Whats your take on poetry

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Poetry Opinionaire
Whats your take on poetry? 1. What kinds of
experiences have you had with poetry? 2. What
do you know about it? What does the word mean to
you? 3. Do you like poetry? Why or Why
Not? 4. Would you consider poetry a form of art?
Why or Why Not? 5. Why do you think people read
and write poetry? 6. What do you think you can
learn from reading and writing it? 7. Explain
where you might find poetry in another form
besides in textbooks and anthologies. 8. Do
you think your definition of poetry and your
feelings toward it can grow and change? Why or
Why Not?
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Poetry Terminology
What do these words mean? Poetry Poetry is one
of the 3 major types of literature, the others
being prose and drama. Idiom An idiom is an
expression that has a meaning particular to a
language or region. Speaker The speaker is the
imaginary voice a poet uses when writing a poem.
The speaker is the character who tells the poem.
Simile A simile is a figure of speech that
uses like or as to compare two unlike ideas
Good as gold, Spread like wildfire, etc.
Metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech in
which something is described as though it were
something else. Hyperbole A hyperbole is a
figure of speech where exaggeration is used for
effect or to stress a point. Personification
Personification is a type of figurative language
in which a nonhuman subject is given human
characteristics. Symbol A symbol is anything
that stands for or represents something else.
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Poetry Terminology
What do these words mean (continued)? Rhyme
Scheme A rhyme scheme is a regular pattern of
rhyming words in a poem AABBA, ABACDC, etc.
Onomatopoeia Onomatopoeia is the use of words
that imitate sounds buzz, screech, hiss, etc.
Alliteration Alliteration is the repetition of
initial consonant sounds Feramiscos funny
family photos. Stanza A stanza is a formal
division of lines in a poem and is considered as
a unit. Rhythm Rhythm is the pattern of
stressed and unstressed syllables in spoken or
written language. Figurative Language
Figurative language is writing or speech that is
not meant to be taken literally. Sensory
Language Sensory language is writing or speech
that appeals to one or more of the 5 senses.
Couplet A couplet is two consecutive lines of
verse that rhyme.
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Found Poetry
What is a Found Poem? Purpose A Found Poem is
created from a piece of reading that can help you
identify significant ideas and messages in a work
of prose or verse. It can also be fun just to
pull a poem of your own design out of a section
of prose that has nothing to do with the original
meaning of the piece. Making a Found Poem Use
a paragraph from The Giver and create a Found
Poem of your own. You have two paragraphs to
choose from Chapter 13 paragraph One or Chapter
21 paragraph Three. Make your poem out of only
one paragraph. Draft your poem first and then
transfer it to white computer paper and decorate
it as you see fit. Adding visuals to a poem can
greatly enhance its meaning.
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Found Poetry
Found Poem Dos and Donts! What you can do -
Play with shape - Add or delete punctuation -
Change the text formatting (bold, italics,
etc.) - Leave words out - Squish words
together - Add line breaks What you cannot
do - Change the order or sequence of the
words - Paraphrase - Add your own words
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Found Poetry
Example The Giver Page 1, Paragraph 1 It was
almost December, and Jonas was beginning to be
frightened. No. Wrong word, Jonas thought.
Frightened meant that deep, sickening feeling of
something terrible about to happen. Frightened
was the way he had felt a year ago when an
unidentified aircraft had overflown the community
twice. He had seen it both times. Squinting
toward the sky, he had seen the sleek jet, almost
a blur at its high speed, go past, and a second
later heard the blast of sound that followed.
Then one more time, a moment later, from the
opposite direction, the same plane.
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Found Poetry
Example The Giver Page 1, Paragraph 1 It was
almost December, and Jonas was beginning to be
frightened. No. Wrong word, Jonas thought.
Frightened meant that deep, sickening feeling of
something terrible about to happen. Frightened
was the way he had felt a year ago when an
unidentified aircraft had overflown the community
twice. He had seen it both times. Squinting
toward the sky, he had seen the sleek jet, almost
a blur at its high speed, go past, and a second
later heard the blast of sound that followed.
Then one more time, a moment later, from the
opposite direction, the same plane.
