Yay, it’s National Poetry Month! That wonderful time of year where poetry loves gather and share original poems, favorite poems, anything poetry related.

This year I am going to use the month to work on poems modeled on other poems. This is a great exercise in the classroom, especially for students (or adults) who are intimidated by the idea of writing poetry. What you do is pick a model, or mentor poem, and then write your own version of the poem. I hope you’ll give it a try along with me.

Let’s start with an easy one,  This Is Just To Say by William Carlos Williams. You can click the link to read the original poem.

Here’s my first draft of poem modeled in the same style.

 

This is Just to Say

I have taken
the letters
you threw
away

and which
you said
were full
of lies.

Forgive me
but there was
a love story
waiting to be told.

—Susan Taylor Brown

 

Your turn!

 

Looking for more poetry events in the Kidlitosphere? Check out Jama’s round-up of all the fun.