David Baker’s poem “Pastoral” evoked some interesting conversations this week. First of all, with its use of blank space, it created opportunities for various interpretative readings by student volunteers—some with pauses, others who chose to read it straight through, and also those who questioned if it should be read normally (across) or perhaps up and down? I endorsed the idea that none of these readings was more ‘correct’ than another, and from there we discussed what effects the spaces made on whatever meaning(s) we pondered. I explained what pastoral poems typically are, and we searched the text for ways in which Baker’s might fit the form (or not). Nature is definitely a focus, but also someone “holding hands with / her” and a reference to grief. It was maybe our most challenging (as well as rewarding) poem so far.
The prompt was to write about grief. As usual, responses were varied and all of them worthwhile.
Ms. Kawa
4th Grade
Field David H. Here in the field where the grass grows where wheat grows where sorrows gain on me the sun light out the wind blowing here I stand I this field Grief by Some Old Dude Sean J. Grief is a practice to help with sadness but in worse cases it leads to madness when dealing with someone that you have lost grief will help you get over their loss. Stress Liam T. I'm mad I'm sad I don't feel that well I'm angry I'm stressed I'm trying to do my best I feel weird not normal I need some help I'm stressed out I feel grief deep inside me I need alone time and no, I'm not fine! Can someone please help and read my mind if you could help that'd be great I just need some time I feel grief it's just deep inside of me. Untitled Kylie W. upsetting screaming school sisters parents home pre-school sick Grief by Some Old Dude Ivan Y. A gloomy day when my fish passed away floating on top of the water and the day was getting hotter. So I went outside and buried my fish in the yard.
Ms. Makris
4th Grade
Untitled John B. When I was little I was heartbroken when my mom was going to work. When I Was Grief Ally C. One day, on a Tuesday I had the worst day! Heartbroken! I cried for hours and hours and hours I was griefed at that time. The Homework Chase E. It was a My mom said it's to do Monday night fine do little by I wanted I was very little I cried to complete tired and and cried I had it that night stressed out! So much work and be done. Untitled Jackson L. One time I felt grief when my fish died. His name was Bob and he died because he got stuck behind the filter aka the water filter. Another time I felt grief was my uncle's dog died I was sad very sad. Untitled Cayden M. No I haven't felt grief before. Well probably I did but I think no so no.
Mr. O’Brien
4th Grade
Grief of Piggy Lincoln A. Losing doggy and bunny was sad but soon I found zizzy and pony but after what happened today losing zizzy to pony and tsp I don't know if I can make any more friends without losing them. Today we got attacked by tsp at the safe place willow and her team took us to prison You're Sad Dylan D. When you feel sad sometimes you might want to just sit in your room. And feel sad. You're sad. Untitled Niko H. My mom didn't let me get my iPad so I said it's my iPad Unknown Grief Emory M. Me and my team had worked hard all year in basketball to go to the championship. But at the end of the game we lost and almost cried. Grief Aniya R. One time I felt grief was when I heard my grandfather died. I felt grief because I was heartbroken. I really loved him. Grief Maximo T. Grief a hard thing to understand. Its rival is sadness, but if you see they are both different feelings and both are unique... Grief Poem Lucas Z. Heartbreaking. That's what grief is. When I feel sad I feel grief. It's a sad feeling. When something bad happens I sometimes feel it sometimes don't. Sad feelings, like old friends moving away and new schools, but sometimes I feel grief for a brief second.
Ms. Nelson
4th Grade
Sadness in the Darkness Aleksa D. Grief, cold, sadness in cold weather put alone... Darkness in the depths of the ocean. Nothing but sadness, emptiness, and grief. Left alone, by yourself, nobody to talk to... Let down, given up, darkness in the depths. Lurking down in the depths of a happy town... Chained down but lifted up by one... Untitled Matea K. Here is grief grief goes on and on but I am always grief after grief I eat my beef, watching the rain telling myself why am I go grief but whatever, grief is just a feeling but it will never go away— The Feeling Itati L. Sadness is a feeling that won't go away. I try and try but it just won't go. I told him “Can you please make it go.” I don't want this horrible feeling to stay. The One I Didn't Remember Eliza V. When I was little, two I think, someone passed, my family sad, me not knowing. What happened as I got older I asked my dad what happened to him. He started to tell me. I only remembered a little and all I knew was that I was really close to him but my dad told me that he got into a car crash. As I went I tried to remember what else I knew. As I remember more I remembered how sad his mom was, how sad his dad was, how sad his brothers were, and how sad the funeral was. As I think about it more I remember how much I loved him and also remember that sad year 2015.
