About Hands on Stanzas

Hands on Stanzas, the educational outreach program of the Poetry Center of Chicago places professional, teaching Poets in residence at Chicago Public Schools across the city. Poets teach the reading, discussion, and writing of poetry to 3 classes over the course of 20 classroom visits, typically from October through April. Students improve their reading, writing, and public speaking skills, and participating teachers report improved motivation and academic confidence. You can contact Cassie Sparkman, Director of the Hands on Stanzas program, by phone: 312.629.1665 or by email: csparkman(at)poetrycenter.org for more information.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Talking to an Animal

3rd grade students at Peirce were invited to read Emily Dickinson’s poem “Bee, I’m expecting you!” and write their own poems from the point of view of an animal or thing speaking to another animal or thing:


Hair and Pillow
by Alexsandra A.

The pillow said to the hair,
You are tickling me with your hair.


Untitled
by Jonathan

Sentence, I’m expecting you

The commas are in place
And marks at work

Details, mostly back

You’ll get my letter by
The sixteenth; Reply
Or better be with me
Sincerely, Picture


Untitled
by Ruben R.

The bear and the honey. I’m the bear. I
want the honey. I like honey because
I’m a bear the frog came to eat the
flies. Then the snake came to eat.
The lion came to eat everybody, then
the gorilla came to eat the lion.


Dear Chameleon
by Timolin T.

How come you never called me?
I was waiting for months and you just
sat around thinking about your birthday and it
already passed. It was my birthday and you
never came to it. You should be ashamed of yourself, but
I will forgive you if you call this number.
Yours, Lion. Call 724-6889


Turtle Wake Up
by Alejaudro

turtle turtle why do you sleep all day and night
come play no, no I’m sleepy let me sleep
some more hungry animals will come looking
for you come in the water with me fish
thank you fish yours truly, turtle


Dear Sun
by Francisco

Why are you so bright? It’s because
you are from fire or you are from light.


Untitled
by Lily

Tiger! I’m waiting for you.
I’ll see you soon.
Meet me by the old cave
where we played when we
were cubs.

The deer are back, the
buffaloes are back, let’s
go get some meat and
hurry! Winter is close by.

Your friend, Lion


Untitled
by Justin

Flamingo! I’m going to train you
how to stand on a log and fly with
the other eagles.


Untitled
by Jarvell

Lion, I thought you were chasing
me for dinner don’t run into
anything silver and night, don’t
run into a bat things can happen
like that.