilities. Here’s a follow up to writing what you know a little differently. All of us, students included, grow up hearing different ‘wise old sayings’ from family (and even teachers) to help guide our lives. So, to take one of those and imagine what might be the origin is the idea. It can be as serious or as humorous as wished.
Mythology Hurts
It’s ever interesting
to contemplate
the crack
on the sidewalk,
to guess what
kind of person could
possibly believe that
even a faint touch
could harm someone.
Who created this myth
that utters threats to
youth
to beware of their
actions,
to check all their
Impulses,
to mind what they’re
told?
It has to have been
someone’s mother,
wise in her discipline
or wicked, or just
plain tricky.
Where did that saying come from? Never thought of it as mythology--it is. I didn't like teaching poetry at first, but worked up a lesson plan from Ralph Fletcher and his Pillars of Poetry chapter of Poetry Matters. I looked forward to it every year after that. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteThe question caused me to think and respond. I never thought about using a saying in this form. Brilliant.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever think that perhaps this saying was started by a psychiatrist trying to create more OCD clients?
ReplyDeleteI really liked it the poem, especially the second stanza where the words youth, actions, impulses, and told were each on a line by themselves...unless it was just default formatting...but even so, it makes a statement just in those words being set aside.
I love the Power of Three in this poem. Great idea, great rhythm.
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea. I think I will borrow this for my students. I thought you did a great job. I enjoyed the last stanza attributing the saying to someone's mom. It makes sense.
ReplyDeleteCool idea for a poem. I'm off to spend some time crafting one in my notebook. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteRuth