Lesson:
We had students peer edit our poem analysis paragraphs.
* Reminders
No “wrong” answers (just more and less likely – given the evidence)
Form and sound can simply help emphasize the meaning
Don’t look for “secret messages” – just notice how if things would be different, how the poem would be different
We then rehearsed our poems with a peer coach for tone.
Finally we practiced analyzing a poem for the poetry final next class. You can find the poem below and some sample questions for analysis.
“Corner” by Ralph Pomeroy
Directions: Underline all examples of similes, metaphors and personification and label them.
The cop slumps alertly at his motorcycle,
supported by one leg like a leather stork.
His glance accuses me of loitering*.
I can see his eyes moving like a fish
in the green depths of his green goggles.
His ease is fake. I can tell.
My ease is fake. And he can tell.
The fingers armoured by his gloves
Splay* and clench, itching to change something.
As if he were my enemy or my death,
I just stand there watching.
I spit out my gum which has gone stale.
I knock out my new cigarette --
Which is my bravery.
It is all imperceptible*:
The way I shift my weight,
The way he creaks in the saddle.
The traffic is specific though constant.
The sun surrounds me, divides the street between us.
His crash helmet is whiter in the shade.
It is like a bullring as they say it is just before the fighting.
I cannot back down. I am there.
Everything holds me back.
I am in danger of disappearing into the sunny dust,
My levis bake and my T-shirt sweats.
My cigarette makes my eyes burn.
But I don't dare drop it.
Who made him my enemy?
Prince of coolness. King of fear.
Why do I lean here waiting?
Why does he lounge there watching?
I am becoming sunlight.
My hair is on fire. My boots run like tar.
I am hung-up by the bright air.
Something breaks through all of a sudden.
And he blasts off, quick as a craver,
Snug in his power; watching me watch.
* loitering (v): moving around or waiting suspiciously in a public place
*splay (v): to spread out, expand, or extend
* imperceptible (adj): Impossible or difficult to see or sense
Analysis Questions for “Corner”
1. Copy two lines from the poem that are examples of metaphors.
2. Identify each metaphor.
a. Metaphor 1: ______________________I_______________________
b. Metaphor 1: ______________________I_______________________
3. Copy two lines from the poem that are examples of similes.
4. Identify each simile.
a. Simile 1: ______________________I_______________________
b. Simile 2: ______________________I_______________________
5. Copy two lines from the poem that are examples of personification.
6. Why do you think the author compares the cop’s eyes to a fish’s eyes?
7. Why does he compare his cigarette to “bravery?”
8. Why do you think the speaker stays in the heat of the sun rather than moving into the shade?
9. How would you answer the speaker’s question, “Who made him my enemy?”
HMWK:
Study for final poetry test
Practice poem (memorize)
Poetry cafe is June 8th and 9th
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