Teaching Reading in S.S. Blog 2 - Yeah, I like Poetry. So What?!

Hello again everyone,

I've decided to fess up and admit to the world that I am indeed a fan of poetry. There, I said it! Man do I feel better. So, I would like to talk a little bit about Chpt. 5 of Jago's, Classics in the Classroom. I was taking a look at the poem on pg. 79, The World is Too Much With Us by William Wordsworth. I don't have a lot to say about the poem itself. I agree with Jago's points that poetry can help to reintroduce students to many Literary terminologies as well as get them thinking about the text and the memories and emotions that they raise, then applying those perspectives to their own lives.

What I want to offer to all of you is the poem that immediately popped into my head while I sat, reading Wordsworth's words (that's a tongue-twister) of reflection on a world that is far to powerful and timeless for us to master. So, for your reading pleasure:

On the Vanity of Earthly Greatness
by Arthur Guiterman

The tusks that clashed in mighty brawls
Of mastodons are billiard balls.

The sword of Charlemagne the Just
Is ferric oxide, known as rust.

The grizzly bear whose potent hug
Was feared by all is now a rug.

Great Caesar's bust is on a shelf,
And I don't feel so well myself!

So there you have it folks. I've shared with you one of my favorites; a simple,yet insightful poem that I hope makes you laugh a little - even if only to yourself. I also hope that you will take the time to think about what this poem and the Wordsworth's poem on pg. 79 are saying about the passing of time and the relative insignificance of humans in the grand scheme of the universe.

So, until we meet again... keep it classy San Diego.

-Sam P.