“Great poetry is always written by somebody straining to go beyond

what he can do.”

Poetry

What is poetry?

Where do you encounter poetry in your life? Name a few places you could find poetry if you were told to bring in 5 examples of it.

Steps to Reading Poetry Read the poem more than once and aloud at least once.

Pay attention to the punctuation: , ; stop briefly at commas and semicolons . stop longer after periods -- if you see hyphens, expect a shift in thought None if you see no punctuation at the end of a line, don’t

stop

Feel the poem’s mood.

Create a picture in your mind.

What is the poem trying to tell you? Does it make you look at something in a new way?

Figurative LanguageTerm: Symbol

Definition: Something that has meaning in itself, while at the same time representing or standing for something else.

Example:

Figurative LanguageTerm: Personification

Definition: Giving human qualities or characteristics to a non-human thing.

Examples: The wind whispered. The front door greeted me. The moon smiled.

Figurative LanguageTerm: SimileDefinition: A comparison of two

distinctly different things linked by words such as like or as.

Example: The wind whipped through the window like a freight train.

Write down all the similes that you can find in the following poem:

When I wake up in the morningI am like a grouchy grizzly bear

Growling and roaring at all those aroundAfter a lengthy shower

I am like a butterfly landing on a fresh petalI am sweet to everyoneWhen I arrive at school

I am like a tornado turned looseI am all over looking for my friends

In Mrs. Peterson's Algebra classI am like a calculator without batteries

I am unable to functionAt the end of the school day

I am like a loaf of molded breadI have been sitting around too long.

After a good supper and lots of phone callsI am like a collector's Corvette

I am in good shape and I am ready to go.

Finish these lines with similes.

When I am tired, I am as _________________________________

When I am sad, I am like ___________________________________

When I am annoyed, I am as _________________________________

When I am sleepy, I am like _________________________________

Now come up with two of your own:__________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Add this definition to your poetry definitions.

Term: Metaphor

Definition: A direct comparison of one thing with something completely different using is, are, or were.

Example: My love is a red, red rose.Example: My uncle is a circus

elephant.

The _____________-- William Jay Smith

Silver-scaled Dragon with jawsflaming redSits at my elbow and toasts my

breadI hand him fat slices, and then,

one by one,He hands them back when he

seesthey are done.

Answer the following questions.

1. In reality, what is the dragon?

2. How do you know?3. Is a dragon a good

metaphor for this item? Why or why not?

4.Give an example of the use of personification in this poem.

Determine whether each of the following is a metaphor or a simile.

1. No one invites Harold to parties because he’s a wet blanket.

2. As the teacher entered the room she muttered under her breath, “This class is a three-ring circus!”

3. The giant’s steps were thunder as he ran toward Jack.

4. The pillow was a cloud when I put my head upon it after a long day.

5. I feel like a limp dishrag.

6. Those girls are like two peas in a pod.

7. The fluorescent light was the sun during our test.

8. The baby was like an octopus, grabbing at all the cans on the grocery store shelves.

9. The bar of soap was a slippery eel during the dog’s bath.

10. Ted was as nervous as a cat with a long tail in a room full of rocking chairs.

Add this definition…Term: Alliteration

Definition: The same sounds at the beginning of words

Example: Peter picked a peck of pickled pepper.

Can you read these alliterations? Angela Abigail Applewhite ate anchovies and artichokes. Bertha Bartholomew blew big, blue bubbles. Clever Clifford Cutter clumsily closed the closet clasps. Dwayne Dwiddle drew a drawing of dreaded Dracula. Elmer Elwood eluded eleven elderly elephants. Floyd Flingle flipped flat flapjacks. Greta Gruber grabbed a group of green grapes. Hattie Henderson hated happy healthy hippos. Ida Ivy identified the ivory iris. Julie Jackson juggled the juicy, jiggly jello. Karl Kessler kept the ketchup in the kitchen. Lila Ledbetter lugged a lot of little lemons. Milton Mallard mailed a mangled mango.

