Write Like a Poet Writing poems has never

Write Like a Poet Writing poems has never been easier! Copyright © 2007 Tracee Orman All Rights

Student Examples 2

the white snow Early Out So much depends upon the white glistening snow the school secretary's voice falling from the gray sky stammering over the loud speaker on a gloomy school day. announcing a two-hour early dismissal from school.

Samantha F. ‘ 14 5

Fake Apology Poems Williams also believed poems can be something as simple as a half-hearted apology such as "This is Just to Say, " in which the speaker issues an "apology" for eating someone's plums. Notice his use of alliteration and sensory images (taste, touch/feel).

This Is Just To Say By William Carlos Williams I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox and which you were probably saving for breakfast Forgive me they were delicious so sweet and so cold (1934)

Now try writing your own. . . Have you ever apologized for something you REALLY weren't sorry for? Write a poem using the "This is Just to Say" model You'll issue your apology, but then tell the reader why you really aren't sorry. See examples. . .

Student Examples This is Just to Say I have used all the hot water for my shower I have eaten the last piece of chocolate cake even though I knew you were going to shower, too. in which you were probably saving for dessert. Forgive me, it was steamy and very relaxing. Forgive me, it was heaven so rich and so creamy.

Maddie Newton, 11‘ 18

PERSONIFICATION Read this Carl Sandburg poem that uses PERSONIFICATION, METAPHOR, and IMAGERY

Fog by Carl Sandburg (Chicago Poems, 1916) The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.

Personification The fog is being compared to a cat (remember that personification is a type of metaphor). It quietly moves into the city, stays for a little bit, then quietly moves on, just like a cat. But that description is very boring, so Sandburg uses personification: giving the fog the qualities of the cat. Because, last time I checked, the fog didn't have eyes to look over the city or haunches to sit back on. Or feet, for that matter. . .

Now try writing your own. . . Write a poem that uses personification. Start with an idea, then build on them to form a poem. Use Sandburg's "Fog" model, if you like.

By Chance J, '17

Miscellaneous Poets & Poems

Miscellaneous Poets & Poems The following slides will look at additional forms, themes, and styles of writing poems. Practice along as we go through each one.

SIMILE Read this Margaret Atwood poem that uses a SIMILE

“I AM” POEM (TYPE OF “ME” POEM) The following page shows one of the formulas for an “I Am…” poem. In this poem, every line will begin with “I Am…” The writer finishes the line with his/her response. 24

Two special characteristics I am a sophomore and I am proud Something you are actually I wonder if we will win Class Olympics this year curious about An imaginary sound I hear the seniors and juniors mocking us An imaginary sight I see the freshmen cowering in the corner An actual desire I want to defeat the upperclassmen so badly it aches Repeat first line I am a sophomore and I am proud Something you actually pretend to do I pretend that we are bigger than we are feeling about something imaginary I feel satisfied as part of the class of 2020 imaginary touch I touch our class flag in the hallway every time I pass it something that bothers you I worry that we will grow apart something that makes you cry I cry thinking about not being together Repeat first line I am a sophomore and I am proud something you know is true I know we need to come together as a class something you believe I believe we can conquer the upperclassmen something you actually dream about I dream that the seniors will have egg in their faces after the toss something you really make an effort to do I try to picture us winning the class trophy and bragging rights something you really hope for I hope we will remember this time in our lives forever Repeat first line I am a sophomore and I am proud

Now try writing your own. . . “I Am” POEM Example on following page…

Name withheld by 27

Makenzi T. ‘ 17 28

Brenna R. , ‘ 17 29

The Starry Night By Anne Sexton That does not keep me from having a terrible need of—shall I say the word— religion. Then I go out at night to paint the stars. -Vincent Van Gogh in a letter to his brother The town does not exist except where one black-haired tree slips up like a drowned woman into the hot sky. The town is silent. The night boils with eleven stars. Oh starry night! This is how I want to die. It moves. They are all alive. Even the moon bulges in its orange irons to push children, like a god, from its eye. The old unseen serpent swallows up the stars. Oh starry night! This is how I want to die: into that rushing beast of the night, sucked up by that great dragon, to split from my life with no flag, no belly, no cry. Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh June 1889 http: //www. ibiblio. org/wm/paint/auth/gogh/starry-night/gogh. starry-night. jpg Anne Sexton, “The Starry Night” from The Complete Poems of Anne Sexton (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1981). Copyright © 1981 by Linda Gray Sexton and Loring Conant, Jr. Reprinted with the permission of Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. Source: The Complete Poems of Anne Sexton (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1981) from: http: //www. poetryfoundation. org/poem/171273 30

• . Now it’s your turn… Choose a famous work of art for inspiration. Pick one that speaks to you. You can find many here: Artcyclopedia: http: //www. artcyclopedia. com/ Olga’s Gallery: http: //www. abcgallery. com/alfaind. html Web Museum, Paris http: //www. ibiblio. org/wm/paint/ 31

• Choose your famous piece of art. • Write your poem about it. • Copy the famous piece of art onto your paper. Put the title of the famous piece and the artist’s name. • Make sure to include your name! It’s a grade! • The Starry Night • By Anne Sexton • That does not keep me from having a terrible need of—shall I say the word—religion. Then I go out at night to paint the stars. -Vincent Van Gogh in a letter to his brother • The town does not exist • except where one black-haired tree slips • up like a drowned woman into the hot sky. • The town is silent. The night boils with eleven stars. • Oh starry night! This is how • I want to die. • It moves. They are all alive. • Even the moon bulges in its orange irons • to push children, like a god, from its eye. • The old unseen serpent swallows up the stars. • Oh starry night! This is how • I want to die: • into that rushing beast of the night, • sucked up by that great dragon, to split • from my life with no flag, • no belly, • no cry. • Anne Sexton, “The Starry Night” from The Complete Poems of Anne Sexton (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1981). Copyright © 1981 by Linda Gray Sexton and Loring Conant, Jr. Reprinted with the permission of Sterling Lord

If you are struggling to find something to write about, or do not feel especially inspired, ask these questions: 1. What does this artwork remind you of? 2. How does it make you feel? 3. What stood out to you when you first glanced at it? 4. Why did you choose this piece? 5. Why do you think the artist created this piece? 33

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“Love” is a pop art image by Robert Indiana (1970)

Now try writing your own. . . How would you tell others to stay positive, even when things aren't going so well? Try to write an "advice" to young people poem.

Don't forget to use some poetic devices in your writing, such as: • Alliteration • Internal rhymes • Similes & Metaphors • Hyperboles