30 Days of 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.

Day 1: CONCRETE POETRY

Example

CONCRETE 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.

Day 2: SYNONYM POETRY

Example

SYNONYM POETRY

LOVEAttachment, adoration, warmth, adorationLove is so pure, right down to the core.---Kimiko Brantly

NOISEClamor, uproar, hullabalooThese things can really annoy you.---Shasta Inman

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.

Day 3: OPPOSITES

Example

OPPOSITESWhat 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

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.

Day 4: LIST POEMS

Example

LIST POEMS

Things Kids Say When They Want to Get Out and PlayI 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

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.

Day 5: THREE WORD FORMS

Example

THREE WORD FORMS

MorningsSleep, alarm, awake

Alarm, awake, showerAwake, shower, clothesShower, clothes, shoes

Clothes, shoes, dogShoes, dog, run

Dog, run, breakfastRun, breakfast, sunriseBreakfast, sunrise, car

Sunrise, car, work.---Alex Buffington

Example 2

THREE WORD FORMS

Ball, snap, runSnap, run, tackleRun, tackle, sackTackle, sack, passSack, pass, catch

Pass, catch, 1st downCatch, 1st down, touchdown.

---Josh Jones

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)

Day 6: I DON’T UNDERSTAND…

Example

I DON’T UNDERSTAND…I DON’T UNDERSTAND

I don’t understandwhy people dislike mewhy people can’t get alongwhy dogs are colorblind and cats aren’twhy people are mean to each other

But most of all why people are prejudicewhy people must move awaywhy people argue over stupid stuffwhy there are wars

What I understand most iswhy trees growwhy birds chirpwhy the suns shineswhy the car goes.

---Anita Pepper

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.

Day 7: JUST BECAUSE…

Example

JUST BECAUSE…Just because I’m scared

Don’t laugh and giggle behind my headDon’t kid and play when I’m not thereStill ask me because I might play

Just because I’m scaredIt doesn’t mean I can’t do itIt doesn’t give you the right to talk about meIt doesn’t stop me from having fun

Just because I’m scaredStill tell me everything you didDon’t think I’m weirdInclude me in your plans

Just because I’m scared – please try to be my friend.---Brandon Womack Example

2

JUST BECAUSE…

Just because I’m an only childI’m not a freakI’m not shyI’m not unhappy

Just because I’m an only childI’m not lonelyI’m not selfishI’m not spoiled

Just because I’m an only childI know I’m not perfectI can’t always be the best friendI’m not a nerd

Just because I’m an only child – let me be me.---Liz Webster

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”

Day 8: I AM…

Example

I AM…I am

Life, Hope, LoveI 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

Line by line directions for writing an “I Am…” poem1st 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)

3rd Stanza

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)

Day 9: I AM…(VERSION 2)

Example

I Am…(Version 2)I Am

I am a hard working teacher who loves to laughI wonder how my students will do this year

I hear their brains clickingI see the light in their eyes

I want them to want to succeedI am a hard working teacher who loves to laugh

I pretend I am always in controlI feel like I’m swimming in quicksand sometimes

I touch the hearts and minds of othersI worry that I am not good enough

I cry when one of my family is in painI am a hard working teacher who loves to laugh

I understand I cannot save everyone ignorance and apathyI say I still need to try

I dream of being the best teacher I can beI try to make my classes interesting

I hope I never stop caringI am a hard working teacher who loves to laugh

-Art Belliveau

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:

Day 10: DIAMANTE

Example

Pattern:Line 1: NounLine 2: Adjective, AdjectiveLine 3: Verb, Verb, VerbLine 4: Noun, Noun, Noun, NounLine 5: Verb, Verb, VerbLine 6: Adjective, AdjectiveLine 7: Noun (opposite of line 1)

Pattern:Line 1: Opposite of line 7Line 2: Describe line 1Line 3: Action about line 1Line 4: 2 Nouns about line 1,

2 Nouns about line 7Line 5: Action about line 7Line 6: Describe line 7Line 7: Opposite of line 1

DIAMANTELove

Bright, PassionateCharming, Drifting, Growing

Enjoyment, Infatuation, Antipathy, AnimosityDespise, Disgust, Abhor

Dark, VileHate

---Kimiko Brantley

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

Day 11: CINQUAIN

Example

Word Pattern:Line 1: One word (noun) that is the

subject and title of poemLine 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 syllablesLine 2: 4 syllablesLine 3: 6 syllablesLine 4: 8 syllablesLine 5: 2 syllables

CINQUAIN(SYLLABLE FORM)

Dawn

I weptAs the blossoms

Opened in the morningMist; dew slid down the petals like

My tears.

