Pocket Poem
Photo by Amy LV
The poem I have in my pocket today is Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye; this poem has changed me, and I am grateful to Naomi for her wisdom. Our children's school has a grandparents' luncheon this morning, and I plan to leave a stack of copies of this poem somewhere in the building for people to find.
Yesterday, my friend Katie directed me to the International Digital Children's Library, an online library with a mission to provide free access to the best children's literature in the world. Here you can find complete books in many many languages for reading at home or in school.
Sometimes I think about children learning to read, about what a miracle it is to suddenly understand all of those small squiggly lines and dots. I can't remember not knowing how to read, but I do remember the early days of our children learning. They'd point out letters in books and would call out the names of signs along the roadway. Each new word was a victory, an entrance into the secret and beautiful world of language.
Tomorrow I am grateful to have the opportunity to spend a Poem in Your Pocket Day with the children of Country Parkway Elementary in Williamsville, NY. For tomorrow (sigh) is the last day of National Poetry Month, the last Poetry Friday of April, and the last day of NaPoWriMo too.
(Please click on COMMENTS below to share a thought.)
LOVE this! True, true, true!
ReplyDeleteHey, off topic -- there is a Friday in July open on the Poetry Friday Roundup schedule. You want? Let me know -- mlhahn at earthlink dot net.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI love this poem--as well as the others you've been posting this month. So happy you have joined the ranks of kidlit bloggers!
Mary Lee & Elaine,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your warm welcome here this month. I was quite nervous to jump in, but your bloggerette-hospitality has made me feel right at home. I love following your words and posts. Gracias!
A.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteYes, this is reading! I love the way that your words flow together like a favorite song. Thank you for blogging for Poetry Month. Since attending your Saturday presentation in Irondequoit this past November, your work has fueled my love of poetry and even nudged me to write more. Bravo!
Many thanks,
~Theresa
Theresa,
ReplyDeleteOh, your words mean a lot to me. It's been funny doing this, and knowing that you and others have been reading and encouraging has helped my writing. So "Thank you" to you as well! And on we write...
A.