Download Poetic Definitions of Poetry: An assignment to discover what

Poetic Definitions of Poetry: An assignment to discover what students think poetry is both individually
and commonally…and an opportunity to enlarge that perspective.
First invite students to write a single line defining poetry. They can put it aside. Pass out strips from
table below. (Eliminate borders). Have students read the line they have been given and share it with
another student.
A Poem
A poem is a portrait sketched in words.
It is a synonym for soul, a sermon
From the stars. It is a song of mockingbirds
Who mimic men: the fragrance of a forgotten
Rose. It is the grammar of the soul
And the language of the heart. It is a dream
That comes to those who are awake; a stroll
Upon the boulevard of time; a scheme
To conquer death.
It is the power of Rome
In a sonnet. It is a waltz for words, a dance
Of the pen to the time of a mental metronome.
A poem is a mental prayer and a breath
From the soul which says that life is more than death.
—Roger Bates Kronmann
Exercise
Circle the word that you think best applies: This poet thinks that poems are:
Beautiful powerful spiritual emotional
1.
A poem is a portrait sketched in words.
2.
A poem is synonym for soul, a sermon from the stars.
3.
A poem is the song of mockingbirds who mimic men:
4.
A poem is the fragrance of a forgotten rose.
5.
A poem is the grammar of the soul
6.
A poem is the language of the heart.
7.
A poem is is a dream that comes to those who are awake;
8.
A poem is a stroll Upon the boulevard of time;
9.
A poem is a scheme to conquer death.
10.
A poem is the power of Rome In a sonnet.
11.
A poem is a waltz for words
12.
A poem is a dance of the pen to the time of a mental metronome
13.
A poem is a mental prayer
14.
A poem is a breath from the soul which says that life is more than death