Stephanie Says So: National Poetry Month

Showing posts with label National Poetry Month. Show all posts

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Day 25 ~ Credo Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth and "30 poems in 30 days"

The word “credo” is Latin, and literally means, “I believe.” So, today were are going to write a “Credo Poem." This is a pretty cool format and it was taken from a scene in the movie “Bull Durham” (which I’ve never seen so this is NOT a recommendation to see it – in fact, when I tried watched the clip of his “credo” I turned it off – not my style; too crass for me). However, it does make for a good poetry form, so here it is ~ basically, just fill in the blanks:

CREDO POEM ~ in each of the first 4 blanks, tell something you believe in and on the last line of the 1^st stanza list 3 things (separated by each of the commas provided)

Then for the “BUT” line – tell something you don’t believe in, such as “But I don’t believe” … or “But I think … telling something that you don’t support, believe, etc. “But I think ‘whatever’ is overrated” or any way you want to add a line about what you DON’T believe in that starts with the word “But.”

Finally, the last stanza is MORE of what you believe in (3 lines and then a line of 3 things, separated by a comma, like you did in the 1^st stanza and then – end with one long statement that kind of summaries what you believe or what you have hope for in the future type of thing.

OK, here is the basic format – whatcha’ got?

I believe in the _________________________,

the___________________________________,
the___________________________________,
the___________________________________,
the___________________________________,
_______________,_______________,_________________.

But _______________________________________ . (something you don't believe in)

I believe in____________________________,
I believe in____________________________,
I believe in____________________________,
______________,________________,_________________.

And I believe in ___________________________________ _________________________________________________ . (longest line of poem)

Here is a link to an example poem written by a teenager found on “Teen Ink” (her format is a bit different - she doesn't seem to have the 3 items listed at the end of each stanza). . . which looks pretty good, so use either format.

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 and the creative work of others.

Photo credit: Pixabay image by Deb W

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Day 23 ~ Tetractys Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth and "30 poems in 30 days"

Today we will attempt writing Tetractys poems. I have not used this form yet for Poetry Month and I will be trying it out for the first time along with all of you.

This poetic form was created by Ray Stebbing and consists of 20 total syllables, with no need for rhyming (although you can rhyme if you wish) arranged in the following fashion:

NOTE: For the first one syllable line strive to use an interesting word; not just the article “A” or “The”

Line 1 ~ one syllable

Line 2 ~ two syllables

Line 3 ~ three syllables

Line 4 ~ four syllables

Line 5 ~ TEN syllables

So, that’s the basic outline, but things get more interesting than that! This could be a magical poem for you! The ancient Greek mathematician, Euclid of Alexandria, felt the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 were magical because they add up to TEN. And there are your first ten syllables. The last ten syllables all fall on the same line, 5.

And that can stand alone as a complete Tetractys poem.

However, there can also be Double and Triple Tetractys poems, etc. simply by reversing the process.

Here’s an example of the form for more than one verse:

X•X

X•X•X

X•X•X•X

X•X•X•X•X•X•X•X•X•X

X•X•X•X

X•X•X

X•X

(and if you want a third verse, flip it again)

X•X

X•X•X

X•X•X•X

X•X•X•X•X•X•X•X•X•X

(You can make as many verses are you wish as long as each subsequent verse

is reversed from the previous one in terms of the syllable count).

Here is my example:

Love

As true

And sweet as

Ours can only

Grow with forgiveness, humor, and patience

Over the years we have experienced

Loss of our son

Happiness

Sadness

Love

Photo: courtesy of Stephanie Abney

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Day 21 ~ “Free Verse Poems” for Easter and “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth

So, today is Easter. Let’s just abandon all the rules (as some of you fabulous poets out there prefer to do anyway) and write a free verse poem about Easter or anything you choose. I just want to point out that “free verse” is NOT the same thing as “blank verse.”

