SuraWordz

Flair (for Claudia)

2012-01-14T14:25:00.001-08:00

Flair

It is said that ‘many a flower blushes unseen.’

These tender buds quietly bloom, smile bright but timid.

Ah, but these words do not apply to all blossoms

For some, like the red-topped wildflower, life is a dare.

Yes, yes, this natural work of art does not shy away

But steps out of line with a mischievous glint in her eye,

Unseen is not for her. She laughs out loud, drinks her beer cold.

With radio playing, she dances, an exploding smile under red hair.

Oh, her fragrance is sweet, her love exuberant and real.

Blue jeans, leather and walking shoes completes her bold bloom.

Ay, yes, a dynamic joyful soul she is, with a crazy hat or two.

She is a wildflower, blooming, vibrant, an everlasting firework of flair.

Much Too Young

2011-09-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

Early this bright sunny morning,

not far from a grassy field where kids played,

I learned of a boy’s death,

just about thirteen, maybe one more.

All I could think, in a quiet awkward pause,

much too young and way too soon.

There’s a photo of him, happy, with a grin;

others by him laughing, all is good.

Part of the thousand words is joy,

good friends, chilly night, warm faces.

How quick the picture became a tribute,

much too young and way too soon.

Late this night I ponder much

about the boy and his unfinished verse,

how the powerful play of life goes on

and other actors’ incomplete scenes that

contributed to my fragmented lament

much too young and way too soon.

For Jared, and for all my students

(some are with him), for Rob too.

Writing about poetry

2011-09-02T18:09:00.000-07:00

"Be gone J. Evans Pritchard, Ph.D!" says John Keating (played by Robin Williams) in the movie Dead Poets Society. Mr. Keating is having his students read the introduction to poetry in the textbook. For the purpose of the movie, the passage is dull and the analysis of poetry sounds, as Mr. Keating put it, as if one was "laying pipe." Mr. Keating makes a good point, in that poetry is from the soul and should be tasted and experienced. And I agree, yet the craft of poetry should not be dismissed. To write an analysis of poetry, one must look at the components of the science and the art of poetry.

The science of poetry is the technique and tools of the author to create the poem and the voice of the poem. This is where the literary terms taught in classes come in: simile, metaphor, musical devices, rhyme patterns, imagery and structure. These are characteristics that set forms of poetry apart from other forms. Yet in this paradox of rules, poetry can break the rules. E. E. Cummings and Emily Dickinson are prime examples.

Because there are many great works that in no way resemble each other in structure of technique, defining poetry is difficult. However, the tie that binds poetry together is the essence that speaks to the reader or listener. That essence is “voice.” A voice communicates the literal and underlying messages of the speaker; it contains the relevance, the theme, and the soul of the poem. Thus, voice is the art of poetry.

Therefore, in writing an essay on poetry, the writer needs to build a thesis statement that reflects the art and/or science of poetry: Communication, Relevance, Voice, Imagery, Technique and Structure. The focus of the essay may depend on what the writer wants to write about or what has been assigned by an instructor. It can be just about the theme of the poem, it can be about the speaker and voice, or it can be about the literary devices the author uses. Whatever the case or combination, the writer needs to look at the component(s) and pull examples from the poem that illustrate it. To do this, I ask my students questions.

Communication. Does the poem communicate a subject? Does the poem communicate a theme? Jean Toomer wrote "Reaper". The subject of the poem is a reaper cutting grass that cuts a rat. The theme of the poem, upon looking into the tools of imagery suggests that death is mechanical and continual. These subject and theme can comprise the whole essay depending how detailed the analysis breaks down the words and phrases.

Relevance. Is the subject or theme relevant or important to the reader? Can the reader relate to it? Most high school students say that the subject of "Reaper" is not relevant to them because they do not cut grass or work on a farm, yet the theme can be identifiable to them because they have dealt with death in some form.

Voice. Who is the speaker? Based on the words, what can you tell me about the speaker? What is the speaker’s tone? What is the speaker’s attitude or emotions? As with communication and relevance, voice is a major component that makes up the art of poetry. The voice gives us insight into the character of the speaker and the message and motivation of the character.

