Repeat and Repeat Again

 

Red Carpet

 Photo by Amy LV 

 

Students -  It is still beautiful here in Western New York, and for the next few weeks I am living somewhere with sidewalks. I am caring for my mom's dog for a bit, so I need to walk her, and oh, the colorful, wet leaves on the sidewalks have stolen my heart. 

 

There are two things I would like for you to notice in today's poem. The first is something you have likely already noticed: repeated words. Repetition is one way to thread a poem together. When poets repeat sounds or words or lines on purpose, these echo again and again in a reader's ear. Repetition can help a reader know what matters most, and it can also just make a poem fun to hold in your mouth. The repetition in this poem is not particularly meaningful...it's just fun. And it was fun for me to write as well.

 

Also please notice that one short line. This line (And I walk.) shows a turn in the poem.  Everything before this line describes the red leaves on the ground, but everything after it celebrates their magic. The short line standing all by itself causes a reader to leave space, to pause before and after those three words. After a person reads this line, they are more likely to read the final lines more slowly. Did you? Try reading it aloud with the pause and the slowdown at the end.

 

So go ahead if you wish. Try one of these tips in one of your own poems this week:

 

1. Repeat words. You are welcome to do what I did - make many of your last words of a line the first of your next.

2. Play with your line breaks. Make an important one short. Maybe let it stand alone. 

 

Below you can see Cinnamon taking her jaunty walk on the yellow sidewalk carpet.

 

 

Cinnamon in the Fall

Photo by Amy LV 

Joyce is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup over at Joyce Uglow Author with a sixku - another new-to-me form. Each Poetry Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community. 

The magic is right in front of us. We just have to look. 

xo,

a.

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