Craig White's Literature Courses Critical Sources Poetry Exercise: Free Verse

Poetry Training, NSSHS, 28 Oct 2011; 1^st participant’s name: _________________

Poetry Exercise: Free Verse  (<<<pass always TO YOUR LEFT<<<)

1^st participant: At “1” below write a single line of verse with at least 5 words (no more than 9?) and at least one identifiable poetic technique or figure. (Example: “That creek was called so long”) When finished, pass to person on left.

2^nd Participant: At “2” write a second single line of verse not ending on a rhyme with the end of line 1. Internal rhymes OK. Continue sounds, images, mood, thought, or theme started in line 1. Use at least one identifiable poetic technique or figure. When finished, pass to person on left.

3^rd, 4^th . . . (etc.) participants: At the appropriate number, write another single line of verse that continues thoughts, themes, images, or sounds started in line 1. Use at least one identifiable poetic technique or figure. No end rhymes.

Final participant (5-8?): try a concluding line of wonder, beauty, or irony.

Delay jokiness or sabotage as long as possible.

1 That creek was called so long

2 before I saw and called it home.

3 Now there's a house where once upon

4 a blood-colored stone half-circle

5 I might sit, but banished now by time— 

6 Water flows—My heart gives way— 

7 to fear I'm falling backwards, turn to catch 

8 my cold feet walk away.

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