While You Were
Sleeping,
We discussed the novel:
Broad themes, finer points,
Literary devices,
Plot structure,
Character analysis,
The author’s redress of the
“Manic Pixie Dream Girl” trope,
And the dark side of
Young adult lit.
We left the classroom
Went Looking for
Alaska,
Wandered the Labyrinth,
Sought a Great Perhaps,
Spoke of life and death and
The depression that can
Swallow the one to
Spit it out as the other.
When still you did not stir
For that oh-so salacious scene
The “good” stuff they
say teens want—
“Raw, honest, real,”
I leaned in and listened
To hear you breathe.
A slim, glistening thread
Coupling lip to desk
Quivered and broke as you
Sleepily sighed,
Stopping me short
Of checking your pulse.
And then the bell sounded,
Instantly sending you upright
And out the door,
As if you had never
Suffered an English-induced
Coma,
As if you had never been
Engaged.
Thank you so much for your amazing poem. You do a great job giving a vision for exactly what your students look like. The thought of students in an English-induced coma makes me smile. I loved Looking For Alaska when I read it so I'm sure your students did too! Thank you
ReplyDeleteI really loved how you were able to play with book titles in these lines. They gave an interesting parallel to them by demonstrating a books power to transport us to far away places (even if it is only to Alaska) and to let our minds wander. I really enjoyed your take on this encounter as well. There aren't any confrontations to be had only your own observation that the student missed out on the wonderous adventures while they were sleeping. Thank you sharing this wonderful poem, Jenni!
ReplyDeleteNate
I absolutely love your reflection! The way you were able to convey your experience into a cohesive poem takes some talent. Thank you so much for sharing and I wish you the best of luck in the weeks to come!
ReplyDeleteThis poem was the perfect format for this encounter! The buildup of what we would view as a perfect learning environment, engaging and creating and giving kids the books they want to read, and then the harsh reality of students who seem to not care less. The carefully chosen words from the various English teacher buzz-words in the first stanza to "the slim, glistening thread/ coupling lip to desk" were just right. I understand the feeling of working so hard to be "engaging" and having "withitness" (Thanks, Marzano) that you don't understand how someone could sleep through it just until the moment the bell rings. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI can so genuinely picture this. Because of our love for literature, we assume that all of our students would enjoy it like we do. And some just don't understand our enthusiasm. Even how you beautifully painted the adventures your class went on while you had Sleeping Beauty on her desk waiting for her dream to end. Thank you for sharing this so much.
ReplyDeleteI said it once, but I will gladly say it again, Jenni, I love this poem! I find it very insightful and, at the right moments, humourous! My favourite lines remain to be:
ReplyDelete"A slim, glistening thread
Coupling lip to desk
Quivered and broke as you
Sleepily sighed,
Stopping me short
Of checking your pulse."
I know I have definitely wanted to check some of my own students' pulses at times- especially when they sleep so silent and soundly!
Thank you for sharing this piece with me, Jenni!
Until next time,
Chaniece Johnson
Jenni,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, this is absolutely magnificent. You took a groan inducing situation in a class, and turned it into a beautiful and introspective representation. The lines,
"When still you did not stir
For that oh-so salacious scene
The “good” stuff they say teens want—
“Raw, honest, real,”
I paused most suddenly because it stuck a chord with me. We can truly try, try to engage them, try to find that stuff that draws them in, but it may not work, regardless of our efforts. The best we can do is try, show them our enthusiasm, try to light even the slightest spark of interest in them, but we never give up because though that final bell ends that class, there is another one on its way. This poem is truly lovely, Jenni!
Thank you for sharing,
Lorylyn