Poetry By Kids

Bibliography

Adedjouma, Davida. 1996. THE PALM OF MY HEART: POETRY BY AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN. Ill. by Gregory Christie. New York: Lee & Low Books. ISBN 1880000415

Summary

African American children whose ages range from eight to fourteen years old compose The Palm of my Heart, an anthology of twenty poems. The poems express their beliefs, determination, pride, and strength of family. The poems are the work of children involved in a writing workshop presented by the editor of The Palm of my Heart, Davida Adedjouma, in conjunction with the Minnesota Inner City Youth League, and the African-American Academy for Accelerated Learning.

Quality and Appeal

The Palm of my Heart begins with an editor’s note to explain the beginnings of the idea for the book, how the book was published, and hopefully, instill a desire in African American children to explore and seek out the uniqueness of their identity. An introduction comes next from renowned poet, Lucille Clifton. In this introduction, Ms. Clifton reflects back on her experiences with the word ”Black” and offers praise to the young poets in the book for their uplifting and positive words in regard to the same word.   Twenty poems by twenty individuals follow the introduction. Each poem composed begins with the same word, “Black.” When using the word black, each poet’s thoughts are expressed in a positive manner and with pride. Topics consist of culture, race, skin color, imagination, power, ancestry, and spirit. Throughout the book, the word black is bolded as is the topic associated with the word. Each author is given credit for their poetry with their name boxed in various colors underneath the poems. At the conclusion of the book is a section titled, “About the Poets,” which gives the name of each poet, birthdates, interests, and what they dream of becoming when they get older.

Illustrator Gregory Christie won the Coretta Scott King honor award for The Palm of my Heart. His work for the book was rendered in acrylic and colored pencil. The images portrayed in the book are vivid and culturally authentic. One image is particularly poignant with its connection to African American’s heritage. The image portrayed in “Black Poetry” shows small children surrounding two older gentlemen, who look to be playing drums strapped around their shoulders. Images of thatched roofed huts are seen in the background. The words from the poem, “a dance in the sand, a song from a faraway land” lead the reader to believe that this could be Africa.

Most poems are written in free verse with two poems written in rhyme. This rhyme facilitates the rhythm that flows with each reading. Repetition is evident in each poem with the word “black” used as the basis for each poem’s construction. Repetition can also be heard with the lines, “Life is good / life is good.” and “black is me.”

Sound, in the form of onomatopoeia, is demonstrated in the poem created by Ratisha Hawkins. She describes black hands as beautiful as “They wiggle, wwwhhh, in the wind.” Other elements of poetry include the use of simile when Tyler says, “Black is as dark as me,” when Ratisha compares how her hands wiggle “like the wind,” and the description of how “Black is beautiful as beautiful as white people / beautiful / as April.”  Metaphor examples include “Black culture is a secret / shared in the night,” “Black power is freedom, the strength to live / live / long,” and lastly, “Black spirit turns and churns / it is energetic and eternal.” Personification is used with the words, “ Black imagination: / letters printed in a book / sitting there.” Each poem resonates a pride and celebration of the human spirit within each child.

The Palm of my Heart will elicit a cultural pride from every African American child that desires to read or hear this book read to them. One cannot help but feel a wide range of emotions when reading this anthology. The depth to which these children expressed themselves should speak to each person that comes in contact with this book of poems. We should never limit our potential and the ability to address topics so close to our heart. This stands true for all races, creed, colors, genders, nationalities, and religion.

Spotlight Poem

Black is the color of some people

but people are different

differences are good because

no one else says the

same things as you.

                 SHAWNTA’YA JONES

Connections:

The teacher should introduce the book by informing students that the authors of each poem are children their own age and that each poem begins with the same word. The teacher should inform students that the poems are a celebration of each poet’s life and how that celebration revolves around their cultural heritage. The teacher should read the book and highlight the poem above.

This poem lends itself to an honest conversation about diversity within the classroom. The teacher and students should discuss how their classroom is rich in cultural diversity. Students can discuss and chart what makes each culture represented within the classroom unique. After charting these differences the students can create a classroom poem celebrating the backgrounds of each child.