“Poetry is thoughts that breathe, and words that burn.”-Thomas Gray. Poetry is a way that people from all different backgrounds can express the way they feel into words. Recently, Mr.Gibson’s English classes were assigned to write a poem about someone they admire. Mr. Gibson was asked to explain more about the criteria the students had to follow, “After reading Diane Glancy’s poem “Without Title” students were asked to write a poem about someone they admired. In her poem, Glancy wrote about how her father who struggled to adapt part of his Native American culture into the more “modern” American culture, yet still worked incredibly hard to provide for his family in ways that were different from his traditions. Just as she admired the hard work he put in for her, Gibson asked students to find someone whose talents, hard work, and mindset they also admired and write a poem about them. They could talk about what traits this person has worth admiring, what the person has maybe done for them, or how they feel inspired by the person.”
Mr. Gibson was also asked to choose the top poems from each of his classes. The poems listed below are some of the top poems selected and voted on by the Kings Courier staff. Gibson was asked what he was looking for when selecting his top poems, and he said, “When I choose the poems from each class that will go on the Poe-tree in the classroom, I’m really looking for any number of things, and it depends on the poetry writing assignment as well. With this first one, I’m looking for poems where I start to feel what the writer themselves does about the person they wrote about. Is there descriptive language that helps me understand why this person is important? By the end of the poem do I also feel like this person is someone worth admiring? Is the poem well-written and expressive? As the year goes on and we write about other topics, it could be any number of things that help a poem stand out, such as a set rhyme scheme, great use of imagery, or even a poem that makes me laugh as I read through it.”
Sophomore student, Lilly Hammond, was asked what her biggest challenge was when writing her poem, and she said, “I feel the most challenging parts of writing my poems was probably deciding the topics of the poems and using good figurative language. I struggle with being able to summarize things very well and tend to include too many details in my writing. Poetry is fun to do but definitely not my choice of style.” Mr. Gibson was asked why he thinks students fing poetry challenging, and said, “I think when students hear poetry, they immediately think of things like rhyme and hidden meanings or people like Shakespeare, Byron, or Keats, even if they don’t know who all of those poets are. I think a lot of students think of poetry as difficult, often long-to-read pieces of literature that don’t make a lot of sense. And those poems do exist, but there are also poems by people like Langston Hughes, Amanda Gorman, and so many others who write in a more modern and free verse style. Students are also so used to writing an essay. We all learn sentences and paragraphs very early on and that’s the vast majority of what a student writes probably until junior high or high school. A sudden change in the style you write in can be jarring and confusing and I think it puts a lot of students off.” All in all, poetry can be challenging, but it is a beautiful way for people to express their emotions. Look below and choose your favorite poems!
Poem #1 —
Grandpa
Time flies by,
But my grandpa stands strong.
No matter what happens
His jokes and laughter never changed.
His eyes still bright
Just like when he was young.
We go out on the fourwheeler,
And have so much fun
Hanging out after school everyday
We would just chill and play.
You taught me so much,
Just by hanging out with you.
I will never forget all the things we would do.
I thank you so much grandpa,
I love you.
Poem #2 –
She May be Two
All about my sister Parkie Poo
Her eyes big and blue.
She may be two
but she never makes me feel blue.
She light sup every room like a sunlight view.
She may be two
but she never makes me feel blue.
Her sweet words make you feel renewed.
She may be two
but she never makes me feel blue.
You could never imagine how much she’s helped me through.
She may be two
but she never makes me feel blue.
Oh my sweet Parkie Poo.
She may be two
but she never makes me feel blue.
Sweet girl always stay true to you.
She may be two
but she never makes me feel blue.
Poem #3 –
My Big Brother
My big brother
Who towers over me
like trees tower over ants.
When seeing him I feel
like a flower dancing
in the wind.
He pushes me like the
wind pushes leaves in the Fall.
He is as strong as a bull
who stands his own ground.
He is always there for me
like the sun is always there
for the moon.
His care for me is a
warm blanket in the cold winter.
His presence is like the sound
of waves crashing on the sand.
His love is like
the feeling of the sun on your face
or the taste of warm honey on your tongue.
He is and will always be
my big brother.
Poem #4 –
My Super human
We are shown heroes in the movies
with super human powers and
suits with flashy, bold colors.
Although admirable I find the most
admirable traits are more hidden like
a moth on a tree.
The strength shown unwavering.
The trustworthiness overflowing.
And the courage that is rarely
commended. All through the trials
She goes through daily.
She still is joyful, loving,
encouraging, and supporting hero.
She’s the peace that is needed
after a hard day that she freely
gives to all even if it isn’t
deserved She has been
through things that would
break a super human.
Yet, She is all I have listed.
Mom,
Have you guessed the She is you?
That you are my super hero?
Poem #5 –
Kid from Akron
Draft straight outta high school
He was going to the league.
Given names like The Chosen One
he was destined to succeed.
But he was just a kid from Akron.
Six years later he took his talents to South Beach.
He partnered with Bosh and The Flash.
Battling obstacles overcoming challenges.
He finally holding the Larry O’Brien at last.
But he was just a kid from Akron.
A few more trophies and he returns to the Cavs.
Perfecting his game adored by his fans.
Came back from 3-1 to play game 7. He won.
Beating all odds, he’s still in command.
But he was just a kid from Akron.
Now skip a few summers. Destination is Hollywood.
New number new threads the off-season brings.
Coaching his teammates and making big plays.
He’s game IQ is unmatch. He is the King.
But he was just a kid from Akron.
Respect his opponents and a veteran in the locker room.
A student of the game silent but always taking note.
There simply is no twin. He can not be duplicated.
Which is why Lebron James is The GOAT.
But he was just a kid from Akron.
