Category: Pizza Poetry
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #7: Q&A With Darryl Reginelli
Happy pizza poetry day, everyone! To celebrate, we sat down with Darryl Reginelli, owner of Reginelli’s Pizzeria, to talk poetry, pizza, and creativity.
Big Class: What was your path, and how did Reginelli’s come to be?
Darryl Reginelli: While I was in college at UNO, I started working at a back waiter at Arnaud’s. I worked there for 5 years in a number of different front of the house positions. I liked it so much that I decided I wanted to stay in the industry. I then got a job as the general manager at wine bar and bistro, and it really flourished from there. I found my creative outlet. I enjoy the hospitality and the creativity of the restaurant business.
BC: Can you talk more about the connection between hospitality and creativity?
DR: To me, it was the fun of exploring with food in the kitchen, and then bringing it out for people. My first restaurant was a full-service high-end Italian restaurant. It was called Reginelli’s Eating Gallery, and there was a working gallery of artists who put on shows throughout the year inside the restaurant. There was always an art and creative aspect to what I was doing.
When I sold that, I decided to use all the high-end ingredients, and turn it into a more accessible venue, like pizza. This was 20 years ago, and nobody used these ingredients on pizza. I took pancetta, prosciutto, roasted peppers, kalamata olives, and put them on pizza. I like to think that we introduced a higher-end pizza to New Orleans.
I was 25 when I started my first restaurant, and I was trying to create a place that my friends could enjoy. My goal then, was to not have an entree over $10. Now with the pizza, we really serve everyone from one-year-old babies to 99-year-old grandparents, and it’s still a really great family environment.
BC: I love that you were able to make those ingredients accessible to everyone. That really correlates with poetry, because some people find it hard to get into if you don’t understand stanzas or rhyme schemes. One of the great things about Pizza Poetry, is the students can write whatever they want, and everyone gains access to it.
DR: Yeah, it makes people laugh, and it makes people think. And it’s an interesting way of expressing yourself, whether it’s comical or satire, or even political.
BC: Can you talk about collaboration? I’m sure when you were building your idea for a restaurant, you had a team to bounce ideas off of.
DR: The first Reginelli’s that we built at State and Magazine was very hands-on. We made all the tables, we made the bar. I had a lot of great friends that helped translate our ideas to something tangible.
BC: Did you enjoy writing or reading when you were a kid?
DR: I struggled in school, and I have dyslexia which would slow me down. But my proudest writings were the things that I connected with, and when I wrote about something that was real to me. Those were the best papers that I liked to write—the ones where I was being open and honest, and really truthful, and writing about something that I cared about.
BC: Definitely. Do you have any advice for some of our young writers? How can students bring their ideas of what they want to be into reality?
DR: I would always get these ideas that my family would say were crazy—like, you can’t open a restaurant, you don’t have any money, why don’t you just work in a restaurant? Well, that wasn’t my idea. I had goals, and different things that I wanted to do. And even if they’re small or big, don’t laugh at your goals or get scared to try something. If you never try, you’ll always wonder if you could’ve achieved it. Use your instincts, and if you want to do something, don’t be afraid to try.
BC: So what’s next for you, and for Reginelli’s?
DR: We will continue to expand the Reginelli’s Pizzeria. And, just this year, I decided I want to try a new concept out too. So, I’ve got an idea about a new concept I’d like to introduce to New Orleans. I think it could be fun, and it could give us some more opportunities to grow. So, I think we’re going to start a new concept this year.
BC: Exciting! And no previews of what it’s going to be?
DR: It’s not all finished, but I’ve got a big part of it in my head already. It’s too soon to talk about it yet though.
BC: Gotcha–you’re in the brainstorming and drafting phase, and you’re not quite ready to be published yet. Well, do you have any questions for us?
DR: No, I just think it’s great that you’re able to put the Pizza Poetry out there. It’s fun, and it shows all ages of creativity: the humor, the sarcasm, and what’s in people’s minds. It’s a lot of fun, and it makes people think. We enjoy being a part of it.
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #6: Prose Poems
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
Prose Poetry
A prose poem is a poem written in sentences. Often, it appears as a block of text and resembles a paragraph more than a typical metered poem. A prose poem however, is not a story, focusing more on the characteristics of poetry, such as poetic meter, language play, and images.
