Red faces and wet bodies
Suits and caps packed in a circle
No one lets go
Tearful exchanges and fearful changes
All because you said you're leaving
Devastation, dread, devotion
All for you
Final gatherings and moments
So much want to make it all special
Hurried memories and reminiscing
Hope and plans for the future
Excitement for next year and the coming months
I guess it won't be so bad
For this poem I used the show don't tell technique because I thought the vivid imagrey would be more suiting to the emotions I felt at the time rather than just stating them. I think this is partially because I was feeling so many different things that it's hard to use just one word to describe it. I also used some rhyming on the 4th line, and alliteration on the 6th. I thought that the alliteration would add some sort of melancholy and emphasis to the words listed seen as the only time that I put any emotion explicitly into words.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Creating Poetry from a Free Write
Free Write:
If I could be one animal I think I might chose to be a giraffe. I'd want to live in a place where some humans did, so that I could surprise them by poking my head through the window when they're eating or reading. I think a lot of people like giraffes and it wouldn't hurt to be popular like that. Does the giraffe have any real predators? I don't remember seeing anything about that on "Planet Earth" or national geographic. Maybe the lion or hyena? Being tall might get old after a while, but it'd definitely be better than being a dung beadle. I bet being a giraffe gets lonely sometimes. There don't seem to be that many more giraffes in the world, but how would I know? Only observing them on TV or at the zoo has probably lead to an inaccurate depiction of what a giraffe's life is really like.
Poem #1
Does the giraffe have any real predators?
I don't remember seeing anything
about that on "Planet Earth" or National Geographic.
Maybe the lion or hyena?
Being tall might get old after a while,
but it'd definitely be better
than being a dung beadle.
I bet being a giraffe gets lonely sometimes.
There don't seem to be that many more
giraffes in the world, but how would I know?
Only observing them on TV
or at the zoo has probably lead me
to an inaccurate depiction
of what a giraffe's life is really like.
Poem #2
If I could be one animal
I think
I might chose to be a giraffe.
I'd want to live in a place where some humans did,
so that I could surprise them
by poking my head through the window
when they're eating or reading.
I think
a lot of people like giraffes
and it wouldn't hurt to be popular like that.
If I could be one animal I think I might chose to be a giraffe. I'd want to live in a place where some humans did, so that I could surprise them by poking my head through the window when they're eating or reading. I think a lot of people like giraffes and it wouldn't hurt to be popular like that. Does the giraffe have any real predators? I don't remember seeing anything about that on "Planet Earth" or national geographic. Maybe the lion or hyena? Being tall might get old after a while, but it'd definitely be better than being a dung beadle. I bet being a giraffe gets lonely sometimes. There don't seem to be that many more giraffes in the world, but how would I know? Only observing them on TV or at the zoo has probably lead to an inaccurate depiction of what a giraffe's life is really like.
Poem #1
Does the giraffe have any real predators?
I don't remember seeing anything
about that on "Planet Earth" or National Geographic.
Maybe the lion or hyena?
Being tall might get old after a while,
but it'd definitely be better
than being a dung beadle.
I bet being a giraffe gets lonely sometimes.
There don't seem to be that many more
giraffes in the world, but how would I know?
Only observing them on TV
or at the zoo has probably lead me
to an inaccurate depiction
of what a giraffe's life is really like.
Poem #2
If I could be one animal
I think
I might chose to be a giraffe.
I'd want to live in a place where some humans did,
so that I could surprise them
by poking my head through the window
when they're eating or reading.
I think
a lot of people like giraffes
and it wouldn't hurt to be popular like that.
Article Turned Poem
"Unleashing the Scientist in the Student"
The students were gathered around
a red-backed salamander deep in the woods
on Staten Island. A shiny black squiggle,
it was jumping around in the cupped hands of their teacher,
Aimee Kemp, who was determined to show them
how she could tell it was a male.
