Looking at your photograph, write a poem from two different perspectives. Write a poem as the person in the picture. Tap into your methods of figurative language exploring what this character might think, say, touch, feel, smell, and sound like.
Then, change direction. Be the outside observer viewing this person. Once again, tap into your methods of figurative language exploring what this character might think, say, touch, feel, smell, and sound like.
Don't be afraid to try and use some of the poetic devices we have studied. Maybe the two characters meet- what happens in the exchange.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Photograph Poem
Looking at your photograph, write a poem from two different perspectives. Write a poem as the person in the picture. Tap into your methods of figurative language exploring what this character might think, say, touch, feel, smell, and sound like.
Then, change direction. Be the outside observer viewing this person. Once again, tap into your methods of figurative language exploring what this character might think, say, touch, feel, smell, and sound like.
Don't be afraid to try and use some of the poetic devices we have studied. Maybe the two characters meet- what happens in the exchange.
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ReplyDelete-Smith, don't read my homonym poem, I like this one better
DeleteIt is a miracle
ReplyDeletethat I am alive
after thanksgiving
I'm glad I'm not pie.
That fate sadly befell
my friends in the patch
who were served with turkey
when they met their match.
That's why I smile
so gleeful and happy
because I was spared
from a very long nappy.
Though my guts were ripped out
which gave me a fright
They made the room
for a candle so bright
That is why I smile
from one ear to the other
because I was not
part of Thanksgiving supper.
My! Look at that pumpkin
smiling so!
He looks so realistic
but annoyingly so.
Smiling pumpkins
just creep me out
I wonder what they're always
smiling about?
Why should I care?
I guess there is no need
He made those delicious
baked pumpkin seeds
And not only that
but little does he realize
he later will make
a nice sweet pumpkin pie...
Houston the Eagle Has Landed
ReplyDeleteI am nervous, sweating,
the beads of perspiration
are beating down my face.
I am making history.
The shuttle’s door opens.
I slowly descend the ladder.
I’m at the bottom rung, my left
foot hung precariously over the edge.
The time is 10:56 p.m.
July 20, 1969.
I saw him make his descent.
I saw the first man land on the moon.
He made his country proud.
In a time of need, in a time
of war.
He made history.
“That’s one small step for man,
one giant leap for mankind”(Armstrong)
Being Part of a Team
ReplyDeletewe all mash into the photo with our matching ponitails swaying in the wind
iphone cameras flash and bursts of giggles come from the back row
we stand in the after school sun smiling till our lips hurt
but we reflect what the team is made of
smiles
I look at the rushed setting of my soccer team
two of the girls I’ve known since preschool
The team is so close we are at the point where we don’t play hard
we enjoy ourselves
where push ups are faked and yoga comes into regular streching routines
and every practice is more laughing than work
when we care about the team more than the win
every game is congragalated
I remember our rivals with electric blue cleats
and long hair
the days where we playfully shoved eachother on the field
I stand proud next to the other defenders
the girls who have my back as I play center
as I have their back when they play outside
the last camera clicks
immedietly we kick soccer balls and they go soaring in the air
another girl is ready to make a perfect header
our heavily accented coach gives a high five yelling “one more time!”
