From my book: The Power of Poems, Maupin House
Just as you can find things that become treasures, you can find words that, put together, make a poem.
Here is a piece of (prose) writing:
“When I was little, Grandma’s button box was my favorite toy.
I would sit on the floor by Grandma’s chair and she would bring me the button box. Gently, she’d bend down and put it by my feet on the carpet.
Slowly, I’d lift the lid and stare at the treasure—glittering, shim- mering jewels they were. Shiny black eyes, golden coins and sparkling diamonds off princesses’ dresses.
Then I’d tilt the box, slowly, with both hands until the buttons poured out onto the carpet. I’d shift them with my hands, let them run through my fingers in a cascade of colors. I’d make piles and bulldoze them around the carpet. I felt the buttons. They felt good.”
Now I am going to pick words from this piece of writing and put them into a poem. I will underline the words I choose:
“When I was little Grandma’s button box was my favorite toy.
I would sit on the floor by Grandma’s chair and she would bring me the button box. Gently, she’d bend down and put it by my feet on the carpet.
Slowly, I’d lift the lid and stare at the treasure—glittering, shim- mering jewels they were. Shiny black eyes, golden coins and sparkling diamonds off princesses’ dresses.Then I’d tilt the box, slowly, with both handsuntil the buttons poured out onto the carpet. I’d shift them with my hands, let them run through my fingers in a cascade of colors. I’d make piles and bulldoze them around the carpet. I felt the buttons. They felt good ”
Now I put these underlined words into a poem. Look:
Grandma
I was little
Gently
her eyes sparkled
Both hands in my hands Grandma felt good.
I found a poem in a piece of prose!
Use any piece of your own writing for this activity. Find words and arrange them until you have found a poem.
