Tracing the word back to its original Greek, “poetry” came from a word meaning to make or create. Poetry usually refers to words in verse, but rhyming is not required to write a poem and, yes, anyone can write poetry!

Did you know that we have a Poetry Month? Do you know why? Poetry is an art that goes back centuries and both men and women wrote poetry. Having a month for poetry brings attention to an art that is versatile and engaging, although perhaps not as studied and practiced as other arts.

Guess what? This month of April is Poetry Month, so let us write a poem! Some of our most memorable writers in history were poets. Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” is quite memorable indeed. What about reading a short poem by
Ogden Nash?

Kids usually like these. Once they get the hang of hearing poems, perhaps read a Shakespeare sonnet and see how it is received.

You can also have kids choose a topic on one of their favorite subjects, such as a pet dog or cat, hiking, fishing, or perhaps at the beach, and have them write a poem about it.

Perhaps a favorite game they play or a favorite food they eat? For example, my cat’s name is Nicholas and I call him “Nicky” for short. This one is for the kids:

I have a cat named Nicky

whose paws are sometimes sticky.

He plays in the days,

and naps where he lays.

So goes my cat named Nicky!

Remind the kids that poets may write and rewrite many times before they find the words they want. Start simple. Perhaps the funnier the poems, the easier they will be to write.

After their experiential play with poetry, why not create a team poem or a class poem? Perhaps a poem a day throughout a month, where each kid has a chance to share a poem he or she likes or wrote? Perhaps the subject is “A Summer’s Day.” All kids can relate to that. Have the kids provide words that remind them of a summer’s day. As the kids suggest them, write them on the black or white-board. After you have brainstormed
ideas with them, begin to place them in phrases. They may want some lines to rhyme and not others.

Once kids feel comfortable playing with poetry, they can learn about poetic rhythm. When I was studying poetry, the teacher had us listen to poetry being read. It gave me an entirely different relationship with poetry, as it reminded me of singing. Later in life, I heard an Ovid poem read aloud in Greek, and could hardly believe the beauty of the sounds. Listening to poetry, then, enlivens another sense and brings us closer to the essence of the art of poetry.

Ultimately, poetry is not a “thing;” it is a feeling or a tone; perhaps a tiny story, a lesson, a loss, a joy. Through poetry, we can experience another aspect of our humanness. So don your best poet garb and begin to compose!

Thanks to hoyasmeg, ahisgett, and sub_lime79!

Arts enrich us!

Candice

April is Poetry Month, it is also Earth Month and next week, just in case you were wondering, there is also National Library Week (April 12-18). Throw a couple of spring time festivals in there like Easter and the like, and indeed, there is much to get us moving around this month!

In case you missed Earth Hour (which was March 28), this month brings a host of things to do. If you have teenagers, encourage them to visit www.teensturninggreen.org for their latest ideas on Project Green Prom. They have a video contest for ideas for how to green a prom and also a Toolkit! Just visit their website to find more about how teens are increasingly getting involved with safe and healthy life choices.

Then, of course, there is Earth Day itself, April 22,when you can celebrate all you are doing for the earth in terms of recycling, going organic, growing trees and gardens and saving water!

On the creative front, my young son is in week 3 of a living art class. So far he has grown grass hair for a little sock man and a small garden on radishes growing in the bottom of an old milk carton (just cut off the top, add seeding mix, and some radish seeds. Have kids make a little fence with painted sticks and hey presto!). We also have a small jar full of wet, colored tissue paper in the middle forming a blanket for 3 little beans which have just sprouted and are sending their curly heads towards the top of the jar. Just this afternoon, we made pinecone bird feeders with some peanut butter and bird seed (cover the pinecones with the peanut butter and then roll in the bird seed. You’ll need to attach some string once they are done to hang them outside). It’s been a bit hit and miss with the weather so we’re pretty sure our bird friends will love us tomorrow! If you would like some other ideas for kids for Earth Day/Month, check out Kaboose where they have a host of great projects for all ages!

Finally, there’s the library. Why buy books and movies when you can go and rent them for free from your library? Libraries are brilliant spaces for kids, putting on story times, information sessions, art activities etc, not to mention the great earth conscious learning that comes from borrowing, lending and sharing books with others. My kids love to go to the library to choose their books and a movie a week. They are extraordinary gifts and public spaces for the community and have provided me with a home away from home when I have been traveling. Whatever you need to know, you can find it at the local library! Let’s make sure to support all those who give time and energy in these special places!

So, this month, get out there and do some earth loving art! Visit your library, engage your green thumb and create…let’s get started with art!

With thanks to sifter for the beautiful image of a British library!

Kirsten Broadfoot