Today’s Objective: to identify similes and

metaphors and to defend their usage in poems.

Copy these definitions into your NOTES!

SimileA figure of speech which involves a direct comparison between two unlike things, usually with the words like or as. Example: The muscles on his brawny arms are strong as iron bands.

MetaphorA figure of speech which involves an implied comparison between two relatively unlike things using a form of be. The comparison is not announced by like or as. Example: The road was a ribbon of moonlight.

‘‘Introduction to Poetry’Introduction to Poetry’I ask them to take a poemI ask them to take a poemand hold it up to the lightand hold it up to the lightlike a color slidelike a color slideor press an ear against its hive.or press an ear against its hive.I say drop a mouse into a poemI say drop a mouse into a poemand watch him probe his way out,and watch him probe his way out,or walk inