1. BIOGRAPHY Poems

2. Free Verse Biography No pattern, no rules, EXCEPT:
Your subject should be YOU and follow the criteria we discussed on a biography.
Should cover a major event(s) of your life
What mood will you want to create?
What types of figurative language will you use?
Will you use repetition to help you with your message?

3. Bio Poem Line 1: Name Line 2: 3 adjectives Line3: Wishes to…
Becky Trustworthy, loyal, loving Wishes to fly like a bird, Dreams of making peace in the world Wants to heal the sick and poor. Who wonders what lies beyond the stars Who fears war. Who is afraid of famine. Who likes boys with blond, wavy hair. Who believes in God. Who loves rice and fortune cookies. Who loves to play volleyball Who loves school, especially math. Who plans to be a missionary. Who plans to be a faithful wife. Who plans to live the good life. Whose final destination is heaven.
Line 1: Name
Line 2: 3 adjectives
Line3: Wishes to…
Line 4: Dreams of…
Line 5: Wants to…
Line 6: Who wonders…
Line 7: Who fears…
Line 8: Who is afraid of…
Line 9: Who believes…
Line 10: Who loves…
Line 11: Who plans…
Line 12: Closing Line

4. ME By the Numbers
One little mother Two children to care for Three meals to prepare Four loads of laundry to do Five errands to run Six days to get them dressed Seven years of life Eight math problems to work through Nine shirts to iron Ten groceries to buy Then I do it all over again.
This is simply a count to ten about YOU. It can be things you like to do, things you like, things you care about.

5. ABCs of ME
Simply use the alphabet to write lines about yourself. Here is a partial:
Always on the go Best cook in the world Can do almost anything Does five things at once Excellent organizer Fixes things around the house

6. Pyramid Poem
It is shaped like a pyramid with at least six lines. The first has one word. Each on thereafter adds one.
On Tuesday I Read a book About far flung lands And a fairy princess and A daring hero, who saved the Princess. But if I had written the Book, the princess would have saved the hero.

7. My Year in _____ Grade
Reflect back on your year in a particular grade. Think of short phrases describing special aspects that you enjoyed. Write a “phrase” poem about your experiences.
Great teacher, Shaving cream on desks Geoboards and designs Sharing every morning Spelling tests Big hugs Doing jobs Laughing again and again Happy smiles Reading together Lunch outside Drawing on the chalkboard Fun learning

8. It’s the Witch Listen. Listen
It’s the Witch Listen! Listen! Do you hear something queer something that goes Slish Slosh Slash Slish Slosh Slash Do you hear? It’s It’s WITCH! Sloshing in the rain With her crooked cane her face olive green!!! and the I heard a S C R E A M! He ha he he It’s the W I T C H
Onomatopoeia
Onomatopoeia is poetry in which words are used to make sounds. Think of some aspect of your life that you want to share. Then think of all the sounds and noises that represent that story/event. Let your imagination go free!

9. “What Is?” Poem
WHAT IS HAPPINESS? Happiness is a warm summer day, An ice-cream cone along the way. It’s a sprinkler to run through, A dip in the pool, A good friend to share them with- That’s really cool!
“What is?” poems start with a question: What is happiness? What is anger? What is love? They can take any form and be any length.

10. Synonym Poetry Synonym
A word having the same or nearly the same meaning as that of another word.

11. Synonym Poetry Directions: Use a thesaurus to look up your word.
Find three to five synonyms for it.
Write the synonyms below your word.
Write a descriptive phrase about your word.
Try to rhyme.

12. Synonym Poems Choose your word. Make it the title
Rancid Sour, musty, putrid, rotten This old trash won’t be forgotten. Outlaw Pirate, bandit, thief, or crook At them the judge should throw the book. Earth World, planet, one-mooned globe To other planets we send probes. Ghost Spirit, goblin, bogeyman They will haunt you if you can. Fast Swift, speedy, fleet, or quick Go too fast and you’ll make me sick.
Choose your word. Make it the title
The first line should include 4 synonyms.
The second and final line should creatively describe an example.
The two lines must rhyme.

13. Synonym Poetry Student Examples
LOVE
Attachment,
adoration, warmth,
Adore.
Love is so pure,
right down to the
core.
-Kimiko Brantley (Grade 10)
NOISE
Clamor, uproar,
Hullabaloo.
These things can really
annoy you.
-Shasta Inman (Grade 9)

14. Emotion Poem
If happy were a color, It would be blue. As blue as a sky on a sunny day. If happy were a taste, It would be as sweet as honey melting in you mouth. If happy were a feeling, It would be exciting as your first step must have been. It happy were a smell, It would be rich as a chocolate mousse. If happy were a sound, It would be as melodic as a harp.
Choose any emotion as a subject: Line 1: Emotion Line 2: If __ were a color, Line 3: It would be __ Line 4: As __ as a ___. Line 5: If __ were a taste, Line 6: It would be just like _ Line 7: If __ were a feeling, Line 8: It would be __ as a _. Line 9: If __ were a smell, Line 10: It would be ___ as a ___. Line 11: If __ were a sound, Line 12: It would be __ as a __.

