1. Type your poem here on the blog - be sure to write the title and author.
2. In a paragraph, explain what you think this poem means. Why do you think the author wrote it? What sort of mood or feeling does it give?
3. In another paragraph, explain why you chose this poem. What is it about the poem that speaks to you? (And just so you know, “It was the shortest poem I could find” is not an acceptable response!)
Here is my example:
Fish Story
by Richard Amour
Count this among my heartfelt
wishes:
To hear a fish tale told by
fishes
And stand among the fish who
doubt
The honor of a fellow trout,
And watch the bulging of their
eyes
To hear of imitation flies
And worms with rather droopy
looks
Stuck through with hateful,
horrid hooks,
And fishermen they fled all day
from
(As big as this) and got away from.
This is a poem about a fish story, but from the fish’s
point-of-view instead of the human.
Everyone seems to have a fisherman in their family who has a tale to
tell of “the one that got away.” The
family members all ooh and aah when said fisherman talks about how, “I once
caught a fish this big,” and in a flourish, shows with exaggerated enthusiasm,
the size of the fish that he caught, though conveniently no one has seen. Richard Armour takes that fish story cliché
and turns it on its heels by giving it a different perspective – from that of
the fish. Of course, the fish doesn’t
tell of the size of the human they caught, but instead the size of the one they
got away from (rather than the one that got away). So of course, the mood of this poem is very lighthearted and
humorous, which is always what fish stories are, whether told by human or fish!
What speaks to me about this poem is that I have many men in
my family who are fishermen (though not very good ones!) so it’s always funny
to hear them talk about fishing and their good-natured ribbing of each other’s
lack of talent when it comes to catching anything of substance. My dad, grandpa (who is now passed), uncle,
and brother all love to fish so fish stories abound in my family! When all of them get together and talk about
fishing, everyone always has to laugh at the bantering back and forth between
them. When the men talk about fishing,
you can always guarantee that laughter will soon accompany the
conversation. So when I read this poem,
I always think of the men of my family and smile because I imagine the fish who
is telling this story is the one that got away from either my dad, grandpa,
uncle, or brother.
Geese
ReplyDeleteValerie Worth
Then they
wavered
away
down the
cold sky
with cries
like grieving
now we
hearing those
same high voices
return a noisy
rejoicing
This poem is about a flock of geese. It describes what the geese sound like. It also says how they fly and what the air is like. It is like what the geese do during this scenario as well. So this poem is all about geese.
What speaks to me about this poem is the actual words. It seems so true about how they react. Also, how they fly and screech. The format was pretty appealing on the page, but that might have been because of the big ggoose picture. The illistration was wonderful. Not to mention, it was pretty easy to memorize, because it was shorter then most.
Tommy S.
Nicole S.
ReplyDeleteCouldve been Worse
Bill Dodds
My friends have not seen London,
They've never been to France,
But yesterday at recess
They saw my underpants.
I kicked a ball, my skirt flew up
And I know what they saw.
The girls all stared and blushed and laughed,
The boys said, "Oo-la-la!"
I've thought a lot about it.
This conclusion I have drawn:
I'm embarassed that they saw them,
But I'm glad I had them on.
I think this poem means not to be embarrassed of the past. I think it means to look at the bright side of the problems and not to fret over little things. And the fact that you can't go back and change the past and deal with it and move on!!!
I like this poem because it is silly but it also teaches you that you shouldn't fret over little things like that. I chose this poem because I wanted a poem that the class (and mrs shaum) won't be bored by and practically fall asleep. I want them to laugh and enjoy my presentation.
Rosie W.
ReplyDeleteThe Name's the Same
By: Alan Katz
In U.S. cities
and plenty of towns,
people have names
that are verbs and are nouns.
Gene wears jeans,
and Jim goes to the gym,
mark makes his mark,
(that's a homonym).
Skip and Flip
know what to do without fail.
But if your your names Rob,
then your goin' to jail.
