Mrs. McKeown's Poetry
My Poem

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When I Found Out

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Introduction:
Read the poem aloud. Discuss the students' feelings about poetry.

When I found out
I had to write a poem,
I knew that it was a joke.
I shuddered and cried,
wished I could hide,
I felt I was gonna choke.

When I found out
I had to write a poem,
I waited to the last minute.
I shivered and screamed,
knew it was dreamed,
My heart just wasn't in it.

When I found out
I had to write a poem,
I finally started to write.
I trembled and smiled,
acted like a child,
Writing the words in spite.

When I found out
I had to write a poem,
The words began to flow.
I laughed and giggled,
all the words were scribbled,
Just one stanza to go.

When I found out
I had to write a poem,
Why had I been so sad?
I jumped and shouted,
and no longer pouted,
This poem was not so bad.

-- Julie McKeown 2001 --

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Extention:
Have the students write their own poem about how they feel about writing poetry.