“Poetry can communicate before it is understood”
T.S. Elliot
introduction
1. Wat zou deze uitspraak te betekenen hebben? Overleg in je groep en noteer
de antwoorden hier (je hoeft het niet met elkaar eens te zijn, maar let erop dat
iedereen een mening weergeeft):
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Types of poetry
 There are many types of poetry, each “invented” in a particular era (= tijdperk), or
created with a special purpose:
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Mother Goose Rhymes: Many different forms of verse, included in
traditional nursery rhymes, some set to music.
Limericks: Lines 1, 2 and 5 rhyme.; Lines 3 and 4 rhyme.
There was an old man named Tim
and he was very slim
He had no clue
of what should he do
so he changed his name to Jim
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Free Verse: Lacks rhyme and has less predictable rhythm.
Concrete Poetry: Words and phrases are arranged on paper to capture
and extend the meaning. Each line should be a complete unit of
thought.
Cinquain : Syllabic verse form. Gradually increasing number of
syllables in each line until the last line, which returns to two syllables.
First Line: 2 syllables One word, giving title. Second Line: 4 syllables
Two words, describing title. Third Line: 6 syllables Three words,
expressing action. Fourth Line: 8 syllables Four words, expressing a
feeling. Fifth Line: 2 syllables Another word for the title.
Winter
cool air
snow falls down briskly
children frolic across
the yard, happiness can be found
in winter
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Ballads: Ballads are narrative poetry [tells a story] set to music.
Couplet: A pair of lines of poetry that are usually rhymed.
Shakespearean sonnet; poem of fourteen lines: three quatrains (3x4
rules) and a couplet: ababcdcdefefgg
Petrarchan sonnet; poem of fourteen lines: octave and sextet abbaabba
cdecde
- And many, many more.

Now you are going to work with two types of poetry. Because it is going to be
Valentine’s Day very soon, you are going to write your own ”Friendship Cinquain”.
Workshop poetry
(A cinquain is a simple five-line poem that follows a pattern. Interview a friend and use what
you learn to write a cinquain about that person. Copy the cinquain onto a heart pattern.
Interview a Friend
1. What is your name?
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2. What are some adjectives that describe you?
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3. What are some activities that you enjoy?
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4. What do you think makes you a good friend to others?
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5. Do you have a nickname?
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6. What else do you want to tell me about yourself?
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Write the
Friendship Cinquain
____________________
(Person’s Name)
___________________ , ____________________
(Two adjectives describing the person.)
____________________ , ___________________, ____________________
(Three action words)
___________________ __________________ ___________________
___________________
(A four-word phrase about friendship)
____________________
(Nickname or noun)

Well done ! You have written your first poem in your life ! Now put this on a red
piece of paper, and cut it out into a heart. There is no need to put your name on it,
unless you want to of course.
Now we’ll move to more creative writing. Read the two following poems by William
Carlos Williams.

Poem 1
As the cat
climbed over
the top of
the jamcloset
first the right
forefoot
carefully
then the hind
stepped down
into the pit of
the empty
flowerpot.
Workshop poetry
Poem 2
“This is just to say”
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold

Your assignment is to write your own version of each of the poems above,
following the “skeleton” poems below. After you have written a rough draft for each,
choose the one you like the best and write a final draft of the poem on the white
paper. Decorate your poem in any way you choose.
Poem 1 [create title…]
poem 2: “This is just to say
As the [noun]
climbed [over/on/under/in]
the [top/center/bottom of]
I have [verb]
the [noun(s)]
That [were/was] [in/out/on]
the [noun]
the [noun]
First the [……….]
[……….]
[adverb]
then the [……….]
stepped [……….]
into the [……….] of
the [adjective]
[noun]
and which
you were probably
saving
for [……….]
Forgive me
[it/they was/were] [adjective]
so [adjective]
and so [adjective]
7. Here there’s place to write down your final draft version:
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
Now, you’re all on your own. Read the poem below:
Valentine
Carol Ann Duffy
Not a red rose or a satin heart.
I give you an onion.
It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.
It promises light
like the careful undressing of love.
Here.
It will blind you with tears
like a lover.
It will make your reflection
a wobbling photo of grief.
I am trying to be truthful.
Not a cute card or a kissogram.
Workshop poetry
I give you an onion.
Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,
possessive and faithful
as we are,
for as long as we are.
Take it.
Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring,
if you like.
Lethal.
Its scent will cling to your fingers,
cling to your knife.
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 Now, write a fill-in-the-blank poem. In the poem above, phrases and words are
underlined. Write your own poem, changing the underlined portion to
words of your own. You must keep the same structure and phrases
as in the original poem! For example, the line It is a moon (noun)
wrapped (verb) in brown paper (prepositional phrase), should keep the
same basic structure. It could be changed in this way (the gift is a car): It
is a cheetah (noun) running (verb) after its prey (prepositional
phrase).
When there is time left, do the following exercise

Final assignment: choose with your group one type of poetry from the list on the
previous page(s), and write your own poem. So, this can be anything: a sonnet, free
verse or a limerick. Try to pay attention to the characteristics of your particular poem,
and pay attention to these “rules”.
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Workshop poetry
Workshop poetry