date: 09.29.96
age: 16
grade: 11
Building a poem is an easy thing
provided you understand how.
It's a vital skill used later in life
(though it seems insignificant now)
A poem can be shaped in six simple steps
as long as you follow them well.
So clear your mind, and open your heart,
and everything will be swell.
First you rummage for the word you want,
then another, so they rhyme.
If you can't find a match, just write free verse
and try it some other time.
Next you lay the pair flat on the floor,
and space them apart with tape.
Pluck some words from your deepest soul,
and your poem will begin to take shape.
Pour in some verbs and adjectives,
and maybe even some nouns.
Add prepositions and clauses too,
just to see how it sounds.
Arrange the words into lines of four
(the rhymes at the end) and then,
Dive back into your bucket of thoughts
to make more verses again!
When all your stanzas seem to be done,
nail punctuation along the seam.
Check to see if they fit real snug,
(And have a common theme)
If everything comes together fine,
you've got a lot of luck.
Smear glue on the backs of all your words,
and paste them so they get stuck.
Your poem has uses everywhere,
at school, or the office, or home.
If you have too much stress, or just need a rest,
sit back, relax, and build a poem.