NPM: Write a Poem, or Thirty

The English Room presents 30 Days of Poetry, a series of lessons on writing poetry for students in the middle grades. Students learn to write all sorts of poetry from cinquains to sestinas to concrete poems.

This poem by George Herbert, written in the 17th century, is a sort of a concrete poem, probably one of the earliest examples:

Easter Wings
Lord, Who createdst man in wealth and store,
Though foolishly he lost the same,
Decaying more and more,
Till he became
Most poore:

With Thee
O let me rise,
As larks, harmoniously,
And sing this day Thy victories:
Then shall the fall further the flight in me.

My tender age in sorrow did beginne;
And still with sicknesses and shame
Thou didst so punish sinne,
That I became
Most thinne.

With Thee
Let me combine,
And feel this day Thy victorie;
For, if I imp my wing on Thine,
Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

Poetry activity for today: Try writing a concrete poem.
Poet of the day: George Herbert, who was born on this date in 1593.

I’m becoming more and more fond of Mr. Herbert, as evidenced by these Herbert posts from the archives.

The Dawning by George Herbert.

The Sonne by George Herbert.

A Wreath by George Herbert.

More April 3 Birthdays.