We are in the throes of Slice of Life Story Challenge and I thought I would post a bit about how to write a poetry slice. You may be hesitant at first. Writing poetry can be a little intimidating for some. I know it was for my friend and colleague Kris. However, that didn’t stop her from trying out a favorite technique. Try doing a quick write and then pulling a poem from the story. She did this the other day on her blog, you can read it here. I was reminded of this idea as we talked during lunch and I thought, I want to try this too. I think others would give poetry a try if they knew how easy it can be. So, here is another challenge, write your slice, then see if there is a poem inside of the story. You might surprise yourself. This would also be a great exercise with students too.
Steps I took:
Write my quick write.
Tonight I went through boxes in my basement. My mom has been asking for years now if I have the elusive creamer. She has the matching sugar bowl but the creamer has been MIA forever. They were packed up back in 1990 or so and since not found. Made of depression glass I long to find it. Belonging to both my grandmothers you can imagine the significance, but yet again, no sign. No sign of you, the creamer that calls my name from some hidden place. Some place longing for some cream.
Crossed out, revised and took the meaty and best parts.
Tonight I went through boxes in my basement. My mom has been asking for years now if I have the elusive creamer continues to elude us. She has the a matching sugar bowl but the no creamer has been MIA it seems like forever. They were packed up back in 1990 or so and since not found. Made of depression glass I long to find it you. Belonging to both my grandmothers you can imagine the significance, but yet again, no sign. No sign of you, the creamer that calls my name from some hidden place. Some place longing for some cream.
Revised copy and line breaks.
Boxes in my basement.
Asking for years.
The elusive creamer
continues to elude us.
A matching sugar bowl
but no creamer.
It seems like forever.
Packed up back in 1990,
since not found.
Of depression glass
I long to find you.
Belonging to grandmothers,
imagine the significance,
but yet again, no sign.
No sign of you,
the creamer that calls my name
from some hidden place.
Some place
longing for some cream.
Wallah! A poem emerges.
I would encourage you to try this activity. Do a quick write, as you can see, mine was short and sweet. Try it and see what happens. Do some crossing out, choose some new words here and there and a poem can emerge.
TWO WRITING TEACHERS 
Betsy, I often think in two writing genres: prose and poetry. Cathy Mere suggested that I look at your Blackout Poetry piece/A Slice of Poetry with what I wrote in the prose part of my recent blog: http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2015/03/winter-morning.html. I am glad that she led me to this post because I may try to craft a poem from the prose I wrote. In future workshops, I will provide teachers with your technique. Thanks.
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Thank you for breaking down some of those walls to attempting poetry! A great activity for me and my students!
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I love this slice of “meta-poetry” (a term I learned from our old pal Ralph Fletcher just this week). I think I’ll try both: the meta and the poetry.Thanks.
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Inspired by your poetry–
I fell tonight
And it really really hurt
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Thanks for your encouragement 🙂 I love my green depression glass pieces from my grandmother.
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Math Nigh–a to-do list.
http://teachersamblogs.blogspot.com/2015/03/math-night.html
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Samantha, is this your link for SOLSC? If so, please link it in the SOLSC post daily call for slicers number 5.
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Loved your modeling, practicing, step-by-step sharing. Great illustration of how a poem can emerge from any writing. Thanks Betsy!!
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Oh, how I just love this!
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I am new to slicing this year and was EXTREMELY surprised to see poems coming so easily as I create my slices. I have never considered myself a poet or even remotely interested in poetry. And yet, there they are. I can’t wait to try your method!
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Love this. Can’t wait to give it a go!
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Love coming home from work looking forward to blog time. This is a little writing exercise I’m doing with a good friend.
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Hooray for poetry slices!
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Excellent idea! Inspiring to all fearful, aspiring poets. I used a technique somewhat like yours when I had my ESL students “lift” a few lines from a nonfiction piece they had written. With a bit of rearrangement, like your poem, and a writing frame to help them (ESL students need all the scaffolding you can give them), you have a poem! Nice piece of writing. Thank you.
https://barbarasut.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=31&action=edit&message=10
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Love this idea can’t wait to try it for myself and with my 5th grade writing students.
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I can’t wait to try this. Especially because we have a snow day today and we are going to be in ALL day!
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Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is a precious little poem that emphasizes the meaning of those treasures tucked away in a basement. I just love the poem and the tips! I have been experimenting with poetry and yes it makes me nervous, but I’m giving it a whirl. I think my slices are turning into a mini-poetry book!
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Wonderful writing lesson. This will be fun for me and my students!
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Great idea for a poetry slice. I want to try this with students, too.
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Thanks for this technique! I will try it with students as well!
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