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how_to_write_a_poem

Book Title

Out of Wonder, Poems Celebrating Poets

Author

Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth

Poem Title

“How to Write a Poem,” Celebrating Naomi Shihab Nye

Summary

This poem is about the mindset that you need to write a poem. It’s describing the intricacies of writing and the creativity and passion involved in making the words jump out of one’s hand and onto the paper. It’s describing the focus needed and the excitement involved in creating a new piece of art. The connection between the poem and the poet is described as ‘best friends in a maze.’

Analyze Author Craft

This poem has a great many elements of poetic techniques that are utilized in order to bring forward the message of the work. First, the clear use of stanzas separates different ideas in the poem. There are many concrete objects that are mentioned (pencil, paper, heart, voice) as well as concrete actions (dance, twist, find) that put the reader into the mindset that the author is intending. Additionally, the use of imagery creates a deeper meaning of the poem, allowing the reader to see what is happening along with the words. One of the more powerful images evoked in the writing is that of the best friend in a maze.

Favorite Part

My favorite part of the poem is the line “What if I have many voices?” This line connects deeply to the reader and bridges the gap between the beginning and the end of the poem. It connects the reader to writing and it allows the voice to be heard.

how_to_write_a_poem.txt · Last modified: 2020/05/03 19:00 by steine3_southernct.edu