Fields, Terri. 2002. After the Death of Anna Gonzales. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC. ISBN 0-8050-7127-X.
This collection of poems by Terri Fields takes on the serious issue of suicide. She provides many different poetic reactions/responses to the news of Anna Gonzales' suicide. An especially complex poem in this collection is written through the eyes of fellow student, Lauren Reynolds:
Lauren Reynolds
by Terry Fields
Since September,
I sat one seat behind Anna in algebra.
Passed papers to her every day.
Studied for tons of tests together.
Though it often seemed impossible,
Eventually,
We always found the unknown for X.
But not this time.
This equation
Bounces against my brain.
And sneers at all attempted answers.
I know I'll re-examine the variables,
And reanalyze the unknowns, maybe forever.
But
It won't matter.
Because, Anna-
I know I'll never figure out Y.
Y you didn't want to live-
And Y I never noticed.
This poem generates a feeling of heart-breaking confusion, especially with the math parallel. Anna Gonzales could have been nothing more than an equation that could not be solved.
Extension:
Encourage students to make a list of 'positives'; for example, a list of positive words/adjectives that make them feel good or a list of people who make them feel good about themselves etc. Allow students to share their lists with eachother in small groups.
Suggest to students that they keep a journal to write down their feelings (bad and good) instead of trying to hold their feelings in.
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