Some people are genius at following directions. Me, not so good. And the first graders in my care, they take a sideways route. Today’s Verselove prompt was about instructions for writing poetry. That made me think about the way students often start with energy and ideas that seemingly evaporate just when it’s time to begin writing. Luckily, more often than not, they are able to grab those vaporized ideas and allow them to condensate onto the page once the pencil begins to work its magic.

How First Graders Write a Poem or Instructions Ignored

Start with a puzzled look

To keep your teacher on her toes

Then burst into talking

About anything and everything 

Redirected and reminded

Consider action

Add in metaphorical thinking 

Don’t forget your senses 

and a sprinkle of color

Open your notebook

Draw a blank…let all those ideas

Vanish, evaporate, disappear

Pick up your pencil

Trust the magic

Delight in your own ideas 

Push past the spelling worries

Until that poem

Blooms

Delight in your words 

Read them to your classmates

And smile in satisfaction

@kd0602