METAPHOR POEM I am #1
Directions: Write a short poem of at least 6 lines entitled, “I am #1.” Make it look like a poem but do not rhyme it – remember form is meaning. You will be creating a picture in words of yourself (imagery & metaphor).
1. What color are you?
2. What beverage represents you?
3. How do you act in a crowd?
4. What contrast describes you?
5. What chair represents you?
6. What time of day best describes you?
7. What musical instrument best describes you?
EXAMPLE:
I am a blue bubbling e f f e r v e s c e n t soda-pop.
I stand out in the midst of people sparkling brilliantly.
A bear grrrowling in the morning mirror… but a cuddly cub purrrring by evening is me.
The stars twinkle and shine for me as I gently rock
back and forth, back and forth
on the front porch swing.
My hearts beats like a drum in my chest – THRUMP, THRUMP, THRUMP, keeping time to my own beat.
TWO-TONE POEM
What color are you? A crazy question, perhaps. Most of us are at least two-tones.
Psychologists tell us that certain colors trigger certain feelings or moods in many people. Some colors are “warm” while others are “cool.” Some colors attract attention; others blend in with their surroundings. Our own interpretation of our feelings about colors, a long with our self knowledge can be a good combination to start a “two-tone” poem.
EXAMPLE:
My Two Colors
Part of me is brilliant yellow
Lively and vivacious,
Bouncy and buoyant
Teasing my friends, and enjoying the spotlight.
But deep inside there’s another part
Pale purple like a violet hiding under a leaf
Shy and self-conscious,
Fearful and cowardly,
Shaking with stage fright when the telephone rings.
Yet they’re both very real
And they’re both me!
Now it’s your turn!
1. Choose two colors that seem to reflect a mood that you understand and you can
describe.
2. In your first line, name your color.
3. Use three to four “mood” words. Use them in a sentence to help describe you as the
color, do not just list the words.
4. Write your thoughts and feelings about your color in at least an eight (8) line poem.
Do not try to rhyme.
5. Do not repeat any of the mood words – mood words may only be used once.
6. Include a hyperbole – underline it. Also try to use an oxymoron – underline it.
MOOD WORDS
Lost confused trapped hostile resentful aimless exhausted upset frustrated lonely unsure bewildered disillusioned battered perturbed annoyed abandoned disturbed irritated defensive better useless hopeless jittery guilty indignant distant unloved panicky beaten indifferent strung-out skeptical tense defeated enraged ignored disorganized worried thwarted rebellious drained alienated troubled cheated explosive unsafe estranged hassled helpless vengeful capable joyful alert regretful good-natured competent carefree charged reposeful happy agreeable independent elated powerful jubilant calm hurt discouraged generous dedicated alive wild optimistic overjoyed gentle proud cheerful peaceful forlorn respected high spirited relaxed satisfied lighthearted restful serene assured inspired ecstatic loved excited shining elated
MONTHLY METAPHOR
Carl Sandburg wrote “Fog”
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
and then moves on…
Carl’s metaphor is of the fog, we’ll use the months of the year.
EXAMPLES:
MaySeptember
May tiptoes inSeptember trots in quietly
Quietly, shyly.its head held high
She strews flowersprancing after fluttering butterflies
As she twirls and dances lightly bucking playfully in a dew covered meadow
Over the soft grass into Juneas it proudly canter into the sunset of October
JulyFootball Time
July creeps inSeptember runs in
Hot and ready to explode. with a helmet and pads.
It ignites and slowly begins to burn.Clapping its hands,
It sizzles and is ready to go off,stomping its cleats on the ground
And then pops and crackles into August. and then tackles October mercilessly.
Directions:
1. Choose a month and try to picture the way it would arrive if it were a PERSON or ANIMAL (personification).
Use some of the motion words – you’re not limited to the list.
2. Tell how or where the month arrives. Use adverbs and prepositional phrases.
3. Tell something else the month does while it’s here.
4. Tell how the month leaves into the next.
5. Use the same mental image or comparison throughout the poem, don’t change the mood.
MOTION WORDS
March scamper skip prance fight tiptoe float gallop hop limp canter hobble sneak zoom tramp dance shuffle scurry spring glide flutter lurch creep stumble trot totter strut skate trudge plod advance drag slip saunter run jump fly float slither gallop explode tear
ABSTRACT METAPHOR
Directions:
1. Select an abstract word and write an imagery poem (five senses).
2. Have one line for each sense…sight, smell, touch, taste, hear.
Do not say smells like… or feels like… just describe.
3. Use metaphors to compare the senses.
4. Write at least 5 lines.
EXAMPLE:
Jealousy
Jealousy is a sharp knife puncturing the skin.
It’s the ring of the phone and another girl’s voice on the other end.
Jealousy is watching the man of your dreams checking out another girl,
It’s the sweet aroma of peach blossoms spoiled by someone else’s perfume.
Jealousy is a dry empty kiss.
Trust
Trust is the warmth of a caring hug
It is the soft whisper of a baby cooing
Trust is the look through a new puppy’s eyes
It is the sweet fragrance of flowers in May
Trust is the delicious melting chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven.