his signature phrase
we all laugh
we know we will have fun every time
I take the picture and pin it up in my locker
although I’m older and slightly taller I still have one thing in common with the old me
my favorite part of the game is the team
It’s breathtaking, what I notice
ReplyDeleteThough I’ve been here many times before
Now I expand my focus
Truly observing the majestic shore
With the sea salt smell,
thick in the air
And the waves, they swell
Rolling and climbing like a stair
And the rocky terrain beneath my feet
Disappears into the sand across the beach
Blends together, can’t see where they meet
Despite how far my eyes reach
And the sun, blazing down like a spotlight
Beating down on my upturned face
Hand over my eyes to spare my sight
Looking out over a bright, burning place
With my hair pulled back, exposing my skin
Yet still pulling wispily along in the breeze
And growing across my lips, a grin
As I warm and bake in the comfortable degrees
And looking out across the landscape,
A figure there, atop the spread of sand
I barely can see it, just a faint shape
The sun obscuring my eyesight, even below my hand
Looking up, though it hurts my eyes so
Squinting through the streams of sun
Upon the rocks, farther up, though
A faint standing figure, just one
Yes I see it, far along from me
With my feet sinking into the compact sand
Burning to my skin, but soft and welcoming to see
Below the source of this heat, my skin becoming tanned
And the slight wind, filtering through my short hair
Cooling, in the blazing atmosphere
But obstructing to my traveling stare
As into every direction, I peer
The clouds, rather thick in a light blue sky
Though the sun beats through like always
And search up for long, I do try
But my eyes, still too sensitive to the rays
I feel the mist from the mighty ocean
Crawling up along the beach where I stand
Fighting up in just one strong motion
Slowly consuming the land
And still I see the figure atop the rocks
And I feel it looking down on me, as well
Curious, it seems, as its stance talks
Though body language doesn’t always tell
And curious, I am, to the shape among the sand
And it seems it sees me, too
But it’s hard to tell, peering along the length of land
Making out the details, impossible to do.
This moment so perfect
ReplyDeleteAnd now captured in time
The bells of today bing sweet with a chime
The hustle and bustle will still move along
But this instant right here remains
And now this photo my camera contains
New York is alive with people and light
But this once in a lifetime trip must end
And I say goodbye to the big apple, my new friend
I walk down the street annoyed and alone
Tourists everywhere always in the way
I ask myself, what’s so special about today
Yes, we have tall buildings and big city lights
But taking a picture of a tree is really not needed
And my level of patience has just been exceeded
Unbelieveable I sigh to myself
A tourist moves along with a bop in her step
And I roll my eyes at all of her pep
Children and Chickens
ReplyDeleteThe chicken are downy
All covered in feathers
Yet only two corporate
So one of us has to hold a basket
The hay is sticking to me
I try to be motionless
As the oldest, I have to be
a good role model for the youth
Two others plus me makes three
Posing for a picture
Mom making us laugh
Right as she takes the photo
As I look at my three fabulous children
I can't help but feel pride
Their father would be so happy
to know that we're getting along fine
You can tell that they are trying
not to let the chickens go wandering
But as they pose for the picture
I want them to be happy
I make a funny face
They all laugh
Click, a perfect shot
They make a great image
As we get ready to move on
I tell them I love them
And in reply, my oldest daughter
tells me she loves me too
Beauty: Picture of a girl looking in the mirror
ReplyDeleteFrom the girl’s view:
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who’s the ugliest of them all?
All I see are my imperfections
All I see is a hideous monster
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who’s the ugliest of them all?
I have too many blemishes
Not enough beauty
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who’s the ugliest of them all?
My eyes are too big
Same applies for the shape of my body
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who’s the ugliest of them all?
Wishing I was a model, asking
Why can’t I be her?
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who’s the ugliest of them all?
I lack talent and looks
Giving up is all that works
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who’s the ugliest of them all?
I’m not smart enough
I’m not talented enough
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who’s the ugliest of them all?
They were right
I’m not good enough
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Who’s the ugliest of them all?
No, don’t answer.
I’m the ugliest of them all.
Goodbye.
From the world’s view:
I see perfection
I see beauty
I see her as skinny
I see a model
I see talent
I see brains
I see gorgeous blue eyes
I see a button nose
I see just the right amount of freckles
I see the girl behind the makeup
I see the girl with messy hair
I see her adorable shy smile
I see laughter, but too many tears
I see her hiding
I see the girl behind the makeup
I see the light within her
I see the girl who lightens every room and every life
I see the real you
I wish I could see you smile
I wish I could see you again
Girl meets world:
Dear Girl with Beauty,
Hello there
You may not know me
But I just wanted to share
A little about your stunning beauty
You seem to be forgetting
How perfect you are
You shouldn’t be fretting
When you’ve come so far
Why can’t you see
The glow from inside of you
You mean so much to me
You’re talented in all that you pursue
Please don’t leave
I’ve noticed your shine
At least I believe
That you are fine
Dear Stranger
I was always invisible
Until you told me what was true
My life was divisible
All I can say is thank you
I don’t know when I fell asleep
ReplyDeletebut I did.
