Award-winning M\u00e9tis author and poet, Jessie Thistle offered the following poem for the direct purpose of supporting the youth of the Waterloo Region District School Board in their learning during this unique time. His poem \u2018Dust\u2019 is being published for the first time here!<\/p>\n
Jessie Thistle is a contemporary M\u00e9tis writer and poet. Why is it important to examine work from diverse populations, perspectives and points of view? Name other Indigenous artists you know. If you are not yet aware of other Indigenous artists, conduct a web search to discover and explore Indigenous writers, musicians and artists.<\/p>\n
The following poem is an example of a Free Verse Poem. In contrast to a Sonnet or Haiku, Free Verse Poetry is not confined to any rules! There is no expectation that the poem rhyme and no predetermined structures.<\/p>\n
Read Jesse Thistle\u2019s poem and consider:<\/p>\n
sitting
\ndrinking my coffee
\ni realize
\nin 200 years
\nno one will know
\nor care
\nif any of us lived
\nwhich means
\nwe have only have today
\nto dance up clouds of dust<\/p>\n
It\u2019s your turn to write a Free Verse Poem. Start by thinking of an idea you would like to express. Then, think about what that idea and word brings to mind and \u2018write off the page\u2019, meaning jot down all and everything that comes to your mind. Next, consolidate your thinking and consider how you might put the words down on paper to enhance their meaning. Don\u2019t forget your title that captures your main idea! Have fun.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know how to feel about this extended break. Happy, sad, worried, relieved? I\u2019m one of those kids who really like school, but I do like a break once in a while. I practically live for summer vacation. But this is different. My sister and I always have to stay in the house. It is so cloudy, and the weather hasn\u2019t improved much…<\/p>\n
A few days ago, the weather was really nice, so I got out my mountain bike and decided to go a little off road. There is a trail near my house that is kind of old, but the scenery is amazing. There is also a small pond, and it is really close to the forest. I also went on a steep road that wasn\u2019t open to traffic. On the way down, I saw a bunch of guys on their bikes, doing daredevil tricks. Not the most responsible place though, with slabs of concrete, a few bulldozers, and wearing no helmets on a steep hill\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy step dad is the biggest help right now because he is helping me with fractions and converting fractions into decimals. He has done so much for our family because my mom has a weak immune system so he has been having to do all of the grocery shopping and sometimes dad’s are not the greatest at grocery shopping. He has even gone out to get stuff for my grandparents because older people have a higher risk.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to work together to fight this. People are sacrificing their lives for us, what more can you ask for? When they tell us to stop and stay in our homes they\u2019re not doing it for themselves but for us. So stay home, stay safe! It’ll make their job a little bit easier. \u201c<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Daily! Don\u2019t forget to engage with your Writer\u2019s Notebook: Creating a Place for Reflection<\/h3>\n
Note: please see the information in this lesson for guidance.<\/a><\/p>\n