Malabar
language arts teacher Bev Whaley talks with Grace Swiger, left, Gracie Hudson
and Aeryana Davis. Three
young poets soon will have their work preserved in a book placed in the Malabar
Intermediate School library.
Poems by sixth-graders Grace Swiger, Aeryana Davis and Gracie Hudson were selected for inclusion in “Illustrious,” a book which features students’ poetry from across the nation.
The
girls wrote their poems while fifth-graders last year as part of a class
project led by language arts teacher Beverly Whaley. Students were asked to
read a book, then write a poem to reflect their sense of what they had read.
“This was a creativity project,” Whaley said. “It also was a family engagement project. Last May we invited parents in to have refreshments while hearing all of the students read their poems.”
Whaley submitted the class’s poems to the American Library of Poetry which selected those written by Swiger, Davis and Hudson to be published in “Illustrious.” Poetry is chosen on the basis of creativity and originality.
“We will place a copy of the book in our library. Gracie, Aeryana and Grace will sign their poems and be an inspiration to other students,” Whaley said.
The students read their poems at the board of education meeting on Feb. 18 during which Whaley was recognized as the district’s monthly Every Student, Every Day champion.
“I enjoy writing. I like to express myself through poetry,” Swiger said.
Here is her poem “Scared,” written in response to the book “After the Fall”:
FEAR
Lets you down
FEAR
Makes you nervous
HOPE
Makes fear go away
HOPE
Lets you go back up the wall
HOPE
Makes you follow your dreams
Davis said she uses words “that connect with how I feel.” Her poem also was in response to “After the Fall”:
FEAR can be frustrating
When you fall from the COLORFUL place
you land in the GRAY place.
You can always get BETTER!
It feels like you can NEVER get up.
Sometimes NOTHING helps.
You have to keep TRYING!
You will NEVER GIVE UP what needs to
be done.
You give up UNTIL you inspire.
You DECIDE what to do.
You BELIEVE in yourself.
It is TERRIFYING at first.
But when you keep trying you are NO
LONGER AFRAID.
Hudson
joined Swiger and Davis is saying that language arts is her favorite subject.
“I enjoy writing,” she said. “I can write with my emotions without anyone telling me how to write.”
Her poem is in response to the book “Patrol: An American Soldier in Vietnam.” It is titled “Lost.”
The pain the sorrow the hate
No peace
No love
No hope
No life in such a beautiful place
Where many grow, more die
Your life flashing before your eyes
More times than you can count
As you see the number of your enemies
Decrease
So do you.