Norris Newton never needed new noodles. Olivia Ostrich opened olives on the ocean in October. Patsy planter plucked plump, purple, plastic plums. Quinella Quist quite quickly quelled the quarreling quartet. Randy Rathbone wrapped a rather rare red rabbit. Shelly Sherman shivered in a sheer, short, shirt. Trina Tweety tripped two twittering twins under a twiggy

tree. Uri Udall usually used his unique, unusual unicycle. Vicky Vince viewed a very valuable vase. Walter Whipple warily warned the weary warrior. Xerxes Xenon expected to xerox extra x-rays. Yolana Yvonne Yarger yodeled up yonder yesterday. Zigmund Zane zig-zagged through the zany zoo zone.

Work on your own or with a partner and write at least four alliterations.

Add this to your definitions…

Term: Onomatopoeia

Definition: A word that sounds the same as the noise it represents.

AnkylosaurusJack Prelutsky

Clankity Clankity ClankityClank! Ankylosaurus was built like atank,Its hide was a fortress as sturdyas steel,It tended to be an inediblemeal.It was armored in front, it wasarmored behind,There wasn’t a thingon its miniscule mind,It waddledabout on its four stubby legs,Nibblingon plants with a mouthful ofpegs. Ankylosaurus was best leftalone,Its tail was a cudgel of gristleand bone, Clankity Clankity ClankityClank! Ankylosaurus was built like atank.

Write a line that gives an example of onomatopoeia. Write a simile from the poem. Write a metaphor from the poem.

Add this to your definitions…Term: Free Verse

Definition: A poem that doesn’t have a regular rhythm, line length, or rhyme scheme. It relies on the natural rhythms of speech.

The trick is to sound like familiar speech without all the um’s and ah’s.

Free Verse ExampleTopic: Jeff hits a home run.

Sample:Jeff stood,firmly plantedinside the batter’s box.With a kick of his shoes,the dust flew into the airand sweat began dripping off his browas the umpire shouted,“Batter up!”The ball came whizzing straight at him;one could almost hear the buzz in the air.

Jeff reached his arm backbehind his shoulder,mustering all his strength.There was a loud “Whack”as the ball met the wooden bat.Jeff wasted no time heading for his triparound the bases.Jeff heard the crowd cheeringas he felt the familiarityof home base beneath his feet.

Add this to your definitions…Term: Imagery

Definition: A sensory experience put into words; this connects with one of the five senses.

Oranges-- Gary Soto

The first time I walkedwith a girl, I was twelve,cold, and weighted down

with two oranges in my jacket.December. Frost cracking

beneath my steps, my breathbefore me, then gone,

as I walked towardher house, the one whoseporch light burned yellow

night and day, in any weather.A dog barked at me, until

she came out pullingat her gloves, face bright

with rouge. I smiled,touched her shoulder, and led

her down the street, acrossa used car lot and a lineof newly planted trees,until we were breathingbefore a drugstore. Weentered, the tiny bellbringing a saleslady

down a narrow aisle of goods.I turned to the candiestiered like bleachers,

and asked what she wanted -light in her eyes, a smilestarting at the corners

of her mouth. I fingereda nickle in my pocket,

and when she lifted a chocolatethat cost a dime,

I didn’t say anything.I took the nickle from

my pocket, then an orange,and set them quietly on

the counter. When I looked up,the lady’s eyes met mine,and held them, knowingvery well what it was all

about. Outside,

a few cars hissing past,fog hanging like old

coats between the trees.I took my girl’s hand

in mine for two blocks,then released it to let

her unwrap the chocolate.I peeled my orange

that was so bright againstthe gray of December

that, from some distance,someone might have thought

I was making a fire in my hands.

Read the poem again. Underline or highlight lines where the author uses imagery.

Hyperbole– Extreme exaggeration– The class sounded like a herd of

elephants.

Add this to your definitions…Term: Rhythm

Definition: The music in poetry.

Add these to your definitions… Term: Rhyme Definition: Repeating of two or more

words that sound alike. They can be within a line or at the end of a line.

Term: Rhyme Scheme

Definition: The pattern of rhyme in a poem.

Adventures of Isabel by Odgen Nash

Isabel met an enormous bear, Isabel, Isabel, didn't care;

The bear was hungry, the bear was ravenous,

The bear's big mouth was cruel and cavernous.

The bear said, Isabel, glad to meet you,

How do, Isabel, now I'll eat you! Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry.

Isabel didn't scream or scurry. She washed her hands and she

straightened her hair up, Then Isabel quietly ate the bear

up.

Once in a night as black as pitch Isabel met a wicked old witch.

the witch's face was cross and wrinkled, The witch's gums with teeth were sprinkled.

