Students' Metaphors for Poetry

"Poetry is dark chocolate. People who do not know how to appreciate dark chocolate often think it is very bitter but those who appreciate it enjoy its sweetness." ~ Shandy Tan

A poem is a big mirror. It is where you can do some soul-searching and self-reflection. ~ Janice Chan

A poem is an unsolved riddle. It takes a lot of perseverance to understand a profound poem. ~ Jeannette Chong

Poetry is a drug. I chose this metaphor as poetry can be highly addictive and can make a person very happy. It could even save a person’s life. ~ Benjamin Quek

A poem is a lighted bulb in a room. It gives me hope. ~ Tan Kah Xuan

Dance with My Father

Dance with My Father

Performed by Luther VanDross

Back when I was a child

Before life removed all the innocence

My father would lift me high

And dance with my mother and me and then

Spin me around till I fell asleep

Then up the stairs he would carry me

And I knew for sure I was loved

If I could get another chance

Another walk, another dance with him

I’d play a song that would never, ever end

How I’d love, love, love to dance with my father again

When I and my mother would disagree

To get my way I would run from her to him

He’d make me laugh just to comfort me

Then finally make me do just what my mama said

Later that night when I was asleep

He left a dollar under my sheet

Never dreamed that he

Would be gone from me

If I could steal one final glance

One final step, one final dance with him

I’d play a song that would never, ever end

‘Cause I’d love, love, love to dance with my father again

Sometimes I’d listen outside her door

And I’d hear her, mama cryin’ for him

I pray for her even more than me

I pray for her even more than me

I know I’m prayin’ for much too much

But could You send back the only man she loved

I know You don’t do it usually

But Lord, she’s dyin’ to dance with my father again

Every night I fall asleep

And this is all I ever dream

* To view the animated video, please click here.

Imagery

• Imagery refers to the mental images that are produced in the reader’s mind through the writer’s words.

• These words include figures of speech such as similes, metaphors, and personification.

• Eg. “’Tis bare and bleak inside my soul.” -- alliteration, drawing the reader's attention to an image of loss, grief or emptiness.

What kind of images are being presented here?

a. The leaves danced in the wind merrily, lost in their little reverie.
~> personification; image of Nature

b. She slunk back into her seat as he bulldozed her hopes.
~> metaphor; image of disappointment.

c. He sat there as still as a statue, frozen by the bad news.
~> simile; image of despair/sadness

Photography & Poetry

What are the similarities between photography & poetry?

• Photography – physical image through pictures

• Poetry – mental image through words

• Just as photography captures a specific image, poetry also captures/evokes a particular image.

Personification Examples

Class Personification Exercise:

a. The trees swayed/embraced/danced/whispered in the moonlight.

b. The clouds glowered menacingly in the rainstorm.

c. The latch bit his finger with metal teeth.

d. The house stared down at her with empty glass eyes.

More examples:

a. The driver started the engine with some difficulty.
--> The car engine coughed and sputtered when it started during the blizzard.

b. The driver drove the car quickly down the hill.
--> The car roared to life and raced down the hill.

c. The tourists walked past a field of beautiful yellow daffodils.
--> The daffodils nodded their yellow heads at the tourists.

d. The wind blew and the leaves fell.
--> The wing sang her mournful song through the falling leaves.

Personification

A figure of speech in which human qualities are given to non-human things, such as animals, nature, ideas or inanimate objects.

NON-HUMAN ---> HUMAN

Ways to make something human:

1. Make it move like a person: eg. run, cartwheel, reach, embrace

2. Make it sound like a person: eg. shout, whisper, laugh, listen

3. Give it emotion: eg. joy, hope, sadness, despair

* To view Pixar's Animation on "Cars," please click here.

How would you personify the car?

1.The car peered over the cliff and gazed in awe at the splendour of the landscape.

2.The car mustered all its strength and raced towards the finishing line, gloating all the way.

Literal vs Figurative Language

What is the difference between Literal & Figurative Language?

Literal Language....

is direct & straightforward.
It conveys facts.

Examples: Dictionary Definitions, Instructions

Figurative Language....

is creative & imaginative.
It conveys personal ideas or opinions.

Examples: Metaphors, Similes, Personification

Can you spot the difference?

1. He is very strong --> He is as strong as an ox. (simile)
2. He eats very messily --> He eats like a pig. (simile)
3. She is very improtant to me --> She is the sunshine of my life. (metaphor)
4. The driver drove the car quickly down the hill --> The car roared to life and raced down the hill. (personification)