ABSTRACT WORDS
Love betrayal fear death trust darkness happiness maturity depression jealousy surprise disease racism prejudice pity friendship anger angst laughter faith freedom childhood anxiety joy sorrow grief embarrassment humor distrust loathing excitement ecstasy
PERSONIFICATION POEM
Remember personification is giving human qualities to non-human things.
Directions:
1. Choose two objects/things to write a poem about. Write two poems – one for each.
2. Write at least 5 lines per poem.
EXAMPLES:
Wind
The wind’s breath
irritates the leaves
causing them to dance
to
their death.
Snow
Fresh snow falling from the sky
flirts with everyone it sees
It shimmers at twilight
only the strong can resist
her romantic charm.
Car
The t i r e d and w o r n o u t car
cried and squeeealed in pain.
Sssshaking and ccchugging for its last breath.
A final cough and spit, as it slowly dies.
MOOD POEM
Directions:
1. Model your poem after the examples.
2. In the third or fourth line, include a simile.
3. Write at least 8 lines.
EXAMPLES:
I’m happy,
not jump up and down happy,
not scream out loud happy,
not as happy as a fat lady eating bonbons,
but laugh-out-loud happy,
happy that I’m alive
Happy that I have food friends
happy so much I could shout.
I’m worried
Not biting my nails worried,
not sleeping worried
not as worried as a parent who has a lost child,
but worried that someone will tell
worried that it’s just a matter of time,
worried so much I could scream.
I’m frustrated,
Not pounding on my desk frustrated,
not pounding my head against a wall frustrated,
not frustrated like a wild horse trying to fling off his rider,
but making myself want to scream deep down in side frustrated.
Frustrated because I can’t figure out a question in social studies,
frustrated because my little brother won’t leave me alone,
frustrated so much that I feel like a kitten who can’t catch his tail.
PEOPLE POEM
Directions:
1. Choose one of your favorite people – that you know personally.
2. Write at least 10 lines.
3. Include simile or metaphor
4. Use at least 3 senses.
5. Underline the devices you use.
You don’t have to write complete sentences. A few words can create a powerful image. Brainstorm about your person before you write. What do they look like? What do they do? How do they make you feel? What reminds you of that person?
EXAMPLES:
Grandma
quietly, peacefully
she sits in her rocker.
Her steps are slow and painful,
but her heart is strong and free.
Like a blasting fire on a cold night,
she will never grow old.
Baby Brother
Squabbling, screeching,
he gets into another mess.
He runs and hides when trouble calls,
but he comes away clean every time
because he is so cute and sweet.
Like a curious cat and a ball of string
he watches me, ready to learn,
his little brown eyes never fail to
soften me up,
for he is my little baby brother.
Poemcrazy
Directions:
1. Write a poem about yourself using the following question.
2. Write at least 10 lines.
3. Use onomatopoeia and alliteration. Underline their use.
If I were a color, what color would I be?
What shape would I be?
If I were a movement, what movement would I be?
What sound?
What animal?
What song?
What number?
What car?
What piece of furniture?
What food?
What musical instrument?
What place?
What element in nature?
What kind of tree?
What’s something I’m afraid of?
What’s hiding behind my fear?
Play-Dough
An extended metaphor is a comparison using two unlike things but comparing them directly. You many compare yourself to a shorts shoe… Are you tough, laced together, sturdy on the outside but soft and comfortable on the inside?
Directions:
1. Brainstorm about 5 objects that you might compare yourself to.
2. Brainstorm at least 4 ways you ARE that object. Give a reason WHY for each.
3. Write out a poem now based on your brainstorm at least 10 lines.
4. Cut construction paper into shape of object you chose and glue poem on it.
5. Make object out of play-dough!
Use your imagination!!!!!!
Word Rummy Poem
Directions:
1. Circle one word in each list from the next page. Circle them randomly.
2. Write the three words down on a sheet of paper.
– rotten, stink, pickle
3. If your first word was not a color, add a color before your first word.
– green, rotten stink, pickle
4. Add either an “ing” or “ed” to the second word you chose.
- green, rotten, stinking, pickle
5. Now write either the phrase “I wish I were” or “I dreamed I was” in front of the words.
– I wish I were a green rotten stinking pickle
6. This is the first line of your poem. Create an image and have fun finishing the rest.
7. Use assonance – underline your use.
8. Write at least 15 lines!
EXAMPLES:
Wart
I dreamed I was a
brown juicy
growing
wart
Standing high above the skin
oozing
lovely white fluid
OH NO!
I see a doctor
with his big knife
and needle
POKE
I feel lightheaded
Slice!
I’m gone.
WORD RUMMY LIST
List 1
quick silent broken bright blue gold clean rotten high green sticky delicate icy sleek purple white bitter wee loony cross huge jagged cool flaming stringy juicy flap doodle scratch wizard
List 2
snarl coo sing laugh weep tease love race smile stink lie sail fly see surprise open sit grow waddle wear lick chuckle shoot pound dress shout sparkle chase bleed gutter clown
List 3
wind star pickle swan petunia velvet lion grass dishes cake wart giraffe shoe leaf garbage runner wing chicken buttercup ocean ribbon steel hippo peanut butter bullet monkey ghost chocolate cake angel
Onomatopoeia poem
Write words to describe the following sounds.