It must have been the music
that had been flowing so effortlessly though my guitar,
or maybe it was the sunshine
that finally decided to show itself after the long winter,
the meadow was so beautiful
the wild flowers called softly for me to lay down among them
just for a second.
I don’t know when I fell asleep
but it wasn't until he woke me up that I even realized I had.
She was the most perfect person I had ever seen.
Almost glowing in the sunlight.
I was just out for a walk when I saw her,
at first I thought she was a ghost
or more possibly, an angel,
asleep in the meadow, guitar next to her
the picture of beauty.
It took me so long to get the courage to walk up to her
I just wanted to see her closer
see her beauty in more detail.
I truly didn't mean to wake her.
I must have only been half asleep when heard his footsteps.
I think he must have stood there a while
trying to decide what to do,
I almost smiled to myself
I knew what he was thinking
a crazy young hippie “embracing the ways of the earth”
not someone to be messed with,
he was probably here to ask me to get off his land
or something,
but I waited for him to to decide what to do
mainly because I was comfortable, and the sun was warm
and maybe, just a little, because he was cute.
He walked up slowly, carefully,
then tripped over a branch and cursed quietly to himself.
I opened my eyes, only because I wanted to him stumble,
he looked at me
startled to see my eyes open
and a little embarrassed that I had seen him trip,
he cleared his throat,
maybe to give himself time to think of something to say
“Hello”
he said finally
I just raised one eyebrow
he looked down, shyly, and continued;
“You’re very beautiful.”
Flashes of brown
ReplyDeleteemerge from the green
as we move through
the forest
yelling and calling
as we run.
The air is light
and the ground slightly damp
the croaking of frogs
and the feathery breeze
make the leaves
dance and shake
as we run swiftly
just us two,
behind the farm.
As I stand on the ridge
above the green sea
I watch the two kids
playing together
they are jumping off rocks
and scaring the birds off
just like they always do
it's times like this,
in the warm summer day,
when they look the closest.
As the camera is raised
to capture the sibling love
the two children sense a presence
they look up
to the aunt intruding
on their time
and they run
so they don't have to stop playing.
Thirty-five people had come to sit by me that day.
ReplyDeleteI had spent thirty-five dollars and received thirty-five stories in return.
Stories of triumph and sadness.
Each person seemed to be so individual.
It made me think about what it was like to be sitting on the concrete ground beside myself.
To look at me, to speak to me.
I wonder what it was like to pour out secrets, feelings, and situations to a stranger.
Perhaps it wasn’t scary because it was safer to tell everything to someone you hardly had the chance of seeing again.
It was refreshing to listen to the words of others.
It was refreshing to listen in general.
I think we all talk too much and listen far too little.
I guess that’s my mission now, simply to listen and speak when asked.
People bother me less that way.
...
I stood by the stand and watched him from a distance.
His dark hair and clothes clung to his body.
“Tell me your story and I’ll give you $1.”
It was strange that he was paying people to take up his time.
I just wondered how many dollars he had given up that day, how many hours he had spent sitting on the sidewalk.
Was it worth it to approach him and tell him I was willing to be paid in order to tell some secrets?
Perhaps venting to someone could be valuable.
I wondered where I’d start.
Maybe he had a method of how he was going to get my story to come out.
...
Finally I overcame my fear and walked towards him.
The girl with gray hair had gone off by now.
Confrontation seemed safe.
I sat down beside him and he smiled at me like he cared about everything I was about to say.
I felt confidence in myself and started from the beginning.
Not really the beginning of my life, but as far back as I could remember.
He never really seemed to be bored with my words.
I could tell he was absorbing each phrase, turning it over in his mind and then moving to the next.
I was happy to be revealing what I thought; my mouth was a waterfall of words.
And we sat until the sun went down, and at the end, he handed me one dollar and I left without a word.
ReplyDeleteWalking hand in hand,
I start to understand,
What it means to love.
My brother and I,
My mother may sigh,
“Oh, will they ever get along?”
The wind pushing back,
Ah, how good it feels to lack,
The loud noises of the city.
With people gaping deep,
At the tall, structured steep,
The direct sun beams wide.
How cute, the little brother and sister
Oh, how I need a mister,
To help shape a dream of mine.
