everyone is a poet

40 Days of Poetry40 Days of Poetry

IN THE POETIN THE POET’’S WORDS…S WORDS… “A poem is one of those places where you can

write about things that you know and feel are true without worrying about whether they are

‘real’ in the ordinary sense. Poems can represent what another poet calls ‘heart-

truths’—feelings and experiences out of our deepest selves.”

~ Gregory Orr

Concrete Poetry is the use of words and their physical formation to convey meaning.  This may be done with color, the shape of the letters, and/or the arrangement.

Directions:  Graphically create a scene using only words.  From a distance this will look like a picture, but up close it will consist only of words and phrases.  No extra lines or shapes should be used.  A light pencil line might be drawn first as a guide.  Use colors, shapes, and sizes that will enhance the meaning of the words.

Choose any word.  Write that word in capital letters on the first line.  In a thesaurus look up the word and find three to five synonyms for it.  Write the synonyms on the second line.  On the third line, write a descriptive phrase about the word.  The last two lines of the poem should rhyme.

LOVEAttachment, adoration, warmth, adoreLove is so pure, right down to the core.

NOISEClamor, uproar, hullabaloo.These things can really annoy you.

Choose two things that are opposites.   The poem should be four lines long.  The first two and the last two lines should rhyme.  

What is the opposite of being at school?

It might be a place without any rules.

To play and run all day longPlease tell me if that is so

wrong.

There are so many things that can be written about in lists, that sometimes we cannot think of a thing to write.  To help, some ideas for lists are below.  

Lists can be either rhyming or not.  It is up to the writer to decide which style s/he uses.  

THINGS KIDS SAY WHEN THEY WANT TO GET OUT TO PLAY --I did all my homework.--I picked up my toys.--I emptied the trash.--My bed is made.  No, there are no lumps.--I ate all my vegetables.--But everyone else is.--Bobby's mom doesn't make him.--But, Mom.--No, my dirty clothes aren't under the bed.--Yes, Mom, I'm sure.--Yeah, I'll be careful..  No, I won't poke an eye out.--Oh, please!

Things:to do waiting for the busto do trying to fall asleep

you should have doneyou should not have done

that make you feel tallthat make you feel small

that you tell your mother

Each line of this form is made up of three words.  The last two words become the first two words in the next line.  In the poem, there will be a progress of images and a story will be told.

MORNINGS sleep, alarm, awake

alarm, awake, showerawake, shower, clothesshower, clothes, shoes

clothes, shoes, dogshoes, dog, run

dog, run, breakfastrun, breakfast, sunrisebreakfast, sunrise, car

sunrise, car, work.

FOOTBALLball, snap, run

snap, run, tacklerun, tackle, sacktackle, sack, passsack, pass, catch

pass, catch, 1st downcatch, 1st down, touchdown.

Begin the poem with "I don't understand..."  List three things you do not understand about the world or people. End the poem with an example of something you DO understand.

I don’t understand… why people hiccup why outer space is so big why babies cry when they wake up

What I understand most is… how to teach why the sun shines how to be a good friend

Just Because... poems ask you to describe yourself in the first line of the poem.  The next three lines in each stanza explain what you are NOT.  The final line restates the first line and adds a tag directing the reader to do something.

Just because I’m a teacher It doesn’t mean I can’t have fun I don’t always know everything Things are hard for me tooJust because I’m a teacher…learn from me

1st Stanza I am (two special characteristics you have)

I wonder (something you are actually curious about)I hear (an imaginary sound)I see (an imaginary sight)I want (an actual desire)

I am (the first line of the poem is repeated)

Stanza 2 I pretend (something you really pretend to do)

I feel (a feeling about something imaginary)I touch (something you imagine you touch)

I worry (a worry that is real to you)I cry (something that makes you very sad)

I am (the first line of the poem is repeated)

Stanza 3 I understand (something you know is true)

I say (something you believe in)I dream (a dream you actually have)

I try (something you make an effort to do)I hope (something you really hope for)

I am (the first line of the poem is repeated)

Day 8: I Am PoemDay 8: I Am Poem

Day 9:Day 9: AcrosticAn acrostic poem uses each letter of its

subject to begin each line of the poem. Acrostic poems are about people, places, things, or ideas. Each line tells something about the poem’s subject.Feasts of color on

Long green stemsOutdoors, indoorsWonderful scentsEver lovely andRefreshingSpecial plants

The French word diamont means diamond.  A DIAMONTE is a seven-line poem that gradually changes from one idea to a direct opposite idea.  When it is completed, its total appearance is diamond shaped.   

