In this exercise, we will explore the elements contained in the craft of a poem. While
much poetry is inspired, inspiration does not equate excellence. It's only the beginning.
That spark combined with craft lead to truly great poetry, greatness implying that a poem
will withstand the test of time.
When I asked you to read and then listen to poems, I was trying to push you towards not
only understanding the meaning of the poem, but also towards hearing the rhythms and sound
of the poem, as poets use a range of tools to craft a poem.
Write a short paragraph about these two groups of words and turn it in as homework:
|
Group II |
|
blue, shoe, Chinook, moose |
sigh, hive, light, dine |
Say the words out loud. Repeat them. What feelings do they evoke?
Another part of craft is form. This tool is used to contain and constrain a poem, shaping
the way it is read. A poem that strictly adheres to traditional form will often contain
intense emotion. One that is loose and seemingly haphazard allows for a broader range of
emotion.
Take your two groups of words and write two short poems using each group.
 | One group of words should be in a standard form, i.e., haiku, villanelle; sonnett, terza rima, etc. |
| the other in a "free" form. |
This is just an exercise, so don't worry about writing the greatest poems in the world. Once you have composed your "poems," bring to class.