I can’t help but gaze,
With an expression of amaze,
I want a family exceedingly.
As we stroll along the pathway,
I see a woman slowly turn away,
With a dreamy look in her eyes.
“She must want kids like us”
My brother whispers to me.
I really hope she gets her dream.
A Simple Celebration
ReplyDeleteIn that moment,
So much happiness that meant
We had just won
A team, combining together to be one.
Tired smiles,
Full of pure ecstasy
But on the outside,
A single moment
Not remembered,
Simply captured.
Looking on,
Seeing joy, but feeling none
Sure a smile, but they can’t tell
Can’t feel the pure elation
That results from a victorious run
The moment passes, forgotten by some
Only to be looked back on,
By the ones who won
As that great moment
When we were done
Nothing else mattered, we had just won
But to the others,
Just another day
Just another track meet
Just another race
Just another winner
Just another celebration hug.
But to us, to you and me
We know
This moment is special,
It may be our last,
A reminder of our bittersweet past
Waves crashing
ReplyDeleteWater slowly filling the boat
The water is Ice cold
No heat for hours
I can slowly feel my toes freezing
And I see the boat slowly sinking
The others pretend not to see it
But they do, and they have called for help
It begins to rain
And all hope seems lost
But then the fish start coming
The fish circle the boat
They are swimming into the nets
And then the rescue boat arrives
We arrived to an almost sunken craft
Overflowing with fish and icy water
The men shouted and waved
With pure elation in their eyes
We quickly loaded the men onto the ship
Except for one
He would not leave without the fish
He couldn’t leave without his catch
The fish were his life
The fish were what fed his family
But our vessel had no space for fish
So then we began to compromise
We finally got everyone on board
Along with half of the fish
Stonehenge
ReplyDeleteFoamhenge
Who could tell the difference?
Only in America,
An exact replica
Down to the astronomical placement
One of the coolest things I’ve ever seen
Its quiet, beautiful, and so serene
In the open land of Lexington, Virginia
Not quite as mystical as the original enigma
Exploring the henge was such a blast
I hope to return super fast!
A tourist exploring as usual
Little does she know its nonrenewable
The artist will never repair,
Every touch causes a tear
I can’t believe she would be so oblivious
As to destroy an attraction this mysterious
“Are you going to repair this yourself?” I ask
Her intense stare answers, “I can accomplish this task”
I walk next to him in the sand,
ReplyDeleteCraving the touch of his hand,
I smile and laugh at all of his jokes,
Our path a painting, our steps the strokes,
As he speaks I watch his lips,
At the straps of my pack, my finger grips,
The goal ahead of us, don’t look back,
The sun sets and we both fade to black,
His mouth opens and holds in place,
He pauses for a moment and slows his pace,
“I love you” his voice whispers and rasps,
I watch as she meets my eyes, and gasps,
She smiles so large I think she might burst,
I’ve thought it many times, but aloud this is the first,
She mutters the response I could only dream of,
I continue to walk on, with my one true love.
First Perspective:
ReplyDeleteI run fast in lane seven
If I place, in this race, I will be in heaven
If I lose, crazy, I will be driven
As I begin to run in this race
The wind rips across my face
And I wonder if I’ll even place
The people against me have worked so hard
By pain we have all been scarred
Can I make this extra yard?
Second Perspective:
It is obvious who has won
But does he realize he’s number one?
And that this race is done?
He started the race so fast
The viewers here are all aghast
His reign will surely last
The fans cheer and scream
Out of everyone he is supreme
Winning this was his a dream
2nd P: Finally he crossed the line
1st P: That trophy is finally mine
2nd P: The others must be upset
1st P: This moment, I will not forget
2nd P: He reaches far
1st P: I feel just like a star
She is beauty
ReplyDeleteShe is wanted
She is courage
She is adored by all
She is strong
She is perfect
I am crumbling
I am broken
I am a role model
I am dissolving
I am breaking open for everyone to see
I am pressured to be perfect
Never being able to live up to their expectations
Always perfect never flaud
The perfect person
A broken girl
Delicious juicy burger
ReplyDeleteDelicious salty fries
Delicious creamy frosty
I can't help but smile
I feel so perfect
There's no place I'd rather be
Fast food
For low prices
Wendy's
Hungry watching eyes
Hungry growling stomach
Hungry watering mouth
I can't help but desire
I feel so starved
I'd so much rather be in there
Be her
Instead of me
At Wendy's
I take a bite out of the burger
I walk through the glass doors
I munch on my crunchy fries
I step up to the table
Somebody approaches, I'm interrupted
I sit down at her table
"Hello there, friend," I say
"Same to you," I respond
There's no need for words
She shifts in her chair
I slide over the rest of my food
I smile
It's impossible to frown
While eating a frosty.