New York City used to be salamander central,
but while the red-backed salamander still thrives under rocks and logs,
other species have disappeared.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/08/nyregion/salamander-study-enlists-new-york-city-seventh-graders.html?ref=earth
The students were gathered around
a red-backed salamander deep in the woods
on Staten Island. A shiny black squiggle,
it was jumping around in the cupped hands of their teacher,
Aimee Kemp, who was determined to show them
how she could tell it was a male.
New York City used to be salamander central,
but while the red-backed salamander still thrives under rocks and logs,
other species have disappeared.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/08/nyregion/salamander-study-enlists-new-york-city-seventh-graders.html?ref=earth
Poetic Qualities
Is there a tune more happy
than a daughter’s windchime laugh?
A silence more crushing
than her rolling tear?
Is there a breeze more cooling
than a son’s slumbered sigh?
A thought more awesome
than the question that he asks?
And is there a truer joy
when I am the clown?
Shame when I accuse and rage?
Peace when I pull up the sheet?
Pride when I strike the flint?
I made these kids
and I make these kids.
And they make me.
than a daughter’s windchime laugh?
A silence more crushing
than her rolling tear?
Is there a breeze more cooling
than a son’s slumbered sigh?
A thought more awesome
than the question that he asks?
And is there a truer joy
when I am the clown?
Shame when I accuse and rage?
Peace when I pull up the sheet?
Pride when I strike the flint?
I made these kids
and I make these kids.
And they make me.
Monday, October 10, 2011
10 Reasons to Love Chocolate
First,
It'll become your best friend.
Or an addiction.
Either way it's not bad.
Second,
It a universal symbol for love
If you don't love chocolate, do you love?
Third,
The chef prides in it's knowledge of it
It must be important.
Fourth,
It's ancient all the way to the Mayans
Appreciate history.
Fifth,
Bites melt in your mouth,
no need to chew.
Sixth,
Those who don't enjoy it
face being ostracized
when anyone discovers their secret.
Seventh
It's powerful enough to bring
a smile to the saddest person one could find.
Eighth
It is loved by people of all
Ages, races, countries, religions, genders, classes.
Universal.
Ninth
There is always a new way to enjoy it
Spicy or mild
Perfumed or plain
Crunchy or smooth
Melted or hard
On things or in things.
Versatility.
Tenth
Delicious.
Plain and simple.
It'll become your best friend.
Or an addiction.
Either way it's not bad.
Second,
It a universal symbol for love
If you don't love chocolate, do you love?
Third,
The chef prides in it's knowledge of it
It must be important.
Fourth,
It's ancient all the way to the Mayans
Appreciate history.
Fifth,
Bites melt in your mouth,
no need to chew.
Sixth,
Those who don't enjoy it
face being ostracized
when anyone discovers their secret.
Seventh
It's powerful enough to bring
a smile to the saddest person one could find.
Eighth
It is loved by people of all
Ages, races, countries, religions, genders, classes.
Universal.
Ninth
There is always a new way to enjoy it
Spicy or mild
Perfumed or plain
Crunchy or smooth
Melted or hard
On things or in things.
Versatility.
Tenth
Delicious.
Plain and simple.
Morning
Sitting at the kitchen counter,
In my robe.
Scones cooling on the counter.
Looking out the window as the sun rises
Trees and bushes in the yard
line the creek flowing to the right,
ducks scattered on the banks. The grass wet with dew.
Everything growing lighter and shining with the sun.
I am warmed by this and the oolong in my mug.
Comics on the counter as I sip slowly.
Thinking of all the things to be done,
but mostly thinking that they can wait.
In my robe.
Scones cooling on the counter.
Looking out the window as the sun rises
Trees and bushes in the yard
line the creek flowing to the right,
ducks scattered on the banks. The grass wet with dew.
Everything growing lighter and shining with the sun.
I am warmed by this and the oolong in my mug.
Comics on the counter as I sip slowly.
Thinking of all the things to be done,
but mostly thinking that they can wait.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Free Verse Eulogy
You were smart.
You were successful.
You were daring.
You were determined.
You were loved.
You were leaving.
Then you were gone.
Then I was remorseful.
