Happy Poetry Friday! I’m sharing another poem today from?Joyce Sidman’s?new book, What the Heart Knows: Chants, Charms & Blessings (Houghton Mifflin, 2013). I was at Addendum Books recently for Indies First day,? and while I was there I picked up two copies of this book for my daughters (ages 18 and 21) for Christmas. My word of the year for 2013 is COURAGE, so this poem fits right in. I think it would make an excellent holiday gift for anyone 12 and up–especially those kids/teens who like to think about things.
Song of Bravery
This one’s not a sure thing.
I’m not bound to win.
I don’t think I’ll ace it this time.
I won’t break a leg,
make my own luck,
or reach the stars.
The sun is not shining on me today.
The force is not strong.
Before the day is out,
I’ll taste the grit of dust.
Maybe I didn’t do all I could.
Or maybe I did
but there were others who did more.
Maybe I’ll never know.
But here I go–
bones clicking quietly together,
blood flowing dutifully
from heart to hands and back again–
here I go, stepping out
through the door
of my own shadow:
into the glare of the arena
to face the lions.
–Joyce Sidman, all rights reserved
And here’s my audio clip of me reading the poem, with a poem starter idea at the end for teachers.
Writer and artist (have you checked out her Etsy store?) Robyn Hood Black has the Poetry Friday Roundup–enjoy!
THE BEAUTY OF JUNIOR HIGH
Sweat soaked hands dull the crispness of my typed up speech.
It?s called: The Beauty of Science Fiction.
This is my final exam for public speaking.
How I wish aliens would infiltrate me now.
Our class is lined up; a faded, dusty, dark blue
Curtain separates us from the glare of Junior High.
Shoes perform a clicking shuffle on wooden floor
As we move up in line.
Courage has left this building a long time ago
Replaced by my clenched throat, inconsistent
Breathing and right thigh twitching faster
Than a mouse?s whiskers at a cheese buffet.
I peek through a hole in our draped shield,
Flood lights bath the stage in indoor sunshine,
Students, wedged in seats against their will,
Occasionally clap when another students
Speech finishes. Its 1:15 pm when
Ms. Meola calls my name, I quake toward impending
Doom, when I reach the oak paneled lectern my eye
Catches Grandpa?s in the upper deck. I didn?t see him
Earlier. He waves, leans back, his brand new dentures
Introducing themselves. A smile sneaks upon my face;
Nervousness washes off me as I begin my speech
Directed toward the wispy silver haired gentleman
Up top. ?Good afternoon …?
(c) Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.
*love this*
This is wonderful, Charles. I especially love “Students, wedged in seats against their will…” Oi. I know that feeling! A tough audience, indeed. And then Grandpa’s dentures introducing themselves. Fabulous!
THE BEAUTY OF JUNIOR HIGH
Sweat soaked hands dull the crispness of my typed up speech.
It?s called: The Beauty of Science Fiction.
This is my final exam for public speaking.
How I wish aliens would infiltrate me now.
Our class is lined up; a faded, dusty, dark blue
Curtain separates us from the glare of Junior High.
Shoes perform a clicking shuffle on wooden floor
As we move up in line.
Courage has left this building a long time ago
Replaced by my clenched throat, inconsistent
Breathing and right thigh twitching faster
Than a mouse?s whiskers at a cheese buffet.
I peek through a hole in our draped shield,
Flood lights bath the stage in indoor sunshine,
Students, wedged in seats against their will,
Occasionally clap when another students
Speech finishes. Its 1:15 pm when
Ms. Meola calls my name, I quake toward impending
Doom, when I reach the oak paneled lectern my eye
Catches Grandpa?s in the upper deck. I didn?t see him
Earlier. He waves, leans back, his brand new dentures
Introducing themselves. A smile sneaks upon my face;
Nervousness washes off me as I begin my speech
Directed toward the wispy silver haired gentleman
Up top. ?Good afternoon …?
(c) Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.
*love this*
This is wonderful, Charles. I especially love “Students, wedged in seats against their will…” Oi. I know that feeling! A tough audience, indeed. And then Grandpa’s dentures introducing themselves. Fabulous!
Nice poem by Charles. Thanks for sharing. I LOVE Joyce Sidman’s book. I love every poem in it and every illustration. It is such a treat to have such a book come out right before Christmas.
I agree. Perfect timing. And for those of us in northern climates, it’s like a hopeful, warm blanket to make us feel shielded all winter:>)
Nice poem by Charles. Thanks for sharing. I LOVE Joyce Sidman’s book. I love every poem in it and every illustration. It is such a treat to have such a book come out right before Christmas.
