pages 1 2 Acrostic Poems pages 3 4

pages 1 -2: Acrostic Poems pages 3 -4: Alphabet Poems pages 5 -8: Concrete Poems pages 9 -10: Couplets pages 11 -12: Hexaduad pages 13 -14: Quatrain pages 15 -16: Clerihew pages 17: Alliteration pages 18 -19: Lantern pages 20 -21: Haiku pages 22 -23: Lune pages 24 -26: Cinquain pages 27 -28: Diamonte page 29: Poetry Mobile page 30: KSD Poetry Contest Scoring page 31: Bibliography

Acrostic poems start with the subject written up and down on the page. C A N D Y Each beginning letter is then used to write a word or phrase that describes the subject. Chocolate treats All too tempting Need to show control Don’t think I can resist Yum! by: LJL 1

A good way to start might be with an acrostic poem of your name. Loves to read (especially mysteries) Often procrastinates Illinois native Silly sometimes Kids are her friends Also big people Resides in Arizona Enjoys eating chocolate New York state of mind Likes giraffes Alum of ISU & NAU Likes to do paper crafts Lifelong learner Enjoys time with friends & family Yellow lover Knows how to laugh Night owl Improviser of acrostic name poems Goofy over her son HBO fanatic Twix lover 2

Alphabet poetry, invented by Paul West, starts with a broad topic like sports, school, animals, geography, math, fashion, etc. The poem consists of words that fit the topic- each starting with a different letter of the alphabet Words are spaced on the page to give the appearance of a poem. 3

Announcements, bulletins, coupons, diaries, envelopes, file folders, greeting cards, homework, invitations, job applications, Kleenex, labels, memos, napkins, opera programs, papyrus, quilling, receipts, scrap, tissue, unique, vellum, wrapping, Xerox, yellowed, zoo tickets Accessories, buttons, caps, denims, epaulets, feathers, grunge, hemlines, inseams, jeans, knickers, Levi’s, mittens, nightgowns, overalls, pajamas, quilted, raglan, scarf, topcoat, underwear, vest, windbreaker, Xtraordinary, yokes, zipper From: Poetry Writing Handbook 4

These poems take on a form that relates directly to the topic of the poem. It is often easier to write the words by themselves first, and then form it into the desired shape. This becomes Trees come from seeds. Birds can live in them. I can decorate them for Christmas. They give us air to breathe. They give us wood for fires. Thank you!!! 5

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Couplets follow the simplest rhyme pattern. They consist of two lines that rhyme with one another. Couplets can be strung together to form a longer poem. 9

Heart The human heart keeps blood pumping, but drinks like beer, make it go bump, bumping. by: Caulin, class of ’ 03 -’ 04 I love math, but I lost it in the bath. by: Kajal, class of ’ 03 -’ 04 The star has a shine. It looks very fine. by: Leah, class of ’ 03 -’ 04 10

This poem, invented by Gee Kaye, is made up of 6 related couplets that tell a story. 11

Man’s Best Friend? That’s My Hair My hair is high and curly It’s wavy and it’s swirly I wash it and I squeeze it I mousse it and I tease it The new dog arrived just in time to dine On the shoes that were favorites of mine It’s long and short and fluffy-poo Still he was kind of cute and all It’s thick and rich and bleached so true Until he knocked me down in the If I have a bad hair day I glue it stiff with clouds of spray It takes a lot of loving care To tease and train humongous hair! hall He was very eager to learn new tricks His favorite one was to go fetch sticks Brains and soul may tell a story But gorgeous hair is a clowning glory! The other day he fetched From: Poetry Writing Handbook; poem by G. B. Lipson someone’s cane, so I went to the pet store to by: LJL complain 12

Quatrains are four-line poems that follow any of four different rhyming patterns: AABB, ABAB, ABBA, or ABCB 13

AABB The backpack was a major disaster. Its papers kept coming ever faster. One fateful day it started to swell… Andby: under its weight the owner fell. LJL ABBA A more humiliating thing she never faced. Falling flat on her face was not in the plan. She probably lost her number one fan Just because her shoe wasn’t laced. by: LJL ABAB On one dark and wintry day When it was very cold, Down flew a screaming jay Squawking in a voice so bold. Party by Linda Spellman -Poetry ABCB The rushing ocean waves Beat harshly on the sand. They roar and crash and foam As they break upon the land. -Poetry Party by Linda Spellman 14

Gertrude Jean Hinkelflink Lived her life at the rink. She thought that she did well Every time she slipped and fell. by: LJL Billy Ruffy Is not a toughie. He refuses to fight ‘Cause he knows it’s not right. From: Poetry Writing Handbook Chloe Mills lived for thrills. She jumped into a tiger cage and pretended that it was her stage. by: LJL 16

Alliteration is the repetition of the beginning sound in two or more words that are next to one another. The lovely librarian lazed by the lake longingly looking at letters. by: LJL Alliteration is not a poetry form, but it is a poetic device. Try it when writing couplets, hexaduads, quatrains, etc. 17

A haiku in a three line poem that does not rhyme. They are usually light in tone, and relate to something pleasing in nature, especially the seasons. Structure Line 1 - five syllables Line 2 - seven syllables Line 3 - five syllables 20

In the soft spring winds Yellow chicks learn to waddle The first day of spring Morgan (1 st) & Natalie (5 th) In the cold winter A polar bear runs in snow And does not get cold Lindsay (1 st) & Shannon (5 th) I love winter lots Because it is oh, so cold And the trees are bare Jove (1 st) & Jessica(5 th) 21

Traditional Structure Line 1 - two syllables (title) Line 2 - four syllables (describe the title) Line 3 - six syllables (showing action) Line 4 - eight syllables (a feeling or observation about the topic) Line 5 - two syllables (refer back to the title) Alternative Structure Line 1 - one word (title) Line 2 - two words (describe the title) Line 3 - three words (showing action) Line 4 - four words (a feeling or observation about the topic) Line 5 - one word (refer back to the title) 24

Kittens Frisky, playful Mewing, jumping, bouncing Creep silently on padded paws Mischief Mountain Isolated Snow-capped and cloud-touching White against shining, azure sky High peak -Poetry Party by Linda Spellman Chocolate Rich, creamy brown Eaten for enjoyment Nature’s answer to sweet goodness Divine! -LJL 25

Owl Swift, ferocious Watches for food Soaring through the night Sleepy -From Writing Poetry With Children Hamsters Furry Creatures Twitching little noses, Loving, cozy, fluffy cotton Cuddly Books Treasures Waiting Exciting, breathtaking, powerful An adventure is waiting Enter -From Writing Poetry With Children -LJL 26

line 1 - one noun (subject 1) line 2 - two adjectives (describing subject # 1) line 3 - three participles (ending in –ing, telling about subject 1) line 4 - four nouns (the first two related to subject 1, the second related to subject two) line 5 - three participles (about subject 2) line 6 - two adjectives (describing subject # 2) line 7 - one noun (subject 2 - usually opposite of #1) 27

Day Sunny, hot Warming, shining, working Morning, fresh, evening, end Cooling, darkening, relaxing Dark, windy By: Mrs. Lalley’s Class of ’ 03 -’ 04 Night 28