Ordinary Things; Poetry Walk

To write appealing poetry poets should observe the world around themselves. For a beginning writer emphasis is often given to come up with an amazing topic and to write about the deepest thoughts and feelings of the writer. But what we find is that writing about simple life--our connection and understanding of these simple objects or events, holds more power than pedantic political diatribes or word games.

That is not to say that a poet should forget about structure, subtle use of poetic technique and just downright skill at communicating through objects, images, and comparisons those things that are essential for human life.

Today, after writing your drafts (or during, if you need a break), please read about Robert Frost. Read several of his poems (at least 10, but feel free please to read all of them or nearly all). Read them with a partner, if you need to--just read them.

At first glance you will notice Robert Frost has a love affair with nature. Most of his poems include nature. It is the primary theme of poetry and is found absolutely everywhere. What you want to know about nature is that humans interact with the natural world every single day of their lives. Sometimes this connection to nature seems forced, strained or distant. Other times the connection is close, intimate, and meaningful. Humans compare and contrast themselves to nature. When a poet writes about a path in the wood that branches off, we recall the difficult choices we have to make in our own life's path. The natural metaphor simply helps us understand and approach the conflicts in our own life. As you read, try to figure out what Frost is telling us about our HUMAN SELVES.

Take the next 15-20 minutes to read the poems by Ralph Fletcher: Ordinary Things.

Depending on the weather, we will be taking a little field trip today. Please bring your journals and a writing utensil with you. Please listen to instructions.

When we return from our "trip" please use the time in the lab to write 5 short poems with ordinary things as their subject. Form and structure (line, sound, tone, diction, etc.) is up to you. Write each poem in the same file. Call these drafts ORDINARY THINGS

SOME KEY POETIC TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Diction: word choice. Select words in your poem carefully to carry the most meaning. All words have a denotative meaning and a connotative meaning. Understatement, euphemism, and other rhetorical strategies may be used to affect a poem's diction. Speaking to your elderly grandparents uses a different diction than speaking to your "homies".

Voice: The agent or "speaker" speaking through the poem. Also called the "persona".

Tone: Often the attitude of your speaker or the voice. Identified in a poem by diction.

• Tone can be formal or informal depending on the diction a poet uses.
• Tone can be ironic, sarcastic, serious, pedantic, or hyperbolic depending on the voice a poet selects.
• Tone can be positive or negative or neutral. Selecting one of these tones can or should affect your diction.

Today, we are going outside along the poetry walk at the Memorial Art Gallery. As we stroll, jot down and look for ideas or subjects to write poems about. Use Ralph Fletchers poem collection as a model.

In the sculpture garden we will spend a longer period of time SILENTLY writing! Please do not be offended when I ask you to move away from other students so that you can focus on your writing. You will be given a grade for your participation.

Use your time outside to inspire yourself to write in your journal.