OVERVIEW--The heart of my presentation is reading my own poetry. I tell the audience to watch and listen to the dramatic way I "perform" my poetry. I always bring along my poetry props including my favorite Petey my popeyed Poetry Monster. I also include my personal teacher journals dating back to the early 70's. In addition, I include samples of my writing from my journalism career. Once I feel the students are beginning to relax-- I ask for a volunteer to read a poem. Once we get the reading moving along the kids usually will join in enthusiastically. And that's what I want!
THE CREATIVE PROCESS--This is another aspect that I try to emphasize to the students "How a poem comes to be." I stress to audiences how crucial it is to write ideas down as they come to you -- some when you're working on a poem-- and some in the middle of the night-- coming at you like a freight train! Here comes Petey the Poetry Monster whispering in my ear," Write Marino, Write!" One aspect of writing poetry I also discuss is that poets really write about ordinary things -- they just try to make them beautiful.
SCHOOLS-- I gear my programs to the 6-12 grade levels.
AUDIENCES-- prefer @ 50 students per session. I am especially interested in students who are currently studying poetry and are actually writing and reading their own material. My goal is to try to get them to read in front of the group.
POETRY SHARING--I have been collecting what I think is really good or timely poetry from my audiences over the years--I share these too. I also have some personal favorites from former students from my teaching career in Massachusetts and New Hampshire -- I always enjoy sharing these. I do try to work in some classics like Robert Frost and contemporaries like Billy Collins.
SPECIAL NEEDS--I will need @ 6 foot table preferably behind me so that I can display my poetry material and refer back to it from time to time during my presentation. I also have a sign @ 2 foot by @ 4 foot that I would like to display. Other than that, I would appreciate access to a microwave to heat up the water for my vanilla flavored chai tea-- I bring my own skim milk unless you have some in the teachers' room. Cookies anyone?
Tony Marino
The Teacher Poet