MOD 2: Multicultural Poetry

Bibliographic Data and ISBN

Wong, Janet S., and Julie Paschkis. 2007. Twist: yoga poems. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books. ISBN: 9780689873942

Summary

Asian American author, Janet Wong highlights a number of yoga concepts and positions through poetic devices children will understand and will make them want to move around.

Critical Analysis

Layout

The arrangement of poses through the book is seemingly arbitrary. The physical sequence does not flow, but bounces from the standing, laying, and sitting position. One would expect that the final poses would be explicit explained and be the corpse pose. Although Paschkis illustrates it, no poem accompanies it.

“Twist” displays a table of contents listing the poem titles along with page numbers. It concludes with an author's note about her experience with yoga. Luckily she expresses the important idea that yoga practice is about doing what feels good for your body and to not try to look like pictures you see.

Poetic Elements

Wong’s poetry in “Twist” is mostly short and non-rhyming. The longest poem is only twelve lines. Her work is rich in metaphor creating imagery frequently alluded to in actual yoga practice such as the child’s pose being like a “return to the womb.” The imagery is very physical often speaking of parts of our bodies in specific positions. In “Mountain/Volcano” we are told to “tuck in hips” In “Lion’s Breath” we are told to exhale with our “throat.”

Wong utilizes repetition in “Warrior” reiterating the key of the pose, “feet planted sturdy and strong.” In yoga it is important to have awareness in your body, specifically in where your contact points are on the ground. It is important to have proper alignment so you can build strength and balance.

Appeal

“Twist” is appealing to both genders. Wong fairly distributes gender pronouns. Paschkis portrays both man and women in illustrations. Also characters of different ethnic backgrounds are represented in Paschkis’ work. “Down Dog” displays a darker toned individual with short, curly, black hair. “Cat/Cow” shows a person with long, brown hair and a particular kind of hat. “Low Crow” presents a gentleman of olive skin with black, wavy hair. Even locales around the world are presented. In “breath” Paschkis illustrates turrets an architectural feature often seen in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.

This collection is appealing in that it is very physical. Wong invites readers to partake in yoga poses. It is different from other poetry and most books really. Instead of sitting and reading we are moving our whole bodies and deliberately breathing. It enriches readers’ knowledge of yoga practice. They learn the physical and mental aspects of it. Yoga really is meaningful similar to poetry.

Linguistically “Twist” would be challenging for pre-kindergarten audiences, but not so much for school age groups. It will stimulate imagination in children of all ages by reinforcing analogies of the poses. For example in “Triangle” we find that our ”body is a puzzle of triangles.” Shapes are an early concept even pre-kindergarten children are familiar with.

Overall Quality

“Breath” is a strong start because of the importance of breathing in yoga practice. Wong further compares breathing to cleaning the mind, which is another part of yoga practice. It is supposed to be rejuvenating and cleansing.

Wong comparisons are consistent in all the poems, but also with yoga practice itself. In “Tree” Wong reminds us “they grow tall.” Many yoga instructors tell students to grow in their poses and to feel their bodies stretch. Wong takes the analogy further explaining why we might be swaying, “this is why they bend and sway, so they can see around.” We are shown to do what is comfortable for our body type and find awareness in the body.

Due to the nature of yoga practice the mood is statically calm. In this case, it is to be expected. “Twist” is not too sentimental and is true to the subject.

Final Thoughts

I think this book fairly represent yoga for beginner through the medium of poetry. I would also recommend it not only for that reason, but because it is a refreshing and diverse picture book. It can easily be enjoyed as a read aloud for groups varying in age. Kids would enjoy the physical activity. It would be a nice change from hunching over desks and reading stuck in our chairs.

Featured Poem

Breath

Breath is a broom

Sweeping your insides.

Smooth and slow:

You pull scattered bits of dream fluff

And heart dust into neat piles.

Short and quick:

You coax shards of broken thoughts

Out of forgotten corners.

Breath is a broom

Sweeping you fresh.

Poem Connections

Yoga practice is rooted in the breath. Breathing takes more importance than picture perfect poses and counting. Start with the poem “Breath” by reading it aloud two times. Invite the group to breathe together, first long breaths like described in the second stanza, then short breaths described in the third stanza. This poem should bring an understanding and awareness to the breath, which is great for continuing through a yoga storytime. From this point you can proceed through the poses listed in this book, posing while reciting each one. For less experienced librarians, partner with a real yoga instructor while reading. You can also read other books in the same fashion such as “Little Yoga” by Rebecca Whitford, her other book “Sleep Little Yoga,” or “You Are a Lion” by Tae-Eun Yoo.