Prose poems first appeared in 19th Century France as an act of rebellion. Poets like Charles Baudelaire and Aloysius Bertrand wanted to protest the predominance of the Alexandrine metered line and the typical content that followed it. Breaking out of metered form, they wrote in a block of text that resembled prose, but behaved like poetry.
Many prose poems are written in second person, meaning the poet is addressing somebody or speaking to them.The second person uses the pronouns “you,” “your,” and “yours.” Often second-person prose poems resemble letters or postcards.
Below are two examples of prose poems written in second person. Now, it’s time to try writing your own prose poem. Think about WHO you want to write your prose poem to and what you want to say! Remember, you’re still writing a poem so imagery, devices and rhythm are important!
from Citizen, I
By Claudia Rankine
A woman you do not know wants to join you for lunch. You are visiting her campus. In the café you both order the Caesar salad. This overlap is not the beginning of anything because she immediately points out that she, her father, her grandfather, and you, all attended the same college. She wanted her son to go there as well, but because of affirmative action or minority something—she is not sure what they are calling it these days and weren’t they supposed to get rid of it?—her son wasn’t accepted. You are not sure if you are meant to apologize for this failure of your alma mater’s legacy program; instead you ask where he ended up. The prestigious school she mentions doesn’t seem to assuage her irritation. This exchange, in effect, ends your lunch. The salads arrive.
A Supermarket in California
Allen Ginsberg, 1926 – 1997
What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon.
In my hungry fatigue, and shopping for images, I went into the neon fruit supermarket, dreaming of your enumerations!
What peaches and what penumbras! Whole families shopping at night! Aisles full of husbands! Wives in the avocados, babies in the tomatoes!—and you, García Lorca, what were you doing down by the watermelons?
I saw you, Walt Whitman, childless, lonely old grubber, poking among the meats in the refrigerator and eyeing the grocery boys.
I heard you asking questions of each: Who killed the pork chops? What price bananas? Are you my Angel?
I wandered in and out of the brilliant stacks of cans following you, and followed in my imagination by the store detective.
We strode down the open corridors together in our solitary fancy tasting artichokes, possessing every frozen delicacy, and never passing the cashier.
Where are we going, Walt Whitman? The doors close in a hour. Which way does your beard point tonight?
(I touch your book and dream of our odyssey in the supermarket and feel absurd.)
Will we walk all night through solitary streets? The trees add shade to shade, lights out in the houses, we’ll both be lonely.
Will we stroll dreaming of the lost America of love past blue automobiles in driveways, home to our silent cottage?
Ah, dear father, graybeard, lonely old courage-teacher, what America did you have when Charon quit poling his ferry and you got out on a smoking bank and stood watching the boat disappear on the black waters of Lethe?
—Berkeley, 1955
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #5: Awake At Night
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
Lesson Plan: Awake at Night (7th-12th grade)
Hanging Fire
BY AUDRE LORDE
I am fourteen
and my skin has betrayed me
the boy I cannot live without
still sucks his thumb
in secret
how come my knees are
always so ashy
what if I die
before morning
and momma’s in the bedroom
with the door closed.
I have to learn how to dance
in time for the next party
my room is too small for me
suppose I die before graduation
they will sing sad melodies
but finally
tell the truth about me
There is nothing I want to do
and too much
that has to be done
and momma’s in the bedroom
with the door closed.
Nobody even stops to think
about my side of it
I should have been on Math Team
my marks were better than his
why do I have to be
the one
wearing braces
I have nothing to wear tomorrow
will I live long enough
to grow up
and momma’s in the bedroom
with the door closed.
-
Read Hanging Fire together as a class. Then ask students to read the poem silently a couple more times.
-
Brainstorm both concrete and abstract things that keep students awake at night worrying. Encourage them to list things that might seem trivial (how come my knees are always so ashy) to grander things (will I live long enough to grow up?)
Depending on the comfort level and culture of the classroom, this brainstorm might be more fruitful if done individually.
-
Now encourage students to write their own poems modeled after Hanging Fire.
Email us at pizzapoetry@bigclass.org to let us know how the workshop went, and submit your students’ poems. Are you especially proud of any of the poems? Let us know and we’ll feature them on this blog! Click here to learn more about the Pizza Poetry Project.
