Poetry

What is Poetry?

Poetry

Poetry is a form of literature composed of rhythm, rhyme, metaphors and other artistic techniques to express an idea, feelings, or a story.

Links for Children's Poetry

• http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-438.html#.Uil2WeDR1SU
• http://faculty.weber.edu/chansen/humanweb/projects/MeghanUng/poems.htm

What types of poetry are there?

• Humorous
• Lyrical
• Free Verse
• Narrative

Narrative Poetry

A narrative poem is a poem that tells a story.

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

and before the street begins,

and there the grass grows soft and white,

and there the sun burns crimson bright,

and there the moon-bird rests from his flight

to cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

and the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

we shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow

and watch where the chalk-white arrows go

to the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

and we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

for the children, they mark, and the children, they know,

the place where the sidewalk ends.

Humorous Poetry

A humorous poem tells the reader about something that is funny :D.

Example of a Humorous Poem

My Puppy Plays Piano by Kenn Nesbitt

My puppy plays piano.

It's the strangest thing to see.

It seems, while I was practicing,

he learned by watching me.

He started out on chopsticks,

then he learned to play some Bach.

It wasn't long before he knew

the blues and classic rock.

He also taught my kitten how

so they could play duets,

and then they taught guitar and drums

to all my other pets.

They formed a band and practiced hard

and traveled all around,

and instantly got famous

for their catchy "Pet Rock" sound.

They made a smash hit record

and it wasn't very long

before my pets were millionaires

because they wrote this song.

Lyrical Poetry

Free Verse Poetry

A lyrical poem tells about the feelings of the poet.

A free verse poem is a poem that does not usually rhyme. This type of poem is written freely, however the writer wants it to be written.

Messy Room by Shel Silverstein

Example of Lyrical Poem

Whosever room this is should be ashamed!

His underwear is hanging on the lamp.

His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,

And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.

His workbook is wedged in the window,

His sweater's been thrown on the floor.

His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV,

And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.

His books are all jammed in the closet,

His vest has been left in the hall.

A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed,

And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall.

Whosever room this is should be ashamed!

Donald or Robert or Willie or--

Huh? You say it's mine? Oh, dear,

I knew it looked familiar!

Reading a Poem by Leonard Kleeman

READING A POEM

Reading a poem is like

singing a song.

The only difference is

the melody's gone.

The lyrics are there and

the rhythm is smart.

But the melody, not heard,

is played in your heart.