选修6 Unit 2 Poems-Reading
A FEW SIMPLE FORMS OF ENGLISH POEMS
There are various reasons why people write poetry. Some poems tell a story or describe something in a way that will give the reader a strong impression. Others try to convey certain emotions. Poets use many different forms of poetry to express themselves. In this text, however, we will look at a few of the simpler forms.
Some of the first poetry a young child learns in English is nursery rhymes. These rhymes like the one on the right (A) are still a common type of children's poetry. The language is concrete but imaginative, and they delight small children because they rhyme, have strong rhythm and a lot of repetition. The poems may not make sense and even seem contradictory, but they are easy to learn and recite. By playing with the words in nursery rhymes, children learn about language.
A Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Papa's going to buy you a mockingbird. If that mockingbird won't sing, Papa's going to buy you a diamond ring. If that diamond ring turns to brass, Papa's going to buy you a looking-glass. If that looking-glass gets broke, Papa's going to buy you a billy-goat. If that billy-goat runs away, Papa's going to buy you another today.
One of the simplest kinds of poems are those like B and C that list things. List poems have a flexible line length and repeated phrases which give both a pattern and a rhythm to the poem. Some rhyme (like B) while others do not (like C).
B I saw a fish-portal all on fire
I saw a fish-pond all on fire,
I saw a house bow to a squire,
I saw a person twelve-feet high,
I saw a cottage in the sky,
I saw a balloon made of lead,
I saw a coffin drop down dead,
I saw two sparrows run a race,
I saw two horses making lace,
I saw g girl just like a cat,
I saw a kitten wear a hat,
I saw a man who saw these too,
And said though strange they all were true.
C Our first football match
We would have won ...
if Jack had scored that goal,
if we'd had just a few more minutes,
if we had trained harder,
if Ben had passed the ball to Joe,
if we'd had thousands of fans screaming,
if I hadn't taken my eye off the ball,
if we hadn't stayed up so late the night before,
if we hadn't taken it easy,
if we hadn't run out of energy.
We would have won ...
if we'd been better!
Another simple form of poem that students can easily write is the cinquain, a poem made up of five lines. With these, students can convey a strong picture in just a few words. Look at the examples (D and E) on the top of the next page.
D Brother Beautiful, athletic Teasing, shouting, laughing Friend and enemy too Mine
E Summer Sleepy, salty Drying, drooping, dreading Week in, week out Endless
F A fallen blossom Is coming back to the branch. Look, a butterfly!
( by Moritake)
G Snow having melted, The whole village is brimful Of happy children.
(by Issa)
Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that is made up of 17 syllables. It is not a traditional form of English poetry, but is very popular with English writers. It is easy to write and, like the cinquain , can give a clear picture and create a special feeling using the minimum of words. The two haiku poems (F and G) above are translations from the Japanese.
H Where she awaits her husband On and on the river flows. Never looking back,Transformed into stone.Day by day upon the mountain top,wind and rain revolve.Should the traveller return,this stone would utter speech.,
(by Wang Jian)
Did you know that English speakers also enjoy other forms of Asian poetry - Tang poems from China in particular? A lot of Tang poetry has been translated into English. This Tang poem (H) is a translation from the Chinese.
With so many different forms of poetry to choose from, students may eventually want to write poems of their own. It is easier than you might think and certainly worth a try!
I'VE SAVED THE SUMMER
I've saved the summer
And I give it all to you
To hold on winter mornings
When the snow is new.
I've saved some sunlight
If you should ever need
A place away from darkness
Where your mind can feed.
And for myself I've kept your smile
When you were but nineteen,
Till you're older you'll not know
What brave young smiles can mean.
I know no answers
To help you on your way
The answers lie somewhere
At the bottom of the day.
But if you've a need for love
I'll give you all l own
It might help you down the road
Till you've found your own.
(by Rod McKuen)