FormatFormat

Beginning TopicAdjective, Adjective (about beginning topic)

-ing word, -ing word, -ing word (about beginning topic) Four nouns –or- a short phrase (about both beginning and ending topics)

-ing word, -ing word, -ing word (about ending topic)Adjective, Adjective (about ending topic)

Ending topic

ExampleExample:Winter

Frosty, BrightSkiing, Snow Ball Fighting,

SleddingIcicles, Snowflakes, Vacation,

FamilySwimming, Sun Tanning,

SwelteringHot, Sunny

SummerMonstersMonsters

Creepy, sinister,Creepy, sinister,

Hiding, lurking, stalking,Hiding, lurking, stalking,

Vampires, mummies, werewolves, and more…Vampires, mummies, werewolves, and more…

Chasing, pouncing, eating,Chasing, pouncing, eating,

Hungry, scary,Hungry, scary,

CreaturesCreatures

Day 11: Portraits & PalsDay 11: Portraits & Pals Write a love letter to the "thing" or friend you love

most (stickers, baseball cap, teddy bear, birthday cake ice cream, bed, soccer, etc. ) Tell your favorite thing or friend why you love it. Include or draw a picture of this favorite “thing” or friend.

Oh, my beloved bed.How I love to fallInto you each nightAfter a stressful day.You are still thereWith open armsAnd welcoming smile.Thank you for everything.Thank you with all my heart.

Day 12: Personification Day 12: Personification A personification poem takes the point-of-view of

anything that doesn’t speak. It gives a first person voice to that object (ex. chair or pencil), force of nature (ex. wind or a volcano), or animal (ex. rabbit or bear).

You stuff meYou stuff mewith books with books and lunchand lunch and a ball.and a ball.ItIt’’s kind of hard to hold it all.s kind of hard to hold it all.

And then you forgetAnd then you forgetto empty me out.to empty me out.ThatThat’’s when I wishs when I wishthat I could shout.that I could shout.

‘‘Cause ICause I’’m full of goom full of goo and lunch and junkand lunch and junk and rot and mold,and rot and mold, all sorts of gunkall sorts of gunk..

But wait a minute…IBut wait a minute…I’’m not done.m not done.Riding you piggyback is really fun.Riding you piggyback is really fun.I jounceI jounceand bounceand bounceas you run alongas you run alongand my trinkets jangleand my trinkets jangleand clankand clanka song!a song!

Title:  Pick a color

#1: Describe something associated to it#2: Simile or metaphor#3: Adverb or adverb phrase (where)

GreenMakes me think of SpringLike a tree covered with

leavesIn a wooded forest.

Title:  Favorite Memory#1: Adverb (where)#2: Doing what#3: Two or three words showing emotion#4: Detail from the setting#5: Skip a line#6: Tell how you feel

Camping With DadLake Hope

Fishing and HikingLaughing and Joking

The leaves were just starting to changeAmazed

Line #1:  What if ____________________________Line #2:  I might ____________________________(leave a space between lines 2 & 3)Line #3:  What if ____________________________Line #4:  I could _____________________________(leave a space between lines 4 & 5)Line #5:  What if ____________________________Line #6:  I would_____________________________(leave a space between lines 6 & 7)Line #7:  Ask a question. What if the snow starts to fall

I might go out to play in it

What if I get too coldI could sit by the fire to warm up

What if I get too hot thenI would run back in to the snow

When will I just be comfortable?

Day 15: What if….?Day 15: What if….?

Day 16: Writing About Day 16: Writing About WeatherWeather

Title:  Form of Nature chosenLine #1:  Title + (how it arrives or begins as the animal would arrive)Line #2:  Tell what it doesLine #3:  And how it does itLine #4:  And where it isLine #5:  Tell how it leaves (as the animal would leave)

THUNDERThunder comes in loud

Like the majestic roar of a lion.