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #4: Odes
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
Lesson Plan: Odes (1st-5th grade)
An Ode is a poem that admires something ordinary or shows the importance of something that is usually overlooked. An Ode does not have to (but can!) rhyme. Usually, an ode has detailed descriptions and observations. There are many ways to approach writing an ode, the most important thing is praising the object (or person). Here are four different odes praising the same object: PIZZA!
Oh Pizza!
Sausage and onions,
And deep mozzerella,
Ground beef and mushrooms
Make life vita bella;
Pizza sauce, hot cheese
That comes off in strings,
These are among my favorite things!
-John Bliven Morin
Ode To Pizza
You come in different shapes and sizes
Round or Square
O you look so fair
Sitting in a box
While I watch Fox
Whenever I’m sad
You make me glad
Your colors shine so bright
In the summer night
Whenever I’m around you
You make me glad that I’ve found you
I love you pizza
-Allyah, age 10
Ode to Pizza
No matter if you’re from Chicago or NYC
Pizza is appreciated everywhere, ode to thee
In the end there’s no contest, anyone will agree
No matter what form, you’re flawless like Queen B.
-Anonymous
Ode to Pizza
Pizza is my favorite snack,
Now what do you think of that.
Crust so warm and soft and chewy,
Cheese so tasty, scrumptious, gooey.
Hot in a box or on my plate,
Either way I just can’t wait,
To get my hands upon a slice,
To taste it now would be so nice.
Like nectar from the gods of old,
It tastes so good I’ll eat it cold.
When life is hard and I get down,
When on my face I wear a frown,
Only Pizza makes it right,
Now quench my raving appetite.
Restore my faith in all that’s true,
With a dose of cheesy goo,
Give me Pizza, give it now,
If you don’t I don’t know how,
I’ll ever live in harmony,
Without my Pizza ecstasy.
But where to get my Pizza snack,
I’ll tell you where, just where it’s at.
To Round Table you should go,
If you didn’t already know.
To feast upon their luscious pies
For they take Pizza to new highs
I love Pizza, that’s a fact,
Now what do you think of that.
-Michael Sykes
Now it’s your turn:
1. Brainstorm what you could write about.
Think about things you see and experience everyday that you don’t usually notice.
For example, Shoes, Teachers, Grandma, Friendship, Trees, Pencil, Love, Custodians, Hairbrush, Shoes, Computer.
2. Pick your topic and brainstorm why it is important.
Describe your object:
-What it does
-Why it’s important
-What would happen without it
-How you feel about it
3. Write your poem. If you get stuck go back and study the examples.
4. Share it with us!
Don’t forget to submit the final poems by April 7th!
Email us at pizzapoetry@bigclass.org to let us know how the workshop went, and submit your students’ poems. Are you especially proud of any of the haikus? Let us know and we’ll feature them on this blog! Click here to learn more about the Pizza Poetry Project.
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #3: Nature Haikus
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
H A I K U S
A Haiku poetry is a short, centuries-old form of Japanese poetry.
A haiku is three lines and 17 syllables total.
The first line contains 5 syllables
the second line has 7
the final line has 5 syllables.
A good Haiku is like a photo that captures the essence of what’s happening, often connecting two seemingly unrelated thing. With just a few words, they call attention to an observation and in effect say, “Look at this” or, “Think about this.”
If possible take your students outside and ask them to record their observations in complete sentences. If you are unable to take your students outside, photographs or videos from nature will do. Don’t be afraid to use vivid descriptions and personifications.
Examples:
-
The tree branch shakes in the wind and tickles the grass
-
Each blade of grass pokes the soles of my feet
-
I saw ducks swimming in a pond during a rainstorm
-
I noticed the first buds on tree branches in your backyard
Now you have to pare the sentence down so it still describes the scene while inviting the reader to see what you saw.
For example:
I saw ducks swimming in a pond during a rainstorm.
Sudden spring storm—
a family of ducks paddles
around the deserted lake.
Email us at pizzapoetry@bigclass.org to let us know how the workshop went, and submit your students’ poems. Are you especially proud of any of the haikus? Let us know and we’ll feature them on this blog! Click here to learn more about the Pizza Poetry Project.
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #2: Acrostic Poem Bookmarks
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
Acrostic Poem Bookmarks
Materials: Cardstock or blank bookmarks, colored pencils or crayons, adjective handout (optional), list of well-known literary characters for inspo (optional).
An acrostic poem is a type of poetry where the first, last or other letters in a line spell out a particular word or phrase. The most common and simple form of an acrostic poem is where the first letters of each line spell out the word or phrase.
