Cela m’a fait un immense bien de lire votre article sur ce professeur de poésie. Oui le courage de soutenir nos valeurs et de les afficher à tous demande un effort exemplaire.
This essay captures a rare relationship. Working with most college writers, especially the "good" ones, but also the ones convinced they just can't write, includes opening their eyes to the need for revising as a truth-telling practice. When criticism is meant and received as respect for the person, lovely things can happen.
Great story ... for all of us who teach or have taught, this is a reminder that indeed ... we do more than teach the subject material. Much more. Awesome job.
Bravo, Catherine, this profile in courage you've written. I raise my glass to all of the Audre Lords in our lives. It is a pleasure to know you, and Audre, through your writing. Thank you. Margaret Mandell
Love this! I'll now forever remember the line "A poem is not a bowel movement,” Lorde said calmly, unwilling to accept lazy excuses. “It doesn’t just come out. Do another draft.”
I love this portrait of the great Audre Lord. I love the line, "A poem is not a bowel movement." That is lit crit in a nutshell. I have tried all my life to treat my work as "not a bowel movement," but didn't know what to call the struggle. Blessings!
Your reflections on Audre Lorde as a woman, a poet, and a teacher gave us insight into a life of bravery lived on her terms—a great story and a priceless quote about poems that I'll share with my writing group.
A wonderful article. And proof that teaching is much more about how we are in relationship with our students than about any set of “facts” or even skills.
I’m inspired to reread her work especially her last book of essays. I was in college, writing poetry at the same time across the river in Jersey. I remember the first time I read an Audre Lorde poem. Chills.
How wonderful for you to have the experience of Lorde as your teacher! She continues to teach through her writings but you brought her to life so well here. Love this: "A poem is not a bowel movement."
The teachers you remember are always teaching life. “A poem is not a bowel movement”: priceless.
Beautiful..."the teachers you remember are always teaching life.” As a teacher, I try because my best teachers did this for me.
“A poem is not a bowel movement,” Lorde said calmly, unwilling to accept lazy excuses. “It doesn’t just come out. Do another draft.”
Cela m’a fait un immense bien de lire votre article sur ce professeur de poésie. Oui le courage de soutenir nos valeurs et de les afficher à tous demande un effort exemplaire.
Merci!
This essay captures a rare relationship. Working with most college writers, especially the "good" ones, but also the ones convinced they just can't write, includes opening their eyes to the need for revising as a truth-telling practice. When criticism is meant and received as respect for the person, lovely things can happen.
Great story ... for all of us who teach or have taught, this is a reminder that indeed ... we do more than teach the subject material. Much more. Awesome job.
I understand the force that was Audre Lord much more now -- thanks for this beautiful piece. 💛
Bravo, Catherine, this profile in courage you've written. I raise my glass to all of the Audre Lords in our lives. It is a pleasure to know you, and Audre, through your writing. Thank you. Margaret Mandell
I love this piece!
Love this! I'll now forever remember the line "A poem is not a bowel movement,” Lorde said calmly, unwilling to accept lazy excuses. “It doesn’t just come out. Do another draft.”
I loved this essay, an hommage to a fabulous teacher and a brave soul. The PS made me happy.
How precious is that relationship, between student and teacher.
I love this portrait of the great Audre Lord. I love the line, "A poem is not a bowel movement." That is lit crit in a nutshell. I have tried all my life to treat my work as "not a bowel movement," but didn't know what to call the struggle. Blessings!
Your reflections on Audre Lorde as a woman, a poet, and a teacher gave us insight into a life of bravery lived on her terms—a great story and a priceless quote about poems that I'll share with my writing group.
A wonderful article. And proof that teaching is much more about how we are in relationship with our students than about any set of “facts” or even skills.
I’m inspired to reread her work especially her last book of essays. I was in college, writing poetry at the same time across the river in Jersey. I remember the first time I read an Audre Lorde poem. Chills.
How wonderful for you to have the experience of Lorde as your teacher! She continues to teach through her writings but you brought her to life so well here. Love this: "A poem is not a bowel movement."