Saul Williams’ visit to I.S. 145 in Jackson Heights, Queens from April 19-23 began with great anticipation on the part of students. Having read his books She, and , said the Shotgun to the Head, eighth graders at I.S. 145 were eager to ask Mr. Williams questions they had been compiling for weeks, and to share their poems with him. He was quite popular with students for his poetry books, and his appearance in the movie “Slam,” and on the HBO show, “Def Poetry.”

Mr. Williams’ initial meetings with students were introductory. He answered their questions, and read aloud poems requested by students. Mr. Williams responded to inquiries such as, “Do you have any kids?”, “Do you have a dog?” and “What’s your favorite sport?” (hockey).

At first, Mr. Williams and students were just getting to know each other. The questions soon became deeper, and more thoughtful. One student asked Mr. Williams if he considered rap music to be poetry, which led the class into a discussion of different types of music, lyrics, and what constitutes poetry. Students classified artists like Eminem, Yolanda Williams, and Tupac Shakur as poets.

Subsequent classes were held in workshop format. Students thrived under Mr. Williams’ guidance. Several poems dealt with issues such as family, politics, love, anger, the immigrant experience, and loss. One brave student wrote passionately about her mother’s abandonment, and the difficulty she faced in accepting her mother back into her life. Students applauded her work, and each other’s, thereby validating poetry’s expressive power.

Thanks to Ms. Flanagan, Mr. Diaz, and Ms. Humsjo, the English teachers, the week culminated into the school’s first ever Open Mic Poetry Reading. Mr. Williams began by reciting a poem. Sixteen students signed up, and bravely shared their work with the rest of the school, all packed into the auditorium. Reporters from the Columbia School of Journalism, and New York Newsday were present to photograph and interview readers.

Mr. Williams’s five-day visit ended with countless students asking to have their books signed, exchanging hugs, and kind words. He invited students to keep in touch with him, and to visit his Web site and post their poems and chat with other young poets. They were thrilled that he reached out them the way he did.

The Family Literacy program is made possible through leadership funding from the R.R. Donnelley Foundation, with additional support from the Educational Foundation of America, JP Morgan Chase Foundation, Consolidated Edison, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Alfred, Lee, and Peter Mayer Foundation, Scholastic, Inc., Katherine Paterson, and the Stuart S. Applebaum Giving Foundation.

Saul Williams’ books were generously donated by MTV/Pocket Books.