School of Thought: Ideas of March
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To many, March 15 is exactly that, March 15 -- just another day. Those familiar with literature or history, likely connect the phrase 'Beware the Ides of March' to this date. People with these interests might also immediately think of the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44B.C., or perhaps the works of the great William Shakespeare. However, the concepts, the art forms, the histories, the styles of writing, etc. are often forgotten by the masses. While Shakespeare's work Julius Caesar is a tragedy written in play form, we rarely read or hear pieces styled in this manner in the present day, and the same is true for Shakespeare's more poetic works like "Sonnet 116." Of course, we aren't going to revert to speaking and writing in this manner, but there is something beautiful and eloquent about the works that we no longer familiarize ourselves or others with.
In teaching at both the high school and collegiate level, I've observed that we are far removed from the language and technique used in these pieces. Aside from being reliant on context clues to form a limited comprehension of these materials, one of the only other ways to understand and appreciate these lost art forms is through practical application and using them as inspiration for writing and styling our own works.
In the last week or so, donning the role of a modern-day Shakespeare, that's what I've had my students do. They have worked with several types of verse, and I'd like to share and give credit to a very small sampling of their works in this space.
***
They went on a trip to try and escape
From their daily lives and see a new landscape
They drove for hours on end
No breaks or stops did they intend
But they drove so long they had to send
A card to their friend
Back home laying in his bed sick
Unable to get out of bed
He lays like a brick
But when the mailman knocks on his door
He jumps out of bed to see what for
When he opens the door he sees the card on the floor
He opens the card to see his friends have traveled so far
And he smiled a smile as big as a car
-- Quinton Bond,10th,PSHS
***
As I walk into school each morning I cannot bear
To stay here any longer without pulling my hair
They say it gets better, but does it really
I am starting to think that they have gone silly
As I walk to my class and sit in my chair
I can't wait until I can just stare
At the beautiful waves all crashing down
It makes me want to go, just up and leave this town
I know there's so much more out there that I'm missing
The lions are roaring and the snakes are hissing
One day, I know I will go and explore
And I will see what this world has in store
For those who are willing to leave what they know
To go and discover how the world flows.
-- Z.Farnsworth, 10th,PSHS
***
Once upon a time, in a place of gloom,
A piece of sadness began to bloom.
A heart weighed down and torn
In the depths of despair, a soul forlorn
I see a figure lost in the night
Trying to seek light
Through sad eyes, the world was grey
As sadness grew day by day
Anywhere you went, sadness would rise
With whispered sighs and silent cries
Within the darkness was a flicker of hope
A reminder that sadness is not all that life wrote
So remember dear friend, when sadness prevails
Within your heart, hope will never fail.
-- Lily Ellis, 10th, PSHS
***
A constant roller coaster
Constantly going up and down
No pattern just, running around
Never a warning, just waiting
Constantly beating you down
Never know when it could end
No choice, just living
Hoping to just get by
But sometimes, you make yourself a life
Which kindles a new light
Creating joy in this cruel world
You always keep going.
-- Iszek Moore, 10th, PSHS
***
Katie Nestor, B. Ed., M.A.+, Literacy Education, M.A. Instructional Processes and Strategies; English, Forensics and Debate, and Communications Teacher; Coach, Speaking Patriots; Sponsor, National Honor Society; School Coordinator, Poetry Out Loud; Literacy Specialist; OSE Teacher; WV Mentor Teacher