Poetry: Again

Poetry exercises:

• Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou (write a poem for 2 minutes about something phenomenal, or write an ode praising women (or yourself)
• What a Teacher Makes by Taylor Mali; write a poem about What a ______ makes (choose an occupation that doesn't get the credit or attention it should, or write about a favorite teacher you once had)
• Phrase spill
• Gather ye rosebuds...er...words
• A Letter to My Unborn Daughter by Javon Johnson (write a poem addressing an unborn child, perhaps your unborn child, or perhaps your future spouse, or future dog or cat or pet horse)
• Deer Hit by Jon Loomis. Note the use of stanzas in this poem. Why is the poem structured in couplet stanzas? The clues are subtly suggested in the story and conflict of the poem. Write a poem about two things in couplets.
• Explaining my Depression to My Mother by Sabrina Benaim. Explain a mental state in which you sometimes find yourself to a loved one. Explain my ________ to my __________.
• Mother Doesn't Want a Dog by Judith Viorst. Poetry doesn't have to use fancy and difficult words. It's not supposed to be obscure. It's about human life. It can be simple and straightforward, but it should surprise us by the end. It should say things we've all seen but in a way that we never thought of saying before. Rhyme is completely unnecessary but sounds nice. Write a poem about what other things Mother doesn't want (and why), or Father, or brother/sister, aunt/uncle, neighbor, teacher, pastor, politician, etc.
• Ode to a Large Tuna in the Market by Pablo Neruda. Of course, poetry can also use metaphor and symbolism to talk about what we love, what we lose, what dies, what lives. Subject matter for most poems is taken directly from everyday and ordinary life. It doesn't have to be about grand or cosmic things. It is grand and cosmic because it sees the ordinary in a new and extraordinary way. Write an ode to an odd object that doesn't usually get credit for being useful or beautiful.
• A Finger, Two Dots, Then Me by Derrick Brown. Write about what is holy to you, or write about what will happen to you when you die. What would you want to happen? What should your loved ones remember? What advice can you give them?
• Poem model #2
• Write poetry in the lab. Construct and draft and print out poems. Keep doing this.

HOMEWORK: Complete your reading of your chosen poetry book. Bring your books back with you next class (next Tuesday, Nov. 28).