Less Than Perfect by Nikki GrimesThis poem was originally published in Nikki Grimes' book, Garvey's Choice.
This entire book felt like a retelling of my fifth grade school year. I had a really hard time in school because I had just moved to Raleigh, NC from Atlanta, GA, and the only thing that got me through was joining chorus. Chorus was a way for me to meet friends and focus on improving myself through art. I continued to be in a chorus group until I graduated high school, and I attribute a lot of my personality to those chorus groups. Garvey was a young boy who grew over the course of this book through chorus and this poem sums up his growth. He started out by only seeing the bad in himself, but by the end he was noticing the good and bad in other people too. |
What Love Looks Like by Rupi KaurThis poem was originally published in Rupi Kaur's book, The Sun and Her Flowers.
I chose to only show a small part of this poem because these last two stanzas were the most powerful to me. Even though I hate to admit it, I always have been and always will be a hopeless romantic. My oldest sister got married last year and in her vows she told her now husband, "I know that I can live without you, but if given the choice, I will always choose to live with you." I don't think I had ever publicly cried as hard as I did when I hear that, and these two stanzas rushed those feelings right back to me. I'm not sure if I can say much more than that; this poem leaves me a little speechless. |
Tall City by Susan Nichols PulsiferThis poem was originally published in Paul B. Janeczko's book, Firefly July.
This poem is nostalgic for me. I was raised in two cities and I to this day feel most at home in cities. It's ironic because "concrete jungles" hardly seem "homey," but cities mean busy lives full of opportunity. That is the life I have grown up with and the life I will always want. However, one part of living in a city is the occasional excitement of getting away from the city, and for my family that meant camping in the mountains of NC. The mountains and cities do have one thing in common that will always make me feel at home, even in a new place: foggy mornings. This poem touches on the nostalgia I feel every time I wake up to fog, whether I am in the mountains or in the city. |
Chickadee by Amy Ludwig VanderwaterThis poem was originally published in Amy Ludwig Vanderwater's book, Forest Has a Song.
Chickadees always seem to be around and always make me smile. They are curious and braver than lots of birds. Typically they venture closer to humans at restaurants or parks because they know they'll get food. But no matter where I see them, I always enjoy their bouncy presence. I loved this poem because, while it reminded me of a little creature that makes me smile, it gave two different perspectives in one poem. I love how the author personified the bird and made it come to life by writing out its thoughts and feelings towards humanity. I haven't seen any other poem with the dual perspectives like this, and it is something I would like to try one day in my own poetry. |
Sweets by Valerie WorthThis poem was originally published in Valerie Worth's book, All the Small Poems and Fourteen More.
I have a sweet tooth! I very rarely crave salty or savory treats, but nine times out of ten, I will be craving sweets. I get that from my dad who got that from his mom. It's a family thing! This poem makes me crave sweets but it also makes me think of cherished loved ones that have the same cravings as me. This poem also offers readers a door into sensory imagery, which I have always favored. As a special educator, senses tend to be more accessible and tangible for students, so this is a poem I can see myself using in my future classroom. |