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Found Poetry
The Giver Page 1, Paragraph 1 Feramiscos Found
Poem It almost was to be. No word meant that
deep feeling. Something was felt when, Squinting,
he had seen a Blur and a blast. Then more time,
later. The direction the same.
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ABC Poetry
What is an ABC Poem? ABC Poetry is just as it
sounds. You will create a poem using the 26
letters of the alphabet in alphabetical order.
The line arrangement is up to you as is the
number of stanzas or possible rhyme scheme. Your
Assignment You will write 2 ABC poems 1 using
only one word per letter and one using a phrase
that begins with each letter.
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ABC Poetry
Rancid and Seething Terrors where he
would Underestimate the Various Ways
his X-girlfriend would Yell and scream and Zero
him out
Although Brian felt he was Crazy because he
had Disturbing and Excruciating Fits where he
would Gnaw His fingers to the bone,
Ingrid and Jolene Knew that Later, More and
more Needless Opportunities would Provide Brian
with Quite a lot more
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R O B E R T F R O S T
The Road Not Taken Two roads diverged in a
yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel
both And be one traveler. Long I stood And
looked down one as far as I could To where it
bent in the undergrowth Then took the other, as
just as fair, And having perhaps the better
claim, Because it was grassy and wanted
wear Though as for that the passing there Had
worn them really about the same. And both that
morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden
black. Oh, I kept the first for another day. Yet
knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I
should ever come back. I shall be telling this
with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence Two
roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I -- I took
the one less traveled by, And that has made all
the difference. -- Robert Frost

• What are the two
• roads symbolic of?
• What do the
• woods symbolize?

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R O B E R T F R O S T
The Road Not Taken Two roads diverged in a
yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel
both And be one traveler. Long I stood And
looked down one as far as I could To where it
bent in the undergrowth Then took the other, as
just as fair, And having perhaps the better
claim, Because it was grassy and wanted
wear Though as for that the passing there Had
worn them really about the same. And both that
morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden
black. Oh, I kept the first for another day. Yet
knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I
should ever come back. I shall be telling this
with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence Two
roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I -- I took
the one less traveled by, And that has made all
the difference. -- Robert Frost

• What are the two
• roads symbolic of?
• What do the
• woods symbolize?

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Frost Mimicry
You will write a poem of your own design based on
the rhyme scheme that Robert Frost used in The
Road Not Taken. His poem has 4 stanzas and your
poem will have 4 stanzas. His poem has 5 lines
per stanza and your poem will have the same. His
poem followed a very specific rhyme scheme and
your poem will follow the same one.
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Gary Soto
Oranges The first time I walked With a girl, I
was twelve, Cold, and weighted down With two
oranges in my jacket. December. Frost
cracking Beneath my steps, my breath Before me,
then gone, As I walked toward Her house, the one
whose Porch light burned yellow Night and day, in
any weather. A dog barked at me, until She came
out pulling At her gloves, face bright With
rouge. I smiled, Touched her shoulder, and
led Her down the street, across A used car lot
and a line Of newly planted trees, Until we were
breathing
Outside, A few cars hissing past Fog
hanging like old Coats between the trees. I took
my girls hand In mine for two blocks, Then
released it to let Her unwrap the chocolate. I
peeled my orange That was so bright against The
gray of December That, from some
distance, Someone might have thought I was making
a fire in my hands.
Before a drugstore. We Entered, the tiny
bell Bringing a saleslady Down a narrow aisle of
goods. I turned to the candies Tiered like
bleachers, And asked what she wanted- Light in
her eyes, a smile Starting at the corners Of her
mouth. I fingered A nickel in my pocket, And
when she lifted a chocolate That cost a dime, I
didnt say anything. I took the nickel from My
pocket, then an orange, And set them quietly
on The counter. When I looked up, The ladys
eyes met mine, And held them, knowing Very well
what it was all About.
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Charles Bukowski
peace near the corner table in the café a
middle-aged couple sit. they have finished
their meal and they are each drinking a beer. it
is 9 in the evening. she is smoking
a cigarette. then he says something. she
nods. then she speaks. he grins, moves
his hand. then they are quiet.
her right elbow is on the table and in her
hand she holds the cigarette between her thumb
and forefinger and as she watches him the streets
outside flower in the night.
through the blinds next to their table flashing
red neon blinks on and off. there is no
war. there is no hell. then he raises his
beer bottle. it is green. he lifts it to his
lips, tilts it. it is a coronet.
