A Poet for April’s Poetry Month
A poet Correction. THE poet of this generation spoke at the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2021. Millions of Americans sat on couches across the country, enthralled by her words, her timeliness and charisma. Amanda Gorman. I Googled her after the trance of poetry was broken, and her yellow jacket took its seat. She was captivating, wise beyond her years, representing the promise for America’s future with her words and presence.
April is National Poetry Month, and Amanda is - “The poet.” Ms. Gorman is the author of both books in the pairing this month (one for the kids and one for the grown up. Change Sings (2021) is a vibrant picture book filled with colors and hope for the younger readers (age 4-9, or anyone who wants to be inspired. I’m a firm believer that picture books are for the old and young. Call Us What We Carry is a heavier collection of poems, filled with truth about the past of American history, pains of the pandemic season in America, and a charge of hope for the future.
Both books in the pairing acknowledge history, both past and present history in the making - the reader. Call Us What We Carry opens with several poems about the pandemic, an unwilling change the world has experienced. Change Sings is a hopeful poem about how the reader carries the light and hope of potential future change. A particularly moving section of Call Us What We Carry titled, “Fury and Faith” speaks to the divides America experienced during the pandemic. These pages are printed in a progressive order from black to white, illustrating the darkness of that time, and simultaneously the hope of moving forward. This special reader experience is a rare treasure in an adult book, which captivated me.
In Change Sings, the line “I show others tolerance, Though it might take some courage. I don’t make a taller fence, But fight to build a better bridge.” challenges the kid readers to think about how they can connect with those around them. In Call Us What We Carry on page 201, this idea of being interconnected is also presented, “How we are moved says everything About what we are to each other & what are we to each other If not everything.” These lines made me reflect on the the impact that I have on those around me - in my home, in my community and the world. We are and can be everything to those we come in contact with. The question I’m pondering is “What will I be tomorrow and in the next week. Will I build fences or bridges? Will I live as if what I am is everything to those around me.”
One of the themes carried between both books is the idea of change. In Change Sings, there is a powerful line which reads, “We are the wave starting to spring, For we are the change we sing.” On pages 198-199 of Change Sings, Amanda writes, “We, too, are shaped By how we twist Toward all that shoots Us through with Sun. We truly are growing Up & out of this hurt If we’d rather char Than chain this love. Our only Word for this is Change.” Amanda Gorman’s two books offer both the child reader and adult reader lots to ponder, including world change, history affecting the present, and the potential of personal impact. I cannot recommend this book pairing enough.
I’m including some questions to discuss as a family after reading:
What changes does our world (community, family) need today?
What hopes do you have for our world (community, family)?
What event in history do you think people should not repeat?
What can you do to make a change in the future for our world (community, family)?
How can we build bridges where there is a divide?
I hope you and your family enjoy Change Sings and Call Us What We Carry as much as we have. Don’t forget that April 29 is National Poem in your Pocket Day. Tag us in your Instagram or Twitter post with your thoughts. #kidmombookclub
