Unpopular Opinion: Taylor Swift Belongs in our Classrooms!

by Miss Malloy

Sometimes, we English teachers are the “Anti-Hero” characters in your day, especially when the “The Great War” of poetry begins. You might even feel like we’re tossing poems onto your homework list with the battle cry “You’re on Your Own, Kid!”

I remember that experience “All Too Well.”   We’re stuck with these “Long Live” poets: Shakespeare, Milton, Dunn. The old dead men that you might even think make you think: Yikes. “I Forgot That You Existed.”  

Sure, I could tell you to “Shake It Off.” But, instead, let’s be “Fearless.” Let’s face that poetry unit together, wooing lyrics from the likes of Taylor Swift to believe “You Belong With Me” in English class. You, like my freshmen recently, could be reading contemporaries like Swift thinking “It’s Nice to Have a Friend” in English class.

I know, I know. It’s “Delicate.” It’s absolutely a debate in our English department. Sometimes I’m the only voice yelling, “‘I Wish You Would’ add some lyrics.” Needless to say, “Sparks Fly.” (Sorry, Mrs. Schepis!)

Seniors: How often have you stared at Mr. Larson thinking, “I Think He Knows” I don’t understand this?

Juniors: Have you ever confessed to Ms. Bil you’re merely “Tied Together with a Smile” when Walt Whitman is *still* talking about grass in the millionth stanza?

Sophomores: Do you think you “Should’ve Said No” when Mrs. Kozich asked if you understood the enjambment in lines 3-7?

Freshmen, I can only imagine you peeking up at Mrs. Smith, thinking  “I Wish You Would” answer these questions for us about iambic pentameter!

Instead of fixating our attention on “The Last Great American Dynasty” and our favorite “London Boy” Will Shakes, we need to learn that these lyrics can–and should–be read as poetry.  Maybe considering lyrics as a poetic form is only reserved for our “Wildest Dreams.” 

Here’s to hoping we can be “Enchanted” by the noise blaring through our iPods and realize we are inundated by poetry…even by a globe-trotting billionaire dating the guy on the football team.  I’m not saying I’m a “Mastermind.” But, “This Is Me Trying”” to make sure you’re reading some poetry.”