Ho, ho, Isabel! the old witch crowed, I'll turn you into an ugly toad!

Isabel, Isabel, didn't worry, Isabel didn't scream or scurry,

She showed no rage and she showed no rancor, But she turned the witch into milk and drank her.

Isabel met a hideous giant, Isabel continued self reliant.

The giant was hairy, the giant was horrid, He had one eye in the middle of his forehead.

Isabel met a troublesome doctor, He punched and he poked till he really shocked her.

The doctor’s talk was of coughs and chills And the doctor’s satchel bulged with pills.

The doctor said unto Isabel, Swallow this, it will

Good morning, Isabel, the giant said, I’ll grind your bones to make my bread.

Isabel, Isabel, didn’t worry, Isabel didn’t scream or scurry.

She nibbled the zwieback that she always fed off, And when it was gone, she cut the giant’s head off.

After you read this poem, answer the following questions in your Notes:What does the author mean by “If you brought some walking bacon”?Write down a line that demonstrates alliteration.How do the author’s thoughts change by the end of the poem?

No Thank You

-Shel SilversteinNo I do not want a kitten

,No cute, cuddly kitty-poo,No more long hair in my cornflakes,No more midnight meowing mews.

No more scratchin’, snarlin’, spitters,No more sofas clawed to shreds,

No more smell of kitty litter,No more mousies in my bed.No I will not take that kitten –

I’ve had lice and I’ve had fleas,I’ve been scratched and sprayed and bitten,

I’ve developed allergies.If you’ve got an ape, I’ll take him,

If you have a lion, that’s fine,If you brought some walking bacon,Leave him here, I’ll treat him kind.I have room for mice and gerbils,I have beds for boars and bats,

But please, please take away that kitten –Quick –‘fore it becomes a cat.

Well . . . it is kind of cute at that.

Cynthia in the SnowGwendolyn Brooks

It SHUSHESIt hushes

The loudness in the road.It flitter-twitters,

And laughs away from me.It laughs a lovely whiteness,

And whitely whirs away,To be

Some otherwhere,Still white as milk or shirts,

So beautiful it hurts.

Answer the following questions about “Cynthia in the Snow.”

1. What does the author do to make you think of snow?

2. Give an example of onomatopoeia in this poem.

3. Give an example of personification.4. Give an example of a simile.

5. Give an example of a metaphor

Steam ShovelCharles Malam

The dinosaurs are not all dead.I saw one raise its iron head

To watch me walking down the roadBeyond our house today.

Its jaws were dripping with a loadOf earth and grass that it had chopped.It must have heard me where I stopped,

Snorted white steam my way,And stretched its long neck out to see,

And chewed, and grinned quite amiably.

1. What do you think amiably means?

2. Why might a steam shovel remind the author of a dinosaur.

3. How do you think the author feels about dinosaurs? What makes you think that?

POETIC FORMSBio-Poem________

_____ _____ _____ __________________________________

Lover of…____________________________________________________________

Who feels…____________________________________________________________

Who fears…____________________________________________________________

Who would like to see…____________________________________________________________

Resident of…__________________________

________

Bio Poem InstructionsLine 1: Your first name onlyLine 2: 4 adjectives/traits that describe youLine 3: Sibling of or son/daughter ofLine 4: Lover of (3 things, people, or ideas)Line 5: Who feels (3 items)Line 6: Who needs (3 items)Line 7: Who fears (3 items)Line 8: Who would like to see (3 items)Line 9: Resident of your street/road & cityLine 10: Your last name only

ExampleKeri

Who is energetic, creative, sensitive, and organized.Wife of Angus

Lover of hiking, warm weather, and farmer’s markets.Who feels shy, worried, and loved.

Who needs sushi, outdoors, and her grandfather.Who fears death, sickness, and clowns.

Who would like to see her family, a basketball game, and spring.

Resident of Ouray Street, Boulder, Colorado.Shee

Acrostic Poems Word is written vertically

(downwards). The listed letters become the first

letters in a string of words. Acrostic poems can be one-word-per-

line or many words per line. FOCUS ON CREATIVE WORD CHOICE

Limerick 5 line humorous poem Name comes from Limerick, Ireland First two lines rhyme with the fifth

line Third and fourth lines rhyme Can cover a wide range of subjects Follows this pattern:

– Line 1 States the situation– Line 2 Tells what happened– Line 3, 4 Tells what went wrong– Line 5 So what! (or, what happened

then)

Example 1

There was a young lady of Wilts,Who walked up to Scotland on stilts;

When they said it was shockingTo show so much stocking,

She answered, “Then what about kilts?”

