My Poetry Portfolio

By Zoe Johnston Sunstar / Photo Researchers / Universal Images Group

Table of Contents

• Falling (Haiku) – Page 3

• Unfortunate (Found Poem) – Page 4

• Sparks (Original Poem) – Page 5

• Standing Off the Boundaries (Original Poem) – Page 6

• Free to Trapped (Diamante Poem) – Page 7

Dedication

These poems are dedicated to my friends in Australia and Vietnam

Falling.

The bark of the tree

Comes off quite slowly leaving

The leaves so alone

Statement of Intent: That someone who was always there for you may not always be there for you. I used word choice to make this poem short but effective. "Comes off quite slowly leaving The leaves so alone“ Haiku's can be hard to understand but I think if you look close enough and read carefully you will eventually get it. Because the bark is considered as someone who has always been there but one day they might just fall. I think this message is important because this means that sometimes you'll have to take care of yourself. Rick McDowell / GPL / Photolibrary / Universal Images Group

Unfortunate Few good times,

Gloomy and miserable lives.

Evil around any corner

he decides the turn of shoulder.

Orphans.

Rick McDowell / GPL / Photolibrary / Universal Images Group

I’m trying to say that some people have less freedom then others. Like in this case I am talking about the life of orphans from a book I read called A Series of Unfortunate Events *The Wide Window* I mainly used rhyme in this poem. I used rhyme to show the reader the effect of my poem. Because it shows how the people from this poem are feeling. I think this message is important because it is showing how people are not always the same because they are human beings. Life can give you different rolls. Lemony, Snicket. "Page 2, Paragraph 1." The Wide Window: A Series of Unfortunate

Events. N.p.: Harper Collins, 2000. N. pag. Print.

Sparks Wanting to start again You don't understand

Maybe it's not your fault But you feel like it is Like a house of bricks

But one blow from falling

They think you're pathetic And sometimes you do too

But words can make you stronger

Mostly weaken

Waiting for joy to come For you to spread your wings But then the darkness comes

And the last string is cut

Your only friend The mirror

Showing that little bit inside you That shines like the stars

Michael Dalton / Fundamental Photographs / Universal Images Group

Sometimes you don't necessarily feel free. If something tragic has happened maybe you can't forget it, and just keep blaming yourself. I used Metaphor and simile in this poem. I used them to explain how the person in this poem is feeling and the dramatic moments that are occurring. "Like a house of bricks But one blow from falling" this shows how the person looked strong but actually felt terrible for what had happened. Because it is very descriptive and includes a lot of metaphors that give the reader an idea of what is happening. I think this is an important message because after a tragedy (e.g. someone's death) people related to it will keep blaming themselves for it. When it probably had nothing to do with them.

Standing off the Boundaries

It's time to get your feet off the ground

The time is now

You've waited this long

Feeling sorry for yourself

Now you know

It's Your fault

Jacob Halaska / Index Stock / Photolibrary / Universal Images Group

This is something like you have been guarding your freedom in case anything bad happens. But then one day you realize that it was your fault and it's been you holding you down. I used Metaphor, word choice in this poem. I used these literary devices to show that you could be the person keeping you from being free. "It's time to get your feet off the ground The time is now" Because I used effective words so the reader will under stand that it's not always other people keeping you from freedom. I think this is important because there are so many stories about other people keeping you from freedom. When sometimes you were the only one letting yourself down.

Free to Trapped

Free Happy Released

Flying Smiling Exploring Living under a rock or flying in the open blue sky

Trying Hoping Fighting Sad Alone

Trapped

State Tretyakov Gallery / Culture Images / Universal Images Group

I am trying to show the difference between freedom and being trapped. I used word choice in this poem. I used word choice to show how big a difference freedom and being trapped actually is. Because it is clear, and shows the reader how important this is to know. I think it is important to know this because there still are a lot of people still trapped out there in the world.