Write two poems using two different forms about something you feel strongly about, or from the perspective of someone else.

Question

example:
When ’It’s Hot
by Zakkiyah Johnson
When it’s hot, so hot,
when the sun preheats the street,
when the air smells like everyone’s breaths and there aren’t enough trees in the
world,
when the ground is a griddle that grills the unlucky frogs,
when the air conditioner burbles like a brook before it coughs and dies,
when it feels like your blood will break into a boil,
then put crushed ice in your eye-pits and hope to dream of snow.

To the Light: An Ode
by Zakkiyah Johnson
I don’t care what you are:
a candle,
the moon,
a lightbulb,
someone’s eyes.
When I first cracked open my cocoon,
dried my wings, and stretched them out,
you were the first thing I saw.
You were the only direction my wings would tilt.
You were the only thing I wanted.
You still are.
Even a flying scrap of feathery nothing
needs something to love, a reason
to beat its wings.
I singe the edges to prove my loyalty.

Then answer the questions

Which of the poems you read over the course of this unit did you find most inspiring when it came to writing your own poems? Why?
Consider the process of planning your writing. How was the experience of planning a poem different from that of planning a narrative or informational text? How helpful did you find the process?
What was the biggest obstacle you faced while writing your poems? How did you overcome this challenge? What would you do differently next time?
What did the experience of writing poetry teach you about yourself as a writer? What are your strengths? What can you try to improve in the future?
Think about some of the poetry you’ve written in the past. How do you think you’ve grown as a writer since then?

Answer 1

Reflection on Nature's Whispers

by [Your Name]

In the morning glow, when the world is still,
The dew-kissed grass whispers, gentle and shrill.
Birds gather round on a branch high above,
Their songs weave the air, a tapestry of love.

The brook babbles softly, a secret it keeps,
While sunlight spills gold, where the wildflower sleeps.
Breezes are dancers, their laughter so light,
In the grand symphony of nature's delight.

But dusk holds a mirror—reflective and stark,
As the deepening shadows cloak light in the dark.
Where once was a chorus, now silence commands,
The earth sighs in rhythms like shifting sands.

Yet even in shadows, I find peace anew,
In the stillness, I feel nature's heartbeat break through.
So let me tread softly on this sacred ground,
For in every whisper, life's wonders abound.

---

The Voice of the Forgotten

by [Your Name]

We stand at the edge, shadows in the fold,
Stories unsung, tales remain untold.
With scars like the rivers that carve through the stone,
We echo the murmurs of those left alone.

Regret rolls like thunder, heavy in our chests,
But still, we rise up; we are never at rest.
I speak for the silent, the voices unheard,
Their dreams flutter like leaves, lost in the blurred.

Let the world take a moment, hear the pulse of the past,
Each heartbeat a chapter, a flicker, a blast.
For the ones who’ve been muzzled, dimmed, and confined,
Let the drums of our voices resound and unwind.

So gather around, in this chorus of might.
We shall shatter the silence, bring the shadows to light.
For in every forgotten, the fight lives anew,
Together we rise, together—we're true.

---

Reflection Questions:

1. Which of the poems you read over the course of this unit did you find most inspiring when it came to writing your own poems? Why? I found “To the Light: An Ode” by Zakkiyah Johnson most inspiring. The way it personified light and drew parallels to longing struck me deeply. The intimate relationship with a simple element illuminated my ideas and encouraged me to explore the theme of connection in my own writing.

2. Consider the process of planning your writing. How was the experience of planning a poem different from that of planning a narrative or informational text? How helpful did you find the process? Planning a poem felt more fluid and organic than mapping out a narrative or informational text. I focused less on structure and more on imagery and emotion, allowing instincts to guide the direction. This freedom ultimately helped me express deeper feelings, which was gratifying.

3. What was the biggest obstacle you faced while writing your poems? How did you overcome this challenge? What would you do differently next time? My biggest challenge was overcoming the fear of inadequacy—worrying that I couldn't express my feelings effectively. To overcome it, I wrote freely without editing myself in the first draft. Next time, I would try to embrace that process earlier, allowing initial drafts to flow without self-criticism.

4. What did the experience of writing poetry teach you about yourself as a writer? What are your strengths? What can you try to improve in the future? Writing poetry revealed my ability to convey emotions through vivid imagery. My strength lies in evoking feelings and painting scenes with words. In the future, I aim to work on rhythm and meter to create a more musical quality in my writing.

5. Think about some of the poetry you’ve written in the past. How do you think you’ve grown as a writer since then? I’ve grown significantly since my earlier poetry, where I often focused solely on rhyme scheme. Now, I place equal importance on emotional depth and imagery. This evolution has enhanced my voice and made my writing more resonant and relatable.