Poetry is one of the Earth’s oldest art forms. Before we humans could write, we learned to speak. We used our words. We told stories.

Think Homer and his Odyssey, Dante and his Divine Comedy, or here in America, Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. And throughout the years even here in this part of the country: the tradition of oral stories that passed generation to generation among the Salish and Kootenai tribes. Throughout the history of the world, the words and thoughts of people formed a connection throughout the ages.

The tradition lives on in different forms. Now, we can be taught to read and write through language, whether it be English or Salish, the transferral of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom continues to be taught.

On Friday, elementary students participated in the first annual poetry reading with the Missoula Writing Collaborative at the Salish Kootenai College. Over 30 fourth and fifth graders from Arlee, St. Ignatius, and Pablo read poems they wrote under the guidance of the writing program.

The Missoula Writing Collabrative’s main purpose is to teach students from elementary, middle, and high schools not only how to write, but to teach them the value of using their imaginations.

Since 1994, the MWC has operated through various grants from the state of Montana. The program has a board and a collection of writers that will teach creative writing in schools. In Lake County and on the Flathead Indian Reservation, the MWC is funded by a $35,000 NEA Artworks grant. Before the reading on Thursday night, Interim Executive Director Caroline Patterson said that she hopes to expand to the Ronan school district.

“You’ve all heard the saying, ‘its takes a village...’” Patterson said. “But village is too bland. I always encourage our students to use details in their writing.” Details, she said, are what students need to stimulate their imagination, and imagination is one of the strengths of writing not just poetry, but writing in general. She wants the students to express themselves, to speak their minds. Even in the elementary grades.

Patterson thanked the teachers, whom she said can do anything. “I think teachers could organize the world,” she said. “These kids are the most important. They have wild, wonderful imaginations.”

Victor Charlo was seated in the front row, prepared to read a few poems for the students and parents. Wearing a blue jean jacket and sporting a thick gray-white beard, Charlo stood at the podium and read from his collection of poems entitled, “Put Sey” (pronounced Poo Chay).

“This poem is for my children,” Charlo said before he began. “It’s called ‘Children of Snow’: I try to stay snow that my children wish would come hard in Missoula, come hard in me. There is fun in me like children of fox and geese, sleds without tracks, without worry. Yet this winter weights heavy as wet snow as I visit Welch and ramble wishing for the right time for ripe snow.

“Sing a song for all children who know that snow is holy, falls holy on us, we who should rejoice in this time of work, of play, of holy laughter that rings at crisp stars.”

Charlo read two other poems, and sang a traditional song that silenced the crowd.

Caroline Keys, the Arlee “poet-in-residence” in her third year, introduced the students, where one by one, they stepped up and read their original poems. Some pulled out crumpled sheets of paper from their pockets, while some had colorful folders; each of them were unable to reach the microphone, though, and used a footstool to read.

The hope of the MWC was for students to express themselves through poetry, and on Friday night the students did just that. The collection of young poets from all over Lake County displayed a variety of different styles.

“Steady beat of the drum is like my heart beat,” one student from Arlee wrote. Certain poems were read in Salish after the English versions.

As each poem was read aloud, it became clear how much the students enjoyed reading them in front of a crowd. Whereas many people are afraid of speaking before a group of people, alone with nothing but an audience, the students from around the valley showcased the ability to write and read, creatively.

“I used to be drawn,” a young girl spoke. “But now I’m a painting.”

The MWC has instructed over 30,000 creative writing students in about 24 Montana schools since 1994, according to a brochure available at the reading. By teaching creative writing or poetry, the teachers are helping students excel in other school areas by teaching communication skills.

Or as a student read from her poem earlier in the evening:

“You live to write. Never give up.”