Monday, April 10, 2023

Day 10 2023 ~ How to write a 5Ws Poem for “30 poems in 30 days” for #NationalPoetryMonth

Day 10 2023 

Wow ~ once you write today’s poetry form, you will be 1/3 of the way through Poetry Month!! Crazy!

Well, I hope you are enjoying yourself because I am enjoying reading your remarkable work, particularly on our private FB group. If you are not part of that group and it interests you, please let me know.

Alrighty then, today we will work on one of my favorites; it’s super easy and fun!! The 5Ws Poem answers the following questions: Who, What, Where, When & Why . . .(but not “how” – stick to the 5Ws for this one).

It can be about anything your little ‘ol heart desires. Kind of makes you feel like you are a journalist! I have a friend who really embraced this style and pretty much writes one daily, often making it part of her journal.  

This is an obvious poem, (just fill in the blanks) but can serious and heartfelt or light and silly depending on what words you choose to answer each question. Try several of them for fun: silly, strictly informational, spiritual, serious, futuristic, historical one, etc.

These poems have no need to rhyme, nor are the lines any particular length or meter. So, it’s a pretty simple poetry form to follow:


Line 1: WHO (or what) is the poem about?

Line 2: WHAT action is happening?

Line 3: WHERE does the action take place?

Line 4: WHEN does the action take place?

Line 5: WHY does this action happen?


It’s fun and I have given you several examples. Enjoy!! Cheers!!

 


A group of teenagers

Making videos of being silly,

At the local park,

During spring break,

Hoping to be the next YouTube Wonder.

 

                    © 2014 Stephanie Abney

 

 

Jim and Stephanie Abney

Are helping college students get through their first year,

Via Zoom to reach students in Nigeria,

Once a week for a year.

Because they can make a difference.

 

                   © 2023 Stephanie Abney

 

 

My children

Laughing, wrestling, creating

Tumble through the living room

Every day after school

Because they feel safe and loved

 

                   © 2017 Kaci Carlson (used with permission)

 

 

A certain 17-year-old I know

Questions everything.

At home, at school, at church,

when he doesn't understand.

Because that's what people do who want to change the world.

                 

                   © 2016 Stacy Johnson  (used with permission)

 

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 create them and especially once they post them. Thanks so much!

*** Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog or elsewhere on social media ~ 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 EACH DAY’S SPECIFIC 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.

1 comment:

Connie Cockrell said...

I just couldn't complete the story in one stanza.

The hiker, Diane
Was opening her newly received box
At the post office
On a Monday morning
To replenish her backpacking food.

The used to be hiker, Connie
Was checking her mail
And saw Diane in the Post Office lobby,
The same morning
and Connie offered her a ride.

Connie and Diane,
Drove to Sunflower and the Arizona Trail,
In Connie’s car,
On the same morning,
Giving Diane trail magic.