It was a smidge of trepidation that I introduced this exercise to my class. This is where the class creates the end-rhyme words and then we write our sonnets around those. It's challenging even in one's first language. I am pleased to say that this particular class did splendidly well. Here are my two creations of the day:
this fruit, juicy or not, was not the bacon
crispy she desired. If only as simple
as hopping into her shining Lincoln
and going to the market. But now cake
was calling her name--a rich raspberry
torte; drenching chocolate, tooth-achingly
sweet. Or perhaps she should use strawberry
for the flavoring. So exhausted, a chair
was needed for deciding. There was cream
also to be used. But first her hair
needed to be fixed. A look in a mirror; scream
was the reaction. A princess needs her sleep.
And so, Snow White called Bo Peep and her sheep.
School is boring; I'd rather be home. Pie
baking sounds like a better use of the day.
But I cannot tell a lie
I would rather not be here. I could lay
under a palm tree. Refrigerator-
chilled beverage would be more comfortable
than classroom-bound. Being a generator
of energy is unbelievably
tiring. In my next life, I'd become a cat
and sleep and sleep with such abandon.
Alas, I cannot drop this life like a hat,
so one must strain sinew and tendon.
Guess I am glad that prostitution
is against this country's constitution.
(Just want to re-emphasize that the students generated this list.)
THEY DID SO WELL.
ReplyDeleteWOW!
Aaand, I'm gonna suggest that yes, prostitution, with its lack of, you know, SLEEP, is a good thing to not have to deal with... Also? Bo Peep and her sheep was extremely clever. Hope they're quite proud of themselves.
Pantoum of the Great Depression
ReplyDeleteOur lives avoided tragedy
Simply by going on and on,
Without end and with little apparent meaning.
Oh, there were storms and small catastrophes.
Simply by going on and on
We managed. No need for the heroic.
Oh, there were storms and small catastrophes.
I don't remember all the particulars.
We managed. No need for the heroic.
There were the usual celebrations, the usual sorrows.
I don't remember all the particulars.
Across the fence, the neighbors were our chorus.
There were the usual celebrations, the usual sorrows
Thank god no one said anything in verse.
The neighbors were our only chorus,
And if we suffered we kept quiet about it.
At no time did anyone say anything in verse.
It was the ordinary pities and fears consumed us,
And if we suffered we kept quiet about it.
No audience would ever know our story.
It was the ordinary pities and fears consumed us.
We gathered on porches; the moon rose; we were poor.
What audience would ever know our story?
Beyond our windows shone the actual world.
We gathered on porches; the moon rose; we were poor.
And time went by, drawn by slow horses.
Somewhere beyond our windows shone the world.
The Great Depression had entered our souls like fog.
And time went by, drawn by slow horses.
We did not ourselves know what the end was.
The Great Depression had entered our souls like fog.
We had our flaws, perhaps a few private virtues.
But we did not ourselves know what the end was.
People like us simply go on.
We have our flaws, perhaps a few private virtues,
But it is by blind chance only that we escape tragedy.
And there is no plot in that; it is devoid of poetry.
____________________
Robert Hass, former U.S. poet laureate, is the author, most recently, of the collection "Sun Under Wood." The pantoum is another great form to teach.
haven't ever heard of this form. Will try it next week.
ReplyDelete