Introduction to poetry Part 2 “In a poem the words should be as pleasing to the ear as the meaning is to the mind.” -- Marianne Moore

Let’s start with a quick review Brain is divided into 2 parts Each half has its own function Right brain: creative Left brain: logical Poetry can be appreciated by both halves. Left brain can focus on devices. Right brain can play with creative expression.

So far we’ve discussed the following sound devices: Rhyme: the repetition of sounds Rhythm: the beat Meter: the length of a line of poetry Alliteration: the repetition of the initial sound in two or more words in a line Consonance: the repetition of a consonant sound two or more times in a line Assonance: the repetition of a vowel sound two or more times in a line Onomatopoeia: words that spell out sounds Repetition: using the same key word or phrase throughout a poem Refrain: the repetition of one or more phrases or lines at the end of each stanza

The Right Brain: Although the left brain can appreciate the definitions and identification of the next category of devices, they will primarily appeal to

I give you the meaning devices:

A comparison between two usually unrelated things using the word “like” or “as”. Example: Joe is as hungry as a bear. In the morning Rae is like an angry lion.

Let’s see what this looks like in a poem we have never seen before in our lives. Ars Poetica by Archibald MacLeish A poem should be palpable and mute As a globed fruit, Dumb As old medallions to the thumb, Silent as the sleeve-worn stone Of casement ledges where the moss has grown – A poem should be wordless As the flight of birds. simile

An implied comparison between two usually unrelated things. Example: Lenny is a snake. Ginny is a mouse when it comes to standing up for herself. The difference between a simile and a metaphor is while a simile requires either “like” or “as” to be included in the comparison, a metaphor requires that neither be used.

When it comes to using a metaphor device in poetry, a poet can either make the entire poem a metaphor for something, or put little metaphors throughout the poem. The following poem is one big metaphor. Coal hard and cold buried deep in the dark ground compressed by fears and tears Pain with its vice-grips holds the lump in bony fingers until a diamond appears Metamorphosis of a Heart The title tells the reader what is being compared The poet says a heart is a lump of coal that changes into a diamond because of the pain it has gone through in life.

An extremely exaggerated simile. Example: It is as hot as a volcano in here!

An exaggeration for the sake of emphasis. Examples: I may sweat to death. The blood bank needs a river of blood.

The difference between conceit and hyperbole is conceits are similes (they use the words “like” or “as” in them), while hyperboles are not.

A word or image that signifies something other than what is literally represented. Examples: Dark or black images in poems are often used to symbolize death; Light or white images are often used to symbolize life

Let’s see what this looks like in a poem we are familiar with. Coal hard and cold buried deep in the dark ground compressed by fears and tears Pain with its vice-grips holds the lump in bony fingers until a diamond appears Metamorphosis of a Heart We already know this is about a heart Coal and diamonds are symbols for the heart

Giving human characteristics to inanimate objects, ideas, or animals. Example: The sun stretched its lazy fingers over the valley.

Coal hard and cold buried deep in the dark ground compressed by fears and tears Pain with its vice-grips holds the lump in bony fingers until a diamond appears Metamorphosis of a Heart Let’s see what this looks like in a poem we are familiar with. personification

Using words to create a picture in the reader’s mind. Pain with its vice-grips holds the lump in bony fingers until a diamond appears The image of a bony hand holding the coal tightly can be seen in the reader’s mind..

That’s it for the meaning devices: Now how about some practice? Actually, you don’t really have a choice.