SOUTH OTSELIC – For the past five weeks, seniors at Otselic Valley High School have been working with Cazenovia poet Rachel Guido deVries, and in addition to learning about the art of poetry, the students have also been learning about life and the memories they have created.
As seniors going in to the second half of the school year, the 10 students in Michael Foor-Pessin’s class have spent a lot of time contemplating the end of their high school career and everything that it brings.
For weeks, the students have been working to write poems about loss, graduation and the legacy they will be leaving behind.
“It showed us the closeness of our past,” one student said. “It’s going to be hard to leave everybody.”
While some of the students felt hesitant about writing the poems at first, they said it became easier as they got into it, and it turned out to be a good experience.
The seniors were able to discuss all of the memories they’ve made over the years, like pretending to get married – and divorced – on the playground, and while it has made many of them sad about the idea of graduating and leaving friends behind, it has also given them something to take with them when they go.
“Use this week in your life to recapture the moment,” Foor-Pessin told the group.
Although many of the lessons learned over the week focused on poetry, Guido deVries also gave the class some lessons on life, and took the time to discuss the importance of following your dreams. “When you finally do what you are supposed to do, it’s like the waters part. Once you make a choice, the universe is with you,” Guido deVries told the class. She explained, as she told the students how she transitioned from being a nurse to a poet, that it takes sacrifice and work, but added, “Just do what you know is right, and the rest of the world will take care of itself.”
In addition to writing poetry, Guido deVries teaches independently and as a poet-in-the-schools. She has been working with students in Otselic Valley for nearly 20 years.
Some of the students in Foor-Pessin’s class will share their final works at 7 p.m. on April 1 at Chenango Roasters in South Otselic. The show will be open to the community, and others will be able to share their works as well. “The focus is young writers, but it’s open to anybody who wants to come,” Guido deVries said. The poet will also be on hand, signing copies of her books, including her latest book of poetry: “Gambler’s Daughter” and her new children’s book “Teeny Tiny Tino’s Fishing Story.” The book tells the story of Tino, a little boy who is different, and how his mother helps him to make friends, in spite of his differences. Guido deVries explained that she did not make a conscious decision to write a children’s book. Instead one part just popped into her head, and the rest tumbled out as if it was already written.
Guido deVries will have another book of poetry, “The Brother Inside Me” published sometime in 2008. Books can be purchased from Guido deVries directly, by e-mailing guidogirl@aol.com or online at www.amazon.com.