Poetry and power

At Halina's school, the 2cd and 3rd grade classes celebrated their power by singing, dancing, and reciting poems they'd written at a performance last week. Halina wrote about a moment when a little frog in her hand jumps away.

It was extra special because many of the kids wrote their poems the day Chris came to school a few weeks ago to teach them about poetry. A workshop of sorts for both classrooms.

Choosing a few words that convey what you observe, what you sense, and whittling them down or growing them out to become your particular art -- then delivering them to people who respectfully listen -- is powerful. I re-learned the connection this week as all the kids recited and stomped and reached in front of a big painted "Poetry and Power" poster.

Here's Halina's portrait and bio from the show.

And flowers afterwards.

Halina and Ani practicing.

And Luke playing Halina's guitar.