30 Days of Poetry

1. 30 Days of Poetry

2. Day 1: Concrete Poetry • Concrete Poetry is the use of words and their physical formation to convey meaning. This may be done with color, the shape of letters, and/or the arrangement of words. • Directions: • Graphically create a scene using only words. • From a distance this will look like a picture, but up close it will consist only of words and phrases. • No extra lines or shapes should be used. A light pencil line might be drawn first as a guide. • Use colors, shapes, and sizes that will enhance the meaning of words. Example

3. Concrete Poetry

4. Day 2: Synonym Poetry • Directions: • Chose any word. • Write that word in capital letters on the first line. • In a thesaurus look up the word and find three to five synonyms for it. Write the synonyms on the second line. • On the third line, write a descriptive phrase about the word. The last two lines of the poem should rhyme. Example

5. Synonym Poetry LOVE Attachment, adoration, warmth, adoration Love is so pure, right down to the core. ---KimikoBrantly NOISE Clamor, uproar, hullabaloo These things can really annoy you. ---Shasta Inman

6. Day 3: Opposites • Directions: • Choose two things that are opposites. It could be the opposite sides of a question. • Humor is good. • The poem should be four lines long. • The first two and the last two lines should rhyme. Example

7. Opposites What is the opposite of honest? What a lot of people do on a hard test. Cheating is a form of a lie But lots of students don’t understand why. ---Benjamin Swanson What is the opposite of love? Maybe it is as beautiful as a white dove, Because love is so fine, This is something that I know is mine. What is the opposite of a smile? Maybe it is a frown that hasn’t been seen in a while, Because a great smile brightens up the day, This has made my day better in every way. What is the opposite of true? It could be purple, or even blue. Because truth is better than a lie, I want the truth even from my special guy. ---Kimiko Brantley

8. Day 4: List Poems • List Poems: • Lists can be either rhyming or not. It is up to the writer to decide which style to use. • You can make the list humorous or far-fetched if you like. • In a final line, give the poem a serious turn. Example

9. List Poems Things Kids Say When They Want to Get Out and Play I did all my homework. I picked up my toys. I emptied the trash. My bed is made. No, there are no lumps. I ate all my vegetables. But everyone else is. Bobby’s mom doesn’t make him. But, Mom. No, my dirty clothes aren’t under the bed. Yes, Mom, I’m sure. Yeah, I’ll be careful.. No, I won’t poke an eye out. Oh, please! ---Steve Schlatter

10. Day 5: Three Word Forms • Three Word Forms: • Each line of this form is made up of three words. • The last two words become the first two words in the next line. • In the poem, there will be a progress of images and a story will be told. Example

11. Three Word Forms Mornings Sleep, alarm, awake Alarm, awake, shower Awake, shower, clothes Shower, clothes, shoes Clothes, shoes, dog Shoes, dog, run Dog, run, breakfast Run, breakfast, sunrise Breakfast, sunrise, car Sunrise, car, work. ---Alex Buffington Example 2

12. Three Word Forms Ball, snap, run Snap, run, tackle Run, tackle, sack Tackle, sack, pass Sack, pass, catch Pass, catch, 1st down Catch, 1st down, touchdown. ---Josh Jones

13. Day 6: I Don’t Understand… • Directions: • Begin the poem with “I don’t understand…” • List three things you don’t understand about the world or people. • Name the thing you do not understand most of all. • End the poem with an example of something you DO understand. • It should be three stanzas long, four verses each. (12 verses) Example

14. I Don’t Understand… I DON’T UNDERSTAND I don’t understand why people dislike me why people can’t get along why dogs are colorblind and cats aren’t why people are mean to each other But most of all why people are prejudice why people must move away why people argue over stupid stuff why there are wars What I understand most is why trees grow why birds chirp why the suns shines why the car goes. ---Anita Pepper

15. Day 7: Just Because… • Directions: • Just Because… poems ask you to describe yourself in the first line of the poem. • The next three lines in each stanza tell what you are NOT. • The final line restates the first line and adds a tag directing the reader to do something. Example

16. Just Because… Just because I’m scared Don’t laugh and giggle behind my head Don’t kid and play when I’m not there Still ask me because I might play Just because I’m scared It doesn’t mean I can’t do it It doesn’t give you the right to talk about me It doesn’t stop me from having fun Just because I’m scared Still tell me everything you did Don’t think I’m weird Include me in your plans Just because I’m scared – please try to be my friend. ---Brandon Womack Example 2

17. Just Because… Just because I’m an only child I’m not a freak I’m not shy I’m not unhappy Just because I’m an only child I’m not lonely I’m not selfish I’m not spoiled Just because I’m an only child I know I’m not perfect I can’t always be the best friend I’m not a nerd Just because I’m an only child – let me be me. ---Liz Webster

