1. What makes something a poem?
Poetry
What makes something a poem?

2. Definition:
Poetry- a type of literature in which words are carefully chosen and arranged to create certain effects.

3. What does it mean? By Carson N.
What does it mean to be a Jew?
Is it a pain, sadness, or do they feel like you?
Carefree as you ease through your day
They grew up in camps, they knew no other way.
Do you know the feeling of pain?
Your body aching and screaming in vain?
Could you survive or would you become a number?
Piled in a room to be burned.
Human lumber.
But if you survived, how would you feel?
Your mother, your father, gone, completely real.
The hardship is real; it’s not a joke.
But to live in the past suffocates like smoke.
The ultimate survival, you, it is key.
Looking back sober on this tragedy.
A lesson to be learned; it could’ve been you.
Rhyming?
What is the most effective line? What phrase will you remember after we put the poem away?
Is there anything that doesn’t work?
Find an example of imagery.

4. The Cage by Jason D.
My cage is my weight, although I don’t weigh that much. Trying to cut weight, by sweating and running so much.
Not being able to eat, always having to run. Having to stay home and cut, while others are out having fun.
With a fridge full of food, and a stomach full of hunger, can’t take a single bite, for fear I won’t be under.
Why I cut weight, you’ll never understand. Until you’re out on the wrestling mat, and the ref raises your hand.
For when I win a match, victory is mine alone. I don’t use pads, bats, or shin guards, just my heart, flesh, and bone.
Compare this poem to the next; same theme, different style.

5. You by a PHS student Girl I miss you I guess I just had to say it
But I’ll never tell you to your face because I got all this pride and I hate it
Trying to bury all my feelings but they get excavated
Swear I’ll never be the same person all just because we dated
I just want to be with this new girl but I feel nothing I’m sedated
Just using her to get over you tell me when did I get so jaded
I wish I hadn’t broke it off but I guess saying that’s belated
Girl I want to try again but I know we wouldn’t make it

6. Make Up by Alyssa H.
Wake up, take a shower, get dressed, and then apply the makeup
Why even bother to put it on?
Is it because you want to feel pretty?
You like putting it on?
No, none of those.
You’re insecure.
Scared about what other people will think of you.
Being a girl in this society means wearing makeup or else you aren’t “pretty”.
Every wish you just didn't’ have to try one day?
Well me too. Maybe one day
Maybe.
Rhyme? If you are going to rhyme, usually do it throughout the poem.
Which line is effective?
Is there emotion behind it?
Is there meaning to it?

7. How does poetry differ from other types of writing?
(From the definition in your textbook):
Poets use a variety of sound devices, imagery, and figurative language to express emotions and ideas.

8. Sea of Sky by Chris M. The sky Is like a sea.
The white clouds are like fish.
The dark clouds are BP’s oil.
The planes are bacteria.
Searching a vast world
And the sun is the
Promise of brighter days.
Which is the best line?
Can you find a literary device? Simile, metaphors

9. Untitled by a PHS student
A white threaded dress
Sparkles all around
Bridesmaids in pink
Flowers beautifully laid
I can feel my heart skip
As I open the church doors

10. Lost by Jordan S. No one knows I’m here. Skies high and blue,
Trees tall and lush,
Losing my mind,
Finding my way,
Stressed and confused.
Does this poem convey an emotion, experience, or idea?

11. Characteristics of Poetry
Does it have to rhyme? No.
Rhyme- occurrence of similar or identical sounds at
the end of two or more words (suite, heat, complete)
2. Does it have to have rhythm? No.
Rhythm- a pattern of stressed and unstressed
syllables in a line of poetry
3. Must it contain imagery? No.
Imagery- descriptive words and phrases that
re-create sensory experiences for the reader

12. Characteristics of Poetry
Is poetry meant to convey an emotion,
experience or idea? In other words, is there
an underlying meaning to it? Yes.
5. Can the subject be anything? Yes.
6. Do the words that you choose matter? Yes.
This is one of the most important ideas about
poetry. You need a strong vocabulary to write
good poems.

