NEW: This Friday morning, Irene Latham and Vikram Madan and I will be presenting about poetry at the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival! Virtual event all week–tix free. More info at https://www.usm.edu/childrens-book-festival/index.php
For National Poetry Month 2021, I’m posting an equation poem each day. Maybe with an image, maybe without. I needed something very accessible and doable this year! Maybe you feel the same way? I’d love for you to join me, and here are several options for sharing your own or your students’ equation poems:
- in the comments below
- on social media with #EquationPoem–and be sure to tag me, please! (@LauraPSalas on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook)
- on the Padlet on my bookpage here
Here’s today’s equation poem. Mostly I use poetry to find and look at and feel the bits of life that are beautiful or surprising or curious. Today’s equation poem, though, is just gut. It’s brought on by by the death of another Black man during a police stop here in my own Twin Cities, as well as the news of more gun violence and school shootings around the country. It’s overwhelming.
8 Responses
Your poem captures the truth of these distressing times, Laura. Our whole country must find a way through this madness. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for this. As coincidence would have it, I’m here after clicking away from the news. I’m slowly learning “don’t read the comments” (except for blogs {smile}), but I guess I need to expand that idea to “don’t read the news more than I have to.” I want to be informed, but sometimes it’s just too much–as your poem communicates so well.
It’s really hard to find the balance between overwhelm and enough to be responsibly informed!
I agree the violence and pandemic are overwhelming Yes, sometimes you need to express what’s in your gut to help you to deal with the horror. I unfortunately heard the sad and horrifying news. Your equation poem perfectly captures the emotions that I’m sure many are feeling. Poetry is therapeutic.
Here’s one to cheer you. Today I looked out my backyard window to see if any birds were nibbling seeds from our feeder or eating beef lard for protein. I saw a flash of color fly away. turned to the left to follow the bird and surprise I noticed my inside flower had finally bloomed.
cardinal + red amaryllis = joy + surprise
Yes! The US news and the Haiti news are heartbreaking right now, even more so than usual. <3
Daily routine + friends + birdwatching = comfort
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Yes! I don’t birdwatch (though I love to watch the little birds that occasionally peck around on our roof while I’m writing), but routine, friends, and some nature-based hobby…SO much comfort. I just read a bit about Haiti’s current news. Wow. So much heartbreak in the world, Ruth. Thank you for being a voice for peace and justice.
Yes to the jagged heart and hole. Oh my.
I tried to write to this topic but just can’t right now. Don’t want to get it wrong. Too much heartache and anger and rage and sadness. So this came to me.…..
(hardwork + change + understanding) x 100% buy-in = hope, maybe?
So, you did write on this topic, Janet. And in a wonderful way. Reminds me of my tweet this morning: “It’s a coping mechanism for when I have emotions that I cannot put into words…” I love this student’s explanation of & passion for poetry! And check out the book, @CapstonePub! Opinion: Poetry is not a thing of the past lancerfeed.press/?p=57202 via @thelancerfeed