Imagery. What pictures are drawn? What senses are given pictures? How does imagery illustrate and communicate the speaker's voice and message? What

colors are used? How does the alliteration add to the sound of the poem? Imagery is the construction of “pictures” for any of the five senses These questions lead to metaphor, symbolism, concrete nouns, musical devices and word choice.

Technique and Structure. Does the chosen structure assist the poet in communicating the theme? How does the repetition of a line add to the voice of the speaker? In other words, what does the writer do to enhance the poem and make the above components work together? Technique and structure choice overlap. From this component comes the author’s preferred style. It can take us from Dickinson’s poetry of phrases to the metered rhyme pattern that adds a lyrical effect to Longfellow's "The Wreck of the Hesperus" and its tragic tale.

These six components work together in a good poem no matter the poet and the poem. So, when writing an essay on poetry, look at Communication, Relevance, Voice, Imagery, Technique and Structure to guide the construction of the thesis statement. This understanding of the art and science of poetry leads to infinite number of good essays where the essay can delve into the intricacies of what gave life to the body of work, what made the blood flow in the veins and what gave breath to the voice. In other words, what made it real. And one can write an essay that respects the soul of the poem and the mind of the poet.

Final Bow

2011-09-02T17:39:00.000-07:00

She steps from the left

onto the dim stage,

stray glitter scattered

looks dusty

Pausing, she looks to the house,

Empty, quiet, echoing applause

It was her last dance.

She sets down her bag

that contains

Toe shoes, clickety tap shoes

and worn black leather jazz shoes

a water bottle

sequins, lace, tights in a tumble rainbow

of costumes.

And her dance book

holding

a ribbon from the ballet slipper

of a remembered cousin

a dried flower from her first recital

years ago

a scarf from the her first solo,

pink and frayed

a poem from a teacher

about a dancer

Sashay, toe, toe, swivel…

She giggles

remembering her the time

she crashed into the palm tree oasis backdrop

Pirouette,

extend

shimmy

an entourage of jazz, ballet, hip hop, soft shoe and tap

partner together in a finale

Ending with her center stage

Arm extended straight

Chin high,

Statuesque,

A chapter over.

With grace, beauty and life,

Her had swings from high

Arcing in perfect symmetry,

A single tear dances down her cheek

and she takes her

final bow.

Spotlight

2011-08-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

Spotlight

crashes the stage, before the full dark house

brandishing life and place in the split second

before words are spoken and action moves.

The actor thrills in this singular flash of stillness and bursting energy.

Spotlight

takes the audience to the soul of the character

revealing fears, joys, the drama of living;

solitary or with all lights ablaze, the story breaths.

The actor thrives in the grace of words and movement dancing.

Spotlight

gasps in darkness, inhales, a splashes light on actors

as applause roars, cheers, cries and sings bringing all

in the house together in the triumph of telling the tale.

The actor drinks this moment of nourishment, accomplishment and revelry.

Spotlight

sighs in its solitary moment behind closed doors;

its tired beam canters just a bit off center stage.

buzzes, slow and aching, it straightens proud and eager.

The actor connects with the light; together they create life.

This poem can be found in Wordz, a collection of poems for graduating high school students.

Some of My Boys

2011-07-05T13:49:00.000-07:00

In honor of the Fourth, I want to recognize the students (men and women) who have gone into the military.

Some of My Boys

Goofy, gangly and grinning,

some of my boys that sat in my classes

have not only enlisted,

but have been sent overseas

into the war, into harm’s way.

I see them on leave

or on a digital picture

grinning, maybe gangly still,

but goofy no more

due to the war, due to harm’s way.

“Hey, Mr. Sura,” they say,

“remember when..”

“…and you smiled and said...”

We were a brotherhood of goofy and grinning

before the war, before harm’s way.

My son reads and watches

about soldiers, brotherhood, honor and death

while he is goofy, gangly and grinning in life.

He has heroes, the boys I know,

in the war, in harm’s way.

He makes me proud that he cares.

He respects their call and their risk

while he and his high school buds

stumble around goofy and grinning,

away from war, away from harm.

