Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams depart
Life is a worn-out athlete
With a failing heart
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams vanish
Life is an iron prison
Bleak walls and anguish
—
NaPoWriMo #8: Rewrite a famous poem
I like to have my students analyze “Dreams” by Langston Hughes and then write their own stanzas following his pattern. When we’re finished, everyone reads them aloud following the original. If it’s done right, if sounds like one long poem. The kids usually have fun with it, and some come up with some really cool metaphors. Much better than my weak attempt above, which I’m sharing in response to NaPoWriMo’s prompt to rewrite a famous poem.
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
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