For our 3rd time meeting for poetry, Twain 5th graders shared some of their daydreams and sleeping dreams before we read 3 different poems about dreams: one by Annie C., a 3rd grader, one by Louise Driscoll, and one by Langston Hughes. The poems gave us a range of things to discuss, including deja vu, realistic dreams, and dreams that are pure fantasy. We contemplated what it means for one’s life to be “a broken-winged bird that cannot fly;” (from “Dreams” by Langston Hughes). And we also talked about nightmares, dreams of falling, and keeping a space in our hearts for dreams “where doubt and fear are not.” (from “Hold Fast Your Dreams” by Louise Driscoll). There was time for us to brainstorm ideas for poems, and then to begin writing. We will continue writing dream poems when we come together, again, but here are some beginnings:
Sometimes I dream about soccer
pretending I get past the defender.
While kicking the ball and hitting the net
In a big field that stretches forever.
In my dream I saw myself in an attic
Other kids were there trying to escape
Everyone was in fear
But to escape there was a window very near.
