Day 30 ~ "Senses Poem" for for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth + TODAY is "Poem in Your pocket Day!!"

 
Day 30 ~ "Senses Poem" for for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth  

Well, a couple of things make TODAY unique. For one thing, kind of a sad thing, it's the last day of National Poetry Month, and the last day I will be posting ideas and instructions on how to write poetry, especially specific poetic forms. It's been a blast (especially in the FB group). Thanks for a great month - hope to see you back next year!! Cheers!! (And you can always check back here if you need a refresher on any of the poems we wrote this year - or in previous years). 

AND today is: "Poem in Your pocket Day!!" (I'll add a link at the end that tells about this year's DIGITAL "Poem in Your Pocket Day" since we are still "social distancing").

I chose a "senses" poem for today. You can have lots of fun with this poem and its variations. There is no need to worry about rhyming or counting syllables, although it does have other requirements (basically just to “fill in the blanks”) and it can be pulled together in several ways – try each of them, if you wish, or just choose one way to share your poem.

So first, everyone is familiar with the “FIVE SENSES” ~ sight, smell, hear, touch, and taste. 

But many have argued that there are SIX SENSES if you consider your mind ("I think") as one of the senses. 

Hence, we are writing a FIVE SENSES and/or SIX SENSES POEM today!! Cheers!!

Chose a topic and describe it using each of your six senses, one per line/

Here is a SIX SENSES format to follow, BUT feel free to rearrange the order the various senses you use to describe your object/topic.

1.  I see ____________________________

    2.  I smell ___________________________

    3.  I hear ___________________________

    4.  I feel (as in touch) __________________

    5.  I taste ____________________________ 

    6.  I think ____________________________

Now, if you want to concentrate on the FIVE SENSES – you can change “I see” to "It looks like," etc.

1. It looks like (instead of I see) _________________

2. It smells like _______________________________

3. It sounds like (instead of I hear) _______________ 

4. It feels like _________________________________

5. It tastes like ________________________________

So, you CAN just leave it like it is once you fill in the blanks (in any order using either five or six senses) and remove the numbers; you don’t need those. That will give you a great poem by just doing that.

OR you can remove most of the PRONOUNS, VERBS, and ARTICLES and get a new effect.

Think of a place that is special. Form an image in your mind of this place. Then complete the following statements.

Here’s my example, taken step-by-step.

(I grew up in southern California and would go to the beach every chance I got)  . . .

First – fill in the blanks:

1.  I see ______________   the breaking waves

2.  I smell _____________  the seaweed-tinged air

3.  I hear ______________  the seagulls squawking overhead

4.  I feel (as in touch) ____  the wet sand squishing between my toes

5.  I taste ______________  the salty ocean water

6.  I think ______________  I’m back in my childhood heaven

OK, so, if I remove the line numbers and get rid of the lines it turns out like this:

I see the breaking waves

I smell the seaweed-tinged air

I hear the seagulls squawking overhead

I feel the wet sand squishing between my toes

I taste the salty ocean water

I think I’m back in my childhood heaven

© 2017 Stephanie Abney

And that makes a nice poem BUT, if I remove most of the pronouns, verbs, and articles, then I get this one; also a very nice poem:

breaking waves

seaweed-tinged air

seagulls squawking overhead

wet sand squishing between my toes

salty ocean water

my childhood heaven 

         © 2017 Stephanie Abney

And that makes a new version of the same poem and it’s pretty cool as well.

OR you can use the other format with FIVE senses and follow the same steps; fill in the blanks, then take away the numbers and even remove the pronouns, select verbs and articles and see what you get:

1. It looks like (instead of I see) _________________ 

2. It smells like _______________________________

3. It sounds like (instead of I hear) _______________

4. It feels like _________________________________

5. It tastes like ________________________________

So, there are a few different ways to approach this type of poem. Enjoy!!

OK, here is your link to "Poem in Your Pocket Day":

Academy of American Poets - Poem in Your Pocket Day

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work. 

