Poetry - Big Thinking

Graves (2005) describes poetry as big thinking in a short space.  I suspect that pretty much sums it up; however, poetry also makes visible thoughts that stay with us because every word is so carefully chosen and thus valued. Poetry really may be one of the best ways to focus on teaching on "what the author is trying to say!"

COMES THE DAWN

After a while you learn the subtle
difference
Between holding a hand and
chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn't
mean security,

And you begin to learn that
kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes
open,

With the grace of a woman, not
the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all your
roads
On today because tomorrow's ground
Is too uncertain. And futures have
A way of falling down in mid-
flight,

After a while you learn that even
sunshine burns if you get too much.
So you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul, instead
of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really
can endure . . .
That you really are strong,
And you really do have worth
And you learn and learn
With every goodbye you learn.

Veronica A. Shoftstall