Poets have fun exploring and experimenting with language.  They use their imaginations and their descriptive language to transport us into their world.  We may have to prime the pump of our own imaginations and fluency with words to get the poetic spirit moving.  The following word games will help.

Directions: Choose one of the following forms of poetry and create a poem.  Share it with a partner.  Share it with the group.

	A. Cinquains – five line poem with 22 syllables
		(Form A)
		a) Line 1:  Title - 2 syllables
		b) Line 2:  description of title – 4 syllables
		c) Line 3:  action – 6 syllables
		d) Line 4: feeling—8 syllables
		e) Line 5:  another word for the title—2 syllables
		(Form B)
		a) Line 1: Noun
		b) Line 2:  2 adjectives describing the noun
		c) Line 3:  3 verbs showing what the noun does
		d) Line 4:  short phrase about the noun
		e) Line 5:  synonym for the noun in line 1
	B. Japanese lantern poem
		a) Line 1:  one syllable
		b) Line 2:  two syllables
		c) Line 3:  three syllables
		d) Line 4:  four syllables
		e) Line 5:  one syllable
	C. Haiku-3 non-rhyming lines, containing 17 syllables, 5-7-5, usually about nature or seasons of the year, but can be about anything!
	D. Diamante-seven line, diamond shaped poem, features a contrast
		a) Line 1:  One noun
		b) Line 2:  Two adjectives
		c) Line 3:  Three participles (-ing or -ed verb forms)
		d) Line 4:  4 nouns related to subject; begin to transition to opposite idea
		e) Line 5:  Three participles
		f) Line 6:  two adjectives
		g) Line 7:  One noun (opposite of subject)
	E. Limericks (poem written in rhyme with a definite rhythm)
		a) usually about people, places, or animals as subjects
		b) five lines
		c) Lines 1, 2, 5 rhyme, and 3 and 4 rhyme (aabba)
		d) Use Ogden Nash or Edward Lear as examples

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