Day 29 ~ Cinquain Poems [3 ways] for “30 Poems in 30 Days” for #NationalPoetryMonth

Day 29 ~ Cinquain Poems [3 ways] for “30 Poems in 30 Days” for #NationalPoetryMonth

Okay, so today – let’s write one of my all-time favorite poetic forms ~ Cinquain ~ I have shared this poetry form with a couple of variations every year that I have run this poetry challenge because I love it so much! 

Although I have enjoyed and dabbled in poetry (some rhyming and some not) all my life, it wasn’t until I attended a poetry workshop in the late 90s and was taught a few specific poetry forms, starting with cinquains, that I realized how fun following a specific poetic form (like those I have been sharing with all of you each day this month) can be. 

Here is the poem I created that night which pretty much started me down my current poetry path: 

Comfort

Feeling secure

Where judgment has no place

Wrapped in the safety of your arms

Husband

                                              © 1998 Stephanie Abney

That night I was taught just one way of doing cinquains: using a specific number of syllables per line with exact requirements – (subject, description, action, thoughts/feelings and back to subject with a different word) and thought that was it, but have since learned there are more ways to write a cinquain poem. 

In years past, I usually share “Cinquain – pattern 1” and then the next day, “Cinquain – pattern 2,” and thought that was it, but I keep finding additional varieties so I think I’ll try to give the directions to the three most common and also a link to help you pick and choose the style you want, or better yet, try them all out. Good idea?

Cinq is French for FIVE

 

The DICTIONARY says a “cinquain” is a short poem consisting of five, usually unrhymed lines containing, respectively, two, four, six, eight, and two syllables.

From poets.org: Cinquain: Poetic Form we read that the cinquain, also known as a quintain or quintet, is a poem or stanza composed of five lines. Examples of cinquains can be found in many European languages, and the origin of the form dates back to medieval French poetry.

So, basically, here is what I call Cinquain pattern 1: 

This short five-lined poem doesn’t have an actual title; rather, the FIRST line (two syllables in this case) becomes the title. 

It does not rhyme and in this version you count the number of SYLLABLES per line and each line has specific requirements. The first line has 2 syllables; each line increases by 2 syllables until the last line, which returns to 2 syllables.

RESIST the urge to add words - follow the pattern - you'll be surprised at your results!! 

1^st line ~ two syllables – the subject (or title) or your poem

2^nd line ~ four syllables that describe the title/subject

3^rd line ~ six syllables that express action

4^th line ~ eight syllables that express a thought or feeling

5^th line ~ two syllables that show a synonym for the title (restates your    subject from the first line using a different word)

Here’s a second example of that form: 

 

