Ammon has been working on a poetry unit in his language arts course. He gets to analyze poems for rhythmic foot and rhyme scheme, and then attempt to create a poem following the model. I have been looking forward to this unit with Ammon for a while because I know how much he likes poetry. I really enjoy watching him create a poem. I'll explain the assignment and he'll look into the distance and mutter to himself for about a minute. Then he'll say, "Okay. I got it," and write it out. He has no idea writing rhymes is not that easy for everybody.
That's the background. The other day, we analyzed "My Evening Prayer" by Charles H. Gabriel. We only had two stanzas and then Ammon's assignment was to create a third stanza following the model. I understand that Mr. Gabriel wrote a very sincere, heartfelt poem. Ammon can be sincere and heartfelt, but he is also a 13-year-old boy with a charmingly silly disposition.
My Evening Prayer by Charles H. Gabriel
If I have wounded any soul today,
If I have caused one foot to go astray,
If I have walked in my own wilful way ---
Good Lord, forgive!
If I have uttered idle words or vain,
If I have turned aside from want or pain,
Lest I myself should suffer through the strain ---
Good Lord, forgive!
3rd stanza by Ammon Woods
If I have planned what is not to be plotted,
If I have striped what's supposed to be dotted,
If I have taught what's not to be taughted ---
Good Lord, forgive!
I enjoyed the result, but I enjoyed watching him write it even more.
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