Wednesday, May 6, 2009

For Louise M. Rosenblatt

For Louise M. Rosenblatt

Together in class
We read a story

It is the same story
Printed in every copy
Of every book
In the classroom

Yet—and this is what
I love about reading—

It is a slightly different tale
Inside every head

As the words on the page
Collide and combine
With the life experience
Of each person
Reading the story



©2009-Art Belliveau

Friday, May 1, 2009

So Much for Planning

So Much for Planning

I was going to give a test today
On Greek and Latin roots
I was going to ask for final drafts
Of my students’ movie reviews
I was going to accomplish things
But my plans, reality outstrips
All my plans are junked today
Because of five field trips
This class now is half empty
The next two look much the same
But I’ll just bend like a reed in the wind
I know how to play the game
Those here today will have the chance
To make up work they’ve missed
Or maybe even to get ahead
With me here to assist
The end of the year is coming fast
(It’s in three weeks—right to the day)
And here we are just kicking back
Another wasted day

©2009-Art Belliveau