Breath deep the gathering gloom

Well writers, it seems we will not be together today or maybe even Monday we have to start thinking about poetry NOW. 

Here is some information on Slam Poetry

Look for 5-7 poems that you are digging. Don't just sue my suggestions but find some of your own. Take a look at these poets and get an idea of what works for you. These are considered "serious" poets (whatever that means) so look at some of what they have done and see if anything speaks to you.

Nick Flynn

Frederick Seidel

Mary Karr

C.D. Wright (She just died this month - Geez!)

These are Poetry Slam poets. The same but different. 

Go find the lyrics to 3-5 of your favorite songs. (I’m sure most of you are like me and there is no single “Favorite Song”)

Using your song selections, identify poetic devices within the lyrics. Some devices to include: alliteration, imagery, metaphor, personification, simile, rhyme, repetition, apostrophe, echo, allusion, hyperbole, euphemism, and paradox.

I love the blues. Classic, right? It is what most of today’s music is based from - so let us get a handle on The Blues in order to understand some of the poetic devices I mentioned above. Click on the link to hear the whole song.

• "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child" (simile) (Sung by Odetta, John Legend, Van Morrison, Ella Fitzgerald and many more. I chose John Legend and Odetta as my faves. Figure out yours.
• "Sun going down, dark gonna catch me here" (personification, imagery)
• "They got me accused of forgery and I can't even write my name" (paradox) 'Death Cell Blues' BLIND WILLIE McTELL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5OF_51eX9s
• "You've got a good cotton crop, but it's just like shootin' dice" (simile, paradox)
• "I had religion this very day, but the whiskey and women would not let me pray" (internal rhyme, personification) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkMf4GOYh7A
• "I can hear the Delta calling by the light of a distant star" (personification, imagery)
• "Woke up this morning with the jinx all around my bed" (metaphor) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMAlK-0DVlc
• "Go down, old Hannah; don't you rise no more. If you rise in the morning, bring judgment sure" (personification, apostrophe) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfBI70zeprc

Okay. Now that you have looked at your lyrics and understood what works as lyrical conventions 

alliteration, 

imagery, 

metaphor, 

personification, 

simile, 

rhyme, 

repetition, 

apostrophe, 

echo, 

allusion, 

hyperbole, 

euphemism, 

and paradox 

(If you are unsure about one, look it up :)

Now it is time for you to write your first real poem. 

Select a prominent theme in society and write two (2) poems or blues songs about it. Whether you select a poem or song,  make sure to incorporate a blues form (AAB is easiest; "Po' Boy Blues" , could serve as a poetry model, 

while "Cross Road Blues"  represents a good blues song model) as well as poetic devices. 

If you are struggling to identify a prominent societal theme, assign them to write about an event or daily occurrence in your life.

Be ready to read it all aloud on Wednesday.