Exploring Haiku
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Haiku
Sunflower
I stretch for the sun
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Rooted like a loyal dog
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A sweet spot for bees
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Alix Shaver
the process
I have always loved sunflowers because they were the first thing I ever successfully planted when I was young. Besides that I didn't know much about them so before writing this poem I researched them. I took notes and turned those words into a poem. I struggled with this because of the syllable structure but I'm proud of how it turned out. I wanted to do a take on how sunflower seeds eventually become a salty snack in a bag that baseball players often enjoy, but I landed on this because I wanted to focus on a small moment. This photo was taken last summer when my family and I went to a sunflower field. Poetry is teaching me to be patient and sit with my words rather than rush just to get something on the page. I'm thankful for this slow pace.
So much depends upon
After William Carlos Williams
My Glasses
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So much depends
upon
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round speckled rims
holding two glass circles
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waiting on my nightstand
patiently until I wake
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spotted with
yesterday's wear
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my loyal
sight tool
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the process
To write this poem, I checked out a lot of other "so much depends upon" poems written after William Carlos Williams. The hardest part was selecting my topic, I knew that I wanted to select something simple, but important to my daily life. I began exploring in my own room and thinking through everyday objects. I started with my water bottle because it is never far from me either. I eventually realized that what I wanted to write about was right in front of my eyes, pun intended. I've always worn glasses but since starting graduate school I was having a lot of problems with headaches, blurred vision and dizziness. I went to the doctor, got a new prescription for the first time since high school and it feels like magic, no more headaches. So for me, so much truly depends on my glasses and wearing them everyday. I enjoyed writing this poem, it would be so fun to do in a classroom and have kids explore as I did to find a topic.
Six Senses Poem
my favorite place
the process
Just looking at this picture and reading this poem again gives me all the feels. At the beginning of all of these life changes, I really struggled with knowing I may never see my students at Newland again. It is still a struggle and just something that really stinks with no solution, some things in life are that way. Newland really became a second home to me, those kids touched my heart in so many ways and really prepared me for my own classroom. I love them so much and the staff made me feel at home and always welcome. I don't think I will ever not miss them and wish my time there ended differently but I am so thankful for the experiences that student teaching and then getting to work there gave me. It truly is one of my favorite places, it was so easy to write a poem about somewhere that means so much to me. I could definitely use this poem as a model for future students to show the importance of writing about things that are in your heart.
Animal Poetry
the process
Each of these animal poems were written after virtual teaching sessions surrounded around these animals. I used my writer's notebook to write ideas down from the group chat feature on zoom. The ideas that inspired me most were from students, their voices are so important. I researched each animal and tried to make my poems informative. The zoom poetry and writing sessions really helped me to stay connected to my Appalachian family and connect with students. It was a great opportunity that allowed me to still teach and encourage students from home.
Please check out my other virtual teaching experiences!
Observational Poetry
After Valerie Worth
Tulip
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Blooming quickly
Letting me know
Spring has arrived
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Overlapping petals
Shades of pink
Flapping like wings
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With no where to go
Grounded
By a velvet stem
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Alone in the soil
Accompanied by weeds
Do you long for a tulip friend?
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Skinny trees hanging
Off the mountain
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thin and leafless
waiting
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for spring
to turn them green again
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seeming to block
the view
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but
maybe
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just
maybe
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they are
the view
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the process
Both of these poems were inspired by nature and Valerie Worth's writing. I took time to really look at the objects and reflect on how they made me feel. Drawing the tulip made me really connect with it and be inspired to write about certain aspects of it.
A poem from my heart
Graduation
with no crowd
and no cheers
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longing to hug
my classmates
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and the professors
who shaped me
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no parties
no family dinners
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the degree matters
but so does the celebrating
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change
is hard
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a gown
hung up
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a hood
never used
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some things
just aren't
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meant to be
virtual
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I love you forever, Appalachian
the process
Throughout so much change, I've been thankful to be able to turn to writing for comfort. I'm missing so many things, but I know people everywhere are. I am thankful that I got to graduate last year, for some that isn't the case and I hate it for them. This poem was on my heart while I drank my coffee and I had to write it down. I feel torn with feeling selfish for feeling sad about things I'm not getting to do, I know all of this is necessary and there are people having to sacrifice much more. But my feelings are real and so are everyone else's.