"If" Poems

These poems have a quality of possibility to them, and often use repetition and figurative language to get their point across. 

1.  First, together in class, we watched Sarah Kay's spoken word poem, "If I Should have a Daughter."  Read over the notes you recorded in reaction to this poem, referring back to the words of the poem if you'd like. 

2.  Next, read and analyze the following model poems.
Take note of the poetic techniques used by these poets,
as well as ways that repetition and figurative language
enhance the meaning of each poem.  Use the provided
handout from class to record your findings/reactions.

"If" by Rudyard Kipling
“If You Forget Me” by Pablo Neruda
“If I Die Young” by Kim Perry
“If I Can Stop One Heart from Breaking” by Emily Dickinson
"If We Must Die" by Claude McKay


3.  Finally, write your own "if" poem, considering the poems above as inspiration for yours.
Be sure that your title is similar to one of those in the poems above. 
At the end of your poem, write a short description of the inspiration ideas of subject, and poetic technique that you borrowed and used in your own poem.
This poem and response will be due on MONDAY, 5/19.