Work in pairs or small groups to write at least two five-line poems like the ones below. Be sure to give your poems titles. Feel free to experiment with the spacing, capitalization, punctuation, etc. Be prepared to read one of your poems to the class later today. Follow these instructions:

1. On the first line write a noun of your choice.
2. On the second line write two adjectives joined by and or but to describe this noun.
3. On the third line write a verb (use the simple present or "-ing") and an adverb to describe this noun in action.
4. Start the fourth line with like or as followed by a comparison.
5. Start the final line with if only followed by a wish.

 
Monday Morning 7:00 a.m.
By Lee Kyoung Huen

Alarm!
Unconscious but conscious
Waking slowly
Like in a dream
If only today were a holiday

Homework for Next Class

Hand in one five-line poem. You can work together with other students, but each student must hand in a different poem. It must be typed and have an appropriate title.

You can see a lot of examples of other students' five-line poems from all over the world on this Web site:

"Andreas Lund's English as a Second, a Foreign, Another Language"
http://home.online.no/~anlun/gram-po.htm
 
 

Notes

1. This assignment is adapted from Lund (2000). The sample poems were written by my students.
2. My students’ five-line poems are online here: https://ausharjah.tripod.com/students/portfolio/portfolio4.html
3. If you try this assignment with your own students, I would appreciate it if you let me know whether or not it was successful or if you have any suggestions for improving it. You can contact me here: <rtyson@aus.ac.ae>

Reference

• Lund, A. (2000). Grammar and poetry. Andreas Lund’s English as a second, a foreign, another language [Web site]. Retrieved January 7, 2001, from http://home.online.no/~anlun/gram-po.htm