Unexpected Inspiration

I have to be honest.  I'm not sure why some young poets are asked to write poetry that rhymes.  If I had it in my brain that poetry must work that way or really any way at all, I'd write some pretty stinky stuff.  Trapped by the limitations of rhyming words, my creativity would for sure suffer, and I know the whole process would frustrate me.  (My cousin Kent can make most anything rhyme it seems, but I think he's the exception to the rule.)  For the average young poet, rules and limitations do not inspire them, and if they're not inspired, neither am I.  I love teaching poetry because of the unexpected inspiration I find in their work.  We just started our poetry unit last week and even though they still have some work to do, they're catching on.  I'm already finding little nuggets here and there.  

A Butterfly

A butterfly

I am

beautiful

my 

wings

shimmer

they

sparkle

through the

air

(I love the word choice.)

Lady

Run fast

wild

lay down

chew on bones

chase balls

bad dog

just a puppy

(What a great last line.  This comes from the writer who drew scribbles the first several weeks of writing workshop.)

Snowflakes

I

fall

down

in the 

winter

I love

the cold

so

make me

fall down

in the winter

whee! whee!

(I love how the snowflake is doing the talking.)

Llama

I am

a mountain

moving

across

the ground

boom!

boom!

boom!

(Such imagery!)

Water

Water

water

like

the

ocean

and

the sea

and

the ponds

and the

pools

splash!

(This one has great rhythm and a clever ending.)

Easter

Easter Easter

it is coming

soon it will be here

happy happy

(I love the use of repetition.)

Zanlen

Cute

freckles

handsome

sit with

me!

(Seriously?  You're 7, but it is adorable.)

Marshmallow

Marshmallow

like pillows

soft and

white

fluffy!

(I like the imagery and rhythm.)

A Cat

A cat

purring like a 

kitten

soft and

furry sitting

on your lap

(This was her first poem and the one that helped everyone else get the idea too.)

My Nike Socks

Put me on

put me on

please

I have

nothing

to look at

run

run

with me

(Being the Nike fan I am, this one is a thing of beauty.)

I'm so glad they don't think that poems must rhyme!