15. Concrete Poetry Concrete Poetry is the use of words and their
physical formation to convey
meaning.  This may be done with
color, the shape of letters, or
the arrangement of words.

16. c Use a letter of the alphabet.
Make the letter look like the object you are drawing.
Create a phrase using words.
Try to use the same beginning letter for each word.

17. Concrete Poetry Directions:
Graphically create a scene using only words.  
From a distance this will look like a picture.
Up close it will consist only of words and phrases.   
A light pencil line might be drawn first as a guide.
Use colors, shapes, and sizes that will enhance the meaning of words.

18. I Am… Poem
DIRECTIONS:
Below are line-by-line directions for writing this kind of poem:
#1. Write “I am”
#2.  Write three nouns that represent who you are.  Begin each with a capital letter.

19. I Am… Poem
#3.  Write a complete sentence about two things that you like.
#4.  Write three nouns that describe what you like to see in other people and end the sentence with "are important to me.“ Capitalize each noun.

20. I Am… Poem
#5.  Write a sentence containing a positive thought or feeling.  It should be telling what you find acceptable (auspicious, good) in yourself.
#6.-#7.  Sentence in which you show something negative in yourself, however the sentence must end by showing that out of something BAD can come GOOD.  Use the word "but" to link the bad and good.

21. I Am… Poem
#8 to #10.  Each line is a short sentence relating something about which you have strong feelings--likes or dislikes.  They do not have to relate to each other or to the previous lines you have written.

22. I Am… Poem
#11.  End with "This is me" or "I am."

23. I care very much about the world and life on it.
I am
Life, Hope, Living
I care very much about the world and life on it.
Honesty is important to me.
Optimism is important to me.
Unselfishness is important to me.
Hospitality is a good thing.
Meanness is bad, but can be good to get people
off your back.
The world is getting weaker.
People are too negative.
The longer the days the more beautiful they are.
I am.

24. I remember… L1: I remember L2: I remember L3: I remember L4:And
I remember the day at the beach
I remember the hot sand burning my feet
I remember how cold the ocean felt
and how my skin seemed to sizzle in the heat
I remember the boardwalk clamor
I remember how I wanted to eat everything in sight
I remember walking and baking in the hot sun
Even though now it’s still February and gloomy
I remember savoring that summer day
But my favorite memories are yet to come.
L1: I remember
L2: I remember
L3: I remember
L4:And
L5: I remember
L6: I remember
L7: I remember
L8: Even
L9: I remember
10: But my favorite memories are yet to come.

25. I believe… I believe in the wisdom of elders,
the influence of peer pressure,
the importance of success,
the evil that exists in money,
the effectiveness of hard work,
dedication, courage, strength.
But the belief that you don't have to strive for your goals is just outrageous.
I believe in the truth that will set you free,
I believe in love that will conquer all,
I believe in respect for others,
Courtesy, politeness, gratitude.
And I believe in the fact that tomorrow isn't promised to you.
I believe in the _________________________
the____________________________________
_______________,_______________,_________________
But (put something you don't believe in, i.e.)
("but the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, over-rated")
I believe in____________________________
______________,________________,_________________
And I believe in_________________________________(longest)

26. I have a dream…
(Think of when you were younger.)
Yesterday I had a dream.
I dreamed . . .
I wished . . .
I hoped . . .
I prayed (or desired) . . .
I had a dream . . .(repeats)

27. I have a dream… (Think of your goals and hopes today.)
Today I have a dream.
I dream . . .
I wish . . .
I hope . . .
I pray (or desire) . . .
I have a dream . . .(repeats L2)

28. I have a dream… (Think of your future.) Tomorrow I will still dream.
I will (continue to or always) dream . . .
I will wish . . .
I will hope . . .
I will pray (or desire) . . .
I will always dream . . .(repeats L2)
For to not dream means . . .
To not wish means . . .
To not hope means . . .
To not pray (desire) means . . .
Never stop dreaming because . . .
Dreams (create a metaphor, simile, or personification)

29. I have a dream… Student Example: Yesterday I had a dream.
I dreamed of sugar-coated fairy tales and happily-ever-after’s.
I wished for a stocking from Santa stuffed with everything on my list.
I hoped for good grades, straight hair, and time away from my brother.
I prayed that my parents wouldn’t find out that I lied.
I had a dream that wishes were horses and I could gallop away.
Today I have a dream.
I dream of a magic carpet ride to never visited continents.
I wish for students who care to learn and strive to succeed.
I hope the hiss of FCAT is just a kitten’s purr and all students will pass.
I pray that happiness and health help and hug those I love most.
I have a dream that each day smiles and says, “Well done!”