It answers the callOf lightning

By striking fear into people.Away, somewhere in the sky,Somewhere in the unknown,

An unknown voice,And then leaves without a

traceOf its existence

Except in peoples' stories.

Day 17: Month MetaphorsDay 17: Month MetaphorsDIRECTIONS:1.  Choose a month -- or a season -- and picture how it would arrive if it were a person OR an animal.The list of MOTION WORDS below may help you, or you may use another word to show how the month or season arrives.

2.  Add a few words to make the picture seem more complete.  Tell how OR where it arrives.  Use adverb or prepositional phrases.  If you wish, use a THESAURUS to find synonyms to replace overworked words.

3.  Tell something else the month or season does while it is here.

4.  Tell how the month or season leaves.

NOTE:  be sure you keep the same comparison (metaphor) throughout the poem. Don't change to a different picture.

JULY trudgesright inwith a bang.It crawls aroundon the hot ground,leaps aroundspreading warmth,then glides rightout of the way.

marchstaggerskipprancefloattiptoegallophoplimphobblecanter

wobblesneak

Motion WordsMotion Wordszoomtrampdanceshufflescurryspringglideflutterlurchcreepstumbletrottotter

strut

skateslideleap

slinkskulkcrawl

stealboundbouncedartlope

trudgeplodadvancedragslipsaunter

NOVEMBER slides inon clouds of snowand rain.It blows awaythe warmth,and sneaks inthe cold,then drags away.

Day 18: Image PoemsDay 18: Image PoemsIt is the purpose of this lesson to help you

to "see" things you can write about. 

Line #1:  Describe the object with two or three adjectivesLine #2:  Give the object an actionLine #3:  Put the object somewhere

DIRECTIONS:1.  Choose a picture that is not too "busy."  It should have only one or two

subjects in it. Use the formula above to write about one object in the picture.2.  Can you imagine the object doing something really silly -- or someone

doing something silly with it? Use the formula to write about that.3.  Imagine something strange happening to the object or with it.  Where is it

happening? Use the formula to write about it.4.  Imagine the object in a sad way.   Where is this happening? Use the

formula to write once more.5.  Look at the four poems you have written.  Are they four stanzas of one

poem?  If they are, combine them into one poem.

Day 19: Sense PoemsDay 19: Sense PoemsThink of a place that is special. Form an image in your mind of this place.  If you need to, cluster this image.  Then complete the following statements.

a. I see_________________________b. I smell_______________________c. I hear________________________d. I feel________________________e. I taste_______________________f. I think_______________________

I see the sage-covered desertI smell the freshness of the morningI hear the scream of the hawkI feel the caress of a breezeI taste the dew on the windI think the new day is born

After you have written out the sentences, remove the pronouns, verbs, and articles as you need to:

sage-covered desertfreshness of morningscream of the hawkcaress of a breeze

dew of the windnew day born

Day 20: Contrast PoemsDay 20: Contrast PoemsOften we see things in two different,

contrasting ways.  This can be expressed in poetry.

FORMULA:

Title:  Name of object, tradition, environment, etc.Lines #1-2-3:  Write three lines that paint a vivid picture of the title

Skip a lineLines #4-5-6:  Write three lines that paint a different picture

(Follow the same pattern in the second three lines you did in the first.  For example, if line #2 contains two adjectives and a noun,

line #4 should also have two adjectives and a noun.)

Example:Example:

"Recording"by A. R. Ammons

I remember when freezing rain bent the yearling pine over

and stuck its crown to ground ice:but now it's spring and the pine stands up

straight, frisky in the breeze, except for memory, a little lean.

Day 21: Sound PoemsDay 21: Sound Poems•Try to describe a sound you hear every day: the sound of the wind, the rain, the dishwasher, a train (“choo-choo” is one way to describe the sound). •Write a poem using the sound.•Use these questions to help guide you:

•What does the sound make you think of?•How do you feel when you hear the sound?•What does the sound seem to be “saying”?

