posted
My eldest daughter's fifth grade teacher told me that Natalie's writing made her cry. She asked me if I'd read much of it, and I said no, Natalie doesn't like to show me her writing. We do talk about writing, but she doesn't voluntarily show it to me. So, the teacher gave me copies of three poems that she wrote.
What do you think?
quote: When Life is Worth Living
Life isn't really something that many of us understand Life is about experiences Things that we cherish, forever
Life has obstacles that must be overcome Some of us overcome these obstacles Better than others
Some of us have more more to overcome But life is worth living when we turn those obstacles, into experiences.
quote:
Changes
A tadpole into a frog Winter into spring Child into adult Our world is filled with wonder It is filled with changes Some of these changes cannot be explained by humans But only through what you know. You may wish sometimes that certain changes did not take place but... They do
You may not realize it but.. Someday you will see Why those changes took place Most changes are for the good The only changes that are bad are made by You
Choices lead to changes So don't make wrong choices if you don't want bad changes.
However some changes are made by nature and other people You have no control ofver these possible bad changes You only have control over you own choices and changes Choose wisely Change wisely
quote: Rules
Why live by the rules? Why eat and rink and dress and talk and behave in a certain way when someone tells you to?
You may ask "Why must I do what they tell me? Why can't I just express myself?"
You have the right to be you to express your individuality But the truth is there are rules you must follow laws, dress codes, house rules, dining etiquette, schedules You can be unique inside these rules
Rules are made to protect us They are not punishments They are safety limits that help us live in an organized world
So be you, but follow the rules.
That last one, I see a lot of one of my recent discussions with her about why parents make rules for their kids, and how I want them to be individuals, and I will trust them to make good choices, but that the rules are set up because I love them.
I don't know if she's brilliant or not - but I love her. And I'm proud of her. Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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I'm not sure what the market is for conformist poets -- usually they have to be radical extremists these days. But she is still a pre-teen. Once she hits the teen years, she'll have plenty of angst to inspire her poetry, no doubt.
Until then...enjoy!
Very good stuff.
And she's already writing about her own experiences. Takes after her mom.
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(edit: I guess I should add, does she even know what enjambment is? What do you think her influences are, where does she get her style from, why doesn't it rhyme?)
posted
Wow, you must be so proud of her! It is really cool when you realize that your child is paying attention to what you teach and taking it to heart. It sounds like she is listening.
I know a lot of people look at these poems as overly-idealistic, but I think children need to be inspired by optomism as they live in a cynical and sometimes ugly world. Parents who teach children wisdom and thoughful obedience to good principles are treasures. I hope that I can do half so well.
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posted
Yes, she is wonderful, Belle - nurture that talent however you can and in wahtever way works for her. Posts: 5609 | Registered: Jan 2003
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I love that she 'gets' boundaries in the last poem. She is very clear in that piece. It's not so much her writing (which is very good, of course), but her choice of subject matter that impresses me. Whether she is literarily gifted or not, that girl is turning into a righteous human being.
She has excellent parents. You are all very blessed to have one another.
I don't think she has a style, why it doesn't rhyme I don't know on these three, past poems she's written do rhyme.
She does read a lot of poetry, I've given her books of poetry and she's gotten them from the library.
The one about choices really got to me, because she has been through so much this least year, because of poor choices other people have made. The divorce of my parents has been so difficult for her, it breaks my heart that at 11 she is having to experience these feelings.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
Poems do not necessarily have to rhyme. In fact some of the best poetry I've read doesn't rhyme. I think your daughter has a great love of writing and you should try to encourage that as best you can. She would really dig a good creative writing class.
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posted
These are lovely. I'd love to be your daughter's writing teacher!
You should try to find out what's been going on in the classroom language arts program. If the teacher is doing a great job, it's something she should be commended on.
There are several "markets" that publish children's writing. You may want to encourage your daughter to look into them.
Posts: 3141 | Registered: Apr 2000
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posted
I have to say I'm more impressed with her bravery. She writes very well, and I'd say she's gifted, but it takes quite a bit of bravery to write about something that she sincerely believes in. Of course, she's had her wonderful mom to teach her good values, but it can still be tough to write them knowing that other people will read them. So excellent work Belle, you have a bright, sensitive, and self-confident daughter.
Posts: 349 | Registered: May 2003
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posted
Your daughter is brilliant. I loved reading her first poem. It was something I really needed to read. Give Natalie a hug and tell her "Thank you" for me.
Posts: 5879 | Registered: Apr 2001
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