The Poem Farm: Write a List Poem

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Write a List Poem

The Last Pages of My Notebook

Always Hold a List of Books to Read

by Amy LV

List Poems

Students - A poem can be structured as a list. One thing after another, poem lists name parts of the world in different ways. Sometimes such lists rhyme, sometimes not.

Often in a list poem, you will notice that the ending makes a turn. We call this "a list with a twist." Which of the poems below end with a twist?

Think of something in your own life that is list-able. Names of favorite pets? Books you will never forget? Best Halloween candies? Try one of your lists out as a poem...

from February 2011

from September 2010

from July 2010

Here are a couple of more poems in the form of lists.

Leftovers
To Do List

I have mentioned Georgia Heard's FALLING DOWN THE PAGE: A BOOK OF LIST POEMS before, but because it is chock full of list poems, I mention it again. If you are looking to add to your own pile of list poems, don't miss this book.