NARRATIVE POEM

1. Bring an object of photo to class. Be prepared to write a poem about the experience related to that object.
Include the photo or a drawing of your object with your poem.
2. Write up a prose story of the incident you want to capture in poetry.
Include specific details, adjectives, adverbs, honest feelings and so on to make the piece come alive
3. Circle every word and phrase that is absolutely essential
4. Copy those onto another paper
5. Revise: read over and edit so it makes sense. Add some connecting words - but only what's absolutely essential. You may need to delete, change and add other words.
6. Final to share with class that includes an image

 

A narrative poem tells a story, usually something that happened to you. Writing a narrative poem is an opportunity "to capture in words the significant incidents of your life as well as the feelings that go along with them" (Janeczko 76).

"Since many of our memories are connected to objects, you might find a good subject if you look through that shoe box or the bottom drawer where you keep the souvenirs of your life. That seashell might recall last summer's visit to the ocean with your family. That woven bracelet was given to you be a new friend you met at camp. A brass doorknob reminds you of the apartment you used to live in. While you can certainly write a poem describing these objects, look beyond the object to the memory or story it brings to mind.

"Bear in mind that not all your memories or stories will be pleasant. Some of our most vivid memories are unhappy ones. Family members die. Neighbors more away. Friendships end. We fail at things that are important to us. Those sorts of things happen to everyone. It's a good idea to write about these memories as well as the happy ones because it might help us understand these memories or learn how better to deal with them. Also, a reader may take comfort in your poem when she recalls that the same thing happened to her. In this way, poetry can connect us to one another and offer consolation.

"When you write about memories it is important to keep on thing in mind: You do not need to stick to the facts. You are writing poetry, not his troy, so it is all right to change some details to make your poem more dramatic or more entertaining. When we read "Cottontail" by George Bogin, we have no idea if this memory is factually accurate. That doesn't' matter. The important thing is that the poem rings true when we read it " (Jaeczko 76-77).

 

 

 

Cottontail

A couple of kids,
we went hunting for woodchucks
fifty years ago
in a farmer's field.
No woodchucks
but we cornered
a terrified
little cottontail rabbit
in the angle
of two stone fences.
He was sitting up,
Front paws together,
supplicating,
trembling
while we were deciding
whether to shoot him
or spare him.
I shot first
but missed,
thank god.
Then my friend fired
and killed him
and burst into tears.
I did too.
A little cottontail.
A Haunter.

-George Bogin (Janeczko 78)

 

Other Examples:

"The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert Service
"Casey at Bat" by Ernest Thayer

Work Cited
Janeczko, Paul. How to Write Poetry. New York: Scholastic Inc. 1999.