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The Feramisco
Ending They turn their faces towards each
other. Eyebrows furl, lips pinch, faces turn
red. They sit on a wood bench under an evergreen
next to a steel jungle gym. This is their usual
meeting place. His attitude and appearance
once a desire of hers, are now putrid.
Her plainness and nonchalant lifestyle made
him cringe. He wanted no more to do with
her. Each hold a letter. Hers says Love, His
says Love, The evidence of each person getting
their own. They exchange each other's rings. A
tear falls and soaks into a carved heart. The
letters in the middle no longer have meaning.
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Limerick Poetry
What is a Limerick Poem? A limerick is a
rhyming, humorous, and often nonsensical
five-line poem. The first, second, and fifth
lines rhyme, and have the same number of
syllables. The third and fourth lines rhyme
(forming a couplet), and also have the same
number of syllables. Limericks often (but not
always) begin with the words There once was a. .
. or There was a. . . Limerick poems are written
in the following rhyme scheme A A B B
A Generally the A lines are 9 syllables long
and the B lines are 6 syllables long, but
again, that doesnt always have to be the
case. Your assignment Write 6 limericks of
your own following the correct rhyming and
syllable pattern.
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Limerick Poetry
Examples
The Boy from Lake Trout There once was a boy
from Lake Trout Who thought he could eat a Girl
Scout He took a big bite, Chewed with much
might But ended up spitting her out The
Preppy from Nineveh If Jonah had gone on to
Yale, Instead of the gut of a whale, He'd
have a diploma, A better aroma, And a nice
little condo in Vail!
Dogs There was a Dalmatian named Spot,
Dalmatians get named that a lot, Though would
answer instead, To Rover or Fred, But mostly
she liked the name Dot. Friendship Ended A
robin my cat once befriended Until one day the
friendship ended I came home to find My cat
changed her mind From her mouth a feather
extended
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Limerick Poetry
Examples
The Boy from Lake Trout There once was a boy
from Lake Trout Who thought he could eat a Girl
Scout He took a big bite, Chewed with much
might But ended up spitting her out The
Preppy from Nineveh If Jonah had gone on to
Yale, Instead of the gut of a whale, He'd
have a diploma, A better aroma, And a nice
little condo in Vail!
Dogs There was a Dalmatian named Spot,
Dalmatians get named that a lot, Though would
answer instead, To Rover or Fred, But mostly
she liked the name Dot. Friendship Ended A
robin my cat once befriended Until one day the
friendship ended I came home to find My cat
changed her mind From her mouth a feather
extended
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Limerick Poetry
Examples
The Boy from Lake Trout a There once was a boy
from Lake Trouta Who thought he could eat a
Girl Scoutb He took a big bite,b Chewed with
much mighta But ended up spitting her out
The Preppy from Nineveh a If Jonah had gone
on to Yale,a Instead of the gut of a whale,b
He'd have a diploma,b A better aroma,a And a
nice little condo in Vail!
Dogs a There was a Dalmatian named Spot,a
Dalmatians get named that a lot,b Though would
answer instead,b To Rover or Fred,a But
mostly she liked the name Dot. Friendship
Ended a A robin my cat once befriendeda Until
one day the friendship endedb I came home to
findb My cat changed her minda From her mouth
a feather extended
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Limerick Poetry
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Cinquain Poetry
What is a Cinquain Poem? The cinquain poem is a
highly structured form of poetry. It requires a
fluent and flexible writer. The format commands
attention to word choice, word meaning,
syllabication (the number of syllables used), and
parts of speech, while at the same time
expressing a meaningful message. There are three
different structures for cinquain poetry. The
formats are explained on the next slide and are
accompanied with examples. Your task Write 3
cinquains following each of the formats provided
for you.