I agree. Perfect timing. And for those of us in northern climates, it’s like a hopeful, warm blanket to make us feel shielded all winter:>)
“Before the day is out,
I?ll taste the grit of dust.”
It’s important to share poems that are both realistic and encouraging — especially with middle schoolers and teens. They need brave words to sustain them through all the changes of adolescence.
I so agree. And nobody believe the pie-in-the-sky sappy stuff–better the grit–with the little diamonds of beauty and love in there, too.
“Before the day is out,
I?ll taste the grit of dust.”
It’s important to share poems that are both realistic and encouraging — especially with middle schoolers and teens. They need brave words to sustain them through all the changes of adolescence.
I so agree. And nobody believe the pie-in-the-sky sappy stuff–better the grit–with the little diamonds of beauty and love in there, too.
I love the book and have purchased several for gifts, too, Laura. That last stanza is so poignant, especially remembering different students I’ve had through the years, doing brave things! Charles, your poem fits in too-wish I’d had both long ago! Thanks to you both!
Just had Joyce sign two for my daughters today. I hope all our giftees will love it:>)
I love the book and have purchased several for gifts, too, Laura. That last stanza is so poignant, especially remembering different students I’ve had through the years, doing brave things! Charles, your poem fits in too-wish I’d had both long ago! Thanks to you both!
Just had Joyce sign two for my daughters today. I hope all our giftees will love it:>)
Laura, I think this is a collection I need – the final lines are so lovely and confirm that the danger the person faces is real. Lions! Again! This happens more than once! And yet, they keep going…
No matter what they may think, the Force IS strong in this one…
Yes! The lions return. But so does our bravery:>)
Laura, I think this is a collection I need – the final lines are so lovely and confirm that the danger the person faces is real. Lions! Again! This happens more than once! And yet, they keep going…
No matter what they may think, the Force IS strong in this one…
Yes! The lions return. But so does our bravery:>)
I like the realism of this poem, Laura. How not everything is perfect, and we don’t always shine, but we get out there and try anyway. I think my 6th graders will like this one. I’ve seen a few posts about the book but haven’t put my hands on an actual copy yet.
Thanks for joining in with your own poem, Charles. JR High can be such a daunting and scary time., but grandparents love us unconditionally. You captured that feeling.
That’s what I love about it–and this collection. It accepts the realities of life while still shining a hopeful light forward…
I like the realism of this poem, Laura. How not everything is perfect, and we don’t always shine, but we get out there and try anyway. I think my 6th graders will like this one. I’ve seen a few posts about the book but haven’t put my hands on an actual copy yet.
Thanks for joining in with your own poem, Charles. JR High can be such a daunting and scary time., but grandparents love us unconditionally. You captured that feeling.
That’s what I love about it–and this collection. It accepts the realities of life while still shining a hopeful light forward…
Joyce Sidman is truly something else, isn’t she? I’ve been meaning to get my hands on this book for the longest time. It really looks like a keeper. Poetry and blessings. Charms and incantations. What could go wrong with that?
Joyce Sidman is truly something else, isn’t she? I’ve been meaning to get my hands on this book for the longest time. It really looks like a keeper. Poetry and blessings. Charms and incantations. What could go wrong with that?
So strong. Thank you, Laura <3
Thanks, April!
So strong. Thank you, Laura <3
Thanks, April!
Seeing her award ceremony was one of the highlights of NCTE for me. Thank you for sharing this poem, one of my favorites from the book, today, Laura.
Thanks for stopping by, Tara!
Seeing her award ceremony was one of the highlights of NCTE for me. Thank you for sharing this poem, one of my favorites from the book, today, Laura.
Thanks for stopping by, Tara!
I love the lines “blood flowing dutifully/from heart to hands and back again–,” an acknowledgment of the source of our bravery. And I agree with Tara; Joyce’s award ceremony was moving and inspirational. Joyce’s wise words about writing poetry have stayed with me. When we encourage our students to write poetry we help them “find their voice [and] discover what’s in their heart.
Yes! Joyce speaks and writes from the heart, and it’s why her work resonates so…
I love the lines “blood flowing dutifully/from heart to hands and back again–,” an acknowledgment of the source of our bravery. And I agree with Tara; Joyce’s award ceremony was moving and inspirational. Joyce’s wise words about writing poetry have stayed with me. When we encourage our students to write poetry we help them “find their voice [and] discover what’s in their heart.
Yes! Joyce speaks and writes from the heart, and it’s why her work resonates so…
Thank you for this choice. So perfect in so many ways. Charles, I lovelovelove your poetic response!
Thanks, Mary Lee:>)
Thank you for this choice. So perfect in so many ways. Charles, I lovelovelove your poetic response!
Thanks, Mary Lee:>)