Blank verse IS unrhymed but surprisingly, it DOES have rules - rules that pertain to things like “iambic pentameter” with unstressed/stressed syllable patterns or “trochee” with stressed/unstressed or even more craziness, how about dactyl blank verse with has stressed/unstressed/unstressed syllable patterns? There is also “anapest blank verse” – yeah, we’ll just stop there. So, we are not writing blank verse today ~ just free verse. And if nothing strikes your fancy – just use a favorite poetry form that we have used earlier this month.

FREE VERSE is basically random, without any fixed metrical patterns of any kind and while there is no need to rhyme, it’s totally fine if you wish to use rhyme, but there is no need to count syllables or to worry about much of anything – just let it come. But free verse is actually tricky to make it feel cohesive, but once you get it just how you want it – you will be most happy with it. Free verse poems can be long, short or anything in between, as long as it seems to have a good flow, then you are good to go.

Nature, family, life, love, religion, Easter, whatever comes to mind ~ go for it.

So, for examples today I’m sharing two free verse poems that I wrote a few years back. I wrote “Hope” in 2015 and have shared it every year since because I love it and for today, it works well for Easter. The second poem, “Dishwater Redemption” was first written in the mid-1970s when I had young children but I rewrote it a bit in 2007. Anyway, for what it’s worth, here are two free verse poems:

HOPE

Hope creates options.

It still can happen.

In fact, anything CAN happen.

Hope is what we cling to.

I hope I am doing enough.

I hope people understand the purity of my motives.

I hope my family will all be together in the hereafter.

Why do I have hope?

Because I believe what Christ said when He came.

I believe He really did die for our sins and that

through the atonement of Christ

and the power of the resurrection;

I can be raised up unto life eternal with my loved ones.

That is what I hope for.

And because I have hope

. . . I keep trying.

Dishwater Redemption

The house is quiet.

My husband and children are asleep.

The silence of the room is interrupted

Only by the sounds I make while washing the dishes.

As I pick up each dish and rinse away our dinner,

I am reminded of the meal we enjoyed together.

The chatter of the children as they spoke of their day

Lingers in my mind and I feel a sweet contentment.

I’m nearly done when I notice my well-used cookie sheet,

Standing at the back of the dish drainer;

Even though I have washed it thoroughly,

It really doesn’t look very clean.

The evidence of so many batches of cookies baked

Over and over again until it looks tarnished and brown.

When it was new, it sparkled and shined.

Now it is discolored and scratched.

And for some reason, tonight, this bothers me.

I take the cookie sheet from its resting place and

Plunge it back into the warm, soapy water.

But I am unable to rid it of the baked-on grime.

I reach in the cupboard for an S.O.S. scouring pad

And go after the suspect brown specks with renewed vigor.

I pay special attention to the inside corners of the cookie sheet.

This proves to be especially satisfying and I continue until it shines.

It has been reborn and I can see my reflection in it.

And suddenly, I realize… I am like the cookie sheet.

I’m not dirty by any means, but perhaps,

Not quite clean enough either; I have lost some of my sparkle.

Leaning against the sink I know what I must do.

I will take upon me the S.O.S. scouring pad of repentance

And work and pray hard to be shiny and clean,

Until the Savior’s image shows in my countenance.

I plan to keep my cookie sheet as bright as it looks today

And with a few repairs here and there, and a heart full of love,

I can do the same for myself, that I might be more useful

To those I share this earthly space with.

Who knew? Sometimes, there’s not much difference between

A neglected ol’ cookie sheet and a life too busy to notice

Some of the sparkle and shine has faded.

Yes, S.O.S. pads are a beautiful thing.

~ © Stephanie Abney 2007

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 for them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

Photo credit: Myriam at Pixabay (hands)

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Day 20 ~ Acrostic and/or ABC Poem for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth ”

Most people have heard about and even written an “acrostic” poem. It’s a rather simple pattern and can be quite fun to do. You can choose any word to be your base – a word or name that you write down the left-hand side of your paper, one letter under another. See farther down below to also get the “skinny” on ABC poems.

