This document provides examples and instructions for several types of poems:
- Elegy poems express sorrow over death and mourning the passing of life. They do not have to rhyme or have rhythm but should have at least 14 lines.
- Haiku are 3-line Japanese poems about nature. The first line has 5 syllables, the second 7 syllables, and the third 5 syllables but do not rhyme.
- Limericks have 5 lines that follow an AABBA rhyme scheme and must be funny with a repeating rhythm.
- Clerihews are 4-line funny poems about specific people where the first and second lines rhyme, as do the third and fourth lines.
1. Elegy Poem This is a poem that expresses sorrow over the death of someone you loved or respected. Simply mourns the passing of all life and beauty.
2. Elegy Poem Does not have to rhyme Does not have a rhythm When writing your poem make sure you have a least fourteen lines.
3. I watched as the old, tired hands of my grandmother Pulled at the tubes attached to her body. I watched as she struggled to sit up, And gasped for air that simply would not come. I watched as they lowered the casket, Sealing her away from me forever. Her life had been one of giving, One of loving, of sharing, of laughing. I would not weep for my grandmother. I would not cry out for her. I would not forget her pain. She had suffered enough, and did not need my tears.
4. HAIKU A Japanese poem that is written in three lines. An old silent pond… A frog jumps into the pond. Splash! Silence again.
5. HAIKU Traditionally, a Haiku is about nature and does not rhyme. 1st line has Five Syllables 2nd line has Seven Syllables 3rd line has Five Syllables Woodpeckers chatter, (5) While bees and butterflies dance. (7) Spring is here again! (5)
6. How to write a limerick Limerick poems have five lines (1st, 2nd, 5th have 9 syllables; 3rd, 4th have 7 syllables) The last words of the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme together. The last words of the third and fourth lines rhyme together. Must be funny Must have a repeating rhythm.
7. A Clumsy Young Fellow Named Tim A clumsy young fellow named Tim (A)was never informed how to swim. (A)He fell off a dock (B)and sunk like a rock. (B)And that was the end of him. (A)
8. The Traveling Lady There was a large lady from Perth Who wanted to travel the earth But her wish was in vain For the door of the plane Was not wide enough for her girth
9. Clerihew Clerihews are funny poems you write about specific people. Clerihews have just a few simple rules: 1. Only four lines long 2. The first two lines rhyme (a) 3. The last two lines rhyme (b) 4. Must be FUNNY! The first line usually names a person and the second line usually ends with something that rhymes with that person.
10. Clerihew Examples My band teacher Mr. Lockhart is kind of nutty I wish I didn’t have him as a buddy. He’s goofy and tells some stupid jokes: I wonder where he’ll go if he croaks
11. I like to visit the neighborhood baker He is quite the cupcake maker His shop is now closed and he’s in jail Because he tried to feed his wife a nail
12. How-To Poems Think of an everyday event. Come up with a funny, silly, or outrageous way to do it. Each poem must contain at least four stanzas with four lines each. First and second lines of each stanza rhyme together, but do not rhyme with any other stanza. Third and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme together, but do not rhyme with any other stanza. Have fun with these poems and use your imagination when trying to come up with creative ways to do everyday, ordinary things.