30. I have a dream… Student Example: Tomorrow I will still dream.
I will dream continuously of the treasures and riches of my next trip.
I will wish that the world will wake up and learn from its mistakes.
I will hope that my children and grandchildren touch the stars.
I will pray for cures for diseases, poverty, hatred, and pain.
I will always dream for a bit of perfection in an imperfect world.
For to not dream means a death of the spirit.
To not wish means no more stars, rainbows, or four leaf clovers.
To not hope robs the meaning of each day, hour, minute of your life.
To not pray is a missing link in my solid chain of faith.
Never stop dreaming because dreams give wings to your spirit and breathe life into your days.
Dreams spin the straw of life into golden moments that store up treasures in the heart.

31. I Don't Understand Poems
???
Write a poem about something that you do not understand

32. I Don't Understand Begin the poem with the following:
List three things you do not understand about the world or people.
Write one thing you do not understand most of all.
“Most of all, I do not understand…”
End the poem with an example of something you DO understand.

33. I Don't Understand
I DON'T UNDERSTAND why people dislike me    why people can't get along    why dogs are colorblind and cats
aren’t.
But most of all
why people are
prejudiced
why people must move away    why people argue over stupid
stuff why there are
wars.
What I understand most is…

34. I Don't Understand
What I understand most is    why trees grow    why birds chirp    why the sun shines    why the car goes. ---Anita Pepper (Grade 10)

35. Opposites/Antonym Poetry

36. Opposites Choose two things that are opposites.
Examples: day/night, hot/cold, life/death, up/down, in/out, etc.
Try to make the poem two to four lines long.
Try to make the first two and the last two lines rhyme.

37. Opposites Student Examples
The opposite of honest What a lot of people do on a hard test.
-Benjamin Swanson (Grade 9)
OPPOSITES
What is the opposite of love? Maybe it is as beautiful as a white dove, Because love is so fine, This is something that I know is mine.

38. Opposites Student Examples
What is the opposite of a smile? Maybe it is a frown that hasn't been seen in a while, Because a great smile brightens up the day,  This has made my day better in every way.
What is the opposite of true? It could be purple, or even blue. Because truth is better than a lie, I want the truth even from my special guy.
-Kimiko Brantley (Grade 10)

39. List Poems Directions: Lists can be either rhyming or not.
It is up to the writer to decide which style s/he uses.
Try to make one of the poems humorous or far-fetched.
Try to give the poem a serious twist or turn.

40. List Poems List Poems Ideas
The Sources of: grayness stiffness softness redness squeaks cold sights
Things That: ring, light, you find in the store,
hear in your house, smell in the school, are round, square, red, blue, yellow, green, black,

41. Three Word Forms Directions:
Each line of this form is made up of three words.
The last two words become the first two words in the next line.
In the poem try to progress through images so a story is told.

42. Three Word Forms
MORNINGS sleep, alarm, awake alarm, awake, shower awake, shower, clothes shower, clothes, shoes clothes, shoes, dog shoes, dog, run dog, run, breakfast run, breakfast, sunrise breakfast, sunrise, car sunrise, car, work. ---Alex Buffington (Grade 10)

43. Three Word Forms
ball, snap, run snap, run, tackle run, tackle, sack tackle, sack, pass
sack, pass, catch pass, catch, 1st down catch, 1st down, touchdown.
---Josh Jones (Grade 10)

44. Just because…

45. Just Because...
Just Because... poems ask you to describe yourself in the first line of the poem
The next three lines in each stanza tell what you are NOT.
The final line restates the first line and adds a tag directing the reader to do something.

46. Just Because...
Just because I'm scared Don't laugh and giggle behind my head Don't kid and play when I'm not there Still ask me because I might play Just because I'm scared It doesn't mean I can't do it It doesn't give you the right to talk about me It doesn't stop me from having fun Just because I'm scared Still tell me everything you did Can't wait until I get big Just because I'm scared -- please try to be my friend -Brandon Womack (Grade 10)

47. Just Because...
Just because I'm an only child    I'm not a freak    I'm not shy Just because I'm an only child    I'm not lonely    I'm not selfish    I'm not spoiled Just because I'm an only child    I know I'm not perfect    I can't always be the best friend    I'm not a nerd Just because I'm an only child -- let me be me. -Liz Webster (Grade 9)

48. Just because… Directions:
Describe yourself in the first line of the poem.
In the next three lines in each stanza describe what you are NOT.
In the final line restate the first line and add a tag directing the reader to do something.

49. Just because…
Just because I'm scared Don't laugh and giggle behind my head Don't kid and play when I'm not there Still ask me because I might play It doesn't mean I can't do it It doesn't give you the right to talk about me It doesn't stop me from having fun

50. Just because…
Just because I'm scared Still tell me everything you did Can't wait until I get big Just because I'm scared -- please try to be my friend -Brandon Womack (Grade 10)

51. Just because…
Just because I'm an only child I'm not a freak I'm not shy Just because I'm an only child I'm not lonely I'm not selfish I'm not spoiled Just because I'm an only child I know I'm not perfect I can't always be the best friend I'm not a nerd Just because I'm an only child -- let me be me. ---Liz Webster (Grade 9)

52. Diamonte or Diamond The French word diamont means diamond.
A DIAMONTE is a seven-line poem that gradually changes from one idea to a direct opposite idea.  When it is completed, its total appearance is diamond shaped.   

53. Diamonte
There are two patterns you can follow in writing a diamonte.

54. Diamonte
Pattern #1: Line 1 = Noun Line 2 = Adjective, Adjective Line 3 = Verb, Verb, Verb Line 4 = Noun, Noun, Noun, Noun Line 5 = Verb, Verb, Verb Line 6 = Adjective, Adjective Line 7 = Noun

55. Diamonte
Pattern #2: Line 1 = Opposite of line 7 Line 2 = Describe line 1 Line 3 = Action about line 1 Line 4 = 2 nouns about line 1 2 nouns about line 7 Line 5 = Action about line 7 Line 6 = Describe line 7 Line 7 = Opposite of line 1

56. Diamonte
Love Bright, Passionate Charming, Drifting, Growing Cherish, Infatuation, Antipathy, Uncaring Animosity, Falling, Dead Dark, Disgust Hate ---Kimiko Brantley (Grade 10)

57. Cinquain
A CINQUAIN is a poem with five lines.

58. Cinquain
Directions:
There are a few things to remember NOT to do with a CINQUAIN or any short poem:
(1) don't be tempted to add extra words of syllables to fill out the form
(2) if every line sounds "finished," there is a full stop at its end and it sounds boring
(3) a CINQUAIN should build to a climax and have a surprise at the last line.   

59. Cinquain WORD PATTERN: Line 1 = One Word (Noun)
Subject & title of poem
Line 2 = Two Words (Adjectives)
Line 3 = Three Words (verbs)
Line 4 = Four words that relate feelings
Line 5 = One word that repeats or refers to line 1 (subject)

60. Cinquain SYLLABLE PATTERN: Line 1 = 2 syllables Line 2 = 4 syllables

61. A cinquain is a five line poem.
triangles pointy edges revolving, rotating, angling Triangles are all different. 180o

62. Cinquain Snow is white and very cold pretty as soft lace
A cinquain is a five line poem.
Snow
is white
and very cold
pretty as soft lace
making angels in the drifts

63. A cinquain is a five line poem.
Elephants
are large
gray and wrinkly
have great ivory tusks
endangered

64. one grandson four granddaughters
Cinquain
Cats
fluffy fur
a rough tongue
cute as a button
purring
Cynthia
my mom
has three daughters
one grandson four granddaughters
teacher

65. Cinquain Poetry many thoughts different words written
ink place on paper
sweet, sad,epics and odes
Coffee fresh brewed dark Columbian beans Mocha Latte, French Vanilla Caoachino, Esspresso, Hot or Iced.

66. looks like a crossword puzzle
Cinquain
Scrabble
words formed
played with tiles
many points are scored
looks like a crossword puzzle

67. Emotions & Actions
Sometimes it is hard to put your emotions and feelings on paper.  The following patterns for poems are designed to allow you to get used to putting your emotions into writing.

68. Writing About Weather
Possibly the most famous poem about weather is Carl Sandburg's Fog.
You can write about a force in nature in the style of Sandburg by following his.

69. Poetry Terms Assignment #11
Show Poetry Terms PowerPoint Presentation

70. Writing About Weather Assignment #12
Title:  Form of Nature chosen Line #1:  Title + (how it arrives or begins as the animal would arrive) Line #2:  Tell what it does Line #3:  And how it does it Line #4:  And where it is Line #5:  Tell how it leaves (as the animal would leave)

71. Writing About Weather Assignment #12
THUNDER
Thunder comes in loud Like the majestic roar of a lion. It answers the call Of lightening By striking fear into people. Away, somewhere in the sky, Somewhere in the unknown, An unknown voice, And then leaves without a trace Of its existence Except in peoples' stories. ---Elia Miller (Grade 9)

72. Writing About Weather Assignment #12
76. Fog 
THE fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
-carl sandburg