Tag Archives: Shel Silverstein

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SOLC Day 23: One for the Books!

March 2024 SOLC–Day 23
A huge thank you to Two Writing Teachers for all that they do to create an amazing community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
http://www.twowritingteachers.org

She approached me with tears in her eyes, clearly distraught.

I leaned down. “Oh, no. What’s wrong, B?”

She choked out the words, “There’s a booger. And it’s stuck in my nose. And I can’t get it out!” Her voice rose as she spoke, and a tear spilled over and ran down her cheek.

“Oh,” I repeated. “Well, that happens sometimes,” I reassured her. “Did you try blowing?”

“Yes. Once.”

“Well, do you think you can try again?” I asked.

The tears streamed down her face, and more words gushed out

“But I tried to pull it out and it won’t come out when I try to pull it.”

I paused.

“Did you put anything up your nose?” I asked.

“No.”

“Are you sure?” I pressed, thinking of past experiences and the allure of pencil eraser tops.

“Yes.”

I was at a bit of a loss at this point, unsure what was going on.

“Does it hurt?” I asked.

She shook her head, and offered a forlorn little, “No.”

“Well, why don’t you just let it be for a little bit? Maybe it’s a little like a loose tooth and will come out when it’s ready. ” (Ew! And, yes, I really said that. Desperate times and all…although, it did feel a bit inspired. As a second grader, she was sure to understand that analogy.)

She looked at me doubtfully, but the flow of tears was ebbing, and she didn’t seem quite as upset.

“Ok, B, why don’t you try blowing once or twice more, and then if that doesn’t work, give it some time. Do you think that could be the plan?”

She nodded.

“I’ll check in with you later, ok? Or you can tell me if it gets worse.”

“OK,” she said, and turned away to head to the tissues, wiping the tears off her cheeks.

The day moved on, and I didn’t hear from her about this again. Later when I checked in, she was smiling and confirmed that everything was okay. I didn’t ask for details.

This was one for the books.

Then I remembered the poem I’d shared with my class earlier this week. Could it be related? Surely not!


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PF: Persona Poems

It’s the first Friday of the month and that means our Inklings’ challenge is due. This month’s challenge was issued by Margaret Simon, who asked us to write a persona poem. In short, a persona poem “has a specific audience, conveys a message, is written in the voice of another person, place, or thing, uses direct address.” I checked out a couple of fabulous examples, including Sylvia Plath’s stunning Mirror, and Patricia Smith’s Katrina. These were both inspiring and intimidating.

After considering a few options, The Giving Tree popped into my head– Yes, that controversial children’s story woven by the oh-so-talented Shel Silverstein. Is it a cautionary tale? A tale of unbound love or unboundaried love? A warning to a parent? A warning to a child? Selfless? Abusive? For some reason, I found myself wanting to consider the Tree’s perspective. To be honest, even though I wrote it, I find myself a little uncomfortable with the voice in this poem. But right or wrong, here’s what she had to say:

The Giving Tree Speaks

I see you cringe as you turn
each page.
You judge me, don’t you?
For giving and giving
until it seems all
is gone.
Even as my story resonates,
it leaves you uncomfortable,
doesn’t it?
“Too much…” I hear you whisper.

You don’t see that the giving 
was a choice.
My choice.
I gave actively
with love, energy, 
full-hearted generosity–
I chose not to await
time’s
slow
drain.

Don’t you see?
I’m in the same place
I would have been
ultimately
eventually
But
I shaped myself
through my giving, 
got here on my own terms.

You may see only a stump, but
my roots are secure, and
did you notice?
As our story ends
we are resting…
together.
What more could I want?

And I am happy.  

©Molly Hogan, draft

If you’d like to see what the other Inklings have done with this challenge, click on their links:
Mary Lee Hahn
Catherine Flynn
Linda Mitchell
Heidi Mordhorst
Margaret Simon

This week’s Poetry Friday challenge is hosted by Linda Baie at her blog, Teacher Dance.