“No, he was back in the bottom of the well. The WPA had given out money for well-digging equipment on the reservation, and he and Biboon [his father] had set to work using a windlass and a pile of dry stones that they had been picking from their fields for years… . The government had also issued an iron well ring. They dug out the interior of the ring and mortared the stones together on top. As the ring sank deeper, they kept setting stones into the sides of the earth.”
Thomas Wazhashk, the main character in Louise Erdrich’s brilliant novel The Night Watchman, is reflecting in a flashback, and in the scope of this narrative, it is only a drop in the bucket, but it takes me to a poem, one I haven’t thought about in awhile, one that graced the wall in my classroom for at least five years, one that a student chose for her National Poetry Month Poster poem. It stood the test of time.
I can see it clearly, affixed to a closet door beneath the clock. The student was a brilliant artist, but it’s the words that remain:
The day that she presented her memorized poster-poem to the class, a young man in the back blurted, “Mark Zuckerberg talks about that poem in the book I’m reading.” The current movie about Facebook’s founder, The Social Network, had drawn him to the biography. His connection spurred the class to discuss Schertle’s poem, and the movie naturally, at greater length. It was one of those moments you can’t plan for but that makes teaching exceptional in the world of work.
Tomorrow is April and the start of National Poetry Month. When the kids would ask, what kind of poem they should choose for their poster poem, I’d reply, “Make it wall-worthy. It will be with us until the end of the year.”
Teachers may be without those classroom walls for now, but the corridors of the mind are infinite. Here’s hoping we can help them find their wall-worthys.
Jump off; Find Wings 
So many deep connections here, from the book, to the poem, to the discussion, and then the sadness that we will not be together for poetry month. My students would be secret poets and put up poems all over the school walls. Continue finding poems.
I am a poetry lover. Nothing stops my daily dance with at least one poem. Thanks for reading!
The movement of this piece, from one thought to another to another was so interesting to follow. So much beautiful writing in it –and a great classroom idea. Thanks!
Thanks for reading. I have enjoyed your blog every time I visited.
It is wonderful to see connections being made and the rich discussions that follow. May we always not only see that star but also never stop reaching for it.
I just love those unscripted moments in the classroom that you describe. I love the connections your student made. Your love of poetry and teaching of poetry has come through in so many of your slices. Thank you for introducing me to some new poems, and reminding me of the power the reading of poetry can have. (Maybe my goal for the coming month will be to read a new poem everyday. Maybe I’ll find a wall-worthy poem to hang up.)
Your writing has made this month richer for me. Thank you for reading.
You amaze me with your wealth of book knowledge. You effortlessly tie together life, quotes from what you have read and life. I hope all writers find their “wall worthy” stories and poems to share,
I consistently have visited your blog and am glad every time. Thanks for reading.
I love the idea of ‘wall worthy’ poems, just captures what you mean so well. It’s definitely an interesting poem. I know very little about poetry and how to appreciate it, so thanks for expanding my vision! Don’t we all love those wonderful teacher moments with our students! Thanks for your slice.