Tuesday, December 13, 2011

On Visiting Mrs. Blanton's Third Grade Class to Talk About Poetry















Little poets
with bright upturned faces
greet me at the classroom door.

I meet Julian
and Tasha
and Cole
and many others.

We speak of haiku
and poems about cats,
nymphs and goblins.

They listen
and bubble with questions:

Can I read you my poem?

What is your favorite poem?

and, from a charming young journalist, head cocked:

What magazines are on your coffee table at home?


The room vibrates
with the open-hearted, uninhibited creativity
that comes from smart kids
who still know that we all can create something beautiful,
who haven't been told that they can't.

I leave feeling buoyant and blessed.