Poetry Saves the Day

Jacqueline Woodson frequently weaves poetry through her stories. Her poems help to give her stories a richer voice and a more personal touch. Her use of poetry allows her characters to become more dynamic and vital. A good example of her use of poetry can be found in her book "Locomotion" and its companion "Peace Locomotion". These two books chronicle the life of Lonnie C. Motion and his sister Lili who are placed in foster care after the death of their parents in a fire. In "Locomotion", Lonnie turns to writing poetry in an effort to come to terms with his parents' untimely deaths. The story continues in "Peace Locomotion" which is told through a series of letters that Lonnie writes to his sister who has been placed in a separate foster home. He writes them as he says, "to be the rememberer" until they can be together again.

Favorite Poem by Tupac

The Rose that Grew from Concrete
-Tupac Shakur

Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature's law is wrong it
learned to walk with out having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping it's dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.

This is my favorite poem by Tupac because it speaks so much to the adversity he, and many others who relate to him, faced growing up. Its message of perseverance in the face of impossible odds is so powerful yet elegant at the same time.

Other books by Woodson

Here is a list of books that were also authored by Woodson. Click Here

Personally, I think Behind You looks pretty interesting and I will probably pick that up the next time I go to the library.

all the girls wanted to see were Tupac's eyes

Prettiest eyes of any rapper

Big

Sad-looking

thick dark eyebrows that made you think of soft things

sees stuff, knows stuff

living deep and true