And PLEASE keep reading to the end if you have never heard my poetry story about Fiona and the Snake Poem from when I was teaching English in China ~ super cute. Just sayin’

SO, it only takes a few steps to get started with an ACROSTIC POEM ~

1. Choose a name or the object of your poem.

2. Write that name or that word down the left-hand side of

your paper vertically, generally using all capital letters.

3. Start each sentence of your poem with the capital letter on that line.

4. No need to worry about rhyming or counting syllables or anything.

5. Each line can be whatever length you choose, from one word to a longer sentence.

Example:

One word/line acrostic for the name “Susan” (Yes, I know this is a lame example, but it’s just an example. I know you can do better):

Super

Unique

Sweet

Understanding

Nice

Or, use the first letter as the beginning of a sentence instead of a single word.

ABC Poems are basically the same thing EXCEPT it is a TWENTY-SIX line poem where every line starts with the next letter of the alphabet, in order. Every example I have seen, the word (or a tense of the word) EXCEPT has been used for the letter “X” (up to you, but it’s a common choice for the line that “starts with the letter X”

In 2016 I went to China to teach English at an “English Camp” during their winter break. I have shared this before but I really can’t let this poetry form pass without sharing this delightful experience once again. I had a 14-year-old student named “Fiona.” I explained how to write an acrostic poem and suggested to the students that they choose a favorite animal for their poem. I gave additional details and then they got busy.

Soon they were showing me their poems. They did a wonderful job. Then Fiona turned in her poem:

Snow is falling down.

No one wants to stay outside.

A little girl stands at my front door.

Knocks it with a little cry.

Early afternoon, she falls asleep in my room.

I read it and told it that it was a lovely poem but it had nothing to do with a snake. She replied, “But I wrote ‘snake’ down the left-hand side.”

So I explained that the poem also needed to be ABOUT a snake if that was the word she chose. She said, “Okay,” took the paper back, added a few words and turned it back in…

Here is what she added to that last line of “Early afternoon, she falls asleep in my room … and then she turned into a snake.”

I loved it!! Love her!! I laughed so hard. It is a cherished memory. And now, you can enjoy it too. Cheers!!

Whatcha’ got?

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!

Photo credit - Pixabay

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Day 18 ~ National Poem in Your Pocket Day for #NationalPoetryMonth and "30 poems in 30 days"

~ Poem in You Pocket Day ~

"Poem in Your Pocket Day 2019" is on April 18 and is part of National Poetry Month. On this day, select a poem, carry it with you, and share it with others at schools, bookstores, libraries, parks, workplaces, street corners, and on social media using the hashtag #pocketpoem.

"Poem in Your Pocket Day" was initiated in April 2002 by the Office of the Mayor in New York City, in partnership with the city’s Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education. In 2008, the Academy of American Poets took the initiative to all fifty United States, encouraging individuals around the country to participate. In 2016, the League of Canadian Poets extended Poem in Your Pocket Day to Canada.

Above clipped directly from: poets.org

You can find it here and even find a 62 page downloadable PDF of a free guide for celebrating "Poem in Your Pocket Day" in your school, community, or business. It has pages and pages of suggested poems to use.

OR, I like the idea of carrying around one of your own poems and sharing it with others today.

So, there really isn't a poetry form to follow today! Just enjoy poetry in any way you wish and if writing more poetry is one of the ways you want to celebrate it, then please do so - any poetic form we have gone over or any you wish to look up or better yet, here's a day to write some free verse poetry. It's all up to you. Cheers!!

Photo credit: "congerdesign" at Pixabay

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Day 14 ~ Couplet Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth and "30 poems in 30 days"

Okay, here is another basic poetry form – every poet should know how to write a couplet. It is the basis of other poems and it’s only TWO lines of poetry. How easy is that?

Although I’ve seen some that are totally random, the dictionary definition of a “couplet” suggests that they usually consist of two lines that rhyme and have the same meter (although in the spirit of “full disclosure,” they do not need to have the same meter). Gasp! In fact, if you opt for what is called an “unrhymed couplet” they don’t even have to have ending rhyming words. So, there is a little wiggle room when it comes to couplets.