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Cinquain Poetry
Pattern 1 Line 1 One Word for Title, Two
Syllables Line 2 2 Words, Four Syllables Line
3 3 Words, Six Syllables Line 4 4 Words, Eight
Syllables Line 5 Another word for Title, Two
Syllables Pattern 2 Line 1 One word Line 2
Two words Line 3 Three words Line 4 Four
words Line 5 One word Pattern 3 Line 1 One
Noun Line 2 Two adjectives Line 3 Three words
ending in ing Line 4 Four word phrase Line 5
Another word for the noun
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Cinquain Poetry
Pattern 1 Line 1 One Word for Title, Two
Syllables Line 2 2 Words, Four Syllables Line
3 3 Words, Six Syllables Line 4 4 Words, Eight
Syllables Line 5 Another word for Title, Two
Syllables Pattern 2 Line 1 One word Line 2
Two words Line 3 Three words Line 4 Four
words Line 5 One word Pattern 3 Line 1 One
Noun Line 2 Two adjectives Line 3 Three words
ending in ing Line 4 Four word phrase Line 5
Another word for the noun
Ani Murdered younglings Alone. Single.
Hating Jedis Obi, Yoda, Windu. Vader Dinosaurs
Lived once, Long ago, but Only dust and
dreams Remain Spaghetti Messy spicy Slurping,
sliding, falling Between plate and mouth Delicious
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Cinquain Poetry
Pattern 1 Line 1 One Word for Title, Two
Syllables Line 2 2 Words, Four Syllables Line
3 3 Words, Six Syllables Line 4 4 Words, Eight
Syllables Line 5 Another word for Title, Two
Syllables Pattern 2 Line 1 One word Line 2
Two words Line 3 Three words Line 4 Four
words Line 5 One word Pattern 3 Line 1 One
Noun Line 2 Two adjectives Line 3 Three words
ending in ing Line 4 Four word phrase Line 5
Another word for the noun
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Diamante Poetry
What is a Diamante Poem? The French word
diamante means diamond.  A DIAMANTE is a
seven-line poem that can be about two opposite
ideas/things or can be a comparison between two
similar ideas/things. When it is completed, its
total appearance is diamond shaped.    The two
patterns are shown on the next slide as are 2
examples. Your Assignment Create 3 Diamante
poems using each of the following patterns.
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Diamante Poetry
Pattern 1 Line 1 Noun Line 2 Adjective,
Adjective (line 1) Line 3 Verb, Verb, Verb
(line 1) Line 4 2 nouns about line 1         
2 nouns about line 7 Line 5 Verb, Verb, Verb
(line 7) Line 6 Adjective, Adjective (line
7) Line 7 Noun (Synonym of line 1) Pattern
2 Line 1 Opposite of line 7 (1 word) Line 2
Describe line 1 (2 words) Line 3 Action about
line 1 (3 words) Line 4 2 nouns about line
1          2 nouns about line 7 Line 5
Action about line 7 (3 words) Line 6 Describe
line 7 (2 words) Line 7 Opposite of line 1 (1
word)
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Diamante Poetry
Pattern 1 Line 1 Noun Line 2 Adjective,
Adjective (line 1) Line 3 Verb, Verb, Verb
(line 1) Line 4 2 nouns about line 1         
2 nouns about line 7 Line 5 Verb, Verb, Verb
(line 7) Line 6 Adjective, Adjective (line
7) Line 7 Noun (Synonym of line 1) Pattern
2 Line 1 Opposite of line 7 (1 word) Line 2
Describe line 1 (2 words) Line 3 Action about
line 1 (3 words) Line 4 2 nouns about line
1          2 nouns about line 7 Line 5
Action about line 7 (3 words) Line 6 Describe
line 7 (2 words) Line 7 Opposite of line 1 (1
word)
Winter Rainy, cold Skiing, skating, sledding
Mountains, wind, breeze, ocean Swimming,
surfing, diving Sunny, hot Summer
Peace Tranquil, Quiet Relaxing, Growing,
Hoping Knowledge, Strength, Hatred,
Anger Fighting, Killing, Decaying Raw,
Primitive War
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Diamante Poetry
Pattern 1 Line 1 Noun Line 2 Adjective,
Adjective (line 1) Line 3 Verb, Verb, Verb
(line 1) Line 4 2 nouns about line 1         
2 nouns about line 7 Line 5 Verb, Verb, Verb
(line 7) Line 6 Adjective, Adjective (line
7) Line 7 Noun (Synonym of line 1) Pattern
2 Line 1 Opposite of line 7 (1 word) Line 2
Describe line 1 (2 words) Line 3 Action about
line 1 (3 words) Line 4 2 nouns about line
1          2 nouns about line 7 Line 5
Action about line 7 (3 words) Line 6 Describe
line 7 (2 words) Line 7 Opposite of line 1 (1
word)
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Villanelle Poetry
What is a Villanelle Poem? A villanelle is
composed of 6 stanzas, beginning with five three
line stanzas, and ending with one four line
stanza. There are only two rhymes in the usual
villanelle, placed strategically and methodically
in the poem. Six stanzas 5 three line stanzas
and one four line stanza for a total of 19
lines. Rhyme pattern A1-b-A2, a-b-A1, a-b-A2,
a-b-A1, a-b-A2, a-b-A1-A2. The villanelle will
be the hardest, most frustrating poem you write
this year. The structure doesnt allow for any
variations or divergent rhyme schemes. The
repetition in the poem makes it very memorable
but will also force you to pay special care to
the words and lines you choose since the readers
attention will be on the end rhymes and the
repeated lines. Your assignment Write 2
villanelles on the format sheet provided to you.
