LITR 3731: Creative Writing

Reader: Tarmrynn Fett 

Respondent: Jennifer Davis

(Poem discussed appears at bottom of page)

Questions during class discussion:

1. Any suggestions on a title that would help to convey the moral values that are being portrayed in this poem?

Class suggestions: Change the title to “I am Purple” or “I am Purple, You are Blue” or refer to the prejudice that is occurring in the poem

2. Do you think this poem is only for children?

Class suggestions:  No, it teaches a good moral lesson to both children and adults.  Furthermore, if parents read the poem to their children, they may also face their own prejudices.

3.  I suggested spelling out the problem for the children.  How does the class decision that this poem is good for children and adults alike affect the word choices in the poem?

Class suggestions:  Maybe some word choices are too complicated or advanced for children, such as “suffer verbal attacks.”  They suggested this phrase be changed to something more visual.

4.      I commented on how the poem reminds me of something I could see the Sesame Street characters quoting.  With that in mind, are there any other issues you see need to be addressed if this poem is going to attract a wide range of audiences?

Class suggestions:  For children especially, it is important that when we teach a moral lesson, we end on a positive note.  It was suggested that Tamrynn could add another stanza in order to achieve this.

Poem Presented:

Be Friends

I am purple

My hair is green

And I’ve learned

The world hates me…

I give clothes

To those in need,

And to the hungry

I’m never mean.

I help clean streets,

And adopt stray cats,

But headed home

suffer verbal attacks.

I want a friend,

And would play sweet,

But everyone

Thinks I’m a geek.

So, I’m purple

And my hair is green

It’s just what I look like

Not a reason to hate me.