Poetry at Swain
by Marilyn Hazelton, Poet in Residence
In January, I assumed the role of President of the Tanka Society of America. Tanka (meaning short song) is a five-line, 1300-year-old Japanese poetic form that is now written worldwide.
So, this year I've been especially pleased to share my deep appreciation for tanka with 2nd, 4th and 5th grades. To begin a series of classes, students in Miss Kleppinger's and Mrs. Reger's 4th grade classes explored the possibility of moving from one emotional state with tanka as a poetic strategy. Here is Kaveh Fayyazi's poem and illustration:
Anger
trying to close the door
on Happiness
But Happiness
Opens the door
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Then, with poems and illustrations from 4th graders, I gave a presentation at a Lower School town meeting on becoming self-aware through drawing and writing.
Inspired by this gathering, Ms. Hanlund and her 2nd grade class welcomed me to their classroom. Virginia Kraus' drawing and poem is a lovely example of their class effort.
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loneliness
is like a long hillside
it leaves me
and goes to dance
with calm rain
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In 5th grade, Mrs. Rodriguez' and Mrs. Coverley's classes wrote "tanka of place" as part of geographical awareness. Logan Dougherty chose an image of a war memorial in Kazakhstan dedicated to soldiers who lost their lives in a battle against Nazi forces in 1941. His poem illustrates a kind of empathy encouraged by the poetic form.
In Kazakhstan
Blue sky's big dreams
The wind sings
Happy at last
Free from harm
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While I love working with younger children, it's always a pleasure working with Swain middle school students. In an 8th grade collaboration with Mr. Burns, students wrote poems in appreciation of Black History and Women's History months. The goals included developing understanding for others by connecting with life stories.
Each student chose a photo of a contemporary 
person who exemplifies traits they admire and wrote free verse poems to explore those traits. Their work will be on display outside the Cougar Cafe beginning this week.
Esha Sharma shares a photo of astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson (as a youngster) with Jillayne Gumbs during the writing/researching process.
With graduation nearing, Mr. Hirsh and I involved the 8th graders in a project to help them in the transition ahead. They were each asked to take photos of three areas at the school that have significance for them, then choose one of their photos, and write a reflection about it to share with classmates.
A few abbreviated observations for various areas of Swain are included here:
Front door
Eight years ago, I opened a red door. Little did I know that this door would lead me to success. I opened a door filled with new opportunities.
- Leah Cohen
Lockers
5 names on lockers
First thing I see everyday
Place I call my home
- Hannah Starorypinski
Basketball hoop near the stage
This is where I want to be.
My two passions surrounding me,
Enclosing me with their warm breath.
This is where I want to be.
Happiness surrounds me.
My other fears are gone.
This is where I want to be.
- Noel Yacoub
Backstage of the theatre
Becoming something new, embracing another side of myself
Creating a new path to venture down
