LS 5663 Module 4: Social Studies Poetry

The Brothers' War: Civil War Voices in Verse

Lewis, J. Patrick. 2007. THE BROTHERS' WAR: CIVIL WAR VOICES IN VERSE. Washington, D.C: National Geographic. Photographs by Civil War Photographers. ISBN 978-1-4263-0036-3

Review: 

J. Patrick Lewis has created a visually and intellectually stimulating book with THE BROTHERS' WAR. Written in black and gold with actual Civil War photographs, Lewis' poetry is perfectly complemented. The poems are written in varying styles, from free verse to sonnets inspired by letters written to and from the soldiers.

Each of the eleven poems is presented on a two-page spread with it's accompanying period photograph. While the photographs are perfect examples of primary sources, many are shocking in their brutal honesty.

Lewis also included a Civil War map, time line of selected events, photography notes, author's note, and a bibliography. At the bottom of each poem, Lewis gives readers historical background to enhance understanding of the events of the war.

Highlighted Poem:

I Can Make Georgia Howl

(William Tecumseh Sherman on his March to the Sea, November 15 - December 21, 1864)

From Atlanta to Savannah

In a winter month or more

Was a march called devastation 

Like they'd never seen before.

They called it a destruction

Razed by sixty-thousand blues

To the city of Savannah--

Righteousness's wrecking crews.

Though my tactics were in question,

And I mapped a rugged route, 

No one second-guessed the outcome

'Cause it never was in doubt.

Oh, we robbed and burned and pillaged

As we gathered what we must

For the journey to the water

And we left behind disgust.

So Savannah was a Christmas gift

To Lincoln, thanks to me,

And a nail in the coffin of 

Surrender, General Lee.

Possible Uses: 

Teachers can use THE BROTHERS' WAR as an introduction to the Civil War. 
Teachers could use the above poem, "I Can Make Georgia Howl", as an introduction to a study of William Tecumseh Sherman and his march. 

Using this poem would also instigate a study of quotes by Sherman, such as "I intend to make Georgia howl." and "It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell."
These and other quotes can be found at www.thinkexist.com.

LS 5663 Module 4: Science Poetry

Earthshake

Westberg Peters, Lisa. 2003. EARTHSHAKE: POEMS FROM THE GROUND UP. Ill. Cathie Felstead. Greenwillow Books. ISBN 978-0-06-029266-9

Review:

Lisa Westberg Peters helps us explore our world using twenty-two poems about geology. Covered topics include erosion, wind, lava, fossils, quartz, meteorites, and sandstone, among others. Peters poems range from concrete to haiku to free verse.

 The genius behind this short book is the way Peters takes subjects one might think of as dull and makes them come alive. She uses short, sometimes silly, yet interesting poems to discuss geology in an imaginative and unique manner. Peters also gives her readers three pages of endnotes. These endnotes give an explanation of each geological topic discussed within her poems.

Illustrator Cathie Felstead's use of mixed-media collage artwork creates the perfect complement to Peter's poetry. Her illustrations are vibrant and energetic. Predominantly in blues and green, they bring to mind earthly elements.

Highlighted Poem:

Continental Promises

Dear 

Africa,

Stay close!

We'll be 

friends 

forever.

Love,

South America

Dear

South America,

My coastlines 

are your

coastlines.

My deserts 

are your 

deserts.

We're rock-solid.

Love, 

Africa

Possible Uses:

Teachers can use the poem "Continental Promises" to begin a study on Pangaea. Students should also read "Obituary of a Clam" to further understand the changes our planet has undergone.

LS 5663 Module 4: Biographical Poetry

Your Own, Sylvia

Hemphill, Stephanie, 2007. YOUR OWN, SYLVIA, New York: Alfred A Knopf, ISBN 978-0-375-83799-9.

Review: 

In YOUR OWN, SYLVIA, Poet Stephanie Hemphill takes readers on a journey through the life and death Sylvia Plath. Using Plath's poetry as a guide, Hemphill writes imagined conversations, descriptions, and feelings of Plath and those important to her life. Arranged in chronological order, these poems are written from the perspective of Plath, her mother, husband, friends, family, and even her doctors, among others. Sylvia Plath's voice is heard in many poems written "in the style of" specific works. Each poem is titled and the speaker is clearly identified, along with his/her relationship to Plath.
YOUR OWN, SYLVIA has many dimensions. On one level, Hemphill's poems tell the story of Plath's life. On another level, though, factual information adds the heartbreaking knowledge that these poems are based on the reality of Plath's life and tragic death. The poems in this verse novel help readers create an attachment to Sylvia Plath. Hemphill has achieved her goal with this book as readers previously unfamiliar with Plath will find themselves wanting to read her poetry and learn more about her life.  


Highlighted Poem:
Disappear
Aurelia Plath
Autumn 1962

I feared this -
his black demeanor,
towering silence,
sporting the superior
threadbare jacket of the artist.
He doesn't even
phone to inquire
about the children.

Sylvia opens the wounds
she has hidden from me -
the deep lacerations in her back -
Ted neglects Nicholas,
Ted tell her he never wanted children.
Ted has left her,
and her alone darkens
like a cellar door
drawing closed.

This poem is written in the voice of Aurelia Plath, Sylvia's mother. It shows the dissolution of Sylvia and Ted's marriage and Sylvia's despondency over the situation.


Possible Uses:


This book would be an excellent resource in a study of free verse poetry. It would also be a great complement and introduction to a study of Sylvia Plath's Pulitzer Prize winning work. This book would be the perfect complement for an author study on Plath.