A n acrostic poem
C reates a challenge
R andom words on a theme
O r whole sentences that rhyme
S elect your words carefully
T o form a word from top to bottom
I s the aim of this poetry style
C hoose a word and then go!
First, brainstorm descriptive adjectives as a class. Then, choose a familiar character such as Spongebob, Mickey Mouse or Cinderella. Alternatively, you could use a character from a class reading. Then students should feel comfortable choosing their own characters and adjectives. Once students are satisfied with their poems they should copy down their acrostic poems on their blank bookmarks! For higher grades challenge the students to write descriptive sentences using alliteration!
M agical
A ffable
T alented
I ntelligent
L oyal
D aring
A dmirable
M ysteriously makes magic
A lways attentive to adults
T ricked the terrible Trunchbull
I ntelligently investigated the FBI
L oyal to Lavender
D aughter of a dishonest dad and miserable mom
A uspiciously, she always asked why!
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #1: Limericks
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
Limericks
Limericks are funny humorous that are structured into five lines. The first and second lines rhyme and contain the same number of syllables, as do the third and fourth. The fifth line yields a surprise ending or humorous statement and rhymes with the first two lines. Typically, limericks are written in the past tense. They were made famous by Edward Lear, a famous poet who wrote the “Book of Nonsense” in the 1800s.
Limericks often start with the line “There once was a…” or “There was a…”
Some examples of Limericks:
There once was a wonderful star
Who thought she would go very far
Until she fell down
And looked like a clown
She knew she would never go far.
-Kaitlyn Guenther
There was an Old Person of Chili,
Whose conduct was painful and silly,
He sat on the stairs,
Eating apples and pears,
That imprudent Old Person of Chili.
-From the “Book of Nonsense”
Now, Write Your Own!
The first, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (typically 8 or 9).
The third and fourth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (typically 5 or 6)
Templates are below for those that need it!
Template A
There once was a ______________ from __________________.
All the while s/he hoped _______________________________. So s/he _______________________________. And _________________________________. That ___________________ from ___________________.
Template B
I once met a _________________ from ___________________.
Every day s/he _________________
______________________. But whenever s/he ______________________.
The _________________________________. That strange ___________________ from ___________________.
Email us at pizzapoetry@bigclass.org to let us know how the workshop went, and submit your students’ poems. Are you especially proud of any of the limericks? Let us know and we’ll feature them on this blog! Click here to learn more about the Pizza Poetry Project.
In the News: Pizza Poetry project adds new events to menu/The Advocate
Where are they now? Catching up on people, pets and projects from 2016
Pizza Poetry project adds new events to menu
BY JASON BROWNE and KAREN TAYLOR
The Advocate
December 28, 2016
If Pizza Poetry is the voice of the children, those kids are about to get louder.
Big Class, the New Orleans nonprofit that encourages kids to write, in part by attaching their poems to pizza boxes at restaurants across the city for one day each spring, is helping to develop a New Orleans Youth Poetry Festival and working with 826 National on initiatives to get more kids writing to get those works out to a much larger crowd.
Read more: http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/communities/crescent_city/article_393637e2-c311-11e6-a2e7-2b40bd2701dd.html?sr_source=lift_amplify
“My Poetic Pizza” by Hiyanta
I live in New Orleans
flying high, singing
songs you might
see me flying
by, sometimes
it will be in
the fall,
nothing
will ever
make me
fall.
— Hiyanta, 4th Grade, Samuel J. Green Charter School
From Pizza Poetry Anthology 2015
Click here to check out the 2015 Pizza Poetry Anthology.
Would you like a poem with that? Buy a pizza, get some poetry at New Orleans restaurants
April 6, 2016
“The young poet’s subject matters range from lighthearted, such as annoying brothers and food, to more serious subjects, such as family issues and discrimination.”
The Times-Picayune wrote an article about the Pizza Poetry Project and the “magical pairing” of the two things everyone loves: youth writing and pizza. Poetry is playful, fun, and free in structure, allowing it to be a highly accessible form of writing for young people. Also, kids loves pizza. Read the full article here.
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #7: Q&A With Darryl Reginelli
Happy pizza poetry day, everyone! To celebrate, we sat down with Darryl Reginelli, owner of Reginelli’s Pizzeria, to talk poetry, pizza, and creativity.