13. So, good poetry… has meaning behind it.
conveys an emotion, experience, or idea.
involves specifically chosen words.

14. Live, Laugh, Love? by Emma D.
Whoosh!
Gust of wind
Stirring up the leaves.
Watching them go up, up, up
Then down, down, down
Again, so we…
Wish!
For a shooting star.
If only our dreams
Came true.
We wait, patiently.
And have hope,
But then they
Wash!
Your brain out of memory.
All is lost, never to be found
Ever
Again.
Does it have meaning behind it?
Does it convey and emotion, experience, or idea?
Does it involve specifically chosen words?
Can you find any literary devices? Repetition, onomatopoeia

15. Do these things to be successful in poetry writing:
Be honest when you write poetry. Even if your poetry is funny, don’t make a joke of the process.
In this class, keep your reader in mind. He/she must “get” what you are trying to say.
Use your strongest vocabulary. If you don’t know the perfect word, use resources to find it.
Reread and edit your poems.
Share out loud.

16. Choice Poem 1 by Kelcie S.
I’ll never forget the alligator under the cupboard.
I don’t want to remember the needles.
I’ll never forget the way you held my hand.
I don’t want to remember what happened when you went into the bathroom.
I’ll never forget walking to your house whenever I felt like visiting you.
I don’t want to remember you moving away,
You getting sick,
Your entire body failing.
I’ll never forget the last time we talked,
Your love,
Or your smile.

17. Just Because Poem by Scott B.
Just because I am a twin
Doesn’t mean I’m just like him.
Unlike what most people think,
Me an him don’t think the same.
I like Halo
He likes COD.
We eat different food
We wear different clothes
We both think different girls are cute.
I say “her”, he says, “Na.”
He says, “That one there”
I say, “No way.”

18. Two-Item Poem by a PHS student
I found a hat
purple with white spots
upon my desk.
I know I should give it back to its owner,
but I like it too much.
Hat and desk

19. Soccer by H. Shelton It’s the sport that puts your mind to work,
Heart to beating,
And feet to moving so fast.
The mental stress is constant
Not knowing the outcome with a game so close.
You’re covered in mud
Sweat pouring down your face
And all you can think about is the ball in the back of the net.

20. Toxic by Travis Harden
Britney wants to be a chef she is tired of singin’
She cookin’ in the kitchen and she is looking pretty blingin’
Stirring up the veggies and grillin’ up the meat
Takin’ out the eggs cause they’re ‘bout to get beat
The oven is on and the meal is gettin’ hot
Britney’s lookin good but the breakfast is not
Everything is burnt and the kitchen is smokin
One hot mess and the dishes are broken
her kids are hungry and her cookin’s a crime
She better stick to singin’...Hit me baby one more time
Two word poem- Britney Spears and chef

21. In My Youth by Cameron Mosbacher
Just because I am young
Doesn’t mean I am a fool.
These are the glory days,
I will not let them pass.
i don’t have to be rampant,
But I won’t be chained.
I want to play
The day is long
I can rest
When my time has come.
I will run
I will jump
I will yell in my defiant youth
Panting smiles
Warm summer breeze
Invaluable time of joy
And those who work
May look down and say
“Hmph, what a fool.”
But this is my day.

22. Nerd by a PHS student I love my games It’s the best thing ever
I can stay up all night playing them
They will never leave me
They can’t leave me…
The power’s out.
Let’s go outside.

23. The Desert by Chris C. Wind swept dunes Lava red color
Cotton soft sand
Razor blade cactus
Water scant
People rare
Perilous beauty
The desert

24. Blind by Adrianna F. I just need you to listen
listen, understand, help
you’re away,
in a different place,
away from me
yet staring in my eyes
unaware of the truth