Module 3 Poetry Break: Non-Rhyming Poem
Poetry 5663
Diana Stephens
“Principal Barron”
by Terri Fields
from After the Death of Anna Gonzales
Introduction: We all know that we have lost a Union Bower family member recently; there’s been a funeral, did any of you go? I know that there is some uncertainty as to what exactly was the cause of death, and it’s not our job today to try to figure that out. How many of you knew Michael Rowe? Let’s pause a moment to remember him.
Michael’s death brings me to this book of poems, After the Death of Anna Gonzales by Terri Fields, where all the different people in the school where Anna died contribute a poem, whether they knew her or not. Here is one of the first poems, from the school’s principal. In our first reading, I would like to read the principal’s voice, and I would like volunteers to read the announcements, so I’ll need two people to read for the student announcers, A. 1 and A. 2.
One more thing, I know you have been discussing irony, related to your recent reading of A Separate Peace. I’ll be very interested to know what you find ironic in this poem.
“Principal Barron”
[Principal-this reader reads all the parts not in quotes.]
Thirty years in education.
I’ve broken up fights.
Fired a teacher.
Failed a student.
But not this.
This is too much to ask.
[A. 1] “Volleyball practice has been moved to 5:00 P.M.
The chess club will meet today in
Mr. Malkin’s room.”
Thirty years in education.
I’ve learned school law.
Listened to angry parents.
Located lost school buses.
But not this.
This is too much to ask.
[A. 2] “Congratulations to the JV football team on last
night’s 14-0 win against the Raiders.
[A. 1] Student Council will be selling spirit T-Shirts
during both lunch hours all week.”
To make a difference.
To better kids’ lives.
That was why I went into education.
So how does this happen?
How do I . . .
[A. 2] “Mr. Barron, announcements are almost over.
Do you still have a special?”
I trudge toward the camera.
[A. 1] “And now for a special from our principal.”
Words caught in unwilling voice.
[Principal] “Anna Gonzales took her life last night.
Our sympathies to her family and friends.
Grief counselors will be available all day.”
Robotlike move off camera.
As a chirpy voice concludes,
[A. 1] “And those are today’s announcements.
Have a nice day.”
Extension: What do you think? Did you like the way this announcement was made? What is the irony? (Some might suggest the contrast between the minutiae of the announcements compared to suicide, etc.) Think about how you would make the announcement, and what would be running through your head.
You have the assignment of announcing the death of Michael Rowe. How would you do it? Write a poem that alternates your thoughts with what you would say. OR, just write a poem about how you felt about or what you knew about Michael Rowe, maybe what you were doing when you heard about it, or something you wish you had said to him.
***Students are very much affected by the death of a peer. The death of a young person is always such a shock. Writing a poem about it would be an excellent and creative way of tapping into and dealing the intense emotion aroused during this time.
Fields, Terri. 2002. After the Death of Anna Gonzales. New York: Henry Holt and Company.
Poetry 5663
Diana Stephens
“Principal Barron”
by Terri Fields
from After the Death of Anna Gonzales
Introduction: We all know that we have lost a Union Bower family member recently; there’s been a funeral, did any of you go? I know that there is some uncertainty as to what exactly was the cause of death, and it’s not our job today to try to figure that out. How many of you knew Michael Rowe? Let’s pause a moment to remember him.
Michael’s death brings me to this book of poems, After the Death of Anna Gonzales by Terri Fields, where all the different people in the school where Anna died contribute a poem, whether they knew her or not. Here is one of the first poems, from the school’s principal. In our first reading, I would like to read the principal’s voice, and I would like volunteers to read the announcements, so I’ll need two people to read for the student announcers, A. 1 and A. 2.
One more thing, I know you have been discussing irony, related to your recent reading of A Separate Peace. I’ll be very interested to know what you find ironic in this poem.
“Principal Barron”
[Principal-this reader reads all the parts not in quotes.]
Thirty years in education.
I’ve broken up fights.
Fired a teacher.
Failed a student.
But not this.
This is too much to ask.
[A. 1] “Volleyball practice has been moved to 5:00 P.M.
The chess club will meet today in
Mr. Malkin’s room.”
Thirty years in education.
I’ve learned school law.
Listened to angry parents.
Located lost school buses.
But not this.
This is too much to ask.
[A. 2] “Congratulations to the JV football team on last
night’s 14-0 win against the Raiders.
[A. 1] Student Council will be selling spirit T-Shirts
during both lunch hours all week.”
To make a difference.
To better kids’ lives.
That was why I went into education.
So how does this happen?
How do I . . .
[A. 2] “Mr. Barron, announcements are almost over.
Do you still have a special?”
I trudge toward the camera.
[A. 1] “And now for a special from our principal.”
Words caught in unwilling voice.
[Principal] “Anna Gonzales took her life last night.
Our sympathies to her family and friends.
Grief counselors will be available all day.”
Robotlike move off camera.
As a chirpy voice concludes,
[A. 1] “And those are today’s announcements.
Have a nice day.”
Extension: What do you think? Did you like the way this announcement was made? What is the irony? (Some might suggest the contrast between the minutiae of the announcements compared to suicide, etc.) Think about how you would make the announcement, and what would be running through your head.
You have the assignment of announcing the death of Michael Rowe. How would you do it? Write a poem that alternates your thoughts with what you would say. OR, just write a poem about how you felt about or what you knew about Michael Rowe, maybe what you were doing when you heard about it, or something you wish you had said to him.
***Students are very much affected by the death of a peer. The death of a young person is always such a shock. Writing a poem about it would be an excellent and creative way of tapping into and dealing the intense emotion aroused during this time.
Fields, Terri. 2002. After the Death of Anna Gonzales. New York: Henry Holt and Company.
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