Choo ChooChuga-chuga, chuga-chuga, chuga-chuga,Choo Choo!

When I hear a choo choo train I think of all the many things I should do.

Day 22: Poems for Two Day 22: Poems for Two VoicesVoices•Two-voice poetry is written for two people to perform. The poetry usually has two columns—one for each person who is reading the poem. •Sometimes the poet wants the readers to say something at the same time; so the poet writes the words on the same line in each column.

•These poems often sound like dialogue for two people.

•Nature makes a great topic for these poems, but you can also write about school, current events, or events in literature.

Example: House CricketsExample: House CricketsWe don’t live in meadows

crick-et (together) crick-et (together)

or in groves

We’re house crickets

living beneath

this gas stove

crick-et crick-et

Others may worry

crick-et crick-et

About fall

We’re scarcely aware

of the seasons at all

crick-et Crick-et

Day 23: Bull Durham CredoDay 23: Bull Durham CredoIn the movie Bull Durham Kevin Costner's character is asked what he

believes in.  His answer provides us with a poetic format.  By following the formula below, tell what you believe in.

BULL DURHAM CREDOI 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)

Example: CREDOI believe in the wisdom of elders,the influence of peer pressure,

the importance of success,the evil that exists in money,

the effectiveness of hard work,dedication, courage, strength.

But the belief that you don't have to strivefor your goals is just outrageous.

I believe in the truth that will set you free,I believe in love that will conquer all,

I believe in respect for others,Courtesy, politeness, gratitude.

And I believe in the fact that tomorrowisn't promised to you.

Day 24: Haiku & TankaDay 24: Haiku & Tanka

Haiku poems are poems written about nature. They consist of three lines. In

Japan, haiku is made up of 17 sounds. The most

common English pattern is:

Line 1: 5 syllablesLine 2: 7 syllablesLine 3: 5 syllables

old pond...old pond...a frog leaps ina frog leaps inwater's soundwater's sound

A tanka is a mood piece, usually about love,

seasons, sadness, or how short life is.  Tankas use strong images and often

have literary devices such as simile and metaphor.  A tanka is short and usually has only five lines. Instead of counting syllables, you

count ACCENTED syllables. 

The following pattern of ACCENTED syllables

works well in English for a tanka:   2/3/2/3/3.

Day 25: Write About Yourself & Day 25: Write About Yourself & OthersOthers

Someday PoemsSomeday Poems:Begin each line with the word

Someday... and complete it with a wish you have.  Make the first two

or three lines say something about your everyday wishes and slowly move away from yourself to the world in general.  You may

end the poem with the word Someday....

SOMEDAY...Someday I will play the guitarSomeday I will have a jobSomeday I will get marriedSomeday I will have kidsSomeday I will be richSomeday I will be noticed

WRITING ABOUT WRITING ABOUT OTHERS:OTHERS:

When you write about others, pick one important thing about them. 

Keep the focus positive.

Line #1:  The important thing about (name) is (most striking attribute)

Line #2:  S/he is also ________(use as many lines as you need)

Last line: But the most important thing about (name) is (repeat Line

#1)

Day 26: Rhetorical QuestionsDay 26: Rhetorical QuestionsStart your poem with a rhetorical question.   A

rhetorical question is one that you ask but do not expect an answer from your listener; you provide

it yourself.

RAINDROP FEELINGSI wonder if they like being raindrops?I suppose they doThey always have friends around themThey never travel aloneSome people save them to wash their hairThey make trees grow

Day 27: LimerickDay 27: Limerick

There was an old woman named Snow (A)

Who couldn’t get flowers to grow; (A)

She planted some seeds (B)

But grew only weeds; (B)

What happened I really don’t know. (A)

•A limerick is a funny little poem containing five lines. A limerick is a funny little poem containing five lines. The last words of the 1The last words of the 1stst, 2, 2ndnd, and 5, and 5thth lines rhyme with lines rhyme with each other, and the last words of the 3each other, and the last words of the 3rdrd and 4 and 4thth lines lines rhyme with each other.rhyme with each other.

•PATTERN: AABBAPATTERN: AABBA

Examples:Examples:A clumsy young fellow named TimWas never informed how to swim.He fell off a dockAnd sunk like a rock.And that was the end of him!

