Friday, March 25, 2011

Crocus Poems: Variations on a Theme


Sometimes, I like to write different types of poems on the same subject. Today, my subject is crocuses. I posted three of these poems previously at Wild Rose Reader--the acrostic, haiku, and tanka. I just wrote rough drafts of the cinquain and mask poems this morning.
Acrostic

Coming up, I’m coming up,
Reaching through the softening soil, poking my petals
Out of the earth,
Collecting sunlight in my purple cup.
Up, I’m coming up.
Spring is on the way!


Haiku
Look! A starting line
of crocuses ready
to sprint into spring


Tanka (3/5/3/5/5)

Crocuses
pierce the softening
soil, push up
purple periscopes,
search for spring’s warm face.


Cinquain (Rough Draft)

Crocus
Can’t wait for spring,
Pokes its purple head out
Of the ground. Showers in sunshine
All day.



Crocus Mask Poem (Rough Draft)

I poked my head up.
What I found:
A snow quilt
Covering the ground.
Still,
I think I’ll stick around.


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The Poetry Friday Roundup is at A Year of Reading.

8 comments:

Jane Heitman Healy said...

Thanks for these wonderful variations, Elaine! These are a great model for poets of all ages!

Elaine Magliaro said...

Thanks, Jane. I enjoy writing about a subject in a variety of poetic forms.

Mary Lee said...

Here's a challenge I'll take for myself and pass on to my students!

I can't even say which I like best! They are all delightful!!

Martha Calderaro said...

Wonderful poems, Elaine. Your mask poem hits the mark this week!!

jama said...

The tanka is my favorite: "purple periscopes." Variations on a theme is such a great idea. Thanks for all these crocuses (since we definitely won't be seeing any in our yard). . .

Rebecca Gomez said...

Very nice! I like the Crocus Mask Poem the best.

Andromeda Jazmon said...

Wonderful idea! I really like this as an exercise and celebration of crocuses. So full of joy! My favorite line: "showers in sunshine". YES!

Heidi Mordhorst said...

Poetry is play, isn't it, and this is a very accessible way to play! Can't help but think of my little astronauts from "Launch" (Squeeze) when reading about your purple periscopes. There is something so---searching about crocuses.

Thanks for the garden of variety this week, and for the kind words.