“I was reading the dictionary, I thought it was a poem about everything.” ~ Steven Wright

I never “got” poetry throughout my elementary and high school years – most of the time, I still don’t. But somehow, Mrs. Samaddar did something right in the world of Grade Five Language Arts because I loved it that year!

Twenty years later, I STILL remember working on “My Poetry Collection” and think about it anytime I consider how, when, what, if I will partake in a poetry unit with my current students.

Enjoy a few treasures from my ten year old self from the themes that Mrs. Samaddar selected for us to write on.

The Chef

He hums the tune of the noisy old over

Strutting across the kitchen.

His blending mind

Whirs with dishes on the menu.

The crackling of a frypan

Sends him running on

His unsturdy spoon handle legs.

His curly macaroni hair

Makes people laugh

As he passes tables

With spaghetti sauce.

His razor sharp tongue

Will test many dishes.

At the end of the day he

Looks like limp lettuce

But his meals stick with you!!

“A poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness.” ~ Robert Frost