"Stockholm's Daughter": A Reflection

Dear Reader,

Welcome again to my blog. Here is some context regarding this weeks post. "Stockholm's Daughter" is a poem I wrote and was able to read it aloud in my senior seminar. I have also written an analytical argumentative essay about Emily Dickinson's "Because I Could Stop For Death" within my five weeks of this course. What you will read is a reflection of my exposure to both sides (as a writer and reader) of a poem.

Similarities and Differences

Similarities:

Both writing poetry and writing about poetry require a deeper engagement with the work, demanding spectic literary elements that elevate the meaning (e.g. diction, syntax, rhythm). From my experience in both analyzing and crafting one, I was able to explore how specific language manifests different connotations that elevate the work. Both processes also require a strong structure i.e. a structure of a poem such as stanzas and the structure of a critical essay such as organization in order to drive an analysis.

Differences:

Writing "Stockholm's Daughter" was deeply personal to me, allowing real raw perceptions to be reflected through the use of repitition and modern references. On the contrary, writing about "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" was more removed-- as I needed to write more objectively and to do so, I needed to step away from the spotlilght. It allowed me to dissect the language more closely and critically, as opposed to the free flowing je ne sais quoi of writing poetry.

The Impact

Considering that I wrote my analysis first, it is to be assumed that Dickinson's work shaped my awareness in using specific literary devices. A critical perspective on someone else's work allowed to me to be critical enough on my own; that while I wrote my own poem freely, I was in a mindset that allowed me to choose to write the way that I did. The construction of my own poem was more conscious, even though I was playing with the writing itself. Through this, I wanted to truly hone in on how the form of "Stockhom's Daughter" was a reflection of the state of mind that the poem exuberates.

From Rio's Mind to Rio's Desk

Integrating Creativity and Critical Thinking

I do think that encouraging students to write their own poetry and writing about it is an effective way in fostering language conscious students who grow a deeper understanding of literature. The dual approach allows them to explore their own growth, mental or emotional state, and who they are as a person at that moment while still learning the effect of literary elements in the message they are trying to convey. The creative expression and analytical difficulty in turn complement each other in fostering that skill.

Process Over Product

For an essay, allowing students to recognize the many rough drafts they may have done provides a visual representation of their personal growth. At the same time, a poem that a student writes focuses on the message, showing the creativity expressed and *that* moment of, "Wow, I wrote that?" Insights about a personal journey encourages students to recognize the value of the writing process, as opposed to the product that is merely a grade. The purpose is to teach students something they did not know, hoping it sticks; not to obsesses over a grade.

Balance

Students learning how to do both, crtically analyze a poem and write a poem, learn the amount of rigor it takes and the emotive depth it provides. Learning to incorporate both into understading poetry in general is essential in appreciating the language and empathizing with a work. I think this is such an important skill, especially for students growing, understanding themselves and being more critical of the world they live in.

All in all, the impact that writing and poetry and writing about poetry provides a richer understanding of language, unpacking the layers that make poetry art. Both practices foster creative expression and thoughtful analysis.

Do you think writing about poetry and writing poetry would be effective in your classrooms? What are some fun poetry lesson plans you've utilized? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Hope you all enjoyed my take on this, see you on the next Rio-lutionary Writing post!

-Rio