FYI, in the third stanza, each line alternates between characters. It's confusing, I'm sorry.
DeleteI Am Not A True Coloradan
ReplyDeleteBy: Alexandra Larsen
Whenever I hear the words
Breckenridge or Keystone
I nod along, but this is absurd
hopefully with this secret i’m not alone.
I’ve never been skiing!
After twelve years here
I am not normal Colorado being
and no you didn’t mishear.
The ice and skis just aren’t me
just aren’t my thing
its not like i’m a strange absentee
Id rather be in a boxing ring!
Yet it keeps me downtrodden
I hear the same saying
“You aren’t a true Coloradan”
yet its going to take more swaying
So next time you say
“I’m shredding some gnar”
ill meet you halfway
and just say “au revoir”
Man’s Perspective:
ReplyDeleteI hold a power in my hand
Nature in my grasp, as if I am in control
The moon is mine to hold
The light, the calmness, the mystery, all in my possession
A floating disk pulled down to earth
Connected to a string, like a balloon
I wish to pluck it out of the sky
To take it home, for it to be mine
This pool of light will never be mine
It floats too high, it continues to fly
To soar through the sky free of all domination
It is time to let go.
Moons Perspective:
A lonely soul standing on a hill
He seems blue, misguided, unseen
Hiding in the shadows unaware of my presence
I am the watchful eye, seeing deeper than the common eye
He comes here often, perhaps to think
Maybe to stand, to be alone, to be seen
When will he realize that he is not alone
That I am here, the watchful eye, a friend.
That blue heaven above
ReplyDeleteSo vast and pure
And that never ending horizon
With not a scar in sight
Beneath my feet
Persevering plants
Oh, nothing is wrong here
How small I am
In this beautiful world
Where everything is bright
and sweet-tasting
This smile never slips off of my face
Why would it?
Nothing is wrong here
Sweet child, how naive you are
Kept in the shadows
Yet it is somehow the light
Always optimistic
Inexperienced, hopeful
My wish for you
That you will always stay blind
Eventually, sorrow will come
Reality will hit
Innocence will be lost
But until that time, child, with the wind in your hair
And eyes below the counter
Keep your smile
(For the world will steal it away)
In time, it will fade
The Shot
ReplyDeleteThe Player
Epinephrine races through my veins, like a shot of liquid power
It ignites my muscles and, for an instant, I feel truly alive
The clock ticks down, counting to the end of the hour
It is in this moment that I truly thrive.
I sprint past the defenders, just trying to reach the goal
The goalie prepares for the shot
I take aim carefully, right between the goalie and pole
I move my stick and the ball goes in, faster than thought.
The Spectator
He runs up field, dodging and swerving as I watch him go
His legs speed up, chewing up turf like Bolt
He moves his stick, but it’s a fake, he doesn't throw
The opponents are tricked, to them it’s a true jolt.
The kid moves closer, searching for a chance
I notice he moves like a dancer, as I watch him run
He looks at me, just a quick glance
As he shoots and scores, I can’t help but scream "That’s my son!".
My picture was of the Marine kissing his love in the ticker tape parade after WW2:
ReplyDeleteJoy and jealousy
For so long he’d been away
For so long I had missed
For so long I would pray
He’d come home and we’d kiss
His arm on the small of my waist
His lips sealed to mine
Our love I could finally taste
Our desire finally thrive
Such passion and lust
Such support and trust
Such pain is now over
Pain turned to dust
This pain has yet to end
I never will forget her
A clear message she sends
As the two of them grow closer
If I would've stayed true
If I would've shown love
She'd be my baby too
We'd fit like hand in glove
In the arms of another man
Kissing one who isn't me
Wishing I could hold her hand
Wishing she would see
Our eyes met
Our hearts stopped
Our future was set
The past must be dropped
I am a river.
