Poetry is the language of visual images – the creation of moving pictures with specific details and examples. Poetry is folk art. It is a way to pass on stories and thoughts. Poetry is entertainment. It’s fun!
Writing poetry is a reasonable, doable goal for students. For many years, I teamed with fourth grade teacher and friend Kathy Randolph. Her students created a gallery of water color paintings. Then they wrote a poem to pair with their artwork.
There are many ways to build a poem. For example, we can use a seesaw structure such as fortunately – unfortunately or once I – now I. We could take a verb and offer a definition (see the work of Sara Holbrook).
Float is a way to stay
relaxed and still,
a quiet motion
in the ocean,
lake or swimming pool.
A great way to stay cool
without the splashes
or meter dashes.
No competition in mind,
and you will find
sheer delight!
Perhaps a craft
such as a raft
to float serenely
among sunbeams
and dream and dream!
Poems about world views, a take on an issue, summarizing an event, telling a story, creating an imagined perspective from a biome’s point of view, or simply acting out a word with words – there is no limit to poetry. Of course, reading the work of myriad poets – both rhymed free verse poems – may spark a topic, a format, or style. Anything is possible. Just take up your pen and write!
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