WC Newsletter #125*Poetry For Beginners

Writers' Circle Newsletter

Issue #125: May 3, 2004

(To read back issues of the Writers’ Circle Newsletter, see "WC Newsletter Back Issues" .)

Poetry can be for everyone: young and old, experienced or not. If you can read, you can fill in the blanks of the following forms.

First up is the Bio poem. This is a great poem to re-do every few years, just to see how it has changed.

BIOPOEM

First Name:
4 Traits That Describe You:
Position or Job:
Longing for:
Who Feels:
Who Needs:
Who Gives:
Who Would Like To See:
Resident of:
Synonym:

OR

FIRST NAME:
4 adjectives that describe you:
Daughter/Son of:
Lover of: 3 things
Who needs: 3 things
Who Fears:
Who gives: 3 things
Who fears:
Who believes:
Resident of:
Last Name:


NOTE: Feel free to mix it up or make up your own WHO lines. As you can see from the two examples, there really is no set rule. Make it you. Make it yours. ALSO, REMEMBER online safety when posting this particular poem with your name. Feel free to use nicknames.


Next is a similar form, called the “I am” poem. This is another good one to repeat every so often. Feel free to get literal or metaphoric with this one.

I Am

I am (two special characteristics)
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 (repeat first line of the poem)

I pretend (something you actually pretend to do)
I feel (a feeling about something imaginary)
I touch (an imaginary touch)
I worry (something that really bothers you)
I cry (something that makes you very sad)
I am (repeat first line, again)

I understand (something you know is true)
I say (something you believe in)
I dream (something you actually dream about)
I try (something you really make an effort with)
I hope (something you actually hope for)
I am (finish it off with the first line of the poem)


Finally, we have the concept poem. This is a great way to practice giving your poetry focus. Usually your concept is your title or features prominently in your title.

CONCEPT POEM

Concept: _______________________

(Possible concepts: Shoes, President Bush, the Supreme Court, love, etc.)

·What color is it?
·What does it taste like?
·What does it smell like?
·What does it do for fun?
·What makes it angry?
·What makes it sad?
·What makes it happy?
·What is it smaller than?
·What is it bigger than?
·What is its worst enemy?
·What is its best friend?
·What does it keep in a secret place?
·What is its favorite place?
·Where does it hate to be?
·What is its greatest accomplishment?
·What is its greatest failure?
·How does it make you feel?


In the end you don’t have to be Shakespeare to write poetry. Even he was a beginner, once.

Next week’s newsletter will be brought to you by some wicked awesome maypole dancers and the wonderfully witty esprit .

Featured Poetry From Members:

829243

The Picture  [E] many kinds of artists, many kinds of pictures by ElaineElaine

319202

Katie  [E] For my daughter... by Jessiebelle™

789651

Invalid Item  [] by A Guest Visitor

684538

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170700

Comments for 'Under the Bed'  [E] It must be a collective-consciousness kind of thing by Starr* Rathburn

404552

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Featured Poetry From Non-Members:

608672

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816905

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343662

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652175

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507085

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Writing Prompt:

Try one or more of the forms above!


Please feel free to submit your results to this prompt here: "Invalid Item" 

Recommended Reading, Groups and Forums:

460276

Invalid Item  [] by A Guest Visitor

605222

Invalid Item  [] by A Guest Visitor

554651

A Poet's Tool Box  [E] Tools for the trade. by Red Writing Hood

461425

Grammar and Punctuation Problems?  [E] Message forum for WC grammar and punctuation problems. by Jessiebelle™

You are invited to submit suggestions to the Writers' Circle editors. To submit an item for consideration in the WC newsletter:

641406

WC Newsletter Feedback and Submissions  [E] WC newsletter submission, a cheer or jeer, or just want to join the group? Find it here! by Red Writing Hood

All comments about this and any WC newsletter are welcome!

Tell your friends about our newsletter! They can sign up through this link. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends.

641406

WC Newsletter Feedback and Submissions  [E] WC newsletter submission, a cheer or jeer, or just want to join the group? Find it here! by Red Writing Hood

Issue #125
5/3/2004
Edited by: Red Writing Hood