National Poetry Month Challenge
In class, we have been writing poetry, studying common poetry forms and analyzing the language used when writing poetry, but the best way to learn about poetry is to learn from the poets we love most. For 5 extra credit points, please share some of the poems you like most. For an additional 5 extra credit points, share your thoughts about the poem. Why is the poem an inspiration to you as a writer? Do you notice any thing special about the poet’s word choice or the poem’s structure. For yet another 5 points, try to “mirror” the poets style and voice with a poem of your own. That’s 15 extra credit points total! I can’t wait to see which poems influence you most!
Here’s my try. Remember the poem I read in class? It was called “Why Do I Love You” by Roy Croft
Here’s another look at the poem:
WHY DO I LOVE YOU? by Roy Croft
I love you… Not only for what you are,
But for what I am when I am with you.
I love you… Not only for what you have made of yourself,
But for what you are making of me.
I love you… For ignoring the possibilities of the fool in me
And for laying firm hold of the possibilities for good.
Why do I love you?
I love you… For closing your eyes to the discords
And for adding to the music in me by worshipful listening.
I love you…
Because you are helping me to make of the lumber of my life
Not a tavern, but a temple;
And out of the words of my every day, not a reproach, but a song.
I love you…
Because you have done more than any creed to make me happy.
You have done it, without a word, without a touch, without a sign.
You have done it just by being yourself.
After all, perhaps that is what love means.
My try:
Why Do I Love You, Kylie Grace?
I love you… not only for being born,
But for inspiring a rebirth in me.
I love you…not only because of your silly laugh,
But for the laughter you have brought into my life.
I love you…for bringing out the best in me,
And for doing this even at 3am in the morning.
Why do I love you?
I love you… for forgiving when I leave you,
And for the joyful squeals when we’re back together.
I love you…
Because you are helping me to see the world as
Not a war torn planet, but a playground;
And out of the actions of my every day, not a chore, but a gift.
I love you…
Because the world is a better place with you in it.
You have done this, with your gentle hugs, your daddy’s eyes, your endless wonder.
You have done it just by being my daughter.
After all, perhaps that is what love means.
Now you try!
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Why do I love you, my brown teddy bear?
I love you…because I can come home from the worst day
and you make it better with a soft, fuzzy hug.
I love you…because my dad gave you to me for a Christmas present
and you peeked out from the bag with your cute, brown eyes.
I love you…because you can keep me safe and warm at night
when there’s a terrible thunder storm outside.
I love you…not only for your soft, furry brown skin
but because no matter how hard you get squeezed when I hug you, the stuffing won’t come out.
I love you…for that cute little brown bow
April 14th, 2008 at 7:01 pmthat is tied around your neck.
This poem about Kylie Grace touched me in many ways. It was thoughtful, and it has a lot of meaning. Kylie Grace is a wonderful child, and she is the most beautiful child I think I’ve ever seen. It also helps that she has a wonderful mom. Mrs. Farnum, you are the best teacher I’ve ever met. You are never mean, and you teach the class so the information sticks in our heads. You teach our class in a fun way, not in a boring way. In some classes when they are boring I want to fall asleep, but defenently NOT in you class. I never can wait to go to you class that day and when it is over I am reall sad and can’t wait to go the next day. Kylie Grace is very lucky to have you everyday.
April 15th, 2008 at 7:40 pmHi Mrs. Farnum! I just wanted to share with you my favorite poem. It’s a classic, and kind of dark, but i still like it.
The Raven
By: Edgar Allen Poe
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`’Tis some visitor,’ I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door
Only this, and nothing more.’
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; – vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow – sorrow for the lost Lenore
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me – filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
`’Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -
This it is, and nothing more,’
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
`Sir,’ said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you’ – here I opened wide the door;
Darkness there, and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!’
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!’
Merely this and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
`Surely,’ said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -
‘Tis the wind and nothing more!’
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this black bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,’ I said, `art sure no craven.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night’s Plutonian shore!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning – little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as `Nevermore.’
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered – not a feather then he fluttered
Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.’
Then the bird said, `Nevermore.’
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
`Doubtless,’ said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore
Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore
Of “Never-nevermore.”‘
But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking `Nevermore.’
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom’s core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion’s velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o’er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o’er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
`Wretch,’ I cried, `thy God hath lent thee – by these angels he has sent thee
Respite – respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’
`Prophet!’ said I, `thing of evil! – prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -
On this home by horror haunted – tell me truly, I implore -
Is there – is there balm in Gilead? – tell me – tell me, I implore!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’
`Prophet!’ said I, `thing of evil! – prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us – by that God we both adore -
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’
`Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!’ I shrieked upstarting -
`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night’s Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! – quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!’
Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’
And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon’s that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o’er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted – nevermore!
It’s a sad poem, and long, i know. This is my favorite because of the repeating of the word “Nevermore”. I think it’s cool that he can write a poem that long with that much feeling.
April 20th, 2008 at 4:48 pmHi, it’s me Parker, I thought I would share this poem with you because it really represents me.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
His underwear is hanging on the lamp.
His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,
And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.
His workbook is wedged in the window,
His sweater’s been thrown on the floor.
His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV,
And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.
His books are all jammed in the closet,
His vest has been left in the hall.
A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed,
And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.
Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
Donald or Robert or Willie or–
Huh? You say it’s mine? Oh, dear,
I knew it looked familiar!
This poem actually kind of represents my brothers and me. I thought it would be perfect to post.
February 11th, 2009 at 11:54 pmHere’s an example!
~
Why do I love you?
That’s a good question
How do I answer?
There’s so much to mention
There’s your love and compassion
How your smile lights up the sky
Or even the magic you have
That makes days fly by
I could say how you’re beautiful
Both inside and out
Or how you can see through me
And make me laugh through my pout
There’s the way you can kick
That soccer ball high
And how your hair bounces
As you walk by
Don’t forget your talent
Of singing in the shower
Or cracking jokes
At the wake of every hour
Everyday it’s different
You never cease to surprise
Your soul is reflected
In your shimmering eyes
So why do I love you?
There’s no possible way
An answer could sum up
Or even portray
How deep my love runs
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:15 pmIt’s a fact, yes it’s true
I love you, plain and simple,
For just being you
~
Hope you like it!
Mrs. Farnum,
One of my favorite poems explains exactly how teachers are. It has great descriptive language and (i think) it’s overall true.
A Teacher for All Seasons
By Joanna Fuchs
A teacher is like Spring,
Who nurtures new green sprouts,
Encourages and leads them,
Whenever they have doubts.
A teacher is like Summer,
Whose sunny temperament
Makes studying a pleasure,
Preventing discontent.
A teacher is like Fall,
With methods crisp and clear,
Lessons of bright colors
And a happy atmosphere.
A teacher is like Winter,
While it’s snowing hard outside,
Keeping students comfortable,
As a warm and helpful guide.
Teacher, you do all these things,
With a pleasant attitude;
You’re a teacher for all seasons,
And you have my gratitude!
I mirrored this poem and changed it to a mother for all seasons.
A Mother for All Season
By: Caroline Miller
A mother is like Spring,
After planting flowers
She buys some umbrellas,
to watch out for April showers.
A mother is like Summer,
Whose has a sunny personality
Who makes the day happy and funny
and encourages a great mentality.
A mother is like Fall,
She supports my every move,
and helps me with my homework
to also improve.
A mother is like Winter,
Putting marshmallows in your cocoa,
Wrapping you in blankets,
and singing you a song till you’ll go loco
Mother, you do all these things,
April 29th, 2009 at 11:40 pmYou teach me new things every day
Always with a smile,
A positive attitude you portray