Poetry Now!
Every once in a while, I come across a poem that I want to share. Read this one and see if you like it, too. Then, for a writing challenge, look at the "Poetry Idea." I'll change this poem every month or so. If you want more writing challenges, go to the Poem Starters page.
from Cardinal Ideograms
0 A mouth. Can blow or breathe,
be a funnel, or Hello.1 A grass blade or cut.
2 A question seated. And a proud
bird’s neck.3 Shallow mitten for a two-fingered hand.
4 Three-cornered hut
on one stilt. Sometimes builtso the roof gapes.5 A policeman. Polite.
Wearing a visored cap.by MAY SWENSON
May Swenson (1913-1989) wrote some of the most thought-provoking poems in the English language. “Cardinal Ideograms” is from The Complete Poems to Solve, by May Swenson, which is a REALLY COOL BOOK!!! Find it! Read it! Solve the riddles in it!!
Poetry Idea
In case you haven’t already figured this poem out, May Swenson looks at the numbers 0-5 (the poem actually goes up to 9) as mere shapes, and tries to figure out what they look like. Try writing an “Ideogram” poem:
1. Use the letter of your first (or last) name, either capitals or lowercase. Line them up vertically on the page:
J
O
Y
C
E
2. Look at each letter individually. What does its shape remind you of? Write a brief descriptive phrase or two next to each letter. (“J A raindrop splatting. A cane, waiting, handle down.”)
3. Try to make each descriptive phrase relate to your life somehow, so that when you finish your Ideogram, the poem is really about YOU.
J A raindrop splatting. A cane, waiting, handle down.
O A mouth, eating chocolate.
Y The fork of a tree where creatures shelter.
C A big toe, hanging over the sun-drenched dock.
E Hair, streaming behind a running girl.
Copyright 2007-2008 Joyce Sidman. All rights reserved. Please ask permission before using any text or images on this website.