I think this poem means that a kid doesn't really like his name that much and he thinks that all of his friends have names that are cool! The author realizes that a lot of names are verbs or nouns and he is proving that point. It is very funny.
I chose this poem because its cute and has a lot of ways to act it out. It also leads up to something. Like... ROB! It's silly and I think it would be interesting to listen to and watch.
Sam M. Bowling by: Kate Miller
ReplyDeleteI focus
my mind
and will the
ball down
the middle of
the polished
lane
imagining
the loud
explosion
of pins and the
half-jealous cheers
of my friends yelling
"STRIKE!"
But the fantasy is crushed
with a loud humiliating
THUNK
and the callous call of
"GUTTER BALL!"
I think that the author wrote this poem because she showed what really happens in sports, and in this case, bowling. At first you are very confident and imaging the best possible situation that could happen, and you think it will happen, but we all know that most of the time we fail. But that's OK because when we get another chance we re-anticipate and, who knows that fantasy may come true. The feeling that this poem gives me is very light hearted and has a fun base. Even though the character fails in the story, he can always try again.
I chose this poem because I love bowling and i always will love it. Something that popped in this poem was that the main character actually failed.Normally in stories or poems there is a happy ending. But not in this story, this character gets a gutter ball, the lowest of the low, he didn't even hit a pin! but I inference that when his next turn came around that he would re-anticipate and try again and hope for the best again. This is why I chose this poem because I think you should do the same thing in life, if you fail just get back up and try again.
ReplyDeleteTied, by Dabney Stuart
As I fade back to pass,
Late in the game as one
Who has been away for some time
Fades back into memory
My father who had been nodding
At home by the radio
Would wake asking
My mother who had not
Been listening, “What’s the score?”
And she would answer, “Tied.”
While the pass I threw
Hung high in the brilliant air
Beneath the dark like a star
I think this poem is about football. I know that the main text kind of gives away the main meeaning, but I think that the poem also means that the kid’s family doesn’t really listen to the radio, except to support their son. I know there is room for improvement in my interpretation, but I believe the author had another maning in my mind besides that. In fact the author definitely had another meaning to this poem.
I chose this poem because I like sports. Another reason is because I like the way the poem was worded, and the way the author intoned the important pass the quarter back had to throw. I liked the way the poem was about clutch moments, and important moments too. That is why I like this poem.
Stevie Murphy
Winter Eyes
ReplyDeleteBy: Douglas Florian
Look at winter
with winter eyes,
as smoke curls from rooftops
to clear cobalt skies
Breathe in winter
past winter nose
the sweet scent of black birch
where velvet moss grows
Walk throught winter
with winter feet
on crackling ice
or sloshy wet sleet
Listen to winter
with winter ears
the rustling of oakleaves
as spring slowly nears.
I think this poem is all about winter. It talks about smoke from rooftops and ice and sleet. Then it talks about how spring slowly nears, when it gets warmer and flowers start ro bloom. It also talks about breathing in the smell of winter and look at winter.
I picked this poem because I love winter so much. I love the snow and the cold. I picked it because that really describes winter. i like when it is about warm and cool.
By: Elizabeth Z.
Dachshund
ReplyDeleteby Valerie Worth
It's hard
to keep
from drooping
When you've
got so long
a body
plenty of
legs at
front and back
But nothing
propping up
the middle
This poem talks about a Dachshund and how it's legs are so far apart and how it should be hard to walk around as a Dachshund. The author wrote this because a Dachshund is a funny animal and she probably wanted to add this to her animal book. This poem shows humor and silliness of a Dachshund. It also says what a Dachshund has to go through during his life.
I picked this poem because it's short and funny. I also liked this poem because it's about an animal, and for some reason I like poems about animals. As soon as I saw this poem I read it. The picture of the Dachshund was the main thing that pulled me in to choosing this poem.
By Connor H.
All Things Bright And Beautiful
ReplyDeleteBy Cecil Frances Alexander
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures greatand small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.
