Unfortunately, I do not have access to much of the poetry I have written throughout the years. However, in English 4790 we read Teaching for Joy and Justice by Linda Christensen, and experimented with an in-class read around in which the class used several prompts in the book and crafted a poem on the spot. I do not consider myself a poet, and I do not write poetry for pleasure, but I was happy with what I created. I chose to use Christensen's "Raised By" prompt.
The read-around was one of my favorite experiences from the entire semester. The emotion in the air was thick, and tears were shed. I learned about my classmates on a deeper level, which never happens in most classes. I plan to use read-around activities in my future classes, even if I do not end up teaching English.
Raised By
I was raised by
a slightly crazy
never lazy
"Have you put lotion on your hands lately?"
"Eat your kale or suffer!"
"Hey, check out my new leg, it's zebra print!"
"I have to tell you about my date!"
Kind of mother.
Raised by
an adrenaline junkie
German-speaking
Tells the same stories again and again
"You should call your grandmas every week."
"You want to see Jackass? You're looking at her.""I remember the one time I picked up an arm from a dumpster and asked the sergeant if he needed a hand."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Duck eggs are really good!"
Forever in blue and super protective
Kind of father.
Raised by
a tap dancing
knitting with pencils
Marine officer that still gives me bunny ears (even in his wedding pictures)
"Hey little man, how are you?"
"Make me a sandwich."
Always made up games in which I ended up hurt
(I always agreed to partake)
Would kill anyone or anything who tried to harm me
Always Faithful
Kind of brother.
Raised by
a garlic scented
tongue rolling
"Hokis, when are you getting married?"
"Let's go, baby!"
"Eat! Have some more!"
"No crossing legs in church."
"Arms, only. No hips!"
"You better cover that head in church!"
"Remember, some Turks saved your grandfather."
Persistent
Unrelenting
Refusing to die out
Kind of people.
Raised by
the Queen of Armenia
ever so prim and proper
(Although we once got her to chug a beer)
"I don't care if it is your birthday, that room is getting cleaned!"
"I love you, my darling."
A true survivor if I've ever met one
Russian when she didn't want me to understand
Kind of grandmother.
Raised by
a crazy dancer
sower of wild oats
trampoline funeral-holding
"Hey, Rage!"
Just as weird as I am
Understands my every thought
Shares my dreams
Kind of best friend.
The read-around was one of my favorite experiences from the entire semester. The emotion in the air was thick, and tears were shed. I learned about my classmates on a deeper level, which never happens in most classes. I plan to use read-around activities in my future classes, even if I do not end up teaching English.
Raised By
I was raised by
a slightly crazy
never lazy
"Have you put lotion on your hands lately?"
"Eat your kale or suffer!"
"Hey, check out my new leg, it's zebra print!"
"I have to tell you about my date!"
Kind of mother.
Raised by
an adrenaline junkie
German-speaking
Tells the same stories again and again
"You should call your grandmas every week."
"You want to see Jackass? You're looking at her.""I remember the one time I picked up an arm from a dumpster and asked the sergeant if he needed a hand."
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"Duck eggs are really good!"
Forever in blue and super protective
Kind of father.
Raised by
a tap dancing
knitting with pencils
Marine officer that still gives me bunny ears (even in his wedding pictures)
"Hey little man, how are you?"
"Make me a sandwich."
Always made up games in which I ended up hurt
(I always agreed to partake)
Would kill anyone or anything who tried to harm me
Always Faithful
Kind of brother.
Raised by
a garlic scented
tongue rolling
"Hokis, when are you getting married?"
"Let's go, baby!"
"Eat! Have some more!"
"No crossing legs in church."
"Arms, only. No hips!"
"You better cover that head in church!"
"Remember, some Turks saved your grandfather."
Persistent
Unrelenting
Refusing to die out
Kind of people.
Raised by
the Queen of Armenia
ever so prim and proper
(Although we once got her to chug a beer)
"I don't care if it is your birthday, that room is getting cleaned!"
"I love you, my darling."
A true survivor if I've ever met one
Russian when she didn't want me to understand
Kind of grandmother.
Raised by
a crazy dancer
sower of wild oats
trampoline funeral-holding
"Hey, Rage!"
Just as weird as I am
Understands my every thought
Shares my dreams
Kind of best friend.