I heard the amazing backstory for this poem The Children's Moon by Marilyn Nelson on Krista Tippett's NPR show, On Being. Give this a listen.
It's especially moving, I think, hearing (here), both the backstory behind the poem and then the stunning poem itself.
PLAY AUDIO CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO
Marilyn Nelson's book Mrs. Nelson's Class includes the class picture of the 20 seventh graders her mother taught that year and poems written in their voices by a collection of Marilyn Neslon's poet friends.