Poetry Terms 2 Acrostic Poem A poem in

Poetry Terms #2

Acrostic Poem § A poem in which certain letters of the lines, usually the first letters, form a word or message relating to the subject.

Didactic Poem § A poem which is clearly intended for the purpose of instruction to impart theoretical, moral, or practical knowledge, or to explain the principles of art or science.

Dramatic Poem § A composition in verse portraying a story of life or character, usually involving conflict and emotions, in a plot evolving through action and dialogue.

Limerick Poem § A light or humorous verse form of five verses of which lines one, two and five are of three feet and lines three and four are of two feet, with a rhyme scheme of aabba.

Lyric Poem § The most frequently used form in modern poetry in which the speaker's expression of emotion dominates, from complex thoughts to the simplicity of playful wit, often intended to be sung.

Epic Poem § A long narration of a story, celebrating the adventures and achievements of heroes and dealing with mythical and historical traditions.

Parody § A ludicrous imitation, usually intended for comic effect but often for ridicule, of both the style and content of another work.

Visual Poem § A poem arranged in such a manner that its visual appearance has an elevated significance of its own, with certain line lengths, structures, indentations, or spacing.

Ballad § A poem that tells a story like a folk tale, often about love, sung, and with a repeated refrain.

Excerpt from “An Essay on Criticism” by Alexander Pope A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again. Fired at first sight with what the Muse imparts, In fearless youth we tempt the heights of arts, While from the bounded level of our mind…

“A Poem” by Edward Lear There was an Old Man with a beard, Who said, 'It is just as I feared! Two Owls and a Hen, Four Larks and a Wren, Have all built their nests in my beard!'

§ Spring is the have And the taste and the see, The color of where And the green of to be; § The leafing of happy, The petals of give, The prism of youth And the spectrum of live; § The palette of play And the flourish of free, The sing of the now And the flower of we. § Spring is the fresh And the when and the dawn Its promises go And never are gone. “Spring is the Have” by Robert G. Shubminski

Excerpt from “Venus & Adonis” by William Shakespeare EVEN as the sun with purple-colour'd face Had ta'en his last leave of the weeping morn, Rose-cheek'd Adonis hied him to the chase; Hunting he loved, but love he laugh'd to scorn; Sick-thoughted Venus makes amain unto him, And like a bold-faced suitor 'gins to woo him. Thrice-fairer than myself, ' thus she began, The field's chief flower, sweet above compare, Stain to all nymphs, more lovely than a man, More white and red than doves or roses are; Nature that made thee, with herself at strife, Saith that the world hath ending with thy life.

Volpone (The Fox)” by Ben Jonson § Volpone, childless, rich, feigns sick, despairs, § Offers his state to hopes of several heirs, Lies languishing: his parasite receives Presents of all, assures, deludes; then weaves Other cross plots, which ope themselves, are told, New tricks for safety are sought; they thrive: when bold, Each tempts the other again, and all are sold.

O Teacher! My Teacher! by Gunjan O Teacher! My teacher! The awful exam draws near; And with every passing day, I feel my rising fear; My text books all feel heavier, My notes make less and less sense. But O heart! O wavering nervous system reset, When in the class my Teacher says, There's hope for me, yet.

“O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman O Captain! My Captain! our fearful trip is done; The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won; The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting, While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring: But O heart! O the bleeding drops of red, Where on the deck my Captain lies, Fallen cold and dead.

Excerpt from “My Last Duchess” by Robert Browning That's my last duchess painted on the wall, Looking as if she were alive. I call That piece a wonder, now: Frà Pandolf's hands Worked busily a day, and there she stands. Will't please you sit and look at her? I said "Frà Pandolf" by design, for never read Strangers like you that pictured countenance, The depth and passion of its earnest glance, But to myself they turned (since none puts by The curtain I have drawn for you, but I) And seemed as they would ask me, if they durst, How such a glance came there; so, not the first Are you to turn and ask thus. Sir, 'twas not Her husband's presence only, called that spot Of joy into the Duchess' cheek

Excerpt from “The Mermaid” § 'Twas Friday morn when we set sail, And we had not got far from land, When the Captain, he spied a lovely mermaid, With a comb and a glass in her hand. § Oh the ocean waves may roll, And the stormy winds may blow, While we poor sailors go skipping aloft And the land lubbers lay down below, below And the land lubbers lay down below. § Then up spoke the Captain of our gallant ship, And a jolly old Captain was he; "I have a wife in Salem town, But tonight a widow she will be. “ § Oh the ocean waves may roll, And the stormy winds may blow…. .

“Salmon” by Court Smith