Big Apple History . Lesson Plans . Poetry of the City

	Poetry of the City


		4 to 8 (middle school) creative writing, American literature approximately 2 class periods

Among the great American poets, Walt Whitman broke new ground with his lyrical commentary on New York City and its citizens. Rather than hew to convention and European poetic traditions, Whitman offered a free verse that captured the rhythms and rituals of everyday urban life.

With this activity, students will learn about Whitman and about poetry. Most importantly, it will teach them that poetry is something anyone can write and encourage them to tell the story of their own community in verse.

This activity is best done as an individual assignment. It requires students to go out into their community, record what they see and set their vision down in verse.

Begin by having the students read the articles "A Poet of the People" and "Leaves of Grass is Published," which include several stanzas of Whitman's verse. The activity also includes a Web site where students can find more of Whitman's poetry and the works of other great American poets.

A discussion on poetry can begin with Whitman. Who was he? What was he trying to do with his poetry? What was his vision of the city? How was he different from other poets of his day?

Next, you might want to have the students consider poetry itself. What is it? What are appropriate poetic subjects? Where is poetry in their lives and community? Can popular music lyrics be considered poetry?

You also might select poems about urban life by other writers for them to read. Then have a discussion about these poets, possibly comparing their work to that of Whitman.

Like poetry-writing itself, this activity is probably best left as solitary as possible. The most important thing is to encourage the student that he or she is capable of a poetic vision as well. For inspiration, you might tell them to go out into the community and write down what they see. Encourage them to be curious, open to experience and spontaneous in their impressions.

While the writing of poetry is solitary, its presentation need not be. There are various ways you can have the students present their poetry: 1) read in class; 2) print on posters and place in class or public areas around the school; 3) publish in school or community newspaper; 4) collect the poems and print as desktop publication; or 5) post on the Web.
A further possibility is to find a public wall where a mural might be painted by the class. This can either incorporate the lyrics of the students' poems or simply express -- in paint -- the visions expressed in the poetry.

Poetry of the City

As we have learned in this activity, poetry is not just for poets. Anyone can express themselves in verse. It just takes two things: a subject that inspires us and a willingness to let our imaginations run free. Nothing is too ordinary for poetry. Whitman found inspiration on ferries and at construction sites. He made poetry by seeing these things in new ways. You can too.