Poetry Book Review - Youth Poets

Soft Hay Will Catch You: Poems by Young People

Compiled by Sandford Lyne

Introduction

Try some performance poetry to introduce this book authored by 130 young poets ages eight through eighteen who share their inner thoughts about solitude, home, the soul’s journey, discoveries, self, and our connections to place and family. Select a poem from the collection and as you recite it, use ASL signs to represent some of the poems’ main words.

A Wonderful Place

by Crystal Kim, grade 4

In my dreams I dream of a barn,

not just any barn,

a special barn.

When you go inside, a bright light shines,

and a ladder to heaven stands before you,

and if you fall--

no worry--

soft hay will catch you.

Golden Trail

by Mia Emerald Payne, grade 4

I took a walk 

upon a road of glory,

through the fields

painted yellow gold,

to the insects by the pond

and in the pool.

It was slower to my feet,

but faster to my heart.

Extension

Have your audience move their bodies to illustrate the above poems as you read them aloud (or others of your choice.) Challenge children to come up with movements that capture the spirit of the poem or the poet’s feelings. Play some soft music as an accompaniment, if you wish.

There is a companion volume featuring poems about childhood, family, nature, challenges, friendship, and spirit also assembled by Sandford Lyne during his career as a visiting poet-in-the-schools and participant in the Kennedy Center Arts in Education program.

Ten-Second Rainshowers: Poems by Young People

Compiled by Sandford Lyne

Lyne, Sandford, ed., and Julie Monks. 2004. Soft Hay Will Catch You: Poems by Young People. New York: Simon & Schuster.

-----, and Virginia Halstead. 1996. Ten-Second Rainshowers: Poems by Young People.  New York: Simon & Schuster.