Today’s poetry inspiration came from Williams’ poem of apology, This is Just to Say. In addition to studying the original, we also read some of the poems written by 6th graders in the book also titled This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman.
Students had fun playing around with their own poems of apology. Here’s a couple composed by the third graders in my class to give you a taste:
Dear Romeo,
I’m sorry I have to whip you sometimes
Also, I might tire you out sometimes,
but you’re always a handsome horse
lovable, huggable, gentle, and soft
Oh how I love your long mane
drifting in the sky
when we canter across the field
Love,
Tyler
I gave them a whole 7 minutes of writing time! It’s conference week, so students are on a minimum day schedule…and time is short!
I’m sorry Kai for poking you.
Sorry, I really didn’t think it through.
Although we had fun doing it, I’m sorry Kai for poking you.
Cody
And one more student poem, this one inspired by yesterday’s Red Wheelbarrow.
The Thread
So much depends on
a brand new jacket
and a loose thread
Pulling
into bits and pieces
until it is
one loose
and wiggly line
Lauryn
I found myself returning to the topic I explore in my first two poems. Today’s was written to that same egret I featured before–but from a slightly different angle.
This is Just to Say, My Friend
I have stalked you
my lens focused close
waiting for your head to turn
your neck to arch.
You seem so peaceful
and focused as you
stare out at the blue horizon
scanning for danger
or maybe appreciating the view.
I’m sorry for any disturbance
I cause with my close looking
and the click of the shutter.
I just can’t resist your elegant neck
and charming yellow feet!
Douillard 2018
Maybe, dear reader, you’ll try your own poem of apology today!