Chinese Garden Inspires West Seattle Students

Bones of Earth form mountains

Timeless pines know many stories         

Bamboo dances with the wind
Fourteen fishes paint the water
                                        Alia                               An Ode to Tang Dynasty Poets

In the Waterside Pavilion, Chunman Gissing talks
with students about writing Tang-style poetry.

Alia beautifully captures the spirit of Tang Dynasty poetry, as did John and Madison, all sophomores in a world history class at Chief Sealth International High School (CSIHS) in West Seattle.

Teacher Paul Fischburg introduced Tang poetry into the curriculum to acquaint his students with traditional Chinese culture. The class read poems such as Li Bai’s famed Road to Shu, and each student chose a favorite poem from an anthology, wrote about the feelings it evoked, and created a poster board to illustrate the poem with art or photos.

On October 21 the class was ready for a field trip to the Seattle Chinese Garden and a poetry writing session. First stop for a little inspiration — the 15-foot-tall gleaming white marble statue of Li Bai near the South Seattle Community College library. This statue, a gift from famed Sichuan sculptor Ye Yushan, will be moved to the Garden when construction is completed.

Two students work on their poems.

After a tour of Knowing the Spring Courtyard by docent Sandy Marvinney, the students gathered around long-time volunteer Chunman Gissing, a former Chinese language teacher. She delighted them by explaining how her mother taught her poems when she was a little girl, and offered tips on the rhythm of four- and seven-line Tang poems. 

With an assignment to write about anything that inspired them, the 30 students gathered into small groups around the courtyard, just as Tang poets might have gathered with friends to write poems 12 centuries ago. 

Freezing water blankets like snow

Blustery wind makes us shiver

Icy rainwater stings sharp

Hunched over teeth chattering cold.

                                        Madison

As the chilly morning turned to drizzle, the class moved into the Chan Education Center classroom, where Chunman had set up a beautiful display for a traditional tea service, including flowers, an array of tea and teapots, and Chinese snacks. 

Chunman Gissing serves traditional Chinese tea.

As the students one by one shared their poems with the class, Chunman shared the warmth of tea. 
I sit alone with nature.

Am I really alone?

The sun masks the moon.

The clouds hide my shadow.

                                  John

“A big challenge in a world history course is how to connect to people and places not your own. Getting students out of the classroom and into a place that expresses another culture is a great way to do that,” Fischburg said.  “Writing poems in the Garden setting gave students a chance to explore Chinese culture on a personal, heart level. The students truly embraced this learning experience. "  

As a final lesson assignment, Fischburg asked the students to write about how they experienced the Garden. One student truly captured its essence as inspiration for inner reflection.

Here I was able to sit and relax and tune into the sound of raindrops hitting the ponds, rocks, and nearby trees. … the architecture and designs of this garden were beyond calming. … Being able to sit and be alone with your thoughts for a while is one of the best things a person can do…  These gardens allow me… and anyone else, to separate from everything and just let the thoughts flow. Saying I love this garden would be an understatement.   Antonia

Posting by Sandy Marvinney