ENG1DB Poetry Analysis Unit: Becoming a Poet…
The Importance of Seeing Things From a Unique Perspective
“What is that you express in your eyes? It seems to me more than all
the print I have read in my life.”
– Walt Whitman
Photo Prompt:
Instructions:

First and foremost, do not over-think this activity, but instead, attempt to look at
everything you see that is seemingly ordinary from a different, creative
perspective. Rely on your emotions and your imagination here! Think and write
quickly!
1. What/who does the man in the photograph remind you of?
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2. Describe the man in the photograph using three descriptive words:
Word #1: ____________________________________________________________________________
Word #2: ____________________________________________________________________________
Word #3: ____________________________________________________________________________
3. Consider this man’s physical surroundings and/or current circumstances (in the
moment in which this photograph was taken). Describe them.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
4. Give this man action. What was he doing before or after this photograph was
taken? Be creative!
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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“If my poetry aims to achieve anything, it's to deliver people from the limited
ways in which they see and feel.”
– Jim Morrison
Poem Examples: Poems that see the extraordinary within ordinary objects…
The Object: A puzzle piece
The Poem: “Picture Puzzle Piece” by Shel Silverstein
One picture puzzle piece
Lyin' on the sidewalk,
One picture puzzle piece
Soakin' in the rain.
It might be a button of blue
On the coat of the woman
Who lived in a shoe.
It might be a magical bean,
Or a fold in the red
Velvet robe of a queen.
It might be the one little bite
Of the apple her stepmother
Gave to Snow White.
It might be the veil of a bride
Or a bottle with some evil genie inside.
It might be a small tuft of hair
On the big bouncy belly
Of Bobo the Bear.
It might be a bit of the cloak
Of the Witch of the West
As she melted to smoke.
It might be a shadowy trace
Of a tear that runs down an angel's face.
Nothing has more possibilities
Than one old wet picture puzzle piece.
The Object: Socks
The Poem: “Ode to My Socks” by Pablo Neruda
Mara Mori brought me
a pair of socks
which she knitted herself
with her sheepherder’s hands,
two socks as soft as rabbits.
I slipped my feet into them
as if they were two cases
knitted with threads of twilight and goatskin,
Violent socks,
my feet were two fish made of wool,
two long sharks
sea blue, shot through
by one golden thread,
two immense blackbirds,
two cannons,
my feet were honored in this way
by these heavenly socks.
They were so handsome for the first time
my feet seemed to me unacceptable
like two decrepit firemen,
firemen unworthy of that woven fire,
of those glowing socks.
Homework Activity:

Remember that the power of poetry often lies with the poet's unique
observations and sensitive, thoughtful word choices that startle and engage the
reader into considering a new, fresh perspective.

Attempt to look at an ordinary object, a routine situation, or a familiar person in
your life from a different, unique perspective.

Write a short, inspired FIVE (5) line poem about the topic you have chosen. Your
poem does not need to follow a distinct rhyme scheme, but it must be original
and describe your chosen object/situation/person from a fresh perspective!

Use figurative language to give shape to what you see! Creativity is key!