A Most Delightful Exercise

This afternoon, I had a most delightful class period. Thus far in my Intro to Literary Studies class, we’ve been discussing short stories. Today we began to discuss poetry.

Our professor led us in a wonderful exercise that I would urge you to replicate.

He began by giving us simply the title of the poem that we would be discussing that day–

The White Rose 

And asked us what images and thoughts that evoked for us.

Line by line, he revealed to us the poem, stopping after each line to ask for our thoughts, for our impressions, for our guesses on where the poem was going. 

It was the most engaged and enthusiastic I have ever seen a class. 

Line by line, we unfolded the poem, gasping with amusement or murmuring with delight at the revelation of each line. 

We worked out the rhyme scheme of the poem and used that to predict what future lines would be. 

We once guessed exactly what the next line was–and rejoicing rippled through the classroom. 

We guessed the idea of the poem’s final line (and figured out the final rhyme). It was all extremely satisfying–and an excellent exercise in interpreting, analysing, sharing, and enjoying poetry. 

I’d encourage you to gather with a few poetry-loving friends and do your best to replicate the experience. 

It was incredibly fun. 

(Photo credit to Puck Milder on Unsplash)