Big Class: What was your path, and how did Reginelli’s come to be?
Darryl Reginelli: While I was in college at UNO, I started working at a back waiter at Arnaud’s. I worked there for 5 years in a number of different front of the house positions. I liked it so much that I decided I wanted to stay in the industry. I then got a job as the general manager at wine bar and bistro, and it really flourished from there. I found my creative outlet. I enjoy the hospitality and the creativity of the restaurant business.
BC: Can you talk more about the connection between hospitality and creativity?
DR: To me, it was the fun of exploring with food in the kitchen, and then bringing it out for people. My first restaurant was a full-service high-end Italian restaurant. It was called Reginelli’s Eating Gallery, and there was a working gallery of artists who put on shows throughout the year inside the restaurant. There was always an art and creative aspect to what I was doing.
When I sold that, I decided to use all the high-end ingredients, and turn it into a more accessible venue, like pizza. This was 20 years ago, and nobody used these ingredients on pizza. I took pancetta, prosciutto, roasted peppers, kalamata olives, and put them on pizza. I like to think that we introduced a higher-end pizza to New Orleans.
I was 25 when I started my first restaurant, and I was trying to create a place that my friends could enjoy. My goal then, was to not have an entree over $10. Now with the pizza, we really serve everyone from one-year-old babies to 99-year-old grandparents, and it’s still a really great family environment.
BC: I love that you were able to make those ingredients accessible to everyone. That really correlates with poetry, because some people find it hard to get into if you don’t understand stanzas or rhyme schemes. One of the great things about Pizza Poetry, is the students can write whatever they want, and everyone gains access to it.
DR: Yeah, it makes people laugh, and it makes people think. And it’s an interesting way of expressing yourself, whether it’s comical or satire, or even political.
BC: Can you talk about collaboration? I’m sure when you were building your idea for a restaurant, you had a team to bounce ideas off of.
DR: The first Reginelli’s that we built at State and Magazine was very hands-on. We made all the tables, we made the bar. I had a lot of great friends that helped translate our ideas to something tangible.
BC: Did you enjoy writing or reading when you were a kid?
DR: I struggled in school, and I have dyslexia which would slow me down. But my proudest writings were the things that I connected with, and when I wrote about something that was real to me. Those were the best papers that I liked to write—the ones where I was being open and honest, and really truthful, and writing about something that I cared about.
BC: Definitely. Do you have any advice for some of our young writers? How can students bring their ideas of what they want to be into reality?
DR: I would always get these ideas that my family would say were crazy—like, you can’t open a restaurant, you don’t have any money, why don’t you just work in a restaurant? Well, that wasn’t my idea. I had goals, and different things that I wanted to do. And even if they’re small or big, don’t laugh at your goals or get scared to try something. If you never try, you’ll always wonder if you could’ve achieved it. Use your instincts, and if you want to do something, don’t be afraid to try.
BC: So what’s next for you, and for Reginelli’s?
DR: We will continue to expand the Reginelli’s Pizzeria. And, just this year, I decided I want to try a new concept out too. So, I’ve got an idea about a new concept I’d like to introduce to New Orleans. I think it could be fun, and it could give us some more opportunities to grow. So, I think we’re going to start a new concept this year.
BC: Exciting! And no previews of what it’s going to be?
DR: It’s not all finished, but I’ve got a big part of it in my head already. It’s too soon to talk about it yet though.
BC: Gotcha–you’re in the brainstorming and drafting phase, and you’re not quite ready to be published yet. Well, do you have any questions for us?
DR: No, I just think it’s great that you’re able to put the Pizza Poetry out there. It’s fun, and it shows all ages of creativity: the humor, the sarcasm, and what’s in people’s minds. It’s a lot of fun, and it makes people think. We enjoy being a part of it.
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #6: Prose Poems
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
Prose Poetry
A prose poem is a poem written in sentences. Often, it appears as a block of text and resembles a paragraph more than a typical metered poem. A prose poem however, is not a story, focusing more on the characteristics of poetry, such as poetic meter, language play, and images.
Prose poems first appeared in 19th Century France as an act of rebellion. Poets like Charles Baudelaire and Aloysius Bertrand wanted to protest the predominance of the Alexandrine metered line and the typical content that followed it. Breaking out of metered form, they wrote in a block of text that resembled prose, but behaved like poetry.
