Where did poetry originate?

Greek Translation

The Greek verb ποιεω [poiéo (= I make or create)]

History of Poetry

• Poetry as an art form predates literacy. In preliterate societies, poetry was frequently employed as a means of recording oral history, storytelling (epic poetry), genealogy, law and other forms of expression or knowledge that modern societies might expect to be handled in prose.

• The Ramayana, a Sanskrit epic which includes poetry, was probably written in the 3rd century BCE.

• Poetry is also often closely identified with liturgy [worship] in certain societies, as the formal nature of poetry makes it easier to remember priestly incantations or prophecies. The greater part of the world's sacred scriptures are made up of poetry rather than prose.

Fill-in-the-blank

In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean

__________

Performed Poetry

• Poetry was typically composed for performances (dramas)

• After the invention of the printing press, “poets were now writing more for the eye than for the ear” (poetry.org)

• Today, we have poetry both for the eye and ear due to poetry slams

DEF Poetry

“Hands”

Purposeful ColorsUsing colors in poetry goes a long way back in written history. Roman and Greek poets, like the poets of other races, used colors for their strong connections with emotions. For example, Homer used the color of bronze to imply power, and in Roman poetry, certain color combinations especially purple and gold hinted at royalty while red and white meant conquering and other concepts. Virgil alone used over 500 color words in The Aeneid.

Color Associations • I will say a color. Write down the first image that comes

to mind associated with that color. • Green • Purple • Pink• Yellow• Orange • Gray• Brown • Red• White • Blue• Black

Guess The Color

• With the person next to/in front of/behind you, take turns sharing the image that came to mind (do NOT say which color conjectured the image). Let the other person guess that color.

• Were you able to guess the associated color? Were any of your images the same as your partner’s images?

Abstract Exercise

• Choose three of the colors and apply the five senses to describe them.

• For example, the color green . . . – What does green smell like?– Taste like?– Feel like?– Sound like?– Look like?

FertilityGrowth

Life Rebirth

EnvironmentJealousy Money

RoyaltyNobility

EnlightenmentWisdom

Mysteriousness Fantasy

Good HealthLife

Childish Innocence Femininity

Gold—royalty Yellow—

Happiness Joy

IdealismOptimism

DishonestyCowardice

Hazard

CuriosityEnergyBalanceWarmth

DepressionDefeat

Boredom ModestyMaturityOld Age

earth hearthhome

the outdoorssimplicity

Red can symbolize many things; from blood, to love, to infatuation.

Basically red symbolizes strong emotions, or things of strong

emotions rather than intellectual ideas. For example, red can

symbolize excitement, energy, speed, strength, danger, passion,

and aggression.

PURITYREVERENCESIMPLICITYHUMILITY

CLEANLINESSSNOW

PeaceStabilityLoyalty

SkyWater

Depression

SorrowDeathNight FearEvil

Depth

from “A Color of the Sky” Tony Hoagland

Last summer’s song is making a comeback on the radio, and on the highway overpass,the only metaphysical vandal in America has written MEMORY LOVES TIMEin big black spray paint letters,which makes us wonder if Time loves Memory back.

Observation Activity• Choose a color. Do not share your color with

anyone.• We will go for a ten minute walk—it is

absolutely SILENT• Look for your color. Where is it? In places? On

people? Where is it not? Why? Should there be more of it? Why? 10 minute free write on a color or lack thereof. What are general feelings associated with your color? Negative? Positive? Why write with color?

Color Poem

A color poem is about a single color using analogies, similes, or listing

nouns about that color. When writing a color poem the author can also use

the five senses.

The Blue Ocean of My LifeMelissa

Blue is the color of the swaying oceans.The blue jays chirping in their nest.Blue is the color of my sapphire ring.Blue is also the color of my nail polish. Blue is the color of the sky.Navy blue is the color of my jeans.Blue is the color of the earthAnd is part of our Nation's flag.It is the color of my shadow in the snow. Blue is the color of my tears.It's the color of the ice that I go onSwaying but swift. Blue is the color of my mom's blouseAnd skirt.Blue is the color of an Easter egg dyed blue.Blue is my favorite color.

What Is Red?James

Red is a heart beating.And red can be a red coatOr a fisherman's boat.Red is the color of anger.Red is the color of an appleOr the color of lipstick.Red is the color of a cherry.Red is the hot sun.Red is the color of Santa's suit.Red is the color of red sunOn Japan's flag.Red is the color of the school'sTelephone.Red is the color of a bow.Red is the color of a headband.Red is my second favorite color.