Then I was bitter.
I am thinking.
I am sinking.
I am moving on.
I am looked upon.
I am okay.
I will live another day.
You were successful.
You were daring.
You were determined.
You were loved.
You were leaving.
Then you were gone.
Then I was remorseful.
Then I was bitter.
I am thinking.
I am sinking.
I am moving on.
I am looked upon.
I am okay.
I will live another day.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
An attempt at rondeau
I always though school was essential.
Getting a B would wreck my potential.
And that being popular was cool
and I had to wear the biggest jewel.
These pressures were torrential.
These problems weren't confidential;
everyone knew that to me they were presidential.
At least i wasn't breaking the rule
I always thought.
But then I learned that my issues weren't residential.
Many girls found these thing influential
whether they attended public, private, or church school.
Now my confidence can make boys drool,
because I know that those things aren't existential.
I always thought .
Getting a B would wreck my potential.
And that being popular was cool
and I had to wear the biggest jewel.
These pressures were torrential.
These problems weren't confidential;
everyone knew that to me they were presidential.
At least i wasn't breaking the rule
I always thought.
But then I learned that my issues weren't residential.
Many girls found these thing influential
whether they attended public, private, or church school.
Now my confidence can make boys drool,
because I know that those things aren't existential.
I always thought .
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Metrical Breaks and Line Variations
Poem with Metrical Breaks
Dew drops on a leaf
Clear rounded half-spheres
Provide some moisture
and life
It is Poem with Line Variations
Water buffalo is funny
Laying in mud like a toad in the hot summer
But some days I wish that
I could join that buffalo in his slimy bath
Except the irking flies
Enjoy the cool air like the water buffalo.
In the first poem I kept the line to "and life" because water (in all forms) is very powerful. It can wear away at stone or power a whole factory, but perhaps its most valuable function is giving and maintaining life on earth. In the second poem my two meters are trochaic tetrameter and dactylic tetrameter (alternating). I thought that it seemed kind of random like the subject of my poem. Also, water buffalo go for long periods of rest and then short bursts of activity, characterized by the short lines and long lines.
Dew drops on a leaf
Clear rounded half-spheres
Provide some moisture
and life
It is Poem with Line Variations
Water buffalo is funny
Laying in mud like a toad in the hot summer
But some days I wish that
I could join that buffalo in his slimy bath
Except the irking flies
Enjoy the cool air like the water buffalo.
In the first poem I kept the line to "and life" because water (in all forms) is very powerful. It can wear away at stone or power a whole factory, but perhaps its most valuable function is giving and maintaining life on earth. In the second poem my two meters are trochaic tetrameter and dactylic tetrameter (alternating). I thought that it seemed kind of random like the subject of my poem. Also, water buffalo go for long periods of rest and then short bursts of activity, characterized by the short lines and long lines.
1 Poem: 6 Ways
#1
My hand fell asleep
Now it tingles like static
Sharp poking as if
I held a cactus in my
palm. Just imaginary.
#2
My left hand has just fallen asleep.
Now it tingles like TV static
Sharp poking as I held a cactus
In my palm. My imagination.
#3
My left hand will cascade to numb
It tingles like TV quibble
sharp pokes as I hold a hedgehog
in my still palm. Imaginary.
#4)
My left hand has fallen asleep
Tingles like a rumbling static
Sharp pinch as I hold a cactus
in my palm, but just a phantasm.
#5)
Hand on my left has just fallen fast obsolete.
Tingling like disturbing static on television.
Sharp poking pinches while I hold a cactus, small,
in my palm. but it's all just imaginary play.
#6)
My left hand has just cascaded to sleepy numb
Now it tingles like television turbulence.
Small sharp poking all over; i hold a hedgehog
in my palm, but it's all just a phony mirage.
I think i like the first poem the most, because it portrayed the original idea in the simplest way. However it was interesting how the restrictions on lines and syllables caused the meaning of the poem to change ever so slightly.
My hand fell asleep
Now it tingles like static
Sharp poking as if
I held a cactus in my
palm. Just imaginary.
