The Poor Poets

1001 Rules for my Unborn Son

2009-11-11T15:02:00.000-08:00

http://rulesformyunbornson.tumblr.com

Extra Credit: Go on to the above website to find a quote or rule that you connect to in some way. Copy and paste the rule in a comment box and explain your personal connection briefly in a paragraph or two. This comment will be viewed by others (but it will be viewed by me first). 10 extra points!

Are "dreams just dreams?"

2009-09-02T17:27:00.000-07:00

Please read this article on thirteen-year-old Laura Dekker who wishes to be the youngest person ever to sail solo around the world:

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/1733812,netherlands-girl-sail-world-25.article#

Respond as a comment to this article. What do you think about Laura's dreams? Do you think the Dutch Council for Child Protection is right for thinking that Laura is too young to complete her sail, or do you feel that with her parents permission, Laura has the right to go on her voyage?

Have you ever had a dream or aspiration that adults/peers/teachers thought you couldn't complete? How did/would this make you feel if someone didn't believe in your abilities?

The Queen

2009-08-04T18:47:00.001-07:00

Please read this article on Maya Angelou written in 2008 before her 80th birthday:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2008-03-26-maya-angelou_N.htm

Choose 2 quotes, facts, or thoughts from this article that interest you. List those quotes in your comments and describe your thoughts on them. Does Angelou say anything that inspires you? Does she say anything that reminds you of something once said by one of your parents, grandparents or other wise family member? Explain...

2009-05-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

How to Read a Poem: Beginner's Manual
By Pamela Spiro Wagner,

First, forget everything you have learned,
that poetry is difficult,
that it cannot be appreciated by the likes of you,
with your high school equivalency diploma,
your steel-tipped boots,
or your white-collar misunderstandings.

Do not assume meanings hidden from you:
the best poems mean what they say and say it.

To read poetry requires only courage
enough to leap from the edge
and trust.

Treat a poem like dirt,
humus rich and heavy from the garden.
Later it will become the fat tomatoes
and golden squash piled high upon your kitchen table.

Poetry demands surrender,
language saying what is true,
doing holy things to the ordinary.

Read just one poem a day.
Someday a book of poems may open in your hands
like a daffodil offering its cup
to the sun.

When you can name five poets
without including Bob Dylan,
when you exceed your quota
and don't even notice,
close this manual.

Congratulations.
You can now read poetry.