Popscholar

I slacked on this last week.  Sorry, folks.  Here's this week's edition:

1. Today I went on a field trip with 18 students to the Dodge Poetry Festival.
2. The kids who went were a lot of my Honors kids from last year; they're great.
3. I heard a number of people read, but the most impressive was Tony Hoagland.
4. He writes a lot about internal struggle with the self.
5. He also writes a lot of funny, astute cultural commentary.
6. Lucille Clifton was also terrific.
7. It was the second time I'd heard her read.
8. One of my former students was so cute; she called me on my cell from the book tent because she wanted a collection of Rumi poems and she didn't have any more cash.  "I'll pay you back, Ms K!" she said.
9. I bought it for her.  Then she hugged me and told me that she felt like I was her mom, taking her shopping.
10. One of the characters in my book is based on this particular student.
11. She is a genuine sweetheart. 
12. As a 9th grader (she's now a senior), she told me that she imagined I'd have to go on bed rest if I ever got pregnant because I'm so small.  "I'll come and read to you, Ms K!" she gushed.
13. I reminded her of that promise today and she laughed, saying the offer was still valid. (And, incidentally, she wants to read  me some erotica!)