There was an old man from Peru,Who dreamed he was eating his shoe.He awoke in the nightWith a terrible fright,And found out that it was quite true.

Day 28: CinquainDay 28: CinquainThe 1st line of a cinquain is only one word,

and it is the title of the verse. The 2nd line has two words that describe the

title.The 3rd line has three words that show action.The 4th line has four words that tell about

some feeling you have about the subject of your verse.

The 5th line is again only one word—another word for the title.

Recess

Pleasant, too short

Talking, laughing, playing

The part of school that I like best

Fun Time

Day 29: Day 29: How-To PoemHow-To Poem

A How-To poem tells or explains how to do something or be something.

It is MORE than just a list! It has to have specific details and directions.

You are an author, so you’re poem must be more than a recipe or set of instructions.

How to Be an African Elephant

To be an African elephant, you mustLike having wrinkled gray skin,Not mind weighing about four tons,Like giving yourself a shower with your trunk,Not mind having a nose that is about 5 feet long,Like lifting up to 600-lb weights,Not mind having poor sight,Like not being able to jump,Not mind having ears that are about four feet wide, like not being able to sweat,Not mind having flies and mosquitoes bite your skin,And like rolling in mud to stay cool!

Day 30: Free VerseDay 30: Free VerseFree verse is just

what it says—poetry that is written without proper rules about form, rhyme, rhythm, meter, etc.

In free verse, the writer makes his/her own rules. The writer decides how the poem should look, feel, and sound. Free verse can be a great way to “get things off your chest” and express what you really feel.

Winter PoemWinter Poem

once a snowflake fell

on my brow and i loved

it so much and i kissed

it and it was happy and called it’s cousins

and brothers and a web

of snow engulfed me then

i reached to love them all

and i squeezed them and they became

a spring rain and i stood perfectly

still and was a flower

Day 31: Blues PoemDay 31: Blues Poem If a person “has the blueshas the blues,” they are in a sad mood.

They are not actually blue in color. Blues poems are about complaints and feelings. Think about something that bothers you, then use that to write your poem. Brother Blues

My brother started it.He called me names.My brother started it.He called me names.

I got the blame.I got the blame.

Sent to my roomTo think it through. Sent to my room

To think it through.No video games.No video games.

I’ve got the blues.Wouldn’t you?

I’ve got the blues.Wouldn’t you?

12_String_Blues.mp3

Day 32: Two-Words-On-A-Day 32: Two-Words-On-A-LineLineThese poems tell a story about an event

using only two (2) words per line. The pattern is: describing word, naming word. Soggy FieldSoggy Field

Soggy fieldSoggy fieldPounding feetPounding feetPanting breathPanting breathSpinning ballSpinning ballQuick passQuick passStrong kickStrong kickDiving goalieDiving goalieScreaming Screaming crowdcrowdWinning goal!Winning goal!High fives!High fives!

Day 33: Action Word PoemDay 33: Action Word PoemAction word poems contain lots of action

words (i.e. verbs). Think of an animal, person, or object that brings to mind lots of action words, such as a kite, a kitten, or a dancer.

Dash up branchesScramble back down

Balance up highabove the ground.

Chitter-chat in a game of chase.Dash around trunks in a circle race.

Jump!Leap!

from tree to tree.Bury nuts. Dig down deep.

Then curl up tightFor a winter’s sleep.

Day 34: ParodyDay 34: ParodyA parody is a type of poem made out of

couplets. The 1st line of each couplet begins with a

number; the 2nd line ends with that number minus one.

In the 1st line, a group of some sort does something.

The 2nd line begins with One. Then, something happens to one member of the group, and as a result, there is one fewer. These two parts of the line are joined by the conjunction and.

““Ten Little AliensTen Little Aliens””Ten little aliens landed feeling fineTen little aliens landed feeling fineOne bought a hot tub and then there were nine.One bought a hot tub and then there were nine.

Nine little aliens stayed up very lateNine little aliens stayed up very lateOne overslept and then there were eight.One overslept and then there were eight.

