Poetry
What is it? Poetry is one of the oldest forms of art. It is older than novels, short stories, and plays. It could have possibly been around before written language. Poetry combines the real with the imaginary. For years it was written in lines and stanzas that followed a certain pattern, rhyme, and rhythm. Today poetry does not have to rhyme!
Selecting A Topic When selecting a topic, remember that poetry can be written just about anything. It should reveal the poet’s true feelings. Poets usually write about things that they feel strongly about. (ex.family, pets, special friends, special places or events in life, the beauty of nature) When written, poetry should contain strong, active words that show rather than tell. A poem should create an effective image in the reader’s mind. (a word picture)
Some Types of Poetry Haiku: A type of Japanese poetry that is three lines in length and is very structured by syllables. The first line contains five syllables, the second line contains seven syllables, and the third line contains five syllables. Many times these poems are written about nature. Ex. Dancing, swirling leaves Beautiful hues of golden red Autumn’s upon us
Comparison poem: Poems using comparison such as metaphors and similies Comparison poem: Poems using comparison such as metaphors and similies. (p. 378 in literature book) Ex. “My Garden” I am a crawling Monarch caterpillar. My friends are blooming milkweed plants. My life is a colorful butterfly garden.
Cinquain poem: A cinquain is a five line poem that is very structured by syllables. The first line has two syllables, the second line has four syllables, the third line has six syllables, the fourth line has eight syllables, and the fifth line has two syllables. (p. 380) Ex. “My Shadow” by Judy Young Always Attached to me. This black transparency. I can’t escape the shape of my Shadow.
Poetry Acrostic poem: This is sometimes called a name poem even though it is not always written using someone’s name. Each letter of the word or words used starts a line of the poem. (p. 379) Ex. “Drawing” by Judy Young Delighted pictures Released onto paper As Wild Imaginations are Netted with the Grasp of a crayon.
Sense poem: Poems written so that they incorporate and appeal to all of the senses (sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing) (p. 380-381) First you name your emotion and give it a color. Then you tell how it smells. Next you tell how it tastes. After you tell how it sounds. Lastly you tell how it feels. Ex. “Love” by Nicki Wright Love is nothing but pure white. It has the fragrance of a blooming red rose. It tastes as sweet as a homemade pie. It sounds like birds on an early spring morn. Love feels as warm as a hillside plain on a sunny day.
Part of Speech poem: A poem that is very structured by certain parts of speech. (p. 381-382) First line-an article and a noun Second line-2 adjectives joined by a conjunction Third line-2 verbs joined by a conjunction Fourth line-an adverb describing the above verbs Fifth line-a noun relating to the first noun Ex. The cloud puffy and light floats and flies everywhere sky By Jackie Dabnor
Picture poem: A poem written so that the words are arranged on the page to look like the subject of the poem. Picture poems are meant to not only be read but also be seen. They are also called calligrams, concrete, or shaped poems. (see transparency for example)
Couplet: A poem in which every two lines rhyme Couplet: A poem in which every two lines rhyme. There has to be an even number of lines. (p. 382) Ex. Behold the duck. It does not cluck. A cluck it lacks. It quacks. It is specially fond Of a puddle or pond. When it dines or sups, It bottoms ups. By Ogden Nash
Limerick: A limerick is a five line poem that uses rhyme and humor Limerick: A limerick is a five line poem that uses rhyme and humor. It must be written with a definite rhythm and rhyme pattern. Lines 1, 2, and 5 rhyme. Lines 3 and 4 rhyme. Lines 1, 2, and 5 have three strong beats, and lines 3 and 4 have only two strong beats. (p. 383) Ex. “The Ballerina” By Judy Young There once was a hippo named Rose Who thought she had delicate toes But on stage, the old frau Would not take a bow For her tutu was tight, I suppose.
Free Verse: In free verse poetry there are no rules; no specific rhyming pattern, syllable count, metric pattern, line arrangement, or theme. The poet is “free” to write however he or she wants. Ex. “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” By Langston Hughes I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers. I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young. I built my hut near the Congo and it lulled me to sleep. I looked upon the Nile and raised the pyramids above it. I heard the singing of the Mississippi when Abe Lincoln went down to New Orleans, and I’ve seen its muddy bosom turn all golden in the sunset. Ancient, dusky rivers,