Minds On

Exploring a free verse poem

Explore the following free verse poem called, "Water Baby."

Water Baby

  • every Life Being
  • Carries YOU within
  • I emerged
  • suspended.... NO!
  • floated
  • by you.
  • Ocean, lake, sea, pool
  • I swim
  • Ever present within me
  • Fallling asleep even when I drool
  • Inter-gallactic
  • Travelling the synaptic
  • Ruling osmosis
  • Steam, sauna, cloud, rain, ICE
  • Especially, when I make rice….
  • Fulfilling your part to boil
  • Making your point to freeze
  • Selflessly serving us, even when HUMANITY’s USE
  • Becomes an abuse.
  • Now I PRAY to you, SING to you, TALK to you
  • Please, give us another chance.

Can you match the images in the carousel to the text in the poem?

What do you notice about the punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure of this free verse poem? How did this poem make you feel? What do you feel is the author’s message in this poem?

In this learning activity, you will be learning about the structure of the free verse poem and will get the opportunity to write your own free verse poem.

Action

The Free Verse Poem

The remarkable thing about the free verse poem is that you don’t have to follow the conventional punctuation rules and grammar, such as writing a complete sentence with a subject, verb, and noun. There is a lot of freedom in a free verse. However, it IS important to create strong imagery or images, use sensory language, and use sound devices like alliteration, personification, and/or similes.

It is also important to vary your sentence lengths and structures, switching from more complex sentences to shorter, more simplistic sentences to create a mood that will engage your reader.

What verses in the poem "Water Baby" in the Minds On section allude to strong images of water? How can you tell whether personification is used in the poem?

Before you try your hand at your own free verse poem, let’s review a short video lesson on adjective phrases and a mini lesson on alliteration.

Adjectives and adverb phrases

Access the following video on adjectives and adverb phrases.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

Task 1:

Change the following sentences to include an adjective phrase in order to grow the sentence and give more description and detail. If possible, work with a partner.

  1. The student ran fast.
  2. The neighbour gave out party bags out for Halloween.
  3. The sibling saved the last cookie for their sister.
  4. The dog sat wagging their tail.

Task 2:

Alliteration is when you choose words with a repeating letter sound such as “smooth slithering slippery snakes stake such satisfying synonyms to spell.”

Try to lengthen the following phrases with alliteration:

  • fragrant fields
  • moist marshes
  • rising rapids river
  • singing swallows
  • crystal clear
  • slow simmering summer
  • silvery slippery soils

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Choosing a topic to write about

Think of a topic that you are passionate about. It could be an environmental issue, a social justice issue, a human rights issue, something personal, or natural phenomenon.

Creating your own free verse poem

Write or orate a free verse poem like the example in the Minds On section or other examples you have seen.

When you are planning your poem, be sure to include:

  • alliteration
  • personification and similes
  • adjective phrases and/or appropriate idioms to convey strong images or imagery
  • sentences that vary in length and complexity to help support the mood of the poem
  • a message with a call to action

Start by brainstorming ideas for your poem. Use a brainstorming strategy of your choice to record as many words, ideas, or images that you can think of. Then, review the ideas that you have brainstormed and pick your favourite ones. Is there one idea in particular that really resonates with you? Pick that one!

Use a thesaurus or a book of idioms to help you look for alternatives that might help create alliteration, or strong imagery.

You may listen to music or scroll through current events on the internet to help you find inspiration.

Revise and edit

Now that you have finished your draft, it is time to begin revising and editing. If possible, share your poem with a partner, and check to ensure that you have included the criteria listed in the Action section.

Publish your poem using font styles and font sizes- to emphasize certain words and/or phrases of your poem. If you are sharing your poem orally, think of a way to publish that you are comfortable with.

Consolidation

A poem that inspires you

Explore free verse poetry that has been published. This might be in the form of spoken word competitions, written poetry, or published poets. Find a poem that inspires you. Reflect on the following by choosing one of the following questions to respond to.

  1. Why does this poem inspire you? If you had another opportunity to write/share a free verse poem, what would you do differently after reflecting on this poem?
  2. Why did you choose this format of poem? If you could write a poem that is related to this poem, from your own perspective, what would you include?
  3. What do you believe to be the hardest part of composing free verse poetry? Why? What do you believe to be the simplest part of composing free verse poetry?

If possible, share the poem that inspires you. Be sure to introduce the poem with an explanation of why you chose it and how it inspires you.

Reflection

As you read the following descriptions, select the one that best describes your current understanding of the learning in this activity. Press the corresponding button once you have made your choice.

I feel...

Now, expand on your ideas by recording your thoughts using a voice recorder, text-to-speech, or writing tool.

When you review your notes on this learning activity later, reflect on whether you would select a different description based on your further review of the material in this learning activity.

Press ‘Discover More’ to extend your skills.

Research a local free verse poet or spoken-word artist like Mahlikah Awe:ri, African/Mohawk/Mi'kmaw heritage, with Nova Scotian roots, or a local singer/songwriter.

Consider writing a letter asking them:

  • about their poetry writing strategies
  • their sources of inspiration
  • words of poetry writing advice
  • what they read and why
  • how they think reading influences their writing
  • who inspired and inspires them

Let’s continue to develop our writing skills by applying the writing process to flyers and brochures.