Example 2

A gentleman dining at CreweFound quite a large mouse in his stew.

Said the waiter, “Don’t shout,And wave it about,

Or the rest will be wanting one too!”

Example 3

Hippo Ballet 

A hippo decided one dayThat she would take up ballet,

So she stood on her toesAnd said, “Okay, here goes!”

And fell back with a splash in the bay.

Example 4

The Wall Pig 

There was a shy pig by a wallWho was frightened when guests came to call.

At the sound of their chatterHis shape became flatter,

Until he was not there at all

Example 5

A lady who was smelling a roseFound a parakeet perched on her nose.

The rose made her sneezeWhich buckled her knees

Now the parakeet sits on her toes.

Definition Poems Choose one subject to define in many

ways. Use personification!

Color Poems Choose a color and follow the

planning guide to write your own color poem.

Use simile and metaphor in this poem!

Color PoemsYELLOW Yellow never wants help,But steps right out on its own,Throwing bright light everywhere. Yellow dashes through flower gardens,Splashes on fried eggs,Drips on traffic lights,And wraps itself around bananas. Yellow reaches out from the sun,And never gives up.

Yellow is BOLD.

GREEN Green is the quiet of a secret garden,The smell of mint,A cricket’s chirp,Pickles,And a leprechaun. Green is the mountainsand algae-filled ponds,Happiness and mold.It’s the feeling youget when you have the flu.

Green is sour.It’s broccoli and lizards,celery and loneliness. Cold is green,And frostbite.Green is limeAnd crunchy salads.

Haiku5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables

Haiku(HI-coo)

The Rose – Donna BrockThe red blossom bends

and drips its dew to the ground.Like a tear, it falls.

A Rainbow – Donna BrockCurving up, then down.

Meeting blue sky and green earthMelding sun and rain. 

Some of Mrs. Shee’s Haikus

Dusty baby grandIvory and ebony

Willow sways with song

Twilight conquers dayBowl of lemons behind clouds

Pink haze rises up

Some more where that came from!

Missing kitty cats.Four signs on the bulletin board.

Mad tiger runs loose.

Butterfly flittersDewdrops cling at daybreak

Flowers are sucked dry.

Fill in the seven syllable line.

5 syllables Green elms in the woods7 syllables _______________________________5 syllables Standing tall and proud

 Fill in the two five syllable lines. 5 syllables ___________________________7 syllables The petals bend to the earth5 syllables ___________________________ 

CinquainSpaghetti

Messy, spicySlurping, sliding, falling

Between my plate and mouthDelicious

(by Cindy Barden)

Line1: A noun

Line2: Two adjectives

Line 3: Three -ing words

Line 4: A phrase

Line 5: Another word for the noun

Diamante PoemA diamante is a seven line poem, shaped like a diamond.

Dadsupportive, messy

encouraging, working, golfingpipe, remote control, purse, lipstick

shopping, cooking, nurturingbeautiful, organized

mom

Line 1: one word (subject/noun that is contrasting to line 7)Line 2: two words (adjectives) that describe line 1 Line 3: three words (ending in –ing or –ed) that relate to line 1 Line 4: four words (nouns) first 2 words relate to line 1;

last 2 words relate to line 7 Line 5: three words (ending in –ing or –ed) that relate to line 7 Line 6: two words (adjectives) that describe line 7 Line 7: one word ( subject/noun) that is opposite to line 1

More examples of Diamante Poems:Win

accomplished, cheerfulpleasing, delighting, overcoming

score, cheers, tantrum, yellsforfeiting, falling

defeated, unluckylose

Pennycold, round

buying, saving, spendingcent, copper, cash, paper

keeping, collecting, earningcrinkly, green

dollar

Please use alliteration with your diamante.

Concrete Poem A concrete poem

takes on the shape of what it describes.

Use onomatopoeia

Free Verse Now it’s time to explore your creative

side with a free verse poem.

Choose a moment or series of moments that has some significance to you. Use IMAGERY to make the moment(s) come alive.