18. Day 8: I Am… • Line by line directions for writing an “I Am…” poem Line 1: I am Line 2: Three nouns about which you have strong feelings. Begin each with a capital letter. Line 3: A complete sentence about two things that you like. Line 4: Three nouns that describe what you like to see in other people; end with “are important to me.” Line 5: A sentence containing a positive thought or feeling. It can tell what you find acceptable in yourself. Lines 6-7: Sentences in which you show something negative in yourself or others, however the sentence must end by showing that out of something BAD can come GOOD. Use the word “but” to link the bad and good. Lines 8-10: Each line is a short sentence relating something about which you have strong feelings—likes or dislikes. They do not have to relate to each other or to the previous lines you have written. Line 11: End with “This is me” or “I am” Example

19. I Am… I am Life, Hope, Love I care very much about the world and life on it. Honesty, optimism, and unselfishness are important to me. Hospitality is a good thing. Meanness is bad, but can be good to get people off your back. The world is getting weaker. The longer the days, the more beautiful they are. People are too negative. I am. ---Liz Webster

20. Day 9: I Am…(Version 2) • Line by line directions for writing an “I Am…” poem 1st Stanza I am (two special characteristics you have) I wonder (something you are actually curious about) I hear (an imaginary sound) I see (an imaginary sight) I want (an actual desire) I am (the first line of the poem is repeated) 2nd Stanza I pretend (something you really pretend to do) I feel (a feeling about something imaginary) I touch (something you imagine you touch) I worry (a worry that is real to you) I cry (something that makes you very sad) I am (the first line of the poem) 3rdStanza I understand (something you know is true) I say (something you believe in) I dream (a dream you actually have) I try (something you make an effort to do) I hope (something you really hope for) I am (the first line of the poem is repeated) Example

21. I Am…(Version 2) I AmI am a hard working teacher who loves to laughI wonder how my students will do this yearI hear their brains clickingI see the light in their eyesI want them to want to succeedI am a hard working teacher who loves to laughI pretend I am always in controlI feel like I’m swimming in quicksand sometimesI touch the hearts and minds of othersI worry that I am not good enoughI cry when one of my family is in painI am a hard working teacher who loves to laughI understand I cannot save everyone ignorance and apathyI say I still need to tryI dream of being the best teacher I can beI try to make my classes interestingI hope I never stop caringI am a hard working teacher who loves to laugh-Art Belliveau

22. Day 10: Diamante • Diamonte: The French word diamont means diamond. A DIAMANTE is a seven-line poem that gradually changes from one idea to a direct opposite idea. When it is completed, its total appearance is diamond shaped. • The second column describes what the parts of speech should be telling: Pattern: Line 1: Noun Line 2: Adjective, Adjective Line 3: Verb, Verb, Verb Line 4: Noun, Noun, Noun, Noun Line 5: Verb, Verb, Verb Line 6: Adjective, Adjective Line 7: Noun (opposite of line 1) Pattern: Line 1: Opposite of line 7 Line 2: Describe line 1 Line 3: Action about line 1 Line 4: 2 Nouns about line 1, 2 Nouns about line 7 Line 5: Action about line 7 Line 6: Describe line 7 Line 7: Opposite of line 1 Example

23. Diamante Love Bright, Passionate Charming, Drifting, Growing Enjoyment, Infatuation, Antipathy, Animosity Despise, Disgust, Abhor Dark, Vile Hate ---Kimiko Brantley

24. Day 11: Cinquain • A CINQUAIN is a poem with five lines • There are a few things to remember NOT to do with a cinquain or any short poem: (1) don’t be tempted to add extra words of syllables to fill out the form; (2) if every line sounds “finished,” there is a full stop at its end and it sounds boring; and (3) a cinquain should build to a climax and have a surprise at the last line. • Cinquains can be of either of two patterns: One is built on the number of words in a line; the second is based on the number of syllables in a line Word Pattern: Line 1: One word (noun) that is the subject and title of poem Line 2: Two words (adjectives) Line 3: Three words (verbs) Line 4: Four words that relate feelings Line 5: One word that repeats or refers to line 1 (subject) Syllable Pattern: Line 1: 2 syllables Line 2: 4 syllables Line 3: 6 syllables Line 4: 8 syllables Line 5: 2 syllables Example

25. Cinquain(syllable form) Dawn I wept As the blossoms Opened in the morning Mist; dew slid down the petals like My tears.

