Signal Hill: What's Inside the Moon

Kenneth Koch’s unconventional poetry workshops at Manhattan’s PS 61 in the late 1960s fundamentally altered how children engaged with language and their own imaginations. By encouraging students to embrace surrealism, "lies," and personal desires, Koch transformed poetry from a rigid academic exercise into a tool for liberation and self-expression. The subsequent publication of *Wishes, Lies and Dreams* catapulted these students into the national spotlight, instilling a lasting sense of confidence and creative agency. Decades later, former students reflect on how these early lessons provided a vital emotional outlet, helping them navigate the harsh realities of their neighborhood and the profound challenges of adulthood. This creative foundation remains a source of consolation, proving that poetry serves as a necessary language for articulating the mysteries of life, loss, and personal identity.