About Hands on Stanzas

Hands on Stanzas, the educational outreach program of the Poetry Center of Chicago places professional, teaching Poets in residence at Chicago Public Schools across the city. Poets teach the reading, discussion, and writing of poetry to 3 classes over the course of 20 classroom visits, typically from October through April. Students improve their reading, writing, and public speaking skills, and participating teachers report improved motivation and academic confidence. You can contact Cassie Sparkman, Director of the Hands on Stanzas program, by phone: 312.629.1665 or by email: csparkman(at)poetrycenter.org for more information.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

From Your Courage

Fifth graders read Sherman Alexie's "First Indian on the Moon." The poem talks of courage and strength and these poems are directed to an individual or place of special meaning.

Noe R.

your hair is wild and
looks as if its alive.
Your smile is hideous.
You are so tall you can
touch the sky. Your head is
so big and strong you can
break a walnut, to me
you will be el nino que
siempre me va pegar.

Malik A.

The fog comes
on little cat feet

It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on

My Strength is from you
Caitlin S.

You may not notice
that you are my strength but
without you I would be sitting
in a corner cold and scared.

When I'm stuck on the
ground you are there to lift me
to the heavens.

I will never be lost if you
are there beside me.

If you are weak I will be
your strength.

When we are both weak I
will die with you.
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