This week we celebrated Poem in Your Pocket Day at our school. In preparation, students chose or wrote poems in library classes. The night before though, I was still trying to choose mine. I remembered that we have a U.S. poet laureate and realized that I've never talked to my students about him. I read one of his books earlier this month and wrote a blog post about a few of his books. I wondered if I could find a poem of his that would work with my students. When I searched for poems by Juan Felipe Herrera, I found "Jackrabbits, Green Onions, and Witches Stew." I read it and thought since it was an unusual collection of words, it would be a fun one to share, but I wondered if I was reading it correctly so I looked for a video.
I found something even better. I found a lesson plan by Nicolle Stellon O'Donnell that included a video of Herrera reading my chosen poem, but also another helpful video. In the second one, he shares another poem, but also, near end of it, Herrera talks about how he defines poetry (at about 2:45).
I don't totally know what "Jackrabbits, Green Onions, and Witches Stew" might mean, but the text reminds me of Dr. Who. Whether I figured it out or not, Herrera seems to believe the most important thing is spending time with the poem. The poem may simply be meant to cause readers to be baffled or bring a smile to their face. Herrera may not even know what one of his poems is really saying. I'm good with that.
It is always fun to search and then find something special, Crystal. The poem is interesting, a curious piece. It feels like a love story, but then on a different level, a silly nonsensical story for a child. Thanks, Crystal. (I gave out poems at the bookstore!)
ReplyDeleteA spell was hidden in this poem. Thank you for the gift.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the poem means but the video brought me a huge smile and a wonderful memory this morning. My grandmother in law in her heavily accented Italian would say this nonsensical ditty that went "hot dogs and baby feet, two cents a little bit." It made absolutely made not sense but would make everyone smile. (When she said bit with her accent it rhymed with feet, sort of like beet.)
ReplyDeleteSpreading a love of poetry is a wonderful gift for your students.
ReplyDeleteI love that you shared your love of poetry with your students. Even better, you introduced them to the poet laureate! What a gift!
ReplyDeleteFantastic that you shared poetry from our poet laureate. I love the pics of the pockets too.
ReplyDeleteI love that Herrera lets his poems flow and notes that we need to give each poem a little time of our lives. Thank for sharing poetry at Celebrate this week, Crystal. I have been celebrating all month.
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