26. Day 12: Limerick • Limericks: • Are more silly than serious. • This poem has 5 lines. • The first, second and fifth lines rhyme, and contain about 8 syllables. • Lines 3 and 4 rhyme and contain about 6 syllables. • Directions: Write a limerick of your own. **Limericks rarely make much sense; in fact, the zanier they are, the better they are; however they should tell a story. Example

27. Limerick There was a Young Lady whose chin, Resembled the point of a pin; So she had it made sharp, And purchased a harp, And played several tunes with her chin. -- Edward Lear

28. Limerick There was an Old Man in a tree,Who was horribly bored by a Bee; When they said, 'Does it buzz?'He replied, 'Yes, it does!''It's a regular brute of a Bee!‘ -- Edward Lear

29. Day 13: Formula Poems • Formula poems help you use words effectively. Using parts of speech and literary devices help to make your work lively and exciting. Here are three different formula poems. • Formulas: 1.Participle, participle, participle (verbs ending in –ing or –ed) 2.Noun 3.Adverb (how) 4.Verb 5.Adverb (when or where) Title: Pick a color 1.Describing something associated to it 2.Simile or metaphor 3.Adverb or adverb phrase (where) Title: Feeling 1.Three verbs 2.Adverb (where) 3.Who has the feeling Example

30. Formula Poem Leaping, soaring, flying The superhero Nonchalantly Crashed Into the wall The Green Makes me think of Spring Like a tree covered with leaves In a wooded forest Silly Tickle, wiggle, giggle Lying on the floor My baby sister

31. Day 14: Formula Poems (cont.) • Formula poems help you use language effectively. Knowing grammar and literary terms helps you to write vivid poems that show your reader a mental image. The better your reader can see what you are talking about, the more s/he will like it. • Formulas: Title: Noun 1. Verb 2. Verb phrase 3. Three adjectives Title: Participle 1. Three nouns that do it 2. Two adjectives 3. Simile Title: Earliest Memory 1. Adverb (where) 2. Doing what 3. Two or three words showing emotion 4. Detail from the setting 5. Skip a line 6. Tell how you feel Example

32. Formula Poem Giraffes Munching Loping in the grass Stately, long-necked, silent. Jumping Frogs, kangaroos, Mexican beans Happy, playful Like a single heart Earliest Memory At the easel Painting a sailboat Intense, quiet, relaxed Too much water on the brush Frustrated!

33. Day 15: Emotions and Actions • Sometimes it is hard to put your emotions and feelings on paper. The following patterns for poems are designed to allow you to get used to putting your emotions into writing. These are two different kinds. Line 1: What if ________________ Line 2: I might ________________ (Space between lines 2 and 3) Line 3: What if ________________ Line 4: I could ________________ (Space between lines 4 and 5) Line 5: What if ________________ Line 6: I would _________________ (Space between lines 6 and 7) Line 7: Ask a question. Line 1: If I could be ________ Line 2: I’d _________ (describe what you would do) Line 3: _________ (describe how you would do it) Line 4: __________ (describe where you would do it) Line 5: (Exclamation that shows how you would feel) Example

34. Emotions and Actions If I could be a rock star I’d rock the whole wide world With my awesome songs and lyrics In every country and every city Rock on! ---Anonymous

35. Day 16:Writing About Weather • You can write about a force in nature in the style of Carl Sandburg by following the formula below. It uses simile and/or metaphor and sometimes personification. Title: Form of Nature chosen Line 1: Title + (how it arrives or begins as the animal would arrive) Line 2: Tell what it does Line 3: How it does it Line 4: Where it is Line 5: Tell how it leaves (as the animal would leave) Example

36. Writing About Weather Thunder Thunder comes in loudly like the majestic roar of a lion. It answers the call of lightening By striking fear into people. Away, somewhere in the sky, somewhere in the unknown; an unknown voice, And then leaves without a trace of its existence except in people’s stories. ---Elia Miller

37. Day 17:Month Metaphors • You can use a metaphor as a springboard to write a Month Metaphor. The format is the same as when you did “Writing About Weather”. • Directions: 1. Choose a month – or season – and picture how it would arrive if it were a person OR an animal. The list of motion words below may help you, or you may use another word to show how the month or season arrives. 2. Add a few words to make the picture seem more complete. Tell how OR where it arrives. Use adverb or prepositional phrases. 3. Tell something else the month or season does while it is here. 4. Tell how the month or season leaves. Motion Words March Wobble Creep Steal Stagger Sneak Stumble Bound Skip Zoom Tort Bounce Prance Totter Dart Float Dance Strut Shuffle Skate Example

38. Month Metaphors July July slithers Right in With a hiss. It crawls around On the hot ground, Squirming around Spreading warmth, Then slides right Out of the way. ---Tierra Jones

39. Day 18:Useless Things • A long six stanza rhyming poem with four verses each. • The first two lines of each stanza rhyme. • The second two lines of each stanza rhyme. Example

40. Useless Things A spout without a hole A Swiss without a roll Ladders without rungs Tastes without tongues, A shepherd without sheep A horn without a beep Hockey without sticks Candles without wicks, A pier without the sea A buzz without a bee A lid without a box Keys without locks, A harp without a string A pong without a ping A broom without its bristles Refs without whistles, A glacier without ice Ludo without dice A chair without a seat Steps without feet, A hat without a head A toaster without bread A riddle without a clue Me without you.

