This Isn't a Poem by Alex

this isn't a poem
you spit in this is what happens when you spit in the
this is a surprise this is me sayin' i love you and i hate you at the same time
this is untold secrets
this is kissin' and beleavin' in love at first sight BUT
this isn't a poem
this is a simple love note ...me lyin' and you cryin' just to make up the next day
this is puppy love on paper
this is me freestylin' clownin' just tryin' to bagg
this is me textin' you
<3
this is me callin' just to say hi
but this isn't a poem
this is us growin' to become one
this is my heart in words to you
this is us fightin' reunitin' and flightin' off to levels never reached
this is me savin' you and you savin' me but
this isn''t a poem

Poetry Slam #3 4/13/11

This week your poem or short story should be geared towards the themes we have discussed in class:

• Be a blessing to somebody
• Wake up curious

Post your poem to the comment box below.  Please use only your first name or a pseudonym.   

Show me your poetic skills.

Poetry uses language in many different ways. By noticing the techniques poets use with

language, it becomes easier to understand and talk about a poem. This week, consider

using some of these language techniques to emphasize certain ideas, themes or images.

Diction

Diction is the type of words poets choose to use in their poems. A poem that uses slang

expressions can be just as powerful as a poem that uses a lot of big words. And feel free to mix

up your diction in a poem. There is no reason why you have to use just one.

Formal Diction:

Words that appear a bit more elegant or extravagant. Often formal diction will contain

words that are polysyllabic (many syllables).

Neutral Diction:

Words that appear ordinary and that you hear everyday. Contractions are often used in

poetry that has neutral diction, as well as a simpler vocabulary.

Informal Diction:

Words and phrases that are slang expressions, or the colloquial – the language of

relaxed activities and friendly conversations.

Rhyme

A poem does not have to rhyme. However, rhyme can be an important part of poetry, and there

are many different types of rhyme.

Exact (perfect) rhymes:

Words that rhyme because both the concluding consonant and vowel sounds rhyme.

And while ye may, go

For having lost but one your

You may for ever

“To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time”

Robert Herrick

Example: “Then be not coy, but use your time;marry:prime,tarry”

Inexact (near) rhymes:

Words that rhyme because they have similar, not identical, sounds, like

bleak/break and

loud/bird

.

Example: “Between my finger and my thumb

The squat pen rests; sung as a

“Digging”

Seamus Heaney

gun.”

End rhymes:

Words at the ends of lines that rhyme, either exactly or inexactly.

Example: “The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band

Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s

“Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers”

--Adrienne Rich

hand”

Internal rhymes:

Words in the beginning or middle of a line that rhyme with each other, either exactly or

inexactly.

• “And I who gave Kate a blackened eyeible musical scale”

Did to its vivid changing colours

Make up an incred

“Whatever Else Poetry is Freedom”

--Irving Layton

Example:

Metaphor, Simile, Allegory

Your submission  for April 1, 2011 poetry slam needs to include at least on metaphor, simile, or be an allegory.

Poets

• Diana
• Candace
• Daisha
• Sequoia
• Zikki
• Kaynesha
• Tashaya
• Yassin
• Dominic
• Jose
• Diana
• 
  

Untitled by Candace

You've looked at me stupid
so what have you done?
A little time after you've run out of luck
and you still stand there but don't give a ... reason.

So tell me one thing
why do you still play?
I mold you like clay
and in these words
I'm not trying to snitch
all I can say is that you're a ... mean person
who doesn't understand.
Why I wait, wonder, wale, and win.

I've learned this

My Life by Tashaya

my life


My life is more complicated than what you would think it is
I hate when people tell me what to do like tye your shoe,eat all your food,stand up,sit down,stop looking at the ground
My life is harder than what it is
I hate being a teenager because people are always on my case.
Dont worry about me and how i dress, were i go,

Only God Can Judge Me by Tashaya

only god can jugde me

I dont care  about how you feel towards me
Its love me or hate me
Either way i dont care
Dont like my attitude owell
ONLY GOD CAN JUGDE ME
It wether you think im ugly or not
Either way your not so hot
As you can see i've tried to be all and everything i can be
But now i don't care about you and you dumb crew
Don't like my attitude o-well
ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME
You don't like my ways or my little aggravating  games then quit
You dont want to look soft because you better back off
Dont like my attitude o-well
ONLY GOD CAN JUdge ME
Try me and ill make you disapper as if it was magic and at the end of the day youll be my pet rabbit
I bet you think im evil mindet
Dont like my attutde owell
ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME

Untitled by Zion

My lips are sealed
My wounds won't heal
You'll never see my
true feelings reveal
my heart made a deal
So I could seal
All the painful things I feel
My contract won't end
This is not pretend
There is no time for
Love and friends
With a war going on
and a soul dying
There is no hope
So why begin trying
This whole time
I've been lying
of who I am
of who I was
and the damage
been done...