Poem Examples

Rhythm:

December Leaves 

by Kaye Starbird

The fallen leaves are cornflakes

That fill the lawn's wide dish

And night and noon

The wind's a spoon

That stirs them with a swish

The sky's a silver sifter

A-sifting white and slow,

That gently shakes

On crisp brown flakes

The sugar known as snow.

Alliteration:

goulish, grimy, green-gilded Smee

frrightened; for he's fighting me
my sword was all i stowed with me
me from him and him from me
so i erased the essence of him end my victory
and i took off his head- a terrific trophy
for the kids and kinsfolk caressing it's knee
for the kids and the kinsfolk awaiting for me.
seven super soldiers had he
the fight fell short from a frightened flee
i stood not seeing him safe and free
i chased down the cheer-charrer hiding from me
i brought it back - a bundle of glee
yes i brought back the body- a bundle of glee

-Unknown 

Symbolism:

My heart leaps up when i behold

by William Wordsworth

My heart leaps up when I behold

A rainbow in the sky 

Spring and daisies means youth in Sara Teasdale’s “Wild Asters”:

In the spring, I asked the daisies

If his words were true,

And the clever, clear-eyed daisies

Always knew.

Brown and barren means growing old in Sara Teasdale’s “Wild Asters”:

Now the fields are brown and barren,

Bitter autumn blows,

Bitter autumn means death in Sara Teasdale’s “Wild Asters”:

Now the fields are brown and barren,

Bitter autumn blows,

And of all the stupid asters

Not one knows.

Imagery:
Preludes
by T.S. Elliot

The winter evening settles down

With smell of steaks in passageways.

Six o'clock.

The burnt-out ends of smoky days.

And now a gusty shower wraps

The grimy scraps

Of withered leaves about your feet

And newspapers from vacant lots;

The showers beat

On broken blinds and chimney-pots,

And at the corner of the street

A lonely cab-horse steams and stamps.  

And then the lighting of the lamps.