Poetry Forms

1. Poetry Forms Power Point #6

2. Biography Poem Definition: a poem written with biographical information about a specific person or several people in a specific group Format: Title: Last name Line 1 – First name Line 2 – four traits Line 3 – Lover of… Line 4 – Who needs… Line 5 – Who fears… Line 6 – Who wishes…

3. Biography Poem Sample Gianna Energetic, funny, curious Lover of Thomas the Train, Barbie, and baby dolls Who needs more time on the swing Who fears a spanking Who wishes for mommy to play all day Joy Blind, sweet, senile Lover of Pupperoni treats, her bed, and sunshine Who needs a new set of eyes Who fears not finding the piddle pad in time Who wishes for endless belly scratching Dotty Scared, gentile, hyper Lover of her blanket, table scraps, and rolling in the grass Who needs more time outside Who fears a loud noise Who wishes for someone to love her Pagnanella Jennifer Organized, happy, caring Lover of fall crisp air, family get-togethers, & pizza Who needs a moment of quiet Who fears losing someone she loves Who wishes for more time in the day Jason Stubborn, loving, humorous Lover of GI Joes, his family, and golf Who needs a new car Who fears failure Who wishes for a day off

4. Change Poem Definition: a poem that chronicles the change process of a being or concept. Format: Usually one sentence written with one word on each line A surprising change at the end to complete the form

5. Change Poem Samples “Growing Up” The baby crawls across the floor and climbs into the rocking chair while her grandchildren sit on her lap. “The King” Elvis young alive singing with joy through the power of his soul in heaven. “Dairy” The farmer squeezed the milk out of the cow into my cup.

6. Recipe Poem Definition: a poem that is written for making something (in a traditional recipe format) that is not food Ideas: Friendship Tears A little brother A first date/kiss A great mom Failure Revenge

7. Recipe Poem Samples “A Recipe for Failure” Begin with just enough force to wreck a life, a pound of danger, blend with too much confidence and a lifetime worth of rage. Let sit for twenty minutes or until dark. Pour on excuses to top it off. Let sit, do not heat or you will lose the bitter taste of defeat. “A Recipe for Love” You need two cups of passion half a cup of caring and a tablespoon of friendship. First, mix the passion and friendship with a blending spoon very well until they’re stuck together like a kiss. When you feel the friendship and passion have joined, add the half cup of caring and mix it all together until it is one big hug and you have made a pound of love.

8. Definition Poem Definition: uses metaphorical language to define an abstract concept or concrete object The poet could create one comparison and expand the idea or present several different comparisons in the poem.

9. Definition Samples • Abstractions • death • Love • Hatred • Life • Injustice • Anger • Sorrow • Sadness • Joy • Peace • Friendship • Concrete Objects • Grass • Sand • Snow • Ice • Wind • Rain • Sunshine “Loneliness” Loneliness is a distant train whistle Loneliness is one isolated quietness. Loneliness is hot tears that drown the soul. Loneliness is emptiness waiting to be filled. “Jealousy” Jealousy is a disguise for hatred and anger and fear. Jealousy is hiding behind a mask of hurt and sorrow and pain. Jealousy is a teasing game of “I can’t have,” a strong desire. Jealousy is a possessive force even for loved ones.

10. Memory Poem Definition: a poem written about a memory the author has. It could be a happy or sad memory, a recent or old memory. As always, it is important to select appropriate words and techniques to reflect the mood of the subject.

11. Memory Poem Samples “My Whole World” As we would walk, she would tell me stories of the olden days or we would go see sweet old Aunt Emma but all the while she was deteriorating, dying. she was my best friend my confidante for the first few years of my life. But, how’s an eight-year-old to understand death? All I wanted was my grandmom but for the first time in my life, I was all alone. “Missing” Searching for a lost friend in a place called Memory Lane Forever, constantly searching for us, Our fallen tears like rain. And when we think we’ve finally fixed the problems we once had, they start again, we argue more--- this time it’s twice as bad. I wish I could go back in time and tell her what she means that she was my very best friend, I remember in my dreams.

12. Found Poem Definition: a poem that is created from text or conversation. The original text or conversation was not intended to be a poem; the author literally “found” it You can “find” your poem in: Books Magazines Flyers conversations

13. Found Poem Samples “5:15” “Hey, that’s my glove!” “What’s for dinner, honey?” “I’m going out,” “No snacking, dinner’s almost ready.” “Mom! Phone!” “Aarf! Aarf! Aarf!” “Ok, bye.” “Have you seen my…” “DINNER!”

14. List Poem Definition: a poem whose title begins the list of things that then becomes the poem

15. List Poem Samples “Useless Things” A spout without a hole A Swiss without a roll Ladders without rungs Taste 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 hat without a head A toaster without bread A riddle without a clue Me without you. “When I am Alone I…” think about my life it’s gone up in smoke cry listen to my cat hear music play hold my breath scream sleep never dream sing along clean hold my breath watch the news have some coffee fix a meal do the dishes sweep the floor strum my guitar mess up and start again.

16. Curiosity Poem Definition: A poem that poses questions about a part of life. The topic could be something the author dreams of, fears, or simply wonders about. Its purpose is to pose thoughtful questions and express the author’s feelings toward the subject.

17. Curiosity Poem Sample “Getting Old” What happens when you get old? Do you automatically start to wrinkle and fold? Do you lose and gain new friends? Do you start to wear new fashion trends? Do you start liking orchestra and band? Do people start calling you an old man? Do you change your childhood tastes? And at the thought of your age do you become disgraced? When you lose your hair, do you get mad? Is getting old good or bad?

18. Love Poem Definition: a poem that captures the essence of a loving relationship using words. • A love poem could be written about any subject—as long as love is the central theme. • Many love poems are written about people; however a love poem could be written about inanimate objects or animals as well

19. Love Poem Samples “A Friendship Caught Fire” By Jenni Weintz It was a small smile, a burst of laughter that began it. Days of talking turning into nights of exchanged secrets. Thoughts of where they are and what they’re doing race in your mind. Embarrassing moments turn into comfortable ones, And wrestling fights turn into entwined fingers, sweaty at first. Then the nervousness fades and the thought of being apart hurts. Goodnight hugs become tighter and tighter until you feel this spark. A spark of magic that tingles your body from head to toe. There becomes this awkward moment when you both know, That your feelings have changed and you want to be more than just friends. That first kiss leaves you electrified and dazed, Making you think it couldn’t possibly be better than this. But as time passes the conversations get better and the moments more special. And you find that this bond has formed, making you inseparable. Every day you discover something new about him and love it. You build on what you had to make it better than it ever was. And then you see that all that’s really happened is something very simple, It’s a friendship that caught fire, it’s really a feeling called love.