Loose Leaf Notes

I read somewhere that when Allen Ginsberg was asked who his favorite poets were he answered that they were mostly unknowns. I understand. Some of my favorite poets are local and unknown, and many of my favorite poets have been children.

For over 10 years I was the creative writing teacher at Floyd’s parent-run-cooperative school, The Blue Mountain School. I traded a full day working with all grades for a break in tuition for my own sons who were enrolled for most of that time. For 10 years the students and I put out our own homespun publication, “The Dolphin Messenger,” which included stories, artwork, poetry, interviews, comic strips and more. “Don’t tell me what it is. Tell me what it’s like,” was my trademark line back then, intended to get the kids to think poetically.

And they did. Most kids are natural poets just waiting to be tapped.

Below are 2 poems worthy of reprint, which were dictated to me by my niece while we were swimming and making poetry together, one day last year. They appeared on the LoveLink, a family e-mail group, and everyone had fun making up their own last stanza to "Have You Ever Been...?" Feel free to take a try at it.

The Pool Poem
~ By Samantha

Big and blue
Shimmering pool
I can swim like an angel
Soar across it
I can see myself
I duck down and look
I look pretty
I like what I see

Have You Ever Been?
~ By Samantha

Have you ever been excited?
and then WHOOSH…
It slaps you right back

Have you ever been scared?
And then it turns out to be nothing?

Have you ever been shy?
And then you talk yourself away?

Have you ever been _________?

The Photo: My friend Mara's daughter reading poetry on the "Soap Box" at Floyd Fest last year.