The HuntressDeep growl, a warning...Twitching, crouched like a lionPounce! Squeak! Ahhh...dinner!
by Donna C. Rodgers
Long time no see! Hope this post finds you all well and busy. With spring approaching, I thought you might enjoy this little exercise in poetry writing that I'm doing with my middle school girls co-op class.
I've never written a Haiku poem until today. What an appropriate way to celebrate spring!
The instructions I sent the girls are below.
Enjoy!
Don't mention the main topic except perhaps as the title. That way you leave the reader guessing. :) This adds that element of surprise.Hi Girls,This week's assignment is both simple and challenging. Writing a three line poem called a Haiku.1. Read a little bit about the elements of poetry, at this link. Elements of Poetry. (Each week I will give you new topic about poetry to read on your own.)1. I would like you to finish the Haiku poems you started in class. Please email it to me if you can, and I can go over it and suggest changes if you would like.2. Draw or print a picture to go with it.3. Then I'd like you to write one on a different subject.4. I believe, what you need most to do, is FOCUS on some SMALL part of the topic.TOPICS Possible focus (pick only one or two)Spring weather change, tree getting leaves, bees in the redbud tree, mother bird feeding chick, turtle sunningBirthdays the taste and lighting of a cake, the gift and it's opening, the party guests, breakfast in bed, getting olderBeach a hermit crab changing homes, the action of waves on the sand, footprints, kite flying, ships on the horizonflowers bud, opening, visitors, picking and giving to mom, gracing a vaseNew Jewelry sparkles, dangling, gift from a friend, handed down from Grandma, light shimmeringVacation no more books! packing and on the road, anticipation, grand views, music on the radio, maps5. See how picking one or two smaller parts of a BIG topic gives you something more to write about?You are really describing the event like a riddle.
Here's how to do it.a. Pick your favorite hobby, favorite color, animal, place, memory. i.e. catb. Then list several things you like about the topic. (appearance, sounds, feelings and sensations, disappointments, triumphs)i.e. affectionate nature, piercing eyes, rumbling purr, soft supple fur, elegant and aloof, great hunters, nursing kittensc. Now pick ONE of those things you would like to FOCUS on. i.e great hunter (my least favorite part)d. list words about that topic. twitching tail, warning rumble, piercing gaze, the crouch, springing into action, the pounce, the offering of the mouse on my doorstep, delicate cleaning of paws after dinnere. Perhaps find a logical order for the three sentences i.e. what you hear, then see, then the result
f. Now try to say those things within the proper Haiku pattern.1st sentence 5 syllables2nd sentence 7 syllables3rd sentence 5 syllablesHere's my 'rough draft' on Cats (I've never written this type of poem...but I'll give it a go. :)Growling, rumbling, warningTail twitches, crouches, pauses hiddenPounce! dinner! Happy purring.As you can see, there's too many syllables here. So I'll try to get rid of some words.Deep growl, a warningTwitching, Crouched, HiddenSudden pounce! Squeak!, Ahhh...Dinner! (Oops got my 5-7-5 mixed up.) This is 557.Now for a title... How about 'the huntress'?The HuntressDeep growl, a warningTall grass twitching, Crouched, HiddenPounce! Squeak!, Ahhh...Dinner!Optional: Add a SimileI can't wait to see what you come up with. :)Happy writing!Mrs. Rodgers
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