Eight little aliens took the name of KevinEight little aliens took the name of KevinOne died laughing and then there were seven.One died laughing and then there were seven.

Seven little aliens studied magic tricksSeven little aliens studied magic tricksOne disappeared and then there were six.One disappeared and then there were six.

Six little aliens learned how to driveSix little aliens learned how to driveOne misses the exit and then there were five.One misses the exit and then there were five.

Five little aliens polished the floorFive little aliens polished the floorOne slipped and fell and then there were four.One slipped and fell and then there were four.

Four little aliens climbed a tall treeFour little aliens climbed a tall treeOne lost his grip and then there were three.One lost his grip and then there were three.

Three little aliens visited the zooThree little aliens visited the zooOne liked the ape and then there were two.One liked the ape and then there were two.

Two little aliens baked in the sunTwo little aliens baked in the sunOne got well-done and then there was one.One got well-done and then there was one.

One little alien went looking for funOne little alien went looking for funHe never came back and now there are none.He never came back and now there are none.

Day 35: Wish PoemDay 35: Wish PoemA wish poem is composed of rhyming

couplets. It is a selfless poem written to another person.

““If I Could Grant A Wish for YouIf I Could Grant A Wish for You””

If I could grant a wish for you,If I could grant a wish for you,I would get a thrill or two.I would get a thrill or two.

May all your lucky numbers win the lotteryMay all your lucky numbers win the lotteryMay you discover beautiful, ancient pottery.May you discover beautiful, ancient pottery.

May you be able to act and singMay you be able to act and singMay life bring you every good thing.May life bring you every good thing.

May you be able to pig out and not get fatMay you be able to pig out and not get fatMay you get a hit every time at bat.May you get a hit every time at bat.

May you never get sick or have the fluMay you never get sick or have the fluMay you only have good dreams that come true.May you only have good dreams that come true.

May you eat chocolate and candy tooMay you eat chocolate and candy tooMay each dish of ice cream be just for you.May each dish of ice cream be just for you.

May your tests and report cards show great May your tests and report cards show great gradesgradesMay your room be cleaned by fast-working May your room be cleaned by fast-working maids.maids.

Oh, if I could grant a wish for you,Oh, if I could grant a wish for you,I would get a thrill or two.I would get a thrill or two.

Day 36: Poem of AddressDay 36: Poem of AddressA poem of address is a poem that addresses, or

speaks to, something (like a pencil or lunchbox) or someone (ex. writer, actor/actress, athlete) you’ve never met. It is not a poem written about someone or something.

Old Farm in Northern MichiganOld Farm in Northern MichiganBarn, you have leaned too farBarn, you have leaned too far

trying for those wormy apples.trying for those wormy apples.

Now your cows will never come backNow your cows will never come back

and fill their pails with cream.and fill their pails with cream.

Now the horse will never come backNow the horse will never come back

with its hot breath and sweaty collar.with its hot breath and sweaty collar.

Barn, you have leaned too far—Barn, you have leaned too far—

even the cat thinks you are crazyeven the cat thinks you are crazy

and stays close to the car.and stays close to the car.

II’’m Sorry, Pencilm Sorry, PencilI know it much be hardI know it much be hardfor you to befor you to bea pencil.a pencil.It must be hardIt must be hardhaving your head rubbedhaving your head rubbedevery single day.every single day.It must be hard It must be hard for your rear to rubfor your rear to rubon the remains on the remains of your head.of your head.It also must be hardIt also must be hardto be sharpenedto be sharpenedbecause it slices off your skin.because it slices off your skin.For thatFor thatI am sorryI am sorrybut I ask youbut I ask youhow would I write then?how would I write then?

Day 37: A Poem of Day 37: A Poem of LikenessesLikenessesThis poem is a collection of 10 images—some

involving animals or other wonders of nature—that was created to show similarities. Each section is a snapshot (or sound bite) made up of similes and metaphors that help create images. There is no beginning, middle, and end. ““Ten Little LikenessesTen Little Likenesses””

11The flyThe fly’’s buzz:s buzz:a radio tuneda radio tunedwhere no station was.where no station was.