41. Day 19:Sense Poems • Think of a place that is special. Form an image in your mind of this place. If you need to brainstorm ideas, do a web. Then complete the following statements. A. I see ________________ B. I smell _______________ C. I hear ________________ D. I feel ________________ E. I taste _______________ F. I think _______________ **After you have written out the sentences, remove the pronouns, verbs, and articles as you need to. Example

42. Senses Poems I see the sage-covered desert I smell the freshness of the morning I hear the scream of the hawk I feel the caress of a breeze I taste the dew on the wind I think the new day is born Sage-covered desert Freshness of morning Scream of the hawk Caress of a breeze Dew of the wind New day born

43. Day 20:Contrast Poems Directions: • Title: Name of object, tradition, environment, etc. • Lines #1-2-3: Write three lines that paint a vivid picture of the title. • SKIP A LINE. • Lines #4-5-6: Write three lines that paint a different picture. Follow the same pattern in the second three lines you did in the first. For example, if line #2 contains two adjectives and a noun, line #4 should also have two adjectives and a noun. Example

44. Contrast Poems Summer It is sunny, warm, and breezy The kids are splashing in the pool The best part of the year. It is too hot to stay outside Sunburns that will not fade The worst part of the year.

45. Day 21:Object Poems Directions: 1. Select an object. 2. In poetic form write a meditation on your object in which you compare the object to as many things – sight, sounds, tastes, textures, smells - as you can imagine. Let your imagination run free. Think of the most unique comparisons that you can. Then write a poem, including six (or fewer) of these comparisons and their descriptions (how does your object look like mountain, etc.). Do not use rhyme. 3. To help you begin, answer the following questions about your object: What does it look like? How or why does it look like that? What colors do you see? What do the colors remind you of? What does it smell like? What does it feel like? **HERE IS A GUIDE TO HELP YOU STRUCTURE YOUR POEM. First it is… And then it is like… And then it is like… And now it becomes… And now it is… And now it is… And now I am… Example

46. Object Poem **As you read, notice the comparisons and the descriptions of those comparisons. Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh This snail shell, round, full and glossy as a horse chestnut. Comfortable and compact, it sits curled up like a cat in a the hollow of my hand. Milky and opaque, it has the pinkish bloom of the sky on a summer evening, ripening to rain. On its smooth symmetrical face is penciled with precision a perfect spiral, winding inward to the pinpoint center of the shell, the tiny dark core of the apex, the pupil of the eye. It scares me, this mysterious single eye -- and I stare back. Now, it is the moon, solitary in the sky, full and round, replete with power. Now it is the eye of the cat that brushes noiselessly through long grass at night. Now is an island, set in ever-widening circles of waves, alone, self-contained, serene.

47. Day 22: Biography Poems • Directions: Follow the format below to create your own Biography Poem. Line 1: First name of student Line 2: Four adjectives to describe yourself Line 3: Son/daughter of ___________ & __________ Line 4: Lover of_________, _________, __________ Line 5: Who feels __________, __________, __________ Line 6: Who fears ___________,___________, ___________ Line 7: Who would like to see _________, __________, _________ Line 8: Resident of (street, town, state, country) . Line 9: Last name Example

48. Biography Poem Jamie Happy, nice, friendly, kind Daughter of Sarah and Mike Lover of my parents, dog, and reading Who feels summer is too short, school’s great and bedtime comes too early Who fears being bitten by a dog, being thrown off a horse, and getting an F on a test Who would like to see Hawaii, the Pyramids, and Disney Land Resident of Burnside Way, Stockton, California, USA Smith

49. Day 23: Bull Durham Credo Directions: By following the formula below, tell what you believe in. BULL DURHAM CREDO I believe in the ______________________ the _______________________________ the _______________________________ the _______________________________ the _______________________________ __________, __________, ____________ But (something you don’t believe in) w I believe in _________________________ I believe in _________________________ I believe in _________________________ __________, __________, ____________ And I believe in ______________________ (longest) Example

50. Bull Durham Credo CREDO I believe in the wisdom of elders, the influence of peer pressure, the importance of success, the evil that exists in money, the effectiveness of hard work, dedication, courage, strength. But the belief that you don’t have to strive for your goals is just outrageous. I believe in the truth that will set you free, I believe in love that will conquer all, I believe in respect for others, Courtesy, politeness, gratitude. And I believe in the fact that tomorrow Isn’t promised to you.