I had the pleasure of meeting my future fifth graders, class of 2005/2006. We talked about some of the things we will be doing during the upcoming school year, including exploring many forms of poetry. Mentioning poetry to children ... well, the most positive of reactions is not always what happens!
I asked my incoming children to list all the reasons why they couldn't write a poem, the more ridiculous, the better! At least one line from each of the lists was included in the poem below. I'm confident their opinions will change, but in the meantime...
Forget it!
You must be kidding!
I'm not good at it.
My parents said I'm not allowed to use sharp objects.
I cry when I see erasers.
Paper makes me nauseous.
I have poem-a-phobia.
Chickens are invading and I need to join the Army.
The Yankees need my arm.
Poetry makes my brain hurt.
Poetry and I do not mix.
It's so u-u-g-g-!
I can't rhyme.
I can't write my name.
I have poetry disease.
My pencils are attracted to lightning.
I have to go to a party.
Kids will make fun of me.
Poems are only for "poetry people".
Kids put stress on me.
I just don't want to make a poem.
Someone said I'd be locked in a closet.
I like to read a lot.
I'm too lazy to write.
My dog ate my imagination.
There is no point to it.
It's boring.
I'll turn into a frog and get all slimy.
I can't spell well.
It seems like you have to write one FOREVER!
I write really sloppy.
I don't have a good imagination.
My baby brother drooled on it.
It's hard to come up with the words to make a poem.
Time's up? Uh Oh!
All we have is this list of really silly excuses.
You like it? Really? No kidding?
When can we write another one?
