On Thursday I read a reminder that tomorrow is Poetry Friday. Here is my contribution to the Poetry Friday:
They come every day
with words of happiness
to share with all
their grade in the last math test.
They come every day
with words of worry
to ask for help
in history and science.
They come every day
with words of frustration
to vent their disappointment
in life and school.
They come every day
with words of hope
to ask for a
retake or another chance.
They come every day
with words of disappointment
to ask why did this
happen to me
just now. Why
They come every day
with words of anger
to slam the door and
to shout about inequality.
They come every day
with words of strange language
to ask for a translation
from a teacher who speaks a different language.
They come every day
with words full of questions.
Shall I answer them or
make them find the right words
themselves?
©JaanaTerhune
Oh my, I love this. You've captured students and their "words" so clearly. Well written! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWow. I think you should share this with your students. The poem is about them. It's equally about you. You listen.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your words here today. Yes, they do, they come everyday and fill our day with their words. Thank you for yours.
ReplyDeleteThat's an important question you ask at the end. I feel so sorry for struggle of the ELL students.
ReplyDeleteThey come every day
ReplyDeletewith words full of questions.
Shall I answer them or
make them find the right words
themselves?
Love this stanza....and they know you will be there, too, ready to help them find their way.
I love that I could figure out your teaching identity through your poem. :)
ReplyDeleteWow. Your students are lucky to have a teacher who listens and knows them so completely! What a powerful poem!
ReplyDeleteSo great that these kids have you to help them find their way in a strange world. I loved the way you started every stanza with the line, "They come every day…"
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful, accurate and revealing poem. Yes, they come every day...
ReplyDeleteSo true that students come every day with all this and more. I love this poem!
ReplyDeleteShall I answer them or
ReplyDeletemake them find the right words
themselves?
I love this! When do we give and when do we let students work for answers. Not always black and white! Thanks for this thought provoking response!
Your concluding question is a vital one. Nice piece -- repetition creates structure and momentum! :)
ReplyDeleteI like how purpose-driven the words (and students) are!
ReplyDelete