Persona Poems A Poetry Lesson

What are Persona poems?? Sounds like…? Sounds like…? In persona poems, the writer becomes the subject and write from the viewpoint, or perspective, of that thing In persona poems, the writer becomes the subject and write from the viewpoint, or perspective, of that thing Read the model poem to see what I mean… Read the model poem to see what I mean…

Scarecrow’s Dream I think it’s June— crows landing in black waves. Farmer arrives with his 22. Stop, I say. And put away that gun, I’ll handle this. Farmer shrugs, strides off. For once, I’m boss, and we’re a circle of friends. We discuss, make deals: a little corn— a little reticence. Come at night— save your life. Peaceable Kingdom I’m thinking when I feel a step on my shoulder, the first peck in my eye.

Can you imagine… Driving by a field and seeing a scarecrow protecting the vegetable garden? Driving by a field and seeing a scarecrow protecting the vegetable garden? Wondering “What if…?” Wondering “What if…?” -What would it be like to BE a scarecrow? -What would it be like to BE a scarecrow? -What if it didn’t like that job? -What if it tried to make friends with crows?

How to Write A Persona Poem Try to understand the essence of the subject. (i.e. observe) Try to understand the essence of the subject. (i.e. observe) Then, imagine what the object would or might say if it could speak. Then, imagine what the object would or might say if it could speak. It might tell a story like the scarecrow poem. It might ask questions, or it might complain, like the cow in Alice Schertle’s poem: It might tell a story like the scarecrow poem. It might ask questions, or it might complain, like the cow in Alice Schertle’s poem:

Cow’s Complaint How unkind to keep me here When, over there, the grass is greener Tender blades—so far, so near— How unkind to keep me here! Through this fence they make me peer At sweeter stems; what could be meaner? How unkind to keep me here When, over there, the grass is greener.

Now…. TRY YOUR OWN!!!