Try expressing your complete thought in two mid-sized poetic lines. The last words traditionally rhyme. It can be spiritual or silly or romantic or whatever suits your fancy – couplets are great to write for children or with children.

It is possible to string a bunch of couplets together to create a longer poem, but for today – just try creating one or more individual 2-line couplets, unless you are bound and determined to make a longer poem.

Just a few more explanations when it comes to couplets: when a couplet can stand alone from the rest of the poem, it is considered independent, and it is called a “closed couplet.” Conversely, a couplet that cannot stand alone without the rest of the poem is an “open couplet.”

There actually are quite a variety of couplets – if you feel so inclined to research them – here are a few: Heroic Couplet, Unrhymed Couplet, Blank Verse Couplet, Short Couplet, Split Couplet, Qasida, Alexandrine Couplet, Shakespearean Couplet, and Chinese Couplet. No doubt there are more, but that’s a start.

OK, for examples here are a couple of couplets (hee hee) that I wrote quite a few years ago. For what they are worth (one is simple; the other is silly):

~~ I was thinking about the Lord's tender mercies and came up with this:

I know the Lord is mindful of me,

And it makes me happy as can be.

~~ then, in a moment of frustration, I thought a little on "getting one's nose out of joint" and came up with this:

Writing this little assignment
Puts my nose out of alignment.

© 2011 by Stephanie Abney

Did you think of a couplet? Just look around and think on an object or an emotion and give it a shot!!

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Day 9 Rictameter Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth and "30 poems in 30 days"

Welcome to Day 9 of our “30 Poems in 30 Days” challenge. Today we are going to write a poem that has nine lines. It’s called a “Rictameter Poem.” I’ve used it a number of times over the years for this challenge, but it’s a unique poetry form and if you center it on your page, it looks really cool as each line increases in syllable count until it reaches the middle and then begins to decrease until the end. (Or it can all be aligned on the left).

Rictameter Poem ~ this poem focuses on the number of syllables per line. It doesn't matter if they rhyme of not.

Here is the pattern for a RICTAMETER POEM ~ be sure to use the same word(s) for the first and last line!!

A rictameter is a nine line poetry form. The 1st and last lines are the same, syllable count as follows:

~ line 1 - 2 syllables - same word(s) as line 9

~ line 2 - 4 syllables

~ line 3 - 6 syllables

~ line 4 - 8 syllables

~ line 5 - 10 syllables

~ line 6 - 8 syllables

~ line 7 - 6 syllables

~ line 8 - 4 syllables

~ line 9 - 2 syllables - same word(s) as line 1

EXAMPLES:

Marriage

Eternal love

In spite of the hard times

We have so much fun together

Until the years have refined us in ways

We never would have expected

The best is yet to come

Our kids have kids

Marriage

Baby

Sent from heaven

Our prayers have been answered

Sweet to smell and soft to cuddle

Eyes sparkling, dimpled grin, little chin

Angelic face and tiny toes

Oh how we all love you

Bundle of joy

Baby

China

My first time here

I came to teach English

You students were eager to learn

Our team taught you many wonderful things

And you taught us things in return

I hope I can come back

To my new love

China

Image 1 - Pixabay

Photo 2 - Nico Grütter at Pixabay

Photo 3 - courtesy of Stephanie Abney

Stephanie Says So

Thursday, April 25, 2019

Day 25 ~ Credo Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth and "30 poems in 30 days"

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Day 23 ~ Tetractys Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth and "30 poems in 30 days"

Sunday, April 21, 2019

Day 21 ~ “Free Verse Poems” for Easter and “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth

Saturday, April 20, 2019

Day 20 ~ Acrostic and/or ABC Poem for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth ”

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Day 18 ~ National Poem in Your Pocket Day for #NationalPoetryMonth and "30 poems in 30 days"

Sunday, April 14, 2019

Day 14 ~ Couplet Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth and "30 poems in 30 days"

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Day 9 Rictameter Poem for #NationalPoetryMonth and "30 poems in 30 days"

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