AHS staff, students offer favorite poems

Inspired by former poet laureate Robert Pinsky, Arlington High School students read their favorite poems to a school assembly in February. At right, he stabs the air and lets his poem makes its point. A sampling of photographs by David Kim accompany an updated story by AHS senior Justin Mansfield.

Feb. 25: AHS launches Favorite Poem Project

Student readers for the event had to audition for the assembly and, of the dozens of students who tried out, only a handful made it. Students auditioning for a chance to speak at the assembly had to choose their favorite poems, along with a brief synopsis of why they chose them, why they are favorites and why they are important or meaningful to them.

What made the Favorite Poem Assembly so special was that the founder of the Favorite Poem Project, Robert Pinsky, was in attendance and spoke to the students, faculty and parents. Pinsky is a professor at Boston University as well as a highly acclaimed American poet, author and essayist. From 1997 to 2000, he was the poet laureate consultant in poetry to the Library of Congress.

In addition, Pinsky has published 19 books from his own collection, which include, Sadness and Happiness (1975) as well as An Exploration of America (1980) and in 1996 was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for poetry for The Figured Wheel: New and Collected Poems 1966-1996 (1996).

While poet laureate, Pinsky founded the Favorite Poem Project in hopes of bringing thousands of Americans from various backgrounds, ages and states together to read their favorite poetry. As Pinksy explained to his audience at AHS, he believes that poetry can bring people together and, contrary to the stereotypes associated with Americans, that Americans are artistic and not only materialistic. Afterwards, Pinsky read one of his favorite poems, written by Michelangelo, the Renaissance sculptor and artist.

As Pinsky began to read, he immediately gained the attention of everyone in the auditorium by charismatically and enthusiastically reading his poem. He directed his poem toward the students, which in hindsight was a reassuring poem for everyone in the auditorium. Michelangelo wrote the poem while he was painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, and he explained how at times he did not feel like a painter, and how he felt incomplete.  “My poor dead art! I don't belong! Who's a painter? Me? No way! They've got me wrong,” Michelangelo wrote.

Following the poem, Pinsky gave the spotlight to the students.

“I thought what [Pinsky] was saying was very interesting and true,” said senior Pat Doherty after listening to Pinsky speak. “I also really enjoyed his poem, and I feel a lot of the students listened very closely and learned a lot.”

{mosimage}{mosimage}In the group photo of students, above, who were chosen for the Favorite Poem Project assembly, Pinsky is in the center. English Teacher Rebecca Walsh is on the left. Elise Frangos, English director, is at far right, and Ms. Judy Ogilvie, AHS librarian, is  seated at right.

Senior Jason Young opened for the students with his poem titled "America," which depicted his love, respect and patriotism about the country that he lives in and to which his parents immigrated. Young spoke about how the poem "America" resonated for him by explaining how his father brought his family from Vietnam to build a better life.

{mosimage}Jason spoke movingly about how the poem was "almost not my favorite poem because I wished I had written it," which drew laughter from the crowd.

Jason read his poem against a backdrop he designed of the American flag and the statue of liberty. His presentation had audience members in tears.

Jason was followed by 11 of his fellow classmates.

Katy Wassam shared "Dreams" by Langston Hughes by memory, and Matt Pisano read "Eggs and Buttons" -- a poem illustrating the absurdly fun nature of some poetry that defies analysis. 

Each student read his or her poem with confidence and poise and showed how diverse and talented the students at Arlington High School are. Speaking to such a large and significant audience of students, parents, teachers and, most notably, Pinsky, the speakers represented Arlington High with great pride.

Mansfield is a senior at Arlington High School.