Nancy ‘Mama’ Manning, is one of Woodland’s known and loved English teachers who has a hobby she enjoys sharing with the world. On April 5th, 2024 Manning had a poetry reading at the Oxford public library, where students, family, friends, and coworkers came to support her.
Manning has been writing poetry since she was a young child.
“I read a lot of nursery rhymes, and so I would go around trying to rhyme things. And then I would write rhyme poems. And I did it for fun,” said Manning.
The inspiration for her writing is never one thing by itself. Whether it’s an in person experience, a piece of art, or something going on in the world, Manning has big feelings.
“Something emotionally touches my heart and I’m like, ‘Oh, wow! I’ve got to share that feeling in the form of a poem’,” said Manning.
Reminiscing on her highschool years, Manning recalls a poetry project she presented for her freshman year English teacher. The woman stopped her in the middle of reading her poem, and stated that nobody in the room would ever write great poetry.
Manning took this as a challenge.
“That has been a goal of mine in the back of my head- writing a really good poem that would please her,” said Manning.
Although she started off rhyming, Manning now writes mostly free verse poems. She shares that writing in free verse gives the poem a breath, and she loves the way it sounds, like telling a story.
One of her poems was about her time vacationing in Vermont. Staying in a cabin by the lake, she had many things to share about the experience.
“There’s something about the water that restores my soul,” said Manning.
So she wrote about being there, and what the water does. Manning reflects on one of the units she teaches, and describes it as being very Thoreauvian, comparing it to Walden, and how the pond rejuvenated the writer.
As it’s something she enjoys doing, Manning always has a poetry event to look forward to, with two more readings coming up soon. Contact Mama Manning if you are interested in information regarding upcoming events such as the one in August in New Hampshire, and the second one in Massachusetts, at the birthplace of Susan B. Anthony.
“I do several readings a year,” said Manning. “I love doing it.”
Links to Mannings Books:
