1.  Think FRAGMENTS!  Consider the SHAPE!  Experiment with LINE BREAKS!  Use WHITE SPACE!  End with a BANG! CRAFTING POETRY

2. There are people everywhere, pushing and shoving. We are packed in like sardines. We can hardly breathe. I’M GOING CRAZY!! The Subway

3. People everywhere, pushing, shoving, packed in like sardines, Can hardly breathe – GOING CRAZY!! Think FRAGMENTS!

4. Fizz tickles my tongue, coldness trickles up my spine, like the last drops trickle into my mouth. My taste buds want to savor more of the sweet carbonated liquid. Fizz enters my body Consider The SHAPE!

5. Bubbles hop around like Mexican jumping beans. Sugar causing me to bounce off the walls. I can’t get enough of the fizzy sweet bubbly carbonated liquid. My body craves more I can’t resist the craving.

6. Goldfish have gold and silver scales. They swim and hide away under green weeds. But fat brown snails stick to the bowl and stay. Experiment with LINE BREAKS!! The Fishbowl

7. Goldfish have gold and silver scales. They swim and hide away under green weeds. But fat brown snails stick to the bowl and stay. The Fishbowl

8. He was a tall kid, A magician on the basketball court. He could dribble with both hands. I once saw him make a shot from half court, perfect swish, but he never learned to swim. Use WHITE SPACE!! Where John Curtain Drowned

9. On my brother’s boat we sail past the spot where John Curtain drowned No buoy, no marker, nothing. When we get closer I stop talking I hold my breath And don’t breathe again ‘til we’ve sailed safely past.

10. Soon as the baby gets born, before she’s two hours old, people start dividing her up. “She has Daddy’s big ears”, “Got Grandmas’ double chin”, “She has my olive eyes”, Like she’s just a bunch of borrowed parts stitched together. Well, I just got to hold her. I touched her perfect head and I’ll tell you this: My sister is whole. New Baby End with a BANG!

11.  Think FRAGMENTS!  Consider the SHAPE!  Experiment with LINE BREAKS!  Use WHITE SPACE!  End with a BANG! CRAFTING POETRY

12. SUSTAINING or EXTENDING a METAPHOR 1. CHOOSE YOUR TOPIC and POIGNANT MESSAGE:  Poem topic: 3 Cups of Tea  Message: How Greg has worked to bring EDUCATION to impoverished areas of Pakistan & Afghanistan 2. Choose your comparison: Education = gift

13.  Getting a gift is exciting/thrilling/fun  It may fulfill a need or desire  It may be to honor a special occasion  It’s FREE!  It may be valuable  It can be a surprise/fun/happiness  You feel curious, anxious, wondering… you want to find out what’s inside … you PEEK!  There’s suspense when it’s wrapped and hidden  It makes you feel loved, important  You shake it… open it … tear it open! 3. Brainstorm your COMPARATIVE ITEM:

14. THE GIFT He travels with the knowledge that Learning is his offering. He packages his lessons and delivers them with care. Suspense… Shake it ~ A thrill… What’s inside? 4. Try to weave your ideas throughout your poem to convey the comparison and your poignant message!

15. “Accept it,” he encourages them, so far from home. “Open it,” he invites them, watching faces beam with wonder. “Enjoy it,” he tells them, as they tear open freedom & hope. Appreciate it,“ he whispers, as they peek inside at possibility. “Inshallah,” he prays, hoping this gift will make the difference. Their education, his gift, for a brighter peace-filled generation.