Many prose poems are written in second person, meaning the poet is addressing somebody or speaking to them.The second person uses the pronouns “you,” “your,” and “yours.” Often second-person prose poems resemble letters or postcards.
Below are two examples of prose poems written in second person. Now, it’s time to try writing your own prose poem. Think about WHO you want to write your prose poem to and what you want to say! Remember, you’re still writing a poem so imagery, devices and rhythm are important!
from Citizen, I
By Claudia Rankine
A woman you do not know wants to join you for lunch. You are visiting her campus. In the café you both order the Caesar salad. This overlap is not the beginning of anything because she immediately points out that she, her father, her grandfather, and you, all attended the same college. She wanted her son to go there as well, but because of affirmative action or minority something—she is not sure what they are calling it these days and weren’t they supposed to get rid of it?—her son wasn’t accepted. You are not sure if you are meant to apologize for this failure of your alma mater’s legacy program; instead you ask where he ended up. The prestigious school she mentions doesn’t seem to assuage her irritation. This exchange, in effect, ends your lunch. The salads arrive.
A Supermarket in California
Allen Ginsberg, 1926 – 1997
What thoughts I have of you tonight, Walt Whitman, for I walked down the sidestreets under the trees with a headache self-conscious looking at the full moon.
In my hungry fatigue, and shopping for images, I went into the neon fruit supermarket, dreaming of your enumerations!
What peaches and what penumbras! Whole families shopping at night! Aisles full of husbands! Wives in the avocados, babies in the tomatoes!—and you, García Lorca, what were you doing down by the watermelons?
I saw you, Walt Whitman, childless, lonely old grubber, poking among the meats in the refrigerator and eyeing the grocery boys.
I heard you asking questions of each: Who killed the pork chops? What price bananas? Are you my Angel?
I wandered in and out of the brilliant stacks of cans following you, and followed in my imagination by the store detective.
We strode down the open corridors together in our solitary fancy tasting artichokes, possessing every frozen delicacy, and never passing the cashier.
Where are we going, Walt Whitman? The doors close in a hour. Which way does your beard point tonight?
(I touch your book and dream of our odyssey in the supermarket and feel absurd.)
Will we walk all night through solitary streets? The trees add shade to shade, lights out in the houses, we’ll both be lonely.
Will we stroll dreaming of the lost America of love past blue automobiles in driveways, home to our silent cottage?
Ah, dear father, graybeard, lonely old courage-teacher, what America did you have when Charon quit poling his ferry and you got out on a smoking bank and stood watching the boat disappear on the black waters of Lethe?
—Berkeley, 1955
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #5: Awake At Night
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
Lesson Plan: Awake at Night (7th-12th grade)
Hanging Fire
BY AUDRE LORDE
I am fourteen
and my skin has betrayed me
the boy I cannot live without
still sucks his thumb
in secret
how come my knees are
always so ashy
what if I die
before morning
and momma’s in the bedroom
with the door closed.
I have to learn how to dance
in time for the next party
my room is too small for me
suppose I die before graduation
they will sing sad melodies
but finally
tell the truth about me
There is nothing I want to do
and too much
that has to be done
and momma’s in the bedroom
with the door closed.
Nobody even stops to think
about my side of it
I should have been on Math Team
my marks were better than his
why do I have to be
the one
wearing braces
I have nothing to wear tomorrow
will I live long enough
to grow up
and momma’s in the bedroom
with the door closed.
-
Read Hanging Fire together as a class. Then ask students to read the poem silently a couple more times.
-
Brainstorm both concrete and abstract things that keep students awake at night worrying. Encourage them to list things that might seem trivial (how come my knees are always so ashy) to grander things (will I live long enough to grow up?)
Depending on the comfort level and culture of the classroom, this brainstorm might be more fruitful if done individually.
-
Now encourage students to write their own poems modeled after Hanging Fire.
Email us at pizzapoetry@bigclass.org to let us know how the workshop went, and submit your students’ poems. Are you especially proud of any of the poems? Let us know and we’ll feature them on this blog! Click here to learn more about the Pizza Poetry Project.
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #4: Odes
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
Lesson Plan: Odes (1st-5th grade)
An Ode is a poem that admires something ordinary or shows the importance of something that is usually overlooked. An Ode does not have to (but can!) rhyme. Usually, an ode has detailed descriptions and observations. There are many ways to approach writing an ode, the most important thing is praising the object (or person). Here are four different odes praising the same object: PIZZA!
