Students - Last week I complimented a man who stood in line with me at the grocery store on the joyful sunflowers he was purchasing. His eyes welled up, and he told me that his twenty-seventh wedding anniversary would be the next day, that his wife had died in early summer, and that she had loved sunflowers. The man was going to place the sunflowers on her grave. I have been thinking about him ever since.
I have a handful of friends who are grieving the loss of loved ones at this time, and so when I sat down to write, this sunflower man and my grieving friends came right to my mind. I found myself thinking about how different people grieve in different ways, and that we usually never know what is happening inside another person's heart.
As I wrote, I felt myself remembering and inspired by one of my favorite poems, Charlotte Zolotow's poem "People." (Scroll down a wee bit at this link to read it.) I appreciate the way Charlotte compares two different kinds of people in her poem, the way she describes each type of person in its own stanza. I chose to write one stanza per type of grief sweater, and I also added a third stanza offering a bit of advice.
Reading helps us writers as the more we read, the more possibilities we understand and can imagine for our writing. Today I challenge you to try writing a poem - or some other kind of writing - that compares two things. You may wish to list some ideas: two pets, two kinds of cookie, two ways to show a feeling, any two things. Write one stanza (or paragraph) about the first and then another stanza (or paragraph) about the second. If you wish, add a third...or fourth...or fifth. You may surprise yourself.
If you are wondering why I repeated that last line - as good as it can - it is because I wanted to linger in that sadness. Grief does not usually feel good, and I hope to honor this truth.
This week, Linda is hosting the Poetry Friday roundup over at TeacherDance with a thoughtful and timely poem inspired by a collection of books written by Charles Dickens and recently donated to the all-volunteer-run bookstore where she works. Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.
This week may you be comfortable in all of your clothes and in all of your moods. May you be you.
xo,
Amy
I so enjoy short poems that help young people (especially tweens and young teens) process what they are feeling. It's important emotional work and we don't directly teach how to do it. Your poem is a wonderful way in to a conversation of that work. Thanks for the link to Zalatow's poem. It is simple and wonderful.
ReplyDeleteFinding ways to give a challenge to young people to open their feelings and share isn't easy, but once they get that feeling that it helps, it's so wonderful, Amy. Hoping that many teachers will read and take this to their students! Thanks for all, the Zolotow, too, who so often hits the mark with her words!
ReplyDeleteOh, Amy, that sunflower story (and the poem that resulted.) ❤️ The image of your brief conversation with that dear man will stay with me. And what beautiful process notes/prompting. The Zolotow poem is perfection.
ReplyDeleteI'm still thinking about the man with the sunflowers. So touching, as is your poem. Thanks also for the link to Charlotte Zolotow's "People."
ReplyDeleteAmy, thank you for your grief sweater poem. Sometimes we wear both of them at different times. I like the lingering pause and repetition at the end "as good as it can be."
ReplyDeleteSuch an important reminder to treat everyone with kindness and respect - we never know what is going on in someone's life, what they might be going through. We might be able to make a real difference in someone's day, just with a small act of kindness. <3
ReplyDeleteWhat a moment you had in the grocery store. Even though your compliment prompted tears, I'm sure that being able to be vulnerable and share with you made a difference to him. You are right to remind us that we never know what burdens another is carrying...
ReplyDeleteLook at what a lovely poem blossomed out of your chance meeting. Your kind words were just what he needed. Your poem is so relatable. My mom has been gone for 4 years, and I still grieve her every day. The repetition of the last line is so perfect and did just as you intended, had me linger with the feeling. Beautiful.
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