READING POETRY
Close Reading of Poetry
• There is no single way to do a close reading of a poem.
Sometimes an impression is a way in; sometimes the
“voice” in the poem stands out; sometimes it is a matter of
knowing the genre of the poem; sometimes groupings of
key words, phrases, or images seem to be its most
striking elements; and sometimes it takes a while to get
any impression whatsoever. The goal, however, is
constant: you want to come to a deeper understanding of
the poem. There are, nonetheless, steps you can take
toward this goal—the first being, obviously, to read the
poem very carefully—as well as specific elements you
can look for and questions you can ask.
Remember:
• A poem is a concise verbal snapshot of a poet’s thoughts
• Poems work through the images they paint, the sounds
they create, and the ideas they communicate
• HOW MANY TIMES SHOULD I READ A POEM?
 More than once, in order to hear the sounds and
rhythms and to visualize the words
 Try to share the poet’s feelings and perceptions. Then
ask yourself, “what does this poem say to me?”
Elements of a Poem
• The music of poetry: Its Sounds
 Poetry needs to be read aloud to listen for words that
rhyme and for rhythms that you can tap your fingers to,
like music
• The Images of Poetry: Its Pictures
 Let the poet’s words paint pictures in your mind
 Poets use sensory images to appeal to sight, hearing,
taste, smell and touch
• The Structure of Poetry: Its Shape
 Pay attention to how the poet has places the words on
the page
 Poets may repeat lines or words to emphasize important
ideas
How to Read a Poem
• Conversation with the poet: listening to what the poet is
saying
• Get involved in poetry reading!
 Ask questions about the poem
•  Make comments
•  Express your feelings
Before Reading:
• Find out how long it is and how many stanzas the poem
contains
• Stanza:
 an arrangement of a certain number of lines, usually
four or more, sometimes having a fixed length, meter, or
rhyme scheme, forming a division of a poem.
• Shape of the poem
Getting to Know the Poem
• Read it once: don’t think too much about what it means
•
•
•
•
the first time
Pay attention to the punctuation (commas, periods)
Listen to the sound of the words
Read the poem slowly, this time thinking about what it
could mean
Visualize the words
Getting Into the Poem
• Look out for the poetic devices!
• List things that catch your attention
 repetitions
 comparisons
 rhymes
 images
 sounds
• Listen to the tone of voice in the poem
 may express an emotion or an attitude. Is it serious,
angry, happy?
You Are Reading This Too Fast
By: Ken Norris
You are reading this too fast.
Slow down, for this is poetry
and poetry works slowly.
Unless you live with it a while
the spirit will never descend.
It’s so easy to quietly cut across the surface
and then claim there was nothing to find.
Touch the poem gently with your eyes
just as you would touch a lover’s flesh.
Poetry is an exercise in patience,
you must wait for it to come to you.
The spirit manifests in many guises:
some quiver with beauty.
Some vibrate with song.
What is happening?
Slow down, slow down,
take a few deep breaths,
read the poem slowly.
read the lines one at a time.
read the words one by one.
read the spaces between the words.
get sleepy, this is poetry.
relax until your heart
is vulnerable, wide open.
A Poison Tree
By: William Blake
I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I waterd it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night.
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.
And into my garden stole,
When the night had veild the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.
Practice Close Reading
• Little Boxes
• Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening
• My Father Hurt