Poetry Unit
Poetry Project
You are in a post-apocalyptic world. Fortunately, as the world has crumbled, you are in West Forsyth’s
impenetrable media center. You have access to limited supplies, but a great deal of poetry collections.
For this project you will create a poetry journal that includes examples of a haiku, a sonnet, and lyric poetry
from the library collection. Your project must include a handwritten example of each type (so a minimum of
three poems) and an illustration of the prevailing image of the poem. For more credit, you can record
additional poems of any form, create original poetry, or illustrate relevant imagery.
Defining Poetry: Literature in metrical, verse form; the art of rhythmical composition, written or spoken, for
creating pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or creative thoughts.
Lorentzen’s Definition… Poetry is supported by some combination of these pillars (emotion, images,
sound). Poetry is still poetry if it includes fewer than three pillars.
POETRY
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one
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-
E. E. Cummings
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Poetry Forms: There are many types of poetry including limericks, lyric poems, odes, epic poems, sonnets,
villanelles, triolets, ballades, etc.
We will look at three specific forms… The Haiku, The Sonnet and The Lyric Poem
1. Haiku
a. Form Created by __________________
b. Includes _________________ lines and a set syllable count.
c. This traditionally is a _____, ______, ______ syllable count.
Haiku Form – The Haiku traditionally includes what is called a “Haiku Moment." This moment is the
inspiration for the poet to write.
1.
3.
Within plum orchard,
Sturdy oak takes no notice
Of flowering blooms.
The spring lingers on
In the scent of a damp log
Rotting in the sun
-
Matsuo Basho
______________________
______________________
______________________
______________________
- Richard Wright
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
2.
4.
First autumn morning:
the mirror I stare into
shows my father's face.
Freeway overpass-Blossoms in grafitti on
fog-wrapped June mornings
-
Murakami Kijo
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
- Michael R. Collings
________________________
________________________
________________________
________________________
2. English Sonnet
a. Form popularized by _______________________.
b. Includes __________ lines.
c. The English Version of the sonnet includes a certain ___________ scheme.
d. This rhyme scheme includes 3 __________ and one __________
Sonnet 73
That time of year thou mayst in me behold
When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang
Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,
Bare ruined choirs, where late the sweet birds sang.
In me thou see'st the twilight of such day
As after sunset fadeth in the west;
Which by and by black night doth take away,
Death's second self, that seals up all in rest.
In me thou see'st the glowing of such fire,
That on the ashes of his youth doth lie,
As the deathbed whereon it must expire,
Consumed with that which it was nourished by.
This thou perceiv'st, which makes thy love more strong,
To love that well which thou must leave ere long.
1. What is the primary metaphor in the first quatrain (four lines)?
a. the speaker’s life is compared to the seasons
b. the birds are compared to the poor, bare choir singers
c. the speaker’s life is compared to ruined churches
d. the speaker’s life is compared to the birds that chirp
2. What is the primary metaphor in the second quatrain (four lines)?
a. the idea of death is compared to rest
b. the speaker’s life is compared to the time of day
c. death is compared to his second self
d. the speaker’s life is compared to night time
3. What is the primary metaphor in the third quatrain (four lines)?
a. the speaker’s life is compared to an expiration date
b. the speaker’s life is compared to a roaring fire
c. the speaker’s life is compared to ashes
d. the deathbed is compared to nourishing meals
4. What is the purpose of including the three different metaphors above?
a. each metaphor characterizes an aspect of Shakespeare’s British countryside
b. each metaphor supports the idea that fire and frost are dangerous for life
c. each metaphor establishes credibility for the final two lines
d. each metaphor contradicts the final line
5. In your own words, summarize the theme of the poem…
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Lyric Poetry
a. Classical _____________ lyric poems used musical accompaniment.
b. Form to express traditionally ________________ and emotional sentiments.
c. Form is usually written in ________________ tense.
d. Traditionally includes a regular _________ but does not need a rhyme scheme.
P.O.W
By Alicia Keys
I'm a prisoner
Of words unsaid
Just lonely feelings
Locked away in my head
I trap myself further
Every time I stay quiet
I should start to speak
But I stop and stay silent
And now I've made
My own hard bed
Inside a prison of words unsaid
I am a P.O.W.
Not a prisoner of war
A prisoner of words
Like a soldier
I'm a fighter
Yet only a puppet
Mostly I only say
What you wanna hear
Could you take it if I came clear?
Or would you rather see me
Stoned on a drug of complacency and
compromise
M.I.A.
I guess that's what I am
Scraping this cold earth
For a piece of myself
For peace in myself
It'd be easier if you put me in jail
If you locked me away
I'd have someone to blame
But these bars of steel are of my making
They surround my mind
And have me shaking
My hands are cuffed behind my back
I'm a prisoner of the worst kind, in fact