Catherine posted this week about poetry and the way that poems can evoke or persuade thought. It reminded me of a poem I wrote a couple years ago that shows some of the frustrations that I've felt about our society. It is strange to post it purely in written form: the rare time that I've shared it, I've read it aloud. I feel that reading it is key to give emphasis and pause where it's needed, to make the points that I want to. So just imagine those when you read it! It will be interesting to see what you think of it as it is here. So close your eyes, take a breath and read it slowly, intentionally (that is how I would do it aloud):
I am so grateful for the relief that the light of my life throws the world into,
without it I'd be blind.
But blindness is a virtue,
just like kindness or joy.
The kind of ignorance that is blissful.
And practicality is an abnormality in this cycle we call life.
And rations are more for food than they are for thought.
And patients are in hospitals,
but it's not in our hearts, slowing us down, pondering...
That is a virtue we've forgotten.
In a world of here and now, are you here? Now?
Instead of pennies, we're pinching cards. Swipe, stripe, slide...
....slide down into that red world and stay there.
Drown in the luxuries that you've chosen for yourself.
Too bad you didn't buy flippers.
Flip out against this world that we've created.
There's so much....space to mold it to our will.
Spacing out is not an option.
Be present in the present or it shall escape from our grasp and will be another's to control.
Another human, another country, another world.
And it goes on, this life we lead.
But if the world keeps spinning, will it ever spin out of control?
-Jes Oystryk
I often think of Shane Koyczan and the way that he performs poetry. Here is a link to one of his amazing talks - and this one is so relevant for our students.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa1iS1MqUy4
This clip would be a great way to introduce slam poetry to students. Slam poetry is a very modern form of poetry, is a performing art and can be very political or influential. I think that slam poetry would be an excellent strategy for getting students to be more interested and motivated to do poetry. It encourages the use of rhythm and other mechanical forms of poetry. The following website gives some great ideas for lessons on slam poetry. There are also great sources that give definitions and histories about slam poetry.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/jan-june00/poetryboxlessonplanone.html
"When I'm sad, my Grandma gives me karate chops!" Haha!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great speaker he is--very engaging and passionate. Great link Jes.
Jes! That poem is amazing! I was posting on my blog and then I remembered you mentioned you posted your poem. It is awesome and I'd love to hear you read it so as to make it authentic. It's funny eh, that we say we aren't poets but poetry can just come out of nowhere, even to the non-poet! In light of that, I guess we are all poets, perhaps we just don't allow ourselves to embrace it all the time. Thanks so much for sharing that with us :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cat! I wrote this at about 4 in the morning when I got up to pee and then couldn't fall back to sleep. It's the only thing I've ever written that would be considered poetry. I often wonder what would happen if I had more quiet moments like that...the ones where you think with perfect clarity - but they are so fleeting. It's what true inspiration feels like I suppose!
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