ReplyDeleteWinter, Spring, Summer, Fall,
Here, you will find me all year long,
Always running, always whispering,
Flowing through whatever is placed in my way.
I am unstoppable.
I am beautiful.
You will never find me alone,
With a breeze perpetually by my side
Life all around me.
I am a tree.
Ever growing, reaching out for the sun.
Shivering in the breeze,
Branches supporting lives other than my own.
Green covering every place it can.
I am strong.
I am full of life.
You could compare me to a good friend,
A helper to everything around me.
I am life.
Every night I toss and turn
ReplyDeleteWaiting for the people to come back to play
Even though the water is cold
Those people go in it anyway
They laugh scream and run
All day through the sun
Then the days come to end
And the orange sparkles off me
The crabs come out to play
And all the people go home
Then it starts all over again
The days starts with fun and games
Laughing and having fun
Finally the sun descends
The clouds turn into wisps
Glinting off the clouds and sea glass
The orange glow sparkles across
The sand in between your toes
Your sisters by your side
And you think this is okay
Vacation has come to an end
And this was the test
The orange glow a constant reminder
That this is the new family
Days like these I wonder:
ReplyDeleteHow does the world spin?
Days like these I wonder:
Where the world begins?
Every time I question:
Who am I to be?
Every time I question:
When will I be free?
Days like these I wonder:
Could I just say hi?
Days like these I wonder:
Or would I just pass bye?
Every time I question:
Does she see me too?
Every time I question:
What I am to do?
Days like these I wonder:
Will we ever meet?
Days like these I wonder:
Love at just one greet?
Every time I question:
Where is my prince now?
Every time I question:
When will I be wowed?
This day we do not wonder:
Could this love be true?
This day we do not question:
Is my true love you?
“Now we return to Safari Guide, with Kim Jong Un”
ReplyDelete“And over in this direction lies a herd of White Elephant, native to Korea,
My favorite animal is the White Elephant
It’s large, powerful stature, reminds me of myself
And our great country.”
I look so handsome in this hat,
Sometimes I enjoy the old Western fashion
I find it very casual
And easy to pass the time in.
My goodness,
I hate filming this guy.
He looks so stupid in that hat
“The White Elephants are notorious for being the largest,
and the fiercest land animals”
We don’t even have another person to narrate,
Someone is going to die if I have to do the green screen too.
“Not bad today Sam!”
“My name is Michael.”
“Mikey. Hand me my coffee.”
“Just a sec-”
“Sammy just give me the coffee”
“Okay, calm yourself”
“I will calm myself when I get my coffee.”
DomB2016
ReplyDeleteSpeedo Guido
I stride along, large and quite proud
Although I am quite fluffy, just like a cloud
I call attention to that lass over there
The one that is tall and has pretty gold hair
We lock eyes from across the pier
As I walk along towards my ice cold.... soda
She smiles and says hello
And I saw her wink, at my luscious chest flow
Although my accent is thick, just like my waistline
I know I look super fine
Oh my gawd, do you see that guy?
It’s disgusting, like I just want to die
I hope he doesn’t see me
I’ll pretend I have to pee
Because he is so nasty
When he comes to talk, I’ll be gone fastly
I hate when guys dont shave
Its almost as bad if they didn't bathe
I just want a guy that is a hottie
And not one with a hairy body
I’ll just sit and wait as he does his thing
And if he comes over I’ll yell and scream
“Hey baby, what's up”
“ummm... Hi?”
“You, Me, Movie. I’ll pick you up at 8”
“Yeahh.... No.“
“It will be fun”
“I have a boyfriend”
“Bye”
Long hours in the hot sun
ReplyDeleteThey worked
Whips upon their backs
Blood spattered the fields
Their agony flavored the air
They screams voiced the night
They retreat to that place
Their safe place in the woods
Entering, all problems slip away
Into the dark of their owners
A snap in the woods
Reality sets in
Back to the fields