Blackham Boy Poetry

 The Blackham Boys don't write poetry per se ... but there have been some school assignments!

In December 2016, Keaton tried a little experiment, eating a cashew to see if he was still allergic. Yes. Yes he is.  When he had to write a poem for his English class the next week, the experience was his inspiration!

I ate cashews

I nearly died

My throat swelled up

My tongue got tied

My eyes dilated

My skin was dried

"I guess I'm still allergic"

I sadly sighed

There was also a limmerick ...

The boy's face was swollen and red.

He was itching all over his head.

He ate a cashew

He's allergic, it's true

Some Benadryl, and then to bed!

In younger years, Cooper liked to "collect" license plates. Trying to see how many states he could find while we'd be out and about. A trip to Seattle really helped his collection (taking pictures and keeping them on his ipod). In 5th grade, this collection inspired a poem (for a school assignment). 

License plates, license plates

All across the United States.

As I travel in my car

Whether I’m going near or far

I look at the license plates.

In Utah, our cars show what is in our state

Everyone knows the skiing is great!

Or if you like it dry and hot

Give our National Parks a shot.

There are some license plates are just plain yellow.

Like New Mexico. A good place to go and be mellow.

New York and Alaska have yellow plates too.

But Texas, Indiana and Idaho’s are red, white and blue.

Florida features oranges on its plate.

It is also known as the “Sunshine State.”

Both Ohio and Iowa take time to show

The beautiful land where they plant and grow.

Hawaii shows a rainbow so high

Up against a blue, blue sky.

California and Illinois plates are pretty plain.

Except for the fancy cursive of their name.

South Carolina has a plane. They were “first in flight”.

Wyoming shows a cowboy, putting up a fight.

Oregon features a tall tree of green.

But in Arizona, only a cactus can be seen.

Wisconsin says it’s America’s dairy land.

Washington and Colorado feature mountains grand.

Minnesota features it’s 10,000 lakes.

While Nevada proclaims it’s the “Silver State”

Of course there’s a lot more that we could name.

Like Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Maine.

I keep a look out in my car.

But those states are so very far.

Maybe now you’ll start looking too.

To see different states, many or few.

Make it a contest, make it a game.

None of the license plates are exactly the same.

I found a lot … how about you?

Yes, Mom "helped" some with the poem. Fast forward several years to this week, and once again, Coop had to write a poem for school. You know there are many different types of poetry, with different rhyme patterns, line counts, etc. Have you heard of a "Villanelle" poem? You have likely heard one, even if you weren't aware of the actual name. "Do not go gentle into that good night. Old age should burn and rage at end of day. Rage, rage, against the dying of the light." (see HERE for the full poem). For English class, Cooper had to write his own Villanelle poem. All the classic examples sounded so complex that Coop was a little intimidated. I told him that he could use subjects closer to home, and just follow the six stanza, ABA, repeating line structure. I came up with a couple examples for him ...

... and then he came up with his own (and got an A)

I really like to wear shoes

In my closet there is a lot

So many different pairs to choose

Tripping over and getting a bruise

I make sure to tie my laces in a knot

I really like to wear shoes

On the Nike website my brother and I views

Lots of cool shoes that we could have bought

So many different pairs to choose

I will wear them if I go on a cruise

Maybe even on a yacht

I really like to wear shoes

One of my favorites is the Epic React 2’s

I wear them in the gym when I squat

So many different pairs to choose

When I wear them I will not lose

Wearing basketball shoes is when I take my shot

I really like to wear shoes

So many different pairs to choose