Apr
2012
Autobiographical poem
Poem: “Fire”
Poet: Judy Brown
Book: Teaching with Fire: Poetry that Sustains the Courage to Teach edited by Sam M. Intrator and Megan Scribner
“What makes a fire burn
is space between the logs,
a breathing space.
Too much of a good thing,
too many logs
packed in too tight
can douse the flames
almost as surely
as a pail of water would.”
When I first read this poem, I knew it was a warning for me. I have always tried to cram too many things into my days and life. I teach (and according to my husband, I spend way too much time at school or grading papers). I lead the youth at my church. I volunteer at a therapeutic riding center with my daughter. I help cook and serve at my church’s soup kitchen. I chauffeur my daughter to various practices and lessons and clubs. These are all good things, but if I don’t give myself space between activities, my passion for life is extinguished just as surely as cramming too many logs on a fire will put it out.
haybug(: (Hailey E)
April 20, 2012 at 2:47 pm (12 years ago)do you like poetry personally?? i like reading it better then reading a regular book…
Mrs. McGriff
April 25, 2012 at 12:34 pm (12 years ago)I do like poetry. I’ve even been known to carry a poem around with me if I connect with what it says. Have you tried reading novels in verse where the poems go together to tell a story? I’d be glad to show you some of my favorites.