In class this week we read a piece by comedian and writer Dick Gregory, "Not Poor, Just Broke." We read it the first time through like readers, looking for the gist or main point, but we reread it a second and third time in order to appreciate the powerful words and phrases he used. We created collaborative poetry in small groups and performed the poems for the class. It made me realize what a good writer Gregory is and what wonderful poets we have in our class. Here are just a few samples:
Ashamed
I always thought the teacher
kind of liked me.
I guess she couldn't see a kid
who made noises
because he wanted someone to know he was there.
I didn't go back often because there was shame there.
I never learned hate at home.
"We all know you don't have a daddy."
Paste
Teachers were never interested in finding out
that you couldn't concentrate
because you were so hungry.
I walked out of school that day
and for a while
I didn't go back.
Paste doesn't taste too bad when you're hungry.
So...many of the poems are still in the editing process, but you can see that good writers watch and listen for great lines.
We'll be starting a great book together next week, and we'll be sharing our observations on our journey.
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