#2
My left hand has just fallen asleep.
Now it tingles like TV static
Sharp poking as I held a cactus
In my palm. My imagination.
#3
My left hand will cascade to numb
It tingles like TV quibble
sharp pokes as I hold a hedgehog
in my still palm. Imaginary.
#4)
My left hand has fallen asleep
Tingles like a rumbling static
Sharp pinch as I hold a cactus
in my palm, but just a phantasm.
#5)
Hand on my left has just fallen fast obsolete.
Tingling like disturbing static on television.
Sharp poking pinches while I hold a cactus, small,
in my palm. but it's all just imaginary play.
#6)
My left hand has just cascaded to sleepy numb
Now it tingles like television turbulence.
Small sharp poking all over; i hold a hedgehog
in my palm, but it's all just a phony mirage.
I think i like the first poem the most, because it portrayed the original idea in the simplest way. However it was interesting how the restrictions on lines and syllables caused the meaning of the poem to change ever so slightly.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Examples of Trochiac Tetrameter and Anapestic Tetrameter
Trochaic Tetrameter
"Reason, in itself confounded,
Saw division grow together,
To themselves yet either neither,
Simple were so well compounded. " (41-44)
- William Shakespeare
Anapestic Tetrameter
"On the far-away island of Sala-ma-Sond,
Yertle the Turtle was king of the pond.
A nice little pond. It was clean. It was neat.
The water was warm. There was plenty to eat.
The turtles had everything turtles might need.
And they were all happy. Quite happy indeed."
- Dr. Suess (Yertle the Turtle)
Works Cited
Matchett, William H. "(41-44)." The Phoenix and the Turtle; Shakespeare's Poem and Chester's Loues Martyr., The Hague: Mouton, 1965. Print.
"Reason, in itself confounded,
Saw division grow together,
To themselves yet either neither,
Simple were so well compounded. " (41-44)
- William Shakespeare
Anapestic Tetrameter
"On the far-away island of Sala-ma-Sond,
Yertle the Turtle was king of the pond.
A nice little pond. It was clean. It was neat.
The water was warm. There was plenty to eat.
The turtles had everything turtles might need.
And they were all happy. Quite happy indeed."
- Dr. Suess (Yertle the Turtle)
Works Cited
Matchett, William H. "(41-44)." The Phoenix and the Turtle; Shakespeare's Poem and Chester's Loues Martyr., The Hague: Mouton, 1965. Print.
Simmons, Jim. "The Complete Text of Yertle the Turtle." Three Rivers Episcopal. 5 Dec. 2008. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. <http://3riversepiscopal.blogspot.com/2008/12/complete-text-of-yertle-turtle.html>.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sonnet #1
Oh I wonder how I can love my dog
I know he will die much younger than me
But he has much more spunk than a wet log
And he can turn anger into good glee
And his coat is like a field of gold grain
And he is more playful than a kitten
When I'm sad with tears that fall like sure rain
His presence warms me a cozy mitten
The way he swims splashing just makes me smile
He approves with tireless wags of his tail
Even though I've only had him for a while
I still admire him when he tries and fails
After all in my mem'ry he'll remain
And so I'll care for my dog 'til that pain
I know he will die much younger than me
But he has much more spunk than a wet log
And he can turn anger into good glee
And his coat is like a field of gold grain
And he is more playful than a kitten
When I'm sad with tears that fall like sure rain
His presence warms me a cozy mitten
The way he swims splashing just makes me smile
He approves with tireless wags of his tail
Even though I've only had him for a while
I still admire him when he tries and fails
After all in my mem'ry he'll remain
And so I'll care for my dog 'til that pain
Monday, September 12, 2011
Blogging
If it weren't for creative writing, I wouldn't be blogging right now. I feel like a blog is a journel, but the writer feels the need to share their thoughts, feelings, and opinions with everyone on the internet. However, I do find that some blogs are helpful when looking for something like a book review. With that being said, I doubt I will be posting anything besides my creative writing assignments.
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