This might be a bit of a shock for most people who know me, but I've never really considered myself to be much of fan of poetry. I certainly haven't gone out of my way to read it and never really made it a priority in my life, instead choosing to focus on things that I felt mattered just a little bit more than words on a page.
When I was first given the assignment to teach Grade 8 Humanities, I immediately felt inadequate and unprepared for the challenges that would surely lie ahead. I had spent 5 years up to that point focusing on Social Studies and on helping students to tangibly understand their place in a rapidly changing world. I've never doubted the value of good literature in our history and society. I just didn't really think that I was the right one to properly convey that understanding to students. Three years on and I'm still figuring things out
Realizing that today was World Poetry Day gave me an opportunity to steal a colleague's idea (Thanks, Jen...). In short, students would be given an opportunity to reflect on one poem that they like and to write a brief blog entry explaining what exactly they like about it. The recognition that poetry is a much broader form of communication than originally thought definitely makes the assignment a little bit easier. I'm also hoping to take advantage of some of the sharing that blogging makes possible.
I did, however, start thinking about my own experience with poetry, limited as it is. While perhaps not the most profound example and one that is even somewhat cliche, I've long enjoyed 'Invictus' by William Ernest Henley reproduced below
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried alout.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of weatch and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried alout.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of weatch and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
I remember coming across this poem as a high school student and thinking it was neat and promptly moving on. However, a film on the end of Apartheid in South Africa (coupled with some darn good rugby) brought the poem back into my attention a few years ago.
I've long been a believer that individuals are in charge of their own destiny. Age and experience has reinforced the knowedge that if I want to get something done for myself I need to get to work and get it done. I can't hope to rely on the good graces of others so that I can craft my own life, for "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." This poem is a call to stand up in spite of adversity and the challenges that get in our way. Life is not easy and we cannot let the "fell clutch of circumstance' keep us from our potential or break us.
I'll read this to myself every now and then or when I'm feeling a little down. Maybe I'm struggling with something professionally or personally, or I'm questioning why things are turning out the way they are. If I really want a quick turnaround, I'll even listen to the narration of Morgan Freeman. Even if I'm roughed up and 'bloodied' by the journey of life, I can press on because I, and I alone, can determine the direction of my life.
CHHS eSports Smash Tournament
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| Look how excited everyone is!! |
This past Friday saw the first Smash Brothers Tournament hosted by the CHHS eSports Club! All in all, I was very happy with the turnout and excitement that made the event such a huge success. We had 22 students who made their way through a double-elimination bracket. At times, the matches were pretty intense and the competition fierce, but I was impressed by the level of sportmanship that prevailed before and after matches, and the efforts by all those in attendance to help the even run smoothly. We brought in pop and pizza for those in attendance, and had prizes for the top 3 finishers.
We are already planning our next event.
Jeff Dunham: Perfectly Unbalanced
Even with the 40 minute wait to leave the parking lot, the show was enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the efforts to discuss local matters, such as the legend for the name of Medicine Hat.
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| Mr and Mrs. T waiting to see Jeff Dunham |
~Mr.T
Poetry reminds me of the movie we watched called the freedom writters.This is because there were high school students that did really not have a family. They have also have expierenced life threnting problems in their home. In there childhood their were lots of scary moments that went on in their life.They have to expierence and it was not a good time for them. So when they are in english class they got a opportunity to write their own story in journals, telling what has happened everyday for the rest of their life. This reminds me of a poem because a poem expreeses about feelings, emotitions, and what to think about when you are reading. Writing a poem is a jorney to success in life because you are writing whatever you what that is happening to you in your daily life. And poems are very intersting because when you read other people's poems you get to put yourself in their shoes about what they are feeling physicily, and emoitionaly. Also you get to know them a little bit better. Sometimes if you write a very intersting poem you can maybe get a job, and post it on the social media so you can get the whole world to see it, and even maybe win some contests with writing a poem that is telling a very intersting story.
ReplyDeleteI read your blog about poetry and definitely agree with your means of not having a huge interest in poetry. Most poems other than songs and old nursery rhymes do not hold a huge place in my life. It seems the only time that I read and reflect about a poem is in Language Arts class. This may not be the greatest thing... because exploring different forms of writing gives you a better understanding of literature. Do not get me wrong, I love to read, just I am not a fan of poems.
ReplyDeleteThe poem I wrote about in my blog I had heard a couple times at dance before and thought that it was very honest. But just like you I did not think a lot about it. After I wrote about I began to find myself enjoying the poem because of the fact that it relates to something that I love so much. Thank you for sharing your blog about Poetry Day with us!