Locomotion

This is my second time reading this collection of poems by Jacqueline Woodson. The first time I read it was because of a requirement, and I was not completely thrilled or amazed. However, second chances are often more revealing, especially since this time I chose to read it again. It is actually a heart-breaking story of a boy who loses his parents at the young age of 7. When he is 11, the protagonist Lonnie learns to deal with his loss through writing poetry, introduced to him by Ms. Marcus.

Ms. Marcus is one of those “influential” teachers every teacher hopes to be. She opens up a whole new world to Lonnie as he discovers how to grieve through words that don’t necessarily have a form. I read this book in one sitting because I was captured by the passion in his voice, the emotions that drive this young man were spread all over the page and I just found myself wanting more. Though it is a sad story, Lonnie and his sister Lili have survived a tragedy and Lonnie has found a way to channel his anger and frustration at the world, at Miss Edna, and at his parents for leaving.

I know I don’t normally pick up poetry to read on my own, but I’m definitely warming up to it. The structure of this book is so much more engaging than just a collection of poems. Lonnie’s poetry creates a coherent story in many forms, including even sonnets and haikus. When I think of learning how to write poetry, I think of learning how to write each form separately. First the teacher will discuss haikus, then limericks, moving slowly to sonnets. Lonnie, however, has taken them all and proves that there doesn’t have to be a clear distinction. There can be, but there doesn’t have to be. This is an important lesson for me to learn, as poetry is a stumbling block for me as both a reader and a writer.