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.

Day 12: LIMERICK

Example

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

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

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

Day 13: FORMULA POEMS

Example

FORMULA POEMLeaping, soaring, flyingThe superheroNonchalantlyCrashedInto the wall

The GreenMakes me think of SpringLike a tree covered with leavesIn a wooded forest

SillyTickle, wiggle, giggleLying on the floorMy baby sister

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

Day 14: FORMULA POEMS (CONT.)

Example

FORMULA POEMGiraffesMunchingLoping in the grassStately, long-necked, silent.

JumpingFrogs, kangaroos, Mexican beansHappy, playfulLike a single heart

Earliest MemoryAt the easelPainting a sailboatIntense, quiet, relaxedToo much water on the brush

Frustrated!

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.

Day 15: EMOTIONS AND ACTIONS

Example

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)

EMOTIONS AND ACTIONS

If I could be a rock starI’d rock the whole wide worldWith my awesome songs and lyricsIn every country and every cityRock on!

---Anonymous

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 chosenLine 1: Title + (how it arrives or begins as the animal would arrive)Line 2: Tell what it doesLine 3: How it does itLine 4: Where it isLine 5: Tell how it leaves (as the animal would leave)

DAY 16:WRITING ABOUT WEATHER

Example

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

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.

DAY 17:MONTH METAPHORS

Example

Motion Words

March Wobble Creep StealStagger Sneak Stumble BoundSkip Zoom Tort BouncePrance Totter DartFloat Dance Strut

Shuffle Skate

MONTH METAPHORS

July

July slithersRight in

With a hiss.It crawls around

On the hot ground,Squirming aroundSpreading warmth,Then slides rightOut of the way.

---Tierra Jones

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.

DAY 18:USELESS THINGS

Example

USELESS THINGSA spout without a holeA Swiss without a rollLadders without rungsTastes without tongues,

A shepherd without sheepA horn without a beepHockey without sticksCandles without wicks,

A pier without the seaA buzz without a beeA lid without a boxKeys without locks,

A harp without a stringA pong without a pingA broom without its bristlesRefs without whistles,

A glacier without iceLudo without diceA chair without a seatSteps without feet,

A hat without a headA toaster without breadA riddle without a clueMe without you.

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.

DAY 19:SENSE POEMS

Example

SENSES POEMS

I see the sage-covered desertI smell the freshness of the

morningI hear the scream of the hawkI feel the caress of a breezeI taste the dew on the windI think the new day is born

Sage-covered desertFreshness of morningScream of the hawkCaress of a breezeDew of the windNew day born

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.

DAY 20:CONTRAST POEMS

Example

CONTRAST POEMSSummer

It is sunny, warm, and breezyThe kids are splashing in the poolThe best part of the year.

It is too hot to stay outsideSunburns that will not fadeThe worst part of the year.

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…

DAY 21:OBJECT POEMS

Example

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.

Directions: Follow the format below to create your own Biography Poem.

Line 1: First name of studentLine 2: Four adjectives to describe yourselfLine 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

DAY 22: BIOGRAPHY POEMS

Example

BIOGRAPHY POEMJamie

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

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)

DAY 23: BULL DURHAM CREDO

Example

BULL DURHAM CREDOCREDO

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 strivefor 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 tomorrowIsn’t promised to you.

HAIKU: Characterized by content, language, and form. The content of haiku poems is primarily nature. Usually there are no similes or metaphors. The most common form is three lines, the first and third line being the same length and the middle one being a little longer. This is can also be translated into a 5/7/5 syllable structure.

TANKA: A mood piece, usually about love, seasons, sadness, or how short life is. Tankas use strong images and often have similes and metaphor. It usually has only five lines. Instead of counting syllables, you count ACCENTED syllables. You can use either of these patterns to write a tanka: 2/3/2/3/3 OR 5/7/5/7/7.