Oh Pizza!
Sausage and onions,
And deep mozzerella,
Ground beef and mushrooms
Make life vita bella;
Pizza sauce, hot cheese
That comes off in strings,
These are among my favorite things!
-John Bliven Morin
Ode To Pizza
You come in different shapes and sizes
Round or Square
O you look so fair
Sitting in a box
While I watch Fox
Whenever I’m sad
You make me glad
Your colors shine so bright
In the summer night
Whenever I’m around you
You make me glad that I’ve found you
I love you pizza
-Allyah, age 10
Ode to Pizza
No matter if you’re from Chicago or NYC
Pizza is appreciated everywhere, ode to thee
In the end there’s no contest, anyone will agree
No matter what form, you’re flawless like Queen B.
-Anonymous
Ode to Pizza
Pizza is my favorite snack,
Now what do you think of that.
Crust so warm and soft and chewy,
Cheese so tasty, scrumptious, gooey.
Hot in a box or on my plate,
Either way I just can’t wait,
To get my hands upon a slice,
To taste it now would be so nice.
Like nectar from the gods of old,
It tastes so good I’ll eat it cold.
When life is hard and I get down,
When on my face I wear a frown,
Only Pizza makes it right,
Now quench my raving appetite.
Restore my faith in all that’s true,
With a dose of cheesy goo,
Give me Pizza, give it now,
If you don’t I don’t know how,
I’ll ever live in harmony,
Without my Pizza ecstasy.
But where to get my Pizza snack,
I’ll tell you where, just where it’s at.
To Round Table you should go,
If you didn’t already know.
To feast upon their luscious pies
For they take Pizza to new highs
I love Pizza, that’s a fact,
Now what do you think of that.
-Michael Sykes
Now it’s your turn:
1. Brainstorm what you could write about.
Think about things you see and experience everyday that you don’t usually notice.
For example, Shoes, Teachers, Grandma, Friendship, Trees, Pencil, Love, Custodians, Hairbrush, Shoes, Computer.
2. Pick your topic and brainstorm why it is important.
Describe your object:
-What it does
-Why it’s important
-What would happen without it
-How you feel about it
3. Write your poem. If you get stuck go back and study the examples.
4. Share it with us!
Don’t forget to submit the final poems by April 7th!
Email us at pizzapoetry@bigclass.org to let us know how the workshop went, and submit your students’ poems. Are you especially proud of any of the haikus? Let us know and we’ll feature them on this blog! Click here to learn more about the Pizza Poetry Project.
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #3: Nature Haikus
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
H A I K U S
A Haiku poetry is a short, centuries-old form of Japanese poetry.
A haiku is three lines and 17 syllables total.
The first line contains 5 syllables
the second line has 7
the final line has 5 syllables.
A good Haiku is like a photo that captures the essence of what’s happening, often connecting two seemingly unrelated thing. With just a few words, they call attention to an observation and in effect say, “Look at this” or, “Think about this.”
If possible take your students outside and ask them to record their observations in complete sentences. If you are unable to take your students outside, photographs or videos from nature will do. Don’t be afraid to use vivid descriptions and personifications.
Examples:
-
The tree branch shakes in the wind and tickles the grass
-
Each blade of grass pokes the soles of my feet
-
I saw ducks swimming in a pond during a rainstorm
-
I noticed the first buds on tree branches in your backyard
Now you have to pare the sentence down so it still describes the scene while inviting the reader to see what you saw.
For example:
I saw ducks swimming in a pond during a rainstorm.
Sudden spring storm—
a family of ducks paddles
around the deserted lake.
Email us at pizzapoetry@bigclass.org to let us know how the workshop went, and submit your students’ poems. Are you especially proud of any of the haikus? Let us know and we’ll feature them on this blog! Click here to learn more about the Pizza Poetry Project.
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #2: Acrostic Poem Bookmarks
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
Acrostic Poem Bookmarks
Materials: Cardstock or blank bookmarks, colored pencils or crayons, adjective handout (optional), list of well-known literary characters for inspo (optional).
An acrostic poem is a type of poetry where the first, last or other letters in a line spell out a particular word or phrase. The most common and simple form of an acrostic poem is where the first letters of each line spell out the word or phrase.
A n acrostic poem
C reates a challenge
R andom words on a theme
O r whole sentences that rhyme
S elect your words carefully
T o form a word from top to bottom
I s the aim of this poetry style
C hoose a word and then go!
