large view Rob Gordon, John Cusack's character in High Fidelity, is obsessed with making Top Five lists.

For every week that my classes complete the Poetry Assignment, I am going to select the top five illustrations and post them on my website. The selection criteria for the top five are not entirely arbitrary. Mainly, recognition will be awarded to illustrations that demonstrate originality and/or effort. You don't have to be an artist to make the cut--you just have to show you care.

» "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" by Langston Hughes