So Much Depends Upon…

16-word poems inspired byWilliam Carlos Williams’“The Red Wheel Barrow”

The Red Wheel BarrowWilliam Carlos Williams

so much dependsupon

a red wheelbarrow

glazed with rainwater

beside the whitechickens.

This poem may make you want to ask, “Why does so much depend on that red wheel barrow, Mr. Williams?”

Brainstorm

What are some reasons a wheel barrow might be so important to someone?

Jack’s Poem

In the book Love That Dog, we read the poem that Jack wrote after reading “The Red Wheel Barrow.”

The Blue CarJack

So much dependsupona blue carsplattered with mudspeeding down the road.

Miss Stretchberry asked Jack why that blue car was so important.

“Why does so much depend upon a blue car?”

By the end of the book, we know.

That blue car killed Sky.

Quickwrite

Make a list of some of the things that are important to you.

What things do you really depend on?

What items stand out in your memory?

Start Thinking!

We will be creating our own 16-word poems.

But before we start, let’s look at a couple of examples from other 7th graders…

Nicole A.So much depends uponLonely dew speckled roseLaying in pale handsOf a sleeping boy.

Sarah D.So much depends uponThe little silver ring,Glistening under the light,Sparkling with diamond’s truth.

Amy R.So much depends uponThe silver moon wolf,Running swiftly through the trees,Never forgetting his destiny.

Now it’s your turn…With your group, discuss word choice

using one of these three poems.

• Adjectives are excellent and thoughtful.• Image-forming verbs are used.• Nouns are precise.• Not afraid to take a risk with new words.• Used a few color and texture words to

describe.