on langston

English majors may grow old, but they never stop being English majors.

You hear them say things like this.

"I am ALL ABOUT the Oxford comma.  I mean, I was an English major."

"I haven't read The Decameron since college.  I was an English major."

"S*Town is SO Faulknerian.  I mean, it's Southern Gothic for the postmodern age."

"Two spaces after a period!  Forever!"

Obviously, being an English major for life empowers you to have strong opinions on some hard hitting issues.  (Sidebar:  I really liked S*Town.  You should listen to it.)

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Jack's first grade class is learning about poetry.  They are having a recital for the parents next week; each child will recite a poem of their choosing.

Here is Jack's poem:

Dreams 

Hold fast to dreams 

For if dreams die 

Life is a broken-winged bird 

That cannot fly. 

Hold fast to dreams 

For if dreams go 

Life is a barren field 

Frozen with snow.
                

-- Langston Hughes

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Photo by the unparalleled Betsy.

Life is anything but a barren field to me, despite how crazy the world is right now.  The shining faces of my boys remind me every day.  

And then, Jack brings me this poem because it strikes a chord in him.  And it strikes a chord in me, and the audacity of hope continues.  

Well chosen, Jack.  Like a future English major, if I say so myself.

Hope a poem touches your heart today.

Talk soon,
Heather