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Villanelle Poetry
Follow this format and you cant go
wrong! 1._________________________________________
___________________A1 2.__________________________
__________________________________b 3.____________
________________________________________________A2
4.______________________________________________
______________a 5.________________________________
____________________________b 6.__________________
__________________________________________A1 7.___
__________________________________________________
_______a 8._______________________________________
_____________________b 9._________________________
___________________________________A2 10._________
__________________________________________________
a 11._____________________________________________
______________b 12._______________________________
____________________________A1 13.________________
___________________________________________a 14.__
__________________________________________________
_______b 15.______________________________________
_____________________A2 16._______________________
____________________________________a 17._________
__________________________________________________
b 18._____________________________________________
______________A1 19.______________________________
_____________________________A2
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1.________________________________________________
__A1 2.___________________________________________
_______b 3._______________________________________
___________A2 4._________________________________
_________________a 5._____________________________
_____________________b 6._________________________
_________________________A1 7.____________________
______________________________a 8.________________
__________________________________b 9.____________
______________________________________A2 10.______
___________________________________________a 11.__
_______________________________________________b 1
2.________________________________________________
_A1 13.___________________________________________
______a 14._______________________________________
__________b 15.___________________________________
______________A2 16.______________________________
___________________a 17.__________________________
_______________________b 18.______________________
___________________________A1 19._________________
________________________________A2
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E X A M P L E
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good
Night A1- Do not go gentle into that good
night, b - Old age should burn and rave at
close of day A2- Rage, rage against the
dying of the light!a - Though wise men at
their end know dark is right, b - Because
their words had forked no lightning they A1-
Do not go gentle into that good night.a -
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright b
- Their frail deeds might have danced in a
green bay, A2- Rage, rage against the dying
of the light! a - Wild men who caught and
sang the sun in flight, b - And learn, too
late, they grieved it on its way, A1- Do not
go gentle into that good night. a - Grave
men, near death, who see with blinding sight b -
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be
gay, A2- Rage, rage against the dying of the
light! a - And you, my father, there on the
sad height, b - Curse me, bless me, now with
your fierce tears, I pray. A1- Do not go
gentle into that good night. A2- Rage, rage
against the dying of the light! - Dylan Thomas
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E X A M P L E
The WakingA1 - I wake to sleep and take my
waking slow.b - I feel my fate in what I
cannot fear.A2 - I learn by going where I
have to go.a - We think by feeling. What
is there to know?b - I hear my being dance
from ear to ear.A1 - I wake to sleep and take
my waking slow.a - Of those so close beside
me, which are you?b - God bless the Ground!
I shall walk softly there,A2 - And learn by
going where I have to go.a - Light takes the
Tree but who can tell us how?b - The lowly
worm climbs up a winding stairA1 - I wake to
sleep and take my waking slow.a - Great
Nature has another thing to dob - To you and
me so take the lively air,A2 - And, lovely,
learn by going where to go.a - This shaking
keeps me steady. I should know.b - What falls
away is always. And is near.A1 - I wake to
sleep, and take my waking slow.A2 - I learn by
going where I have to go. - Theodore Roethke
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Nonet Poetry
What is a Nonet Poem? Nonet poetry is fairly
self explanatory. A nonet poem has nine lines
total with each line decreasing in syllables or
words from nine to one. Nonets may or may not
rhyme. Your assignment Write 3 nonet poems one
using syllables, one using words, and one of your
choice.
