Aveson School of Leaders in Altadena

Had the opportunity today to perform three poetry writing workshops for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders for two classrooms. The kids were wonderful. I had a great time performing A First For Me, I Vacuumed A Bee; Godzilla!; and 13 Ways Of Looking At Little Chocolate Donuts...then lead them into writing emulations. I got to give a lot of individual advice on their newly composed poems, and wrote two myself:


IT'S NOT UNUSUAL

I visit a classroom
and share poetry

The kids all so nice
diminuitive adults

I feel like a giant
sharing my love

of poetic ideas
One girl sits in a chair

adjusts the fit of her shoe
I say that's a good start

Then there's a boy who puts
his arm behind his head

It looks like it's growing
out of his hair

So what can I do
I'll make another poem

and growl with pleasure
over every newborn couplet


ATCH!

Looking for a batch
to catch

I had to detach
from my hatch

go to a klatch
unhook a latch
find a match

Now I can say natch
about needing a patch

All this helps me ratchet
up the contents of my satchel

Just watch!


And tomorrow...I'm reading at Roosevelt High School for the faculty poetry reading during their extended Cinco de Mayo lunchtime celebration. Woo hoo!