And my goofy, gangly, grinning boys

stand watch afar and keep my son safe.

They say, “We got him covered, Mr. Sura.

“Your wife and daughter too.

For them, no war, nor harm’s way.”

All I am left to say is

“Love you guys,”

in my goofy, gangly, grinning way.

“Come home safe

from the war, from harm’s way.”

Bailey's Moon

2011-06-17T08:28:00.000-07:00

No world wide trip

or big house with a large tub.

The kid’s pool has patches

and the yard looks like hell.

Yet, I try to tap out a few words

in the low moonlight

hoping that some day I can

just give you more.

And just when I feel I have lost

when my shoulder’s slump.

You, my angel, my wonderful,

say “I love you.”

Those words hold belief and strength.

I roll my shoulders and sigh,

cinch the knot and ready the rope.

Swirling it, I go to lasso Bailey’s Moon.

To Heidi, for 21 years and more.

In The Box

2011-06-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

In the box is

a few books, some files,

a pen and some pencils;

There’s a coffee cup,

one of many throughout the years;

some odds and ends,

a half empty aspirin bottle

and a bag of M & Ms of an unknown year,

A copy of a test from long ago

and a few photos.

But also in the box

is a legacy of teaching.

Yes, inside is a trail of headaches,

sighs, budget cuts, drop outs,

sick days and missing staff.

But , deep inside are

the faces of many students and teachers,

smiling, enriched, going forward

because you gave a damn about them.

There’s

the high fives of the kids who finally got it;

the hugs from the kids that needed a hero;

the thanks of fellow teachers who needed a

shoulder, mentor and coach;

and the nodding smile of a principal

knowing your legacy for the school.

The box is quite full,

overflowing with your triumph of being

all a teacher can be.

Building Block

2011-05-11T15:38:00.000-07:00

I have a big black of wood on my desk. I have plane to carve things into the black of wood, but that will come about. A lot of students ask about that block of wood and why it is there. Here's the answer.

Building Block

Here’s this block

Take it.

It’s a building block.

The heart is my love

Notice that it is cut deep into the block.

The D is the dreams for you

Dream and do.

The infinity symbol is the number of times

You try before giving up.

The L is for the word Look,

Look and learn,

A lot.

The book means read

That’s it, just read.

The last side is blank

It’s for you.

Make your own mark.

Here’s this block.

Take it.

It’s a building block.

- Christopher R. Sura

Rockin' Robin

2011-04-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

The morning birds of song and news

flicker into our home and enlighten our day.

They broadcast sincerely, eyes bright and wide,

things that matter and help us on our way.

Yes, into our lives, they do become a part;

even on our court, basketball they did play.

There’s the sporty blue jay, anchor of the crew;

of Lions, Tigers and Wings, he does like to sing.

Perched and chipper, the young red cardinal

tells of the clouds or sun the day will bring.

Live on a fun feature, the Big Boy mockingbird

grins as he shows wonderful Northland things.

Other news birds do visit and join the chorus

when our crew vacations or mends a wing.

Which brings me to the lady among the gents,

the spritely songbird, Rockin Robyn, with love.

She sings loud and clear, strong and steady,

a proud and colorful bird so unlike the little dove.

I recall the day with chin held high and deep breath

She told of us her story, her fear and faith above.

Her story of cancer belongs to many sisters,

and like them, the illness she stoically did shove.

Now, a year and more has past, in health she works.

Friends, family and northern Michigan does smile.

With a pink ribbon, she remembers those lost and

champions the fight, a true survivor of the trial.

Our Rockin Robyn rocks in the treetops all day long

Singing every woman’s song with much love, grace and style.

Lennie and George

2011-03-05T18:34:00.000-08:00

And in the moment between

The lead and iron weighing his hand

And his finger tightening

On cold hard sliver of metal,

Their life flashed before the muzzle.

They had struggled on farms and ranches,

And journeyed miles on dusty roads.

They laughed at simple things

And cared for the happy things of

Puppies, rabbits and each other.

He, the giant beyond his own strength,

Rambunctious, joyous, yet tragic,

Brought forth the final act of a friend

Desperate to save, doomed to kill.

The best true, helpless friends can do.