Poetry Recitation at Friday Assembly
We all know what it is like when a line of poetry or a strain of music makes us gasp. In some magical way, the poet or composer captures a phrase that expresses exactly what we have felt or seen–but we, of course, could never have communicated it so well.
This year we have added yet one more ingredient to our lively Friday assemblies: poetry recitation in front of the whole school. Each homeroom has been represented. From first grade to ninth, a group of two or three boys has taken the stage to recite poetry, usually something chosen by one of their English teachers. On occasion, faculty also have given recitations, conveying to the boys that poetry is for old, young, and all between. We have had recitations of Whitman, Dickinson, Shakespeare, and several relatively unknown poets. We have also heard poetry (with an accompanying English version) in Spanish, French, and Latin. The variety and content have been exciting.
Most teachers will tell you that students learn principally from one another. My hope is that our receptive Friday audiences will listen to poetry recited by their peers and that some name or phrase will seep into their consciousness. The fact that our weekly poetry recitations often follow the sports reports is certainly a healthy juxtaposition. It reflects St. Bernard’s perfectly. By all means, do your best to compete valiantly against an opposing team, but be sure that there is poetry in your head and in your heart. Boys discover that poetry is all around us: a turn of phrase, a fortuitous combination of words, and everywhere in song. Long may it flourish at St. Bernard’s.
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Most teachers will tell you that students learn principally from one another. My hope is that our receptive Friday audiences will listen to poetry recited by their peers and that some name or phrase will seep into their consciousness. The fact that our weekly poetry recitations often follow the sports reports is certainly a healthy juxtaposition. It reflects St. Bernard’s perfectly. By all means, do your best to compete valiantly against an opposing team, but be sure that there is poetry in your head and in your heart. Boys discover that poetry is all around us: a turn of phrase, a fortuitous combination of words, and everywhere in song. Long may it flourish at St. Bernard’s.
