I’m a 7th grade teacher at an International school here in Rome, and I am beating my kids over the head with Keats, Shelley, Frost, Byron, Dickenson, et al. They are sick to death of me, because in addtion to having them analyze poetry, I have them write their own original works following the studied poet’s organization.

Some of it’s crap, but much of it’s very good. And after all their efforts, the best I can do is hang it in the school’s corridor. Can you help me? Can y0u help me make this fun for my students? For example, could you come to my school and talk to the kids about the import and artistry of poetry? I love having “experts” come in to speak to the kids; they get so much out of it, and then we do a few “letter-writing” lessons, wherein they all have to write thank-you notes (letters) to the guest speaker.

Would you comply? Could you join us as a “guest speaker” of some expertise? I have no money to pay you with, but I could certainly supply you with cab fare.

Thanks for reading, and all the best with your new site,
Patricia M. Skea