Poetry At Holy Ghost Catholic School

Inspired by Black History Month and Women's History Month, the Academy of American Poets marked April as National Poetry Month in 1996. Since then, it has become an opportunity to turn the world's attention toward the art of poetry and its importance. It is a time to celebrate poetry's expressiveness, delight, and pure charm. It marks a month-long special occasion to remind us of the integral role of poets and poetry in our society. Poetry helps us appreciate the world around us and empathize with one another. Typically, poetry is viewed as boring, old-fashioned,  and often nerdy. Still, this month allows us to change our perspectives and look upon poetry as the art of expressing not only one's love and thoughts but capturing memories, telling stories,  embracing our and others' cultures, a chance to work through difficult emotions, and even have some fun.

That is precisely what has been going on at Holy Ghost for the past week. Our 5th - 8th-grade students have been working with Hakim Bellamy to embrace a newfound acceptance (and, in some cases, love) of poetry. Hakim Bellamy was the City of Albuquerque's Inaugural Poet Laureate from 2012 to 2014. He is also a W. K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellow, a Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellow, an Academy for the Love of Learning Leonard Bernstein Fellow, Western States Arts Alliance Launchpad Fellow, Santa Fe Arts Institute Food Justice Fellow, New Mexico Strategic Leadership Institute alum and Citizen University Civic Seminary Fellow. In 2012 he published his first poetry collection, SWEAR (West End Press/University of New Mexico Press). It landed him the Working Class Studies Tillie Olsen Award for Literature in 2012. His latest title, Commissions y Corridos (UNM Press), published in 2022, is his seventh book. With an M.A. in Communications from the University of New Mexico (UNM), Bellamy has held adjunct faculty positions at the University of New Mexico and the Institute of American Indian Arts. In-person, Bellamy has shared his work in at least five countries and continues to use his art to change his communities.   

When Dr. Wine reached out to Hakim to find out if he could meet with our students, there needed to be a goal in mind. Teachers of literature often love poetry but struggle to help students see it as an amazing opportunity for exploration and expression. During a recent conversation with Mrs. Rivera and Mrs. Osborn, we discussed bringing in a poet to engage students and help them find a voice in their writing. As a result of a generous donation, we were able to find someone local, published, and attractive to our students.

  From the moment Hakim walked into the room, the students knew this would not be an ordinary lesson in poetry. The first poem he shared was a piece he wrote for the New Mexico United Soccer Team. The kids were hooked – he captured the athlete’s attention, impressed those who appreciate rhythm, and connected to everyone who calls Albuquerque home. The stage was set. Poetry could be entertaining and teach you a few things if you listened closely. Students who rarely spoke during class were asking questions and wanting more. There has never been such a willingness in students to write and share their work as when Mr. Bellamy shared the workshop process. Their increased sense of self and awareness of others was evident as they debated about which of their original pieces would be most appropriate to share in class. Students brought their all to every class all week long and asked for more.  

 

Comments from Students & Teachers:

I love poetry and I enjoyed hearing different forms of it this week. I appreciate Hakim’s ability to write and share his love of poetry with others, as well as encourage them to write their own poetry.. -Mrs. Rivera

Before I did not like to read poetry, but now I like to read it. Thank you - Joshua

Before you came to our school I used to hate having to write poetry. Now I like it a little better. Thank you. (ps. I love your United poem) - Josiah

I first started writing poetry in 4th grade. I had a love for writing poetry, and I was always so excited to learn new and different styles. I have always loved poetry and writing in general, it allows me to express the creative inferno in my becoldened blood. - Ode to Hakim. - Klara with a K 

Thank you for helping us write poetry. It was really fun to express ourselves and it was fun to rhyme. And I have something to do when I get home. I thought It was going to be not the best but when I started to write it was fun so thank you!  From Madison

Thank you for coming and helping us with poetry. - Caroline

Thank you for teaching us to write poetry. - Mateo 

Thank you for everything you taught us, I learned so much! I'm so grateful. You helped me see poetry in such a new and wonderful way! - Eliea T.

Thank you so much for coming and helping us learn poetry, I learned how to read poetry. Thank you so much for coming!!!  - Joanna 

Thank you so much for teaching us poetry. I am a poet and I didn’t even know it! - Mikelle

I really enjoyed your class and I feel like I have a deeper understanding of poetry and reading itself and the understanding of it. - Gavin

Thank you for coming to our school and teaching us how to read and write poetry. I really enjoyed it. I now have a new understanding of poetry. Thank you for teaching us so much, and being patient with us. -  Lucia 

Thank you for teaching us poetry and it is interesting and fun. - Rosalie

Thank you for really showing me what poetry is. I never really thought I would be interested in it until you came!  - Jayla

Thank you for showing us how to write poetry. - Xavier 

I have never thought this deep about poetry before you came in. – Daniel C

Hakim was a vet fun experience and It was very fun learning from him — Hunter J

Hakim was very nice and fun it was a very good week with him- Jacob R

Thank you for helping us explore the world of poetry! - Ana

Thank you for helping me discover my love of poetry - Sabine

Thank you for opening my eyes to a form of literature that allows me to be creative -Audrey

I never thought I would enjoy poetry, but after your classes, I gained an interest in poetry! - Lydia

You have shown me that poetry is a beautiful form of literature and I thank you for that - Nick

Poetry is a language that is a gift and I think you helped me find it. - Zain

Thank you for showing me that there is a different side to poetry - Mikayla

Thank you for showing me that there is more to poetry than just fancy words - Leila

Thank you, this week gave me a more understanding of how to write a poem and how to take suggestions.- Kael

This week Hakim has made me feel more poetic-Szebasztian

I have never done poetry and this week has made me find interest in it. - Jackson

Thank you for helping me appreciate poetry more because I definitely enjoyed it. - Jayden

Your way of exploring poetry with us has opened up my previous image of poetry and made it become a way of expression for me. - Oly

A very entertaining and creative poet!  Really love his personality :) - Jordan Caintic

(: Tis' a very good poet and it is entertaining to listen to him. :D - Luz

Your sharing your poetry has given me the courage to share my own. -Stella

Hakim your poetry is amazing you should come again.-cris

Your poetry is amazing and inspired me to write my own poetry. - Gloria 

You have helped me become a better writer yeahhhhh - colin 

Your poetry has helped me write my own to express myself.-Leia 

Your teaching style helped me find my love for poetry as an art form.-Bridget

The way you taught inspired me to write my own poetry. - AnaGrace 

You reformed my style and opened my eyes. 

You opened me up to a world I never thought of seeing - Sarah 

You have inspired me as a teacher to bring such passion to the classroom.  Thank you for sharing your time and your talents. – Shawnda Osborn, Assistant Principal