Slow Down and
Emily Dolton
Savor Life
Poetry helps kids express feelings creatively It seems fitting that April is National Poetry Month, considering Maya Angelou, one of America’s most well-known and beloved poets was born in April. Angelou has inspired millions of young women with her biography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and her poetry redefined the fierce feminine voice. Amanda Gorman, the 2017 National Youth Poet Laureate, sites Angelou as an inspiration. Both grappled with speech impediments and had to overcome anxiety to speak in public. President Biden, who also had a childhood speech issue, chose Gorman to compose and recite her poem “The Hill We Climb” at his inauguration. The National Youth Poet Laureate Program partners with literary arts and civic youth organizations across the U.S. to offer regional Youth Poet Laureate programs and to identify and celebrate strong poetic voices. Gorman was identified by California Poets in the Schools, an organization that pairs professional poets with classrooms. Locally, Border Voices works to give students a platform to express themselves creatively though poetry across geographic, cultural and emotional borders. Kids have the opportunity to learn from National Poet Laureates, local teachers and other authors, and their work may be published in the San Diego Poetry Annual. “Providing students with tools to interact with the world on a metaphorical and poetic level allows them to express emotions and thoughts they might otherwise not share in a classroom setting,” says Katherine Kavouklis, a teacher in Sweetwater School District. Poetry Programs for Youth Writers The National Youth Poets: www.poets.org/national-youth-poets Border Voices: www.bordervoices.com California Poets in the Schools: www.californiapoets.org
22 • SanDiegofamily.com • April 2021
A Crab on its Back, by Vincent van Gogh In a recent lesson where students were to write poetry to interpret a piece of fine art, middle schooler Izzie Matias chose to tackle A Crab on Its Back by Vincent van Gogh with the poem “Endless Struggling.” (excerpted) I lie here on my back, squirming as I’m engulfed in the aches and pains I feel from being chained to the floor. All I can do is stare into the cloudy, emerald green void that fills the space around me. Izzie chose Van Gogh’s painting because the crab was relatable. Izzie describes a year of struggle and feeling helpless, much like the crab appears. The poem does a wonderful job of portraying the tension and movement Van Gogh created with his unique artistic style and complementary color scheme.