The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning,
That brightens up the sky;
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleassant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell,
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
I think this poem means that everything God made is beautiful, and that we should be thankful for everything he has made. We should appreciate all the things on this earth. I think the author wrote this poem because they wanted to show everybody that our earth is a beautiful place, and God made everything, so we should be thankful.
Izzy A. I will finish later
Continued... This poem is a joyful and happy poem overall. It gives you the feeling of happiness, because you realize what God has done for all of us, because he loves each and everyone of us. This poem is about nature. What the author is saying though, is that God made the earth and everything else, because he loves and cares for us. The author is saying in the poem that everything that God made is beautiful, and everything that he made is here for a purpose. Throughout this poem, it shows how great and kind God is.
DeleteI chose this poem because I wanted to show everybody how great God is. I want to tell people that what God made is amazing, and we should thank God for all the great things he has given us. I wanted to remind everybody that we need almost evrything that the Lord gave us, to survive. Without those things, we wouldn't be here, but most important, we wouldn't be here without God. What speaks to me in the poem is when it says "How great is God Almighty" because I think that some people have forgotten about God, and they have pushed him out of their lives, when God is the one who has made them! This part in the poem reminds us that God is the powerful one and that he is loving because he has created everything for us.
-Izzy A. (Adding to my response above.)
No Matter
ReplyDeleteBy: Lee Bennett Hopkins
No matter how hot burning
it is outside,
when you peel a long, fat
cucumber, or cut deep into
a fresh, ripe watermelon,
you can feel coolness come
into your hands.
I think this poem is trying to say that even though, it is very hot outside, you always feel like there is no way to cool down. but they say that when you cut a fresh watermelon, you can feel cool. the author wrote this because maybe she was very hot and she wanted a snack.
Poli D.
ReplyDelete1) My poem is "My Teacher Loves Her iPod" by Bruce Lansky.
My teacher loves her iPod.
It's always in her ear.
She doesn't mind it if we joke
or chat 'cause she can't hear.
If we don't pay attention,
she doesn't seem to care.
Whenever she has music on,
she wears a distant stare.
Our principal dropped by one day,
and she paid no attention.
He took away her iPod
and sent her to detention.
2) The poem doesn’t really have a hidden meaning, it kind of says the meaning right there in the poem. I mean, a teacher loving her iPod. Just that sentence says the meaning of the whole entire poem. a teacher love h er iPod. That’s the meaning of the poem, right there.
Maria H.
ReplyDeleteHow to Tell the Wild Animals
Carolyn Wells
If ever you should go by chance
To jungles in the east;
And if there should to you advance
A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you as you’re dyin’
You’ll know it is the Asian Lion…
Or if some time when roaming round,
A noble wild beast greets you,
With black stripes on a yellow ground,
Just notice if he eats you.
This simple rule may help you learn
The Bengal Tiger to discern.
If strolling forth, a beast you view,
Whose hide with spots is peppered,
As soon as he has lept on you,
You’ll know it is the Leopard.
’Twill do no good to roar with pain,
He’ll only lep and lep again.
Though to distinguish beasts of prey
A novice might nonplus,
The Crocodile you always may
Tell from the Hyena thus:
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep they’re Crocodiles.
This poem is about if ever you should go to jungles in the east. You will see many sorts of animals from lions to hyenas and you must be very careful when you’re around them, because they may KILL YOU! It also explains to you of how to tell the animals by an action or the way they look. For example, you will be able to tell if the animal you spot is a leopard as soon as it has lept on you. I think the author wrote it to be a humorous poem, because it talks about dieing form wild animals. For example, it said "just notice if he eats you." Well of coarse you would notice if he ate you! The feeling it gives you is humorous, because it's a funny poem. First you feel scared as it describes the scarey beast. Then it talks about eating or killing you in a hopeless and disrespectful way which makes you laugh.
The reason why I picked this poem was when I was looking for a poem, I tried to find one that would entertain the class. It would probably get boring if I preformed one not as entertaining and I can just imagine everyone yawning and not paying attention. Another reason is that you can do a lot of motions with my poem. I didn't want a poem where I would just be talking, I also wanted the audience focused on my motions I am to use to address words in the poem. This poem was not only to entertain my classmates, but to entertain myself as I am to recite it.