Line 1 - 9 syllables/wordsLine 2 - 8
syllables/wordsLine 3 - 7 syllables/wordsLine 4
- 6 syllables/wordsLine 5 - 5 syllables/wordsLin
e 6 - 4 syllables/wordsLine 7 - 3
syllables/wordsLine 8 - 2 syllables/wordsLine 9
- 1 syllable/word
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Nonet Poetry
What is a Nonet Poem? Nonet poetry is fairly
self explanatory. A nonet poem has nine lines
total with each line decreasing in syllables or
words from nine to one. Nonets may or may not
rhyme. Your assignment Write 3 nonet poems one
using syllables, one using words, and one of your
choice.
School I wish we didn't have to stay here.The
only good part is lunchtime,eating and playing
soccer instead of doing math.I don't like
historyboring English.I can't waitfor
thebell.
Line 1 - 9 syllables/wordsLine 2 - 8
syllables/wordsLine 3 - 7 syllables/wordsLine 4
- 6 syllables/wordsLine 5 - 5 syllables/wordsLin
e 6 - 4 syllables/wordsLine 7 - 3
syllables/wordsLine 8 - 2 syllables/wordsLine 9
- 1 syllable/word
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Free Verse Poetry
What is a Free Verse Poem? Free verse poetry is
free from the normal rules of poetry. The poet
may choose to include some rhyming words but the
poem doesnt have to rhyme. A free verse poem may
be just a sentence that is artistically laid out
on the page or it can be pages of words. Some
forms of free verse separate, or split, phrases
and words between lines. Punctuation may be
absent or it may be used to place greater
emphasis on specific words. The main object of
free verse is to use colorful words, punctuation,
and word placement to convey meaning to the
reader. This will probably be the easiest poem
you write this year. Your assignment Write 3
free verse poems of at least 6 lines long.
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Free Verse Poetry
Some, No, Any Thing I have Something to tell
you but it's really Nothing that
important. Actually, Anything I tell you
seems not to be very important. I always tell you
I'm not thinking Anything when you ask me even
though I am thinking Something, then you call me
a liar and complain that I never tell you
Anything. But Somethings just aren't worth
saying, especially to you so I leave it at
Nothing. It's funny the way Nothing works, but if
you think about it, really think about
it, Nothing exists only when Something isn't
around.
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Free Verse Poetry
Hidden Explosion Piles of rotted bones fill my
closet they've started to squeeze under the
door, they're lightless and pungent, stale and
growing in number fibula, tibia, scapula,
vertebra, fossilized heart. I need to do some
cleaning but I'm scared, to open the door means
letting the bones be seen, letting their stories
be heard anger, hatred, loneliness,
self-pity. I need somebody to talk to, but don't
I hate everyone? Someone else to walk away from,
all of you said you loved me. The lesser of two
evils, the greater of two goods? I don't want to
tell you, I want to shove you back in my
closet. I've killed myself in worse ways.
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Unrest
I don't sleep
anymore cause dreams scare me I've tried looking
at the picture of my wife but it's long since
broken so I sit here looking at my toes and I
pick at the ingrown toenail in my little one I
sit here in a hole that I ripped in the carpet I
sit on the cement floor it's very cold I won't
sit on the Lay-Z-Boy cuz Im not lazy anymore
but My butt got stuck in the cushions I
wouldn't've found my way back if I hadn't've
grabbed the lamp next to me I keep a mayonnaise
jar with me I don't use the bathroom I've seen
my wife in there in the mirror I think
there's someone in the toilet too waiting
wanting to pull me under when I sit down The
jar is overflowing turning the green carpet into
a mustard yellow
creating a lake all its own The only mirror I
have now is the reflection from the television
I know my face as twisted and contorted I
don't look in it very often there's a devil in
there looking for the whites in my eyes I'm
hungry but I don't eat there's a void in the
fridge a black hole The last time I looked in
there I heard my wife's screaming at the other
end so I stopped eating I smell but I can't
tell if it's good or bad the only comparison is
the jar beside me I call it a tie The sun went
down about an hour ago or maybe it was three
hours the clock on the VCR is blinking 1200 pm
My hand turned against me last night or was it
the night before it took a pair of scissors
and stabbed me in the thigh
I'm pretty sure it was my wife she's still mad at
me but I keep telling her that I couldn't do
anything I wanted to help but I was at work when
she died How was I to know that she would go
then she doesn't listen to me anymore she won't
hear my apologies she just uses things against
me I've dreamt of a man or a woman I couldn't
tell which at first it came up to me with my
heart in its hand my heart wasn't beating it was
dry of blood it was black The person was my
wife's corpse she rammed my heart into my mouth
down my throat I started to choke and gag I
tried to vomit the heart out but it was lodged
I don't sleep anymore dreams scare me.
