This week we read two translations of a poem by Kabir titled “The Clay Jug.” Students compared the choices that the translators (Stephen Mitchell and Robert Bly) made related to diction and structure. Then they chose their own container to write a poem about.
Ms. Wesson
5th Grade
Group 1
Inside This Music Box
Taylor S.
Inside this music box
are memories dancing
around.
Inside this music box
is a sunset rainbow.
Inside this music box
is a surprise
birthday
party.
Inside this music box
are memories of
you having fun.
Inside This Suitcase
Nina W.
Inside this suitcase
is the city of Paris.
Inside this suitcase
is a whale swimming across
the ocean.
Inside this suitcase
is meadows and
pretty flowers.
Inside this suitcase
is millions of stars.
Inside this suitcase
is big, soft clouds.
Inside this suitcase
is one million dollars.
Inside This Crayon Box
Kori W.
Inside this crayon box
there is a land filled with color.
Inside this crayon box
there are colorful communities.
Inside this crayon box
there are memories lost and found.
Inside this crayon box
there are families of all types.
Inside this crayon box
there are dreams.
Inside this crayon box
is my life, my world.
Inside this crayon box
there is the sweet music
from my mom, the melody
of love.
Ms. Wesson
5th Grade
Group 2
Inside This Pocket
Gabrielle B.
Inside this pocket is a doughnut
shop. Inside this pocket is my
Gigi’s house. Inside this
pocket is laughter.
Inside this pocket is a
puppy. Inside this pocket is my
TV. Inside this pocket is
my bedroom. Inside this pocket
is love.
This Suitcase!
Aubre D.
Inside my suitcase
there’s candy that can
fill my room.
Inside my suitcase
there’s a school to
fill my education.
Inside my suitcase
there’s somebody to
surprise me.
Inside my suitcase
there’s a stage that
I will perform on.
Inside my suitcase
there’s my mom’s
kitchen. Inside my
suitcase there’s
my bed and TV.
Inside my suitcase
there’s my family.
Inside my suitcase
there’s my future house.
Inside my suitcase
there’s 1,000 phones.
Inside my suitcase
there’s my future
family. Inside my
suitcase there’s one billion
dollars.
Inside this suitcase
there’s meals for the
homeless. Inside
my suitcase there’s
my best friends.
The Glass Jar
Ngone D.
In this glass jar contains billions
of riches, in this jar contains a
boat on the stormy seas.
In this jar contains a magical garden
filled with daffodils and roses.
In this jar contains a beautiful
birthday present.
In this jar contains
a sculpture of a prized
possession.
In this jar contains
a whole town.
In this jar contains
a glistening lake.
In this jar contains a snowy
mountain with spikes everywhere.
In this jar contains a night
sky with hundreds of thousands
of stars. In this jar could
be the music of dolphins.
In this jar contains
a sparkly pink
mermaid on her rock.
In this glass jar could be my
personality.
Ms. Henry
6th Grade
Group 1
In This Backpack
Egypt B.
In this backpack there is books, pencils, binder.
In this backpack there is hope of getting an education.
In this backpack there is Gatorade and breakfast ready to
have a happy day.
In this backpack it is get up in the morning ready to
go.
In This Wallet
Lavelle J.
In this wallet
there is joy
In this wallet
there is PS4s.
In this wallet
there is charity.
In this wallet
there is jealousy
and haters.
In this wallet
I’m going to go to
Hollywood.
Inside This Jar
Laila M.
Inside this jar there
is love and sadness.
Inside this jar
there is dinner for
everybody. Inside this
jar there is a basket
of tears. Inside this
jar there is sun
shining. Inside this
jar there is a
bookbag full of
wind.
Inside this jar there
is a flag full of
gold. Inside this
jar there are clouds
striking in the dark.
Inside this jar there
is a shoe full of secrets.
Inside this jar there is
a book full of fish
floating away.
Ms. Henry
6th Grade
Group 2
In This Backpack
Gabrielle B.
In this backpack
I put wonderful
tools I used for an adventure.
In this backpack I can
put the entire Earth so I can
travel.
In this backpack I keep
my thoughts and secrets to myself.
In this backpack it reminds
me that I can fit a whole school.
In this backpack is the
highest mountain I can climb
way up high.
In this backpack I can put a
whole entire petting zoo.
In this backpack I can put some
art books, paint, canvas,
and color pencils.
In this backpack I can put every single
music instrument.
In this backpack it brings me joy.
Inside This Bucket
Jayden M.
Inside this bucket there are
souls of the depressed begging
Inside this bucket there is
a black hole of sin/regret
Inside this bucket there are
roaming with no hands
lost souls
Inside this bucket there are
teachers fighting over children
Inside this bucket there are
brown people living modern lives
Inside this bucket there are
clones prone to world domination
Inside this bucket there are
dark, sad, lifeless rooms in the dark
Inside this bucket there are
the world’s most black-hearted people
Inside this bucket there are
dictators and rich people
Inside this bucket there is
paranormal activity going on
Inside this bucket there are
rundown schools drenched in rain
Inside this bucket is my horror loving soul
Inside This Teapot
Jaylen R.
Inside this teapot
there are children of love
and children of hate
Inside this teapot
there are dolphins
and whale sharks
Inside this teapot
there are birds chirping
and light shining
The Cookie Jar
Naeem S.
Inside this cookie jar
there are different colors
Inside this cookie jar
there are fields filled with sweets
Inside this cookie jar
is the chosen one
Inside this cookie jar is a group
Inside this cookie jar are different faces
Inside this cookie jar are the
ones whom I love
Inside this cookie jar are
the ones above
Inside this cookie jar is a
piece of life
Inside this cookie jar is
the one dark as night