Kitchen:
blender
microwave
mixer
eggs cooking
chopping of carrots
House sounds:
door bell
falling downstairs
iron
fire
television
footsteps
School sounds:
hallway
computer printer
eraser
closing a book
EXAMPLE:
Waiting Room Sounds
Did you ever notice that waiting in the dentist’s waiting
room is like standing in an elevator?
There’s absolutely nothing to do.
Nothing at all.
The dentist doesn’t like to admit this so he
tries to make the waiting room a better place to be.
Nice music lazily drifts over a speaker
Nice magazines sit waiting to be read
Nice sounds come from the room next door…
The wheeeeeee of a high speed drill
the sluuuuuuuuurp of a suction gun
the crunnnnnnch of a saw
the screeeem of the patients
and the ChaChing of the cash register!
Many published poets are masters of onomatopoeia.
Find and bring to class a poem that uses onomatopoeia.
Directions:
1. Write a sound poem based on one physical place.
2. Title the poem to include the name of the place.
3. Use at least 5 examples of onomatopoeia.
4. Write at least 10 lines.
5. Use hyperbole – underline your use.
Rhythm Poem
Directions:
1. Write a poem in which the rhythm of an object is duplicated by the rhythm of the poem.
2. Include consonance – underline your use.
EXAMPLE:
Clock
The clock
on the wall
keeping time
steady time
every day
it goes on
keeping time
steady time
even if
no one cares
keeping time
steady time
only when
it is gone
keeping time
steady time
do people realize
how much they depend
on the clock
Puzzle Poem
Directions:
1. Write a poem that gives clues, but doesn’t tell us what you’re writing about.
2. Give at least 5 clues.
3. Model your poem after the following poem.
A bright little speck in a colorless world.
Moving about, gliding up and down
jumping up to get more food
going to the bottom, picking up pebbles
home atmosphere the color of grass-stained
knees on jeans
camouflage covered with algae
cute little fellow, swimming around
Well, what is it and where’s it found?
Listing Poem
Directions:
1. Write a poem that lists descriptions on a particular subject without naming the
subject.
2. Title the poem with the subject.
3. Write at least 8 lines.
4. Use rhythm & rhyme throughout the poem.
EXAMPLE:
Money
workers earn it
spendthrifts burn it
bankers lend it
women spend it
forgers fake it
taxes take it
dying leave it
heirs receive it
thrifty save it
Haiku
Directions:
1. Write 2 haiku.
2. Read instructions below and watch slid show.
Haiku are a Japanese form of poetry. Haiku is both singular and plural in form.
It is to be a VISUAL representation of nature.
A slide show will be shown in class to give you visuals to write your poems. Use only SIGHT and mood words.
Here is the form of a haiku:
1st line is 5 syllables
2nd line is 7 syllables
3rd line is 5 syllables
Try not to use any articles such as: “a” and “the”
Remember – phrases, not sentences, make great images! Haiku are kind of “choppy” sounding.
EXAMPLE:
Meadow
meadow rises green
blue small asters populate
sway gently in breeze
Alliteration Poem
Directions:
1. Write a poem based on the alphabet that has four (4) words of alliteration in each line
for each letter of the alphabet.
You’ll have 26 lines – one for each letter. You’ll have a minimum of 4 words per line.
EXAMPLE:
Alligators ate awful apples full of ants
Bob burped blue bobbles
Cats can’t catch copper pots
etc…
for all 26 letters
even X, Y, Z
Limerick
Directions:
1. A limerick is a humorous poem of five (5) lines.
2. Lines 1, 2, 5 rhyme with each other.
3. Lines 3, 4 rhyme with each other.
4. Limericks are silly!
5. Try to use a pun – underline it.
EXAMPLES:
Harrison Harris
A Martian named Harrison Harris
decided he’d like to see Paris
In space so we learn
he forgot to turn
and that’s why he’s now on Polaris
Elephants
Two elephants Harry and Faye
couldn’t kiss with their trunks in the way
so they boarded a plane
they’re not kissing in Maine
Cause their trunks got sent on to L.A.
Simile Poem
Directions:
1. Write a four line poem.
2. Each line is to be a simile.
3. Keep the same idea through the entire poem.
EXAMPLE:
My Heart
As lonely as a tree without leaves,
as lonely as an abandoned house,
as lonely as footsteps in the dark,
Is my heart in the quiet of the night.
Wish Poem
Directions:
1. Write at least a 10 line poem about your wishes and dreams.
2. Use two (2) literary devices of your choice.
3. Underline the devices you use.
4. You may rhyme this one if you choose.
EXAMPLE:
My Wish
I wish I was a beautiful chick who
could be in any period of life
In the future
in the past
would be nice.
Being Cleopatra in Egypt with handsome men
at my feet.
How about Annie Oakley putting on a show?
Or being a pirate enjoying the gold?
Even the first woman President in 2008!
Also, a blood thirsty vampire scaring the men,
or Einstein inventing a potion for invisible guys,