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Free Verse Poetry
Enough Don't place faith in human beings, human
beings are unreliable things. -Machines of
Loving Grace I've heard you have to slice the
razor long ways instead of across. The
relief depends on what I want to be relieved from
now. People say I don't care about anything
anymore but I don't care. You're not supposed to
wake a sleep walker when he's sleeping, right?
Where in the rules does it say that I always
need happiness? It's time to do for me instead
of always doing for others. Leave me alone so I
can carry on with business at hand.
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Free Verse Poetry
Unspoken They keep my pills, my one drug, stored
in a tin next to my bed.
When I sleep, they say the pain will get worse.
Sugar drips into my veins through a capillary
river a nurse set up in my room. Demons on
white horses circle my head, scrape through my
mind they hold me down in the red sea where I
see myself being ground by terse words of the
people trying to help me. I hear a bible
verse being read, I hear crying. Wait a second.
I'm not dead. Can't you hear me, can't you see I
want to go home, I'm awake I'm fighting, I've
made my choice, they aren't going to trample
me. Isn't there a way I can make you hear my
voice.
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Free Verse Poetry
alone Razor in hand the pink ribbon scars from
before staring up at me i think i've thought
solitude and satisfaction no dealing with anyone
shallow or searching but that's me shallow and
searching searching for the wave that won't rock
the boat rooted in the crack of a
sidewalk wanting to be in the grass beside
me fertile and stable stability isn't family,
its Razor Razor looses life Razor can let me see
the other side of the fence can let me be without
being uncertain
i won't be with you friends i won't look up to
you parental figures i won't face you me turn
my back on me to face the reflecting mirrors to
climb into the space in-between and pull out
razor the infinite number of them cut my throat
and fill my ears with blood so I can't hear or
make a sound scrape my heart and beat no more my
eyes wide open the darkness around me turns
blacker, slowly
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Acrostic Poetry
What is an Acrostic Poem? Acrostic poetry is
something you did a lot in elementary school
where you would write your name vertically and
then use adjectives to describe yourself (heck,
you even did one on your Bio-Board at the
beginning of the year). No offense, but those
poems are generally quite boring to read as Im
sure they are boring to write. So then, we are
going to move past the so-very-dull and into the
not-so-dull-anymore acrostics. You will tell
stories, explain feelings, describe experiences,
and voice concerns. Basically, you will learn to
write an acrostic just like you write any other
type of poem. The format stays the same a word
or phrase is written vertically and your poem is
written horizontally incorporating the vertical
letters. However, use phrases in your poem
instead of single words. Your task Write 2
acrostic poems utilizing (at least) a 3 word
phrase.
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Acrostic Poetry
There is nothing like it when you
see the first glimpse of the
dirty whiteness, snuggled in
pockets with rocks and pinecones
on the side of the road, your senses are
heightened. The cold on your nose
increases as you climb higher on
into the mountains where everything is pure,
where everything is new.
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Acrostic Poetry
There is nothIng like it when you
see the first gLimpse of the
dIrty whiteness, snuggled in
pocKets with rocks and pineconEs
on the side of the road, your senseS are
heightened. The cold on your Nose
increases as you climb higher on
intO the mountains where everything is pure,
Where everything is new.
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Concrete Poetry
What is a Concrete Poem? A concrete poem is one
that takes the shape of the object it describes.
There isnt much else to say about this type of
poetry its better just to look at a few
examples. Your Assignment Write 2 concrete
poems.
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Concrete Poetry
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Concrete Poetry
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Concrete Poetry
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Concrete Poetry