22Six black appleseedsSix black appleseedssleeksleekas beetleas beetle’’s backss backsmarkmarkwhere the eaten where the eaten appleapple’’ssleft its tracks.left its tracks.

33When the stoplightWhen the stoplightdrops drops from red from red to greento greencars leapcars leaplike shot slunglike shot slungfrom slingshot.from slingshot.

44Like a birdLike a birdwith salt on its tail,with salt on its tail,the branchthe branchfreighted with snowfreighted with snowstands still.stands still.

55River racesRiver racesround its bendround its bendlike a packlike a packof blackof blackcats,cats,dogs after them,dogs after them,turning a corner.turning a corner.

66It doesnIt doesn’’t seemt seemto want to flowto want to flowdownstream,downstream,this full this full moon like a yellowmoon like a yellowbeach ball.beach ball.

77Open-billedOpen-billedgulls gulls fightingfightingfor fish headsfor fish headscreakcreaklikelikerusted rusted gates.gates.

88From the phone wiresFrom the phone wiresin quickin quickalarmalarma flocka flockof crowsof crowsexplodes.explodes.

99At the sunAt the sun’’s s targettargetearthearthflingsflingsspears:spears:white birches.white birches.

1010The riverThe riverflows downflows downto its deltato its deltaand sets sailand sets sailon the sea.on the sea.

Day 38: Animal RiddleDay 38: Animal RiddleThe title of the poem must be the name of the

animal.The animal must speak for itself, using I and me.The animal must address the reader, using you.The animal must have something it wants to tell

us: a wish, a desire, or a complaint.The poem must be 10-20 lines long.

I walk on two legs.I walk on two legs.Just look at me and I am like a parrot.Just look at me and I am like a parrot.When you feel me it is like feeling a bunny.When you feel me it is like feeling a bunny.The thing I love about me is being adored by other The thing I love about me is being adored by other birds.birds.

When you hold me, I am light.When you hold me, I am light.I am tiny.I am tiny.You barely ever see me—You barely ever see me—My wings move so fast.My wings move so fast.

When you smell me I smell like honey.When you smell me I smell like honey.Very sweet honeyVery sweet honeyI wish the world was made of flowers.I wish the world was made of flowers.

Day 39: Fairytale MonologueDay 39: Fairytale MonologueThe dramatic monologue poem gives voice to

those characters from our past, whether literary, fairytale, or real, that were not give a full voice. It reflects an internal or external conflict (or problem). The persona of the poem (speaker) needs to explain, justify, and/or clarify him/herself to the listener.

Directions: Choose a fairytale character in a moment of peril or confusion. Write a poem in which the character explains his or her situation. The fairytale character can be human or animal, kept to his/her time or made modern.

One of them made me blow.One of them made me blow.

I tried something else, but, no.I tried something else, but, no.

They caused me to burn my tail.They caused me to burn my tail.

They caused the trouble.They caused the trouble.

I couldnI couldn’’t control myself.t control myself.

I had to chase those pigs off.I had to chase those pigs off.

But I couldnBut I couldn’’t. It was too hard.t. It was too hard.

I learned I need to control myselfI learned I need to control myself

Or the same thing will go onOr the same thing will go on

Again and again.Again and again.

II ’’m a vegetarian now.m a vegetarian now.

I keep eating carrots,I keep eating carrots,

But itBut it’’s making me thinks making me think

Of parrots.Of parrots.

Day 40: Question & AnswerDay 40: Question & AnswerThese poems are written in the format:

question & answer. They are special because they don’t have to make perfect sense. You can use random associations to come up with subconscious answers to simple questions.What is autumn?What is autumn?

Three large buzzing bees.Three large buzzing bees.

What will tomorrow bring?What will tomorrow bring?A red autumn apple falling and falling.A red autumn apple falling and falling.

What is a light ray?What is a light ray?A meadowA meadow’’s open mouth.s open mouth.

What is an angle?What is an angle?Spears of daffodils cutting through the Spears of daffodils cutting through the hard-baked soil of spring.hard-baked soil of spring.

What is autumn?What is autumn?A crystal snowflake pirouetting on a tree.A crystal snowflake pirouetting on a tree.