Sarah G.
ReplyDeletePoem Run
By: Douglas Florian
I smashed a line drive deep to right.
It cleared the fence, clear out of sight.
I rounded the bases:
First
Second
Third
home,
and
then
I ran home
And wrote down this poem.
I think this poem means someone hit a home run and wanted to write a poem right after it. I think the author wrote it because he loves baseball. It gives the feeling that the person is proud of their home run.
I choose this poem because I love baseball and sports. And this was the only book/poem that I found about sports. The home run spoke to me in this poem.
Alice W.
ReplyDeleteWake-up Call
by Alan Katz
I was dreaming that
I was dreaming
it happened just last night
the strange thing was
one was in color
and the other in black and white.
I had a nightmare
Ihad a nightmare,
both woke me from my sleep.
Perhaps it was those scary monsters
I'd counted instead of sheep.
I think the author wrote this poem to explain how you can get nightmares. I'm not sure but i think it means that nightmares and dreams have a reason that they are thought of. The mood or feeling is scared or confused, as the dream is in two different colors and the nightmare scary. Mr. Katz is trying to prove that if you think bad thoughts, you will have bad dreams.
I choose this poem because I had never heard of the author before. I wanted to read something new. This poem doesn't really speak to me, but it reminds me of being little and watching the shadows in my room turn to monsters. This poem is sort of silly, and the last thing I wanted to perform in front of the class was a serious poem.
Moving Right Along
ReplyDeleteMoving right along
finding my own way
as long as i sing my song
I'll reach the top one day
the road is long and wide
and there ain't no place to hide
from what you believe in yourself to be true
so I must do what i got to do
and sing my song that suits my blue
so, I've got to fly where i can glide
right through the magic of my life
and all the walls surround me
and all the falls that i take
i know that love is around me
and i will never break
- Abiodun Oyewole
Moving Right Along is about going on with your life and finding who you truly are. It is all about finding yourself. I think Abiodun Oyewole is trying to say be who you are and find yourself. He also is saying be free with yourself and be amazing. Moving Right Along makes me feel like i can do anything. It makes me feel stronger and I am who I am. It a very moving poem for everyone.
I chose this poem because it makes feel better when i'm sad and it make me feel better with myself and with others.Moving Right Along spoke to me and it's just a really nice poem that can make anyone feel better if they are sad, mad, depressed, or anything . My favorite part is " all of the falls that i take i know love is around me and i will never break" to me, that part is saying don't worry it gets better and love is all around you.
- Grace R.
Te E Buscado Senor
ReplyDeleteJose M. Oxholm
Te e buscado senor en el desierto, en el verdor airoso, en la campina, en los ojos de asombro de mi nina, en la goleta plata de mi puerto.
Te e buscado en lo falso y en lo sierto,en desposos umanos vos enrina, en el fruta glorioso de la vina, en campa florisido y en lo muerto.
Si fuera me orision la salvadora, si fuera mi dolor lus de tu oaora, busca me tu tambien enlo qui siento.
Te encontrado senor en tu allegria, te encontrado en tu agonia, de pie en cruz alzotado por el viento.
This poem is just saying that someone is looking for God and in the beginning it is saying were they looked for him. And in the end he is just saying how he found him. But I dont know exactly what is means because its written in spanish but thats its basic meaning.
I chose this poem because my grandpa wrote it and I already knew it because my grandma taught me it after he died about 2 years ago.
Victor T.
michael spagnuolo
ReplyDeletemelons
by:mary mape dodge
mellons mellons
joes mother sites and selles
mellons ho! ripe and rich
is her song all day long
selling mellons
mellons mellons
all day long walking on the street
joe selles mellons ho! ripe and sweet
ishis song all
day long selling mellons
I think the auther wrote this becase she mabye had
a brother and ther mom and he solled mellons toghethert
and maybe it inspiered her to do this poem. the mood it setes is happy becase there singing a happy song.
choose this becase i like mellons and that its the best
one i could find and that it cinda reminded a good passed
of mine and it was a easy poam to nremember
ReplyDeleteThe Couch
by Kevin Kammeraad
The couch has eaten my friend!
