“It’s done! It’s over!” I shout jubilantly, as I stare at my completed poetry portfolio. I look at the compiled 20 poems and remember fondly (or not so fondly) how much sweat, blood, and tears went into each one. I look at poems such as the elegy and the ode proudly, because I know how much work it took to master them. I think to myself, “Wow, how differently this poetry study turned out from what I thought it was going to be." I did not think that this poetry study was going to be boring or extremely difficult--in fact, quite the opposite. I thought it would be easy. I had written poetry before, so this was going to be a breeze, right? I had no idea how very wrong I was.
Throughout this poetry study, we wrote couplets, cinquains, quatrains, tercets, haikus, limericks, free verses, picture poems, odes, and many more. This experience was humbling, as I found that I truly was no expert when it came to poetry. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as scansion in poetry! I had been extraordinarily weak in my usage of strong words, packed full of meaning. I believe that I grew a lot as a poet during this poetry study. While I struggled immensely with the cinquain, by the second vignette, I had significantly improved in writing with a required number of syllables in each line. In these ways and many more, this poetry study has furthered me greatly in my humble dabbles in the field of poetry.
Now, as we have completed our poetry portfolios and our presentations on a poet of our choice, it’s time to start our study of Animal Farm by George Orwell. I am extremely excited about studying this book, because it happens to be one of my absolute favorites.
But before we move on completely, here are a few reminiscent quotes from some of the students of Mrs. Thomas in section 1:
“I have many likes and dislikes when it comes to poetry. I like to learn about all the different types of poems and techniques so that I can share that knowledge with my family and use it for other references. I also enjoyed writing all the poems we had to write. I didn’t like looking for rhythm and scansion. I was drawn to poems that have a fun bounce when they are read aloud. These poems are enjoyable to write because they involve rhymes and as you improve them, they are fun to read over again and again.
I thought it would be boring to read poetry because there are so many rules about how to read poetry. I learned that poems take a long time to read. There are so many different aspects that you as the reader have to take into account. You have to watch for enjambment and make sure the tone of your voice matches the mood of the poem. I was so excited to write poetry because it gives me a chance to let my creative spirit fly. My creative side did fly as I wrote with many different styles and described all the things around me. It was so much fun to write about my friends and family. I enjoyed writing and learning about all the different forms of poetry.”
-- Melissa Croll
“I went into the poetry semester dreading it. I have never been interested in reading or writing poetry, and so I wasn’t sure if I would be drastically converted or if my dislike would be increased. It actually turned out to be neither.
I still do not really like reading poetry. To me, for some reason, it all seems the same. Writing poetry, however, is lukewarm for me. I wrote it because I had to, but I came to a point when I saw something completely beautiful—and thought, “That has to be one of my free verse poems!”
Therefore, I will depart this poetry term with relief, but I know that I have been changed with the experience. I have learned to appreciate poetry and poets in general—look at them in a whole new light. Therefore, even with the hard, rather unlikable work, I have benefited from it, and I shall look back in a few years, thankful for that experience.”
-- Marissa Graf
“I have had a lot of fun wrestling with poetry this year! I wasn't sure what to expect from poetry, and I found myself in for a surprise! I had little regard for poetry in general and scorned it as a flowery way of saying nothing, and sounding important. However, I soon learned how wrong I was! Poetry is a unique way of expressing thoughts and feelings, and it was really neat to learn about the different types of poetry.
I soon learned respect for syllable count poems that I had formerly abhorred, because of their slight choppiness. Yet, these types of poems soon became a favorite with me, I loved the way they express things, and they have an appealing rhythm. I was rather surprised to find myself required to write 20 poems, and I thought ‘I'll never be able to do this!’, and inwardly groaned. I soon found out though that it was entirely possible...and I could have fun doing it! It was hard and I found it not easy, but it was still enjoyable, and I realized how much more you really appreciate poetry after you have written them yourself.
I have had a lot of fun during my poetry study this quarter have really learned how to appreciate poetry and its beauty. I was so into poetry that I wish there had been time to slow down and really appreciate all the different types of poetry, and have time to really enrich my poems and revise them so they could blossom to a full extent! All the knowledge I have gained in writing, experiencing, and reading poetry has helped me so much in finding my poetic side, and I hope to devote more time to poetry in the future!”
--Lydia Fisher
“On the first day of the poetry unit, my fingers trembled as I flipped through the poetry handbook. Thoughts of, ‘I am never going to be able to do this,’ drifted slowly through my mind. Never before had I written even a quatrain or a limerick, and I had no urge to learn how. I felt very hesitant in class as the chat began to turn to how everyone couldn’t wait to start poetry. As I look back on that first week, I cannot believe my behavior, and just have to laugh at the uncertainty I showed. It seemed that I never even wanted to give it a chance, but now I enjoy writing poetry very much!
Overall, the poetry finally ensnared me in its hold and I gradually began to explore around in it. Now I can say that I have progressed quite a bit during this quarter, not only in writing poetry, but in self control and initiative. There were some times when the going went rough, but through those times I learned that I may not be a Robert Frost, but God delights in what I do, which is more important than pleasing anyone else. ”
--Cheyenne Lehto
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