Poems

Feelings expressed

From down deep in my heart

So you know who I am I’ll sing

Word Songs

                         © 2011 Stephanie Abney

~~~~~~~

AND here is Cinquain pattern 2:

It has basically the same format except that instead of counting syllables per line, we are counting WORDS per line:

1^st line ~ one word – the subject (or title) or your poem

2^nd line ~ two words that describe the title/subject

3^rd line ~ three words that express action

4^th line ~ four words that express a thought or feeling

5^th line ~ one word synonym for title (restates your subject using a different word)

Here's an example of this style poem:

Service

Helping others

Let’s work together

Bearing one another’s burdens

Love

© 2011 Stephanie Abney

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cinquain pattern 3: ~ Poem with five lines. 

There are a certain number of words in each line, with SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS PER LINE: 

Line1: A noun (basically, THIS is your title)

Line 2: Two adjectives

Line 3: Three "-ing" words

Line 4: A phrase

Line 5: Another word for starting noun 

Babies                               

Sweet, precious

Laughing, babbling, crying 

If only they stayed little

Adorable

               © 2011 Stephanie Abney

No doubt, other variations exist – but this should do it for now on CINQUAINS!! Enjoy!

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.

Day 28 ~ “Hero Poem” for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth

Day 28 ~ “Hero Poem” for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth

Hero poems are found in every culture. There is no one right way to write a hero poem. 

Since today, April 28, 2020, is “National Superhero Day” I thought it would be fun to write poems about our heroes. In fact, most of you will probably end up with several poems if you have the time to write them.

Instead of giving specific directions for one particular style of poem, I’ll leave it up to you to use one (or several) of the poetry forms we have been practicing this month OR just back to the ol’ free verse variety in order to honor someone who is YOUR superhero. Think about what traits make this person a hero to you and then write about them.

In researching just the terms “hero poetry” I found some interesting things and you might want to do a similar search. These poems are often epic poems; narratives that cover quite a bit about a person and/or event (think in terms of “Paul Revere’s Ride”). Another word for these poems are “Courage Poems” ~ I think one of the poetic styles for writing a hero poem that intrigued me the most was the “African Praise Song.”

So, instead of giving directions, I’ll post several links that I think are interesting and they might give you some ideas of what you want to do when you write a poem about YOUR SUPERHERO!! Have fun.

Student example of a “hero/courage poem” ~

https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/a-different-kind-of-hero-2

African Praise Songs:

http://www.angelfire.com/dc2/english043/Poetry.html

Americans Should Learn from African Praise Poetry

https://www.breezejmu.org/opinion/opinion-americans-should-learn-from-african-praise-poetry/article_ee3acd0a-470f-11e8-a7f8-93e180259526.html

Praise Poetry – http://msmcclure.com/?page_id=9329 (lesson plan on how to write one)

ENJOY!!

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.

Day 27 ~ Quinzaine Poem for "30 Poems in 30 Days" for #National Poetry Day

Day 27 ~ Quinzaine Poem for "30 Poems in 30 Days" for #National Poetry Day

How to write a Quinzaine Poem

Another 3 line poem with a specific number of syllables per line BUT there is something very unique about the nature of each line for this poetic form. 

So, in order to do it correctly, please pay attention to the specific instructions for each line: 

The first line makes a statement and the next two lines ask a question about that statement.

A quinzaine is an unrhymed three-line poem that contains a total of 15 syllables, using the following pattern:

The first line has 7 syllables (The first line MAKES A STATEMENT )

The second line has 5 syllables

(The last two lines ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THE FIRST LINE)

The third line has 3 syllables

My Examples:

God sees us as we can be.
Can we see others
that way too?

       © 2020 Stephanie Abney

We're on earth to serve others.
Why is finding time
hard to do?

      © 2011 Stephanie Abney

Grateful to wake up each day.
Am I aware that 
it's a gift? 

       © 2020 Stephanie Abney

Don't forget your handy dandy syllable counter: 
How Many Syllables?

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.

Day 26 ~ Monorhyme Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth for “30 poems in 30 days”

Day 26 ~ Monorhyme Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth for “30 poems in 30 days”

How about a Monorhyme Poem?

A Monorhyme is a poem in which all the lines have the same ending rhyme.

It can be however many lines you want and about any subject as long as the last word of each line rhymes with all the other last words of each line. 

You can give it a title and skip one line after the title, BUT don't skip (space) any lines in the poem. 

EACH ending word must have the SAME rhyme throughout the entire poem, no matter how short or how long your poem is.

That's it - just TWO RULES!! Cheers!!

So, those of you who LOVE to rhyme, and you know who you are, will be in heaven and those of you who have a rather strong disdain for rhyming will be in ... well, you know, BUT give it a try!! It's actually quite fun, even addictive, once you get started!! Cheers!!

And here’s our little "rhyming helper" ~ just type in the word you want to use and oodles of words that rhyme with that word will pop up: "Rhyme Zone"

Here's my example of a Monorhyme Poem (So, mine is super cheesy, but you get the main idea. I’m sure your poems will be better).

30 Poems in 30 Days

It’s really quite hard to say,
What started this annual poetry display.

I thought it would be fun to play,

With a different poetic form each day.

So I grabbed a few friends and said, "Hey,"

What are you doing the month before May?

I've done it eight years now, and they,

Come and go, now and then, and some stay.

It's hard work to do, but I never dismay,

Because the results are a beautiful bouquet

Of tender, funny or clever words that portray

The depths of people's souls, a chance to say,

Whatever they want, to be heard, even pray.

So, as much as I’d like to hit the hay,

I need to write this little poem without delay.

To post on my blog a new way to say, it's all okay,

Just FOLLOW the rules of the form, don’t go astray.

                               © 2020 Stephanie Abney

Your turn!!

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or your FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.