I don't know what to do.
Beware, it could happen to you.
Hey, that couch ate my friend!
I'm afraid to say it's true.
But it ate my sister too.
That mean old couch!
I hope you know what to do
If it ever happens to you.
Well that's my story
About the couch that ate my friend.
But don't worry,
It's really just pretend!
P.S. If it tries to eat you, I'd run!
I think the author was trying to say in this poem that sometimes when he sits too far back on his couch, it feels like he is being eaten. I've had that feeling before too. So it's kind of funny to make a story about how a couch that has actually eaten you. It gives off some sort of warning that says:DO NOT SIT ON THE COUCH!!!!!! It gives off some sort of fear of not sitting on the couch.
I chose this poem because a lot of people have read The Tomato Collection at St. Paul. Also, he made an author visit a few years back. I was hoping that I could do Little Man Jay (which is another poem in The Tomato Collection), but that poem was only eight lines. When I saw the couch poem, I knew that that this was the perfect poem to do. It had more than 10 lines and it gives off a funny message. I wanted to choose a poem that was funny, and I remember reading it in first grade and I liked reading it.
And one more thing: BEWARE THE COUCH!!!!!
Christian D.
Shawnita E.
ReplyDeleteOn Quiet Feet
by.Nikki Grimes
when my dad walks
into a room
or down
the street
he inches
up on me
silent
as shadow
and i don't know
he's there
until i feel
his hug.
sometimes
when he is
near
i might even
hear
his heart beat-
but never
his quiet
feet.
I think this poem means when Nikki is in a bad mood her dad used tok sneak upo on her and maqk her feel better in any time of day or night everyone has there own mood and this poem reminded her of her dad
i choose this poem because this poem reminded me of my dad because my dad always sneaks up on me when i'm listening to music he always see what im listing to or when i'm watching TV he sneaks up on me and even when im sad he sneaks up on me to cheer me up and thats why i choose this poe3m.
From the Book "Laugh-etira" by Douglas Florian.
ReplyDeleteA LOT DOG.
Give me a hot dog
with everything on it,
A french fry,
A necktie,
A bonnet,
A jaguar,
A crowbar,
A gallon of custard,
An ice tray,
A highway,
But please, hold the mustard.
This poem is trying to explain the people that love random things on there food, Like myself. It shows very random things like "a crowbar" or "a necktie". People tend to not like musturd very much, so i thought that was the perfect choice for the poem. This poems genre is random, and silly. It is these genres because the author said very random things throught the poem that made me smile. I think the author wrote this poem because he notices how people order there food.
I chose this poem because my mom normally wants alot of things on her hot dog, the only thing she excludes is ketchup. In this poem, the person leaves mustard out. I also chose this poem because it was random and funny. Thank you Doughlas Florian!!!
----Katherine G.
The Swimmer
ReplyDeleteBy: Constance Levy
The sun
underwater
makes chains of gold
that rearrange
as I reach through.
I feel at home
within this world
of sunlit water, cool and blue
I sip the air,
I stroke,
I kick,
big bubble bloom as I breath out.
Although I have no fail or fin
I'm closer than I've ever been
to what a fish feel
and think about
This poem to me means when you swim it's a beautiful thing but sometimes you have to dig deep and say I'm going to do it and SWIM! I like this poem because I am a swimmer. I feel the same way. I feel like a fish or a mermaid when I swim. I know that might be silly but it's true! I think the author wrote this because she might have been a swimmer or have had experience with swimming.
I chose this poem because I swim and I feel strongly about this poem. I think about the same things that the author wrote about. I made connections while reading. Also I love to swim and this poem is about SWIMMING!
-Gigi B