Formula PoemsFormula Poems

Haiku, Tanka, Cinquain, Haiku, Tanka, Cinquain, Diamante, LimerickDiamante, Limerick

HaikuHaiku

Invented in JapanInvented in JapanThree short lines of five, seven, and Three short lines of five, seven, and

five syllables respectivelyfive syllables respectivelyWords speak of a mood, a strong Words speak of a mood, a strong

feeling, or an atmospherefeeling, or an atmosphereUsually about natureUsually about nature

Life LessonLife Lesson

The fierce wind ragesThe fierce wind rages

And I see how trees survive – And I see how trees survive –

They have learned to bendThey have learned to bend

By Don RayeBy Don Raye

UnderstandingUnderstanding

A warm smile from youA warm smile from you

Gleamed on me as a new moon-Gleamed on me as a new moon-

It straightened things out.It straightened things out.

By Don RayeBy Don Raye

Write your ownWrite your own

Get a picture in your mind of a Get a picture in your mind of a person that made you angry or sad person that made you angry or sad or happy or glador happy or glad

Write down your image using 10-15 Write down your image using 10-15 words. Then put it into the 5-7-5 words. Then put it into the 5-7-5 formform

Try to make others see your picture Try to make others see your picture or ideaor idea

The TankaThe Tanka

Japanese form of poem (like an Japanese form of poem (like an extension of the haikuextension of the haiku

5 lines of 5, 7, 5, 7 and 7 syllables5 lines of 5, 7, 5, 7 and 7 syllablesTypically deals with a season of the Typically deals with a season of the

yearyear

Write your ownWrite your own

Choose your favourtie seasonChoose your favourtie seasonWrite a TankaWrite a Tanka

PapersPapers

The pile of papersThe pile of papers

Sprawled across this office deskSprawled across this office desk

Are but memoriesAre but memories

Of random skittery thoughtsOf random skittery thoughts

Flitting past my vacant gaze.Flitting past my vacant gaze.

CinquainCinquain

American American Five line poemFive line poem

First line 2 syllablesFirst line 2 syllables

Second line 4 syllablesSecond line 4 syllables

Third line 6 syllablesThird line 6 syllables

Fourth line 8 syllablesFourth line 8 syllables

Fifth line 2 syllablesFifth line 2 syllables

SimilaritiesSimilarities

I touchI touch

Two curving things:Two curving things:

The barrel of this pen,The barrel of this pen,

The slow uncertain unwindings ofThe slow uncertain unwindings of

This verseThis verse

Panic at MidnightPanic at Midnight

It’s darkIt’s dark

I’m surrounded I’m surrounded

By strange shapes and shadowsBy strange shapes and shadows

There’s someone coming up the stairsThere’s someone coming up the stairs

It’s…momIt’s…mom

What emotion is shown?What emotion is shown?

Write your ownWrite your own

Brainstorm different emotions.Brainstorm different emotions.

Choose an emotion from the list and Choose an emotion from the list and work with a partner to create a work with a partner to create a cinquain.cinquain.

DiamanteDiamanteA diamond-shaped poem expressing A diamond-shaped poem expressing

contrastcontrastForm:Form: one nounone noun

Two adjectives describing the nounTwo adjectives describing the noun

Three words ending in “ing” related to the nounThree words ending in “ing” related to the noun

Four nouns related to the subject (second 2 should Four nouns related to the subject (second 2 should

be opposites)be opposites)

Three words ending in “ing” (opposites)Three words ending in “ing” (opposites)

Two adjectives (opposites)Two adjectives (opposites)

A noun that is the opposite of the original nounA noun that is the opposite of the original noun

GalaxiesGalaxies

Distant, hugeDistant, huge

Glowing, turning, goingGlowing, turning, going

Space, mystery – energy, lifeSpace, mystery – energy, life

Growing, circling, buildingGrowing, circling, building

Tiny, basicTiny, basic

AtomsAtoms

Now Create Your OwnNow Create Your Own

Think of two oppositesThink of two oppositesBrainstorm words to describe each Brainstorm words to describe each

ideaideaPut into the diamante formPut into the diamante form

LimericksLimericks

A limerick is a light hearted humorous A limerick is a light hearted humorous poem.poem.

A limerick always has the rhyming A limerick always has the rhyming schemescheme

A-A-B-B-AA-A-B-B-A(So line 1,2 & 5 rhyme with each (So line 1,2 & 5 rhyme with each other and lines 3&4 rhyme with other and lines 3&4 rhyme with each other.)each other.)

There was a young man from LeedsThere was a young man from Leeds

Who ate a whole packet of seeds,Who ate a whole packet of seeds,

In less than an hourIn less than an hour

His nose was a flowerHis nose was a flower

And his head was a garden of weeds!And his head was a garden of weeds!

There was an old man from There was an old man from Blackheath,Blackheath,

Who sat down on his set of false teeth.Who sat down on his set of false teeth.

He said, in his pain,He said, in his pain,

““I’ve done it again,I’ve done it again,

I’ve bitten myself underneath.I’ve bitten myself underneath.

Complete this limerickComplete this limerick

There was a man from EalingThere was a man from Ealing

Who liked to hang from the _________.Who liked to hang from the _________.

He said, ‘ I can’t wear a hat.He said, ‘ I can’t wear a hat.

But I hang like a ______But I hang like a ______

And it’s certainly a wonderful ________.And it’s certainly a wonderful ________.

Now make your own…Now make your own…

There was a young ____from ____There was a young ____from ____

WhoWho

..

..

And……And……

Concrete poemConcrete poem

A poem that forms a visible picture A poem that forms a visible picture on the pageon the page

Shape usually reflects the subject of Shape usually reflects the subject of the poemthe poem

Trees blossoming in the springTrees blossoming in the spring

Clouds above give rainClouds above give rain

Fruit will come soonFruit will come soon

Nature is at workNature is at work

WhileWhile

TreesTrees

Stand Stand

Still.Still.