Directions: Write at least one of each form.

DAY 24: JAPANESE-LIKE POEMS

Example

HAIKU

As the wind does blowAcross the trees, I see theBuds blooming in May

Half mocking the seaThe gulls dip within reach ofEach exploding wave.

TANKABeautiful mountainsRivers with cold, cold water.White cold snow on rocksTrees over the place with frostWhite sparkly snow everywhere.

Pretty colored treesThat are orange, red, and yellow

In the Autumn airAn old barn by the water

With a white fence around it.

The leaves change colorWhen the fall winds start to blow,Yellow, orange, and brownAre the colors of fall leaves,Slowly falling from the trees.

Someday Poems: Begin each line with the word Someday… and complete it with a wish you have. Make the first two or three lines say something about our everyday wishes and slowly move away from yourself to the world in general.

One Window Is All I Need…: Begin your poem with One window is all I need…, and continue to write about this imaginary window in a personal way.

Writing About Others: When you write about others, pick one important thing about them. Keep the focus positive.

Directions: Write one of each poem.

DAY 25: WRITE ABOUT YOURSELF & OTHERS

Example

SOMEDAY POEMSOMEDAY…Someday I will play the guitarSomeday I will have a jobSomeday I will get marriedSomeday I will have kidsSomeday I will be richSomeday I will be noticedSomeday people will respect each other

---Melissa ManorNext

Example

ONE WINDOW IS ALL NEED…

One window is all I needTo see what lies ahead of meTo lose myself in loveFor a connection to my inner worldTo see myself for who I amTo be able to make changes.

---Tierra JonesNext

Example

WRITING ABOUT OTHERSTHE NEW WORLDOver 300 years ago, My grandfather of many greatsMoved from one world to another,Sailed across the AtlanticAnd settled in Virginia.He must have felt asChristopher Columbus,Discovering a new world.England to “The New World”Not too terribly far apart,But different in all ways.All his routines changed, His work changed,His life changed,He changed.---John Mayne

Start your poem with a rhetorical question. A rhetorical question is one that you ask but do not expect an answer from your listener; you provide it yourself.

Directions: Write your own rhetorical question poem.

DAY 26: RHETORICAL QUESTIONS

Example

Rhetorical Question PoemRAINDROP FEELINGSI wonder if they like being raindrops?I suppose they doThey always have friends around themThey never travel aloneSome people save them to wash their hairThey make trees grow

---Tierra Jones

They are four lines long. The first and second lines rhyme with each other,

and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other.

The first line names a person, and the second line ends with something that rhymes with the name of the person.

A clerihew should be funny.

Directions: Write your own clerihew.

DAY 27: CLERIHEW

Example

CLERIHEWEdgar Allen PoeWas passionately fond of roeHe always liked to chew someWhen writing anything gruesome.---E. Clerihew Bentley

Lewis CarolBought sumptuous apparelAnd built an enormous palaceOut of the profits of Alice.---E. Clerihew Bentley

Follow the model below.

If I could grant a wish for you,

I would get a thrill or two.

May___________________May___________________

May___________________May___________________

** Total of 8 rhyming pairs of May_______**(20 verses)

Oh, If I could grant a wish for you,I would get a thrill or two.

DAY 28: IF I COULD GRANT A WISH

Example

Ending words rhyme

IF I COULD GRANT A WISH FOR YOUIf I could grant a wish for you, I would get a thrill or two.

May all your lucky numbers win the lotteryMay you discover beautiful, ancient pottery.

May you be able to act and singMay life bring you every good thing.

May you be able to pig out and not get fatMay you get a hit every time at bat.

May you never get sick or have the fluMay you only have good dreams that come true.

May you be able to do anything you desireMay you never have car trouble or a flat tire.

May you eat chocolate and candy tooMay each dish of ice cream be just for you.

May your test and report cards show great gradesMay your room be cleaned by fast-working maids.

May you always have money and never be poorMay you always have peace and never know war.

Oh, if I could grant a wish for you,I would get a thrill or two.

DAY 29 & 30: ORIGINAL POEMS

It’s your turn!

Write your own free verse poems!