First, brainstorm descriptive adjectives as a class. Then, choose a familiar character such as Spongebob, Mickey Mouse or Cinderella. Alternatively, you could use a character from a class reading. Then students should feel comfortable choosing their own characters and adjectives. Once students are satisfied with their poems they should copy down their acrostic poems on their blank bookmarks! For higher grades challenge the students to write descriptive sentences using alliteration!
M agical
A ffable
T alented
I ntelligent
L oyal
D aring
A dmirable
M ysteriously makes magic
A lways attentive to adults
T ricked the terrible Trunchbull
I ntelligently investigated the FBI
L oyal to Lavender
D aughter of a dishonest dad and miserable mom
A uspiciously, she always asked why!
Pizza Poetry Blog Post #1: Limericks
Teachers: Want to incorporate Pizza Poetry into your classroom, but not sure where to get started? From now until April 7th, we’ll be posting bi-weekly poetry writing prompts here on our blog! Remember, anyone ages 6-18 in Greater New Orleans can submit poetry to be published on a pizza box. And don’t forget: the deadline to submit poetry is April 7th.
Limericks
Limericks are funny humorous that are structured into five lines. The first and second lines rhyme and contain the same number of syllables, as do the third and fourth. The fifth line yields a surprise ending or humorous statement and rhymes with the first two lines. Typically, limericks are written in the past tense. They were made famous by Edward Lear, a famous poet who wrote the “Book of Nonsense” in the 1800s.
Limericks often start with the line “There once was a…” or “There was a…”
Some examples of Limericks:
There once was a wonderful star
Who thought she would go very far
Until she fell down
And looked like a clown
She knew she would never go far.
-Kaitlyn Guenther
There was an Old Person of Chili,
Whose conduct was painful and silly,
He sat on the stairs,
Eating apples and pears,
That imprudent Old Person of Chili.
-From the “Book of Nonsense”
Now, Write Your Own!
The first, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (typically 8 or 9).
The third and fourth lines rhyme with each other and have the same number of syllables (typically 5 or 6)
Templates are below for those that need it!
Template A
There once was a ______________ from __________________.
All the while s/he hoped _______________________________. So s/he _______________________________. And _________________________________. That ___________________ from ___________________.
Template B
I once met a _________________ from ___________________.
Every day s/he _________________
______________________. But whenever s/he ______________________.
The _________________________________. That strange ___________________ from ___________________.
Email us at pizzapoetry@bigclass.org to let us know how the workshop went, and submit your students’ poems. Are you especially proud of any of the limericks? Let us know and we’ll feature them on this blog! Click here to learn more about the Pizza Poetry Project.
In the News: Pizza Poetry project adds new events to menu/The Advocate
Where are they now? Catching up on people, pets and projects from 2016
Pizza Poetry project adds new events to menu
BY JASON BROWNE and KAREN TAYLOR
The Advocate
December 28, 2016
If Pizza Poetry is the voice of the children, those kids are about to get louder.
Big Class, the New Orleans nonprofit that encourages kids to write, in part by attaching their poems to pizza boxes at restaurants across the city for one day each spring, is helping to develop a New Orleans Youth Poetry Festival and working with 826 National on initiatives to get more kids writing to get those works out to a much larger crowd.
Read more: http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/communities/crescent_city/article_393637e2-c311-11e6-a2e7-2b40bd2701dd.html?sr_source=lift_amplify
“My Poetic Pizza” by Hiyanta
I live in New Orleans
flying high, singing
songs you might
see me flying
by, sometimes
it will be in
the fall,
nothing
will ever
make me
fall.
— Hiyanta, 4th Grade, Samuel J. Green Charter School
From Pizza Poetry Anthology 2015
Click here to check out the 2015 Pizza Poetry Anthology.
Would you like a poem with that? Buy a pizza, get some poetry at New Orleans restaurants
April 6, 2016
“The young poet’s subject matters range from lighthearted, such as annoying brothers and food, to more serious subjects, such as family issues and discrimination.”
The Times-Picayune wrote an article about the Pizza Poetry Project and the “magical pairing” of the two things everyone loves: youth writing and pizza. Poetry is playful, fun, and free in structure, allowing it to be a highly accessible form of writing for young people. Also, kids loves pizza. Read the full article here.
