Children’s Poetry Writing: A Variety of Forms
 Limerick
The Limerick is a short humorous form of poetry. The first, second and fifth lines each
have eight syllables and rhyme with each other. The middle lines have only six syllables
and a separate rhyme. (Lines may be expanded to nine syllables if place-name / end of
first line is longer than one syllable).
Think of some words which rhyme with end of first line (rhymes may be silly). Next,
think of a problem for your character, and present it in your two short lines. Finish with
an ending (resolution) to the limerick, which should make the reader laugh.
There was a large lady from Perth,
Who wanted to travel the earth;
But her wish was in vain,
For the door of the plane
Was not wide enough for her girth.
 Free Verse
A Free Verse poem does not follow a set pattern. It does not rhyme. It expresses feelings,
emotions, and ideas. Topic of poem is generally serious, though sometimes humorous.
Rainy Day
On a rainy day
I sit and think
And wonder
What I would be doing
If today weren't rainy.
 List Poems
Lists can be either rhyming or not. The writer decides style used. They can be humorous
or far - fetched. Often, there is a ‘serious turn’ in the final line.
Things Kids Say When They Want To Get Out To Play
I 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
But, Mam
Yes, Mam, I'm sure
Yeah, I’ll be careful
No, I won’t poke an eye out
Oh, please!

Haiku Poems
Haiku poems are characterised by content, language and form. Form is the least
important. Content deals primarily with Nature. There are no similes or metaphors, and
few adjectives. Most common form has three lines, and a 5/7/5 syllabic structure.
Butterflies are cute
Fluttering their scaly wings
Very, very fast
 Sense Poems
Stage 1: Think of your special place. Imagine it in your mind. Then complete the
following statements: I see …….. I smell …... I hear ……. I feel …….. I taste …….
I think ……..
Stage 2: remove the verbs, pronouns and articles as necessary.
(I see the) calm silent water
(I smell the) freshness of morning
(I hear the) birds singing sweetly
(I feel the) breeze on my face.
(I taste the) salt in the air
(I think I’m) in heaven.
 Narrative / Story Poems
These poems tell a story. They may or may not rhyme. Nursery Rhymes, such as
‘Winken, Blinken and Nod’ are often written in narrative form.
As I was going to St. Ives
As I was going to St. Ives
I met a man with seven wives.
Each wife had seven sacks,
Each sack had seven cats,
Each cat had seven kits.
Kits, cats, sacks, and wives,
How many were going to St. Ives?
 Other Formula Poems
Formula poems help children use words effectively. Using parts of speech, grammar,
literary terms children can write vivid poems. They are most suited to the older child but
can be adapted for younger poets. A typical formula is:
Title
1st Line
2nd Line
3rd Line
(Noun)
(Verb)
(Verb Phrase)
(3 Adjectives)
Giraffes
Munching
Lying in the grass
Long-necked, calm, silently
 Concrete / Shape Poems
Concrete poetry describes poems where the text itself forms a visible picture on the page,
i.e. graphically creating a scene using only words. From a distance the poem looks like a
picture; up close it consists only of words and phrases. The shape of the text on the paper
in some way matches theme / nature of the poem. (First, lightly draw shape with pencil.)
The Dove
 Cinquain Poetry
A cinquain poem is a simple five-line poem that a follows a pattern, such as:
Line 1: one word (subject or noun)
Line 2: two words (adjectives) that describe line 1
Line 3: three words (action verbs) that relate to line 1
Line 4: four words (feelings/complete sentence) that relate to line 1
Line 5: one-word synonym of line 1/ word that sums it up)
November
cold, damp
frightens, saddens, closes
feeling death and hope
winter
 Diamante Poems
The name comes from the French word for diamond: diamont. A Diamante is a sevenline poem that gradually changes from one idea to a completely opposite idea. When it is
completed, its total appearance is diamond shaped. A common structure is:
Line 1: one word (subject / noun) contrasting with line 7
Line 2: two words (adjectives) that describe line 1
Line 3: three words (action verbs) that relate to line 1
Line 4: four words (nouns) first 2 relate to line 1, last 2 to line 7
Line 5: three words (action verbs) that relate to line 7
Line 6: two words (adjectives) that describe line 7
Line 7: one word (subject / noun) contrasting with line 1
Mars
Red, small
Orbiting, rotating, floating
Rocks, lightness, flames, star
Sparkling, flaring, burning
Orange, yellow
Sun
 ‘I Am’ Poems
The following is a commonly used template for ‘I Am’ poems. Template can be amended
as required.
I am (two / three special characteristics)
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 restated)
I pretend (something you actually pretend to do)
I feel (a feeling about something imaginary)
I touch (an imaginary touch)
I worry (something that really bothers you)
I cry (something that makes you very sad)
I am (the first line of the poem restated)
I Am Poem
By Elisa
September 9, 2004
I am a fun, hard working, and helpful friend that loves to learn and have fun.
I wonder if we will have a wonderful and fun year.
I hear the ocean when I am with my family walking down the beach.
I see all my cousins playing in the creek at family reunion and having lots of fun.
I want the whole world to live in peace.
I am a fun, hard working, and helpful friend that loves to learn and have fun.
I pretend I am a world fames gymnast that just did a perfect ten in the Olympics.
I feel the wind blowing through my hair as I play with my friends all day long.
I touch my Teddy and we snuggle at night before we go to sleep.
I worry that I will not be able to get to sleep at night.
I cry when I leave camp at the end of the summer and I can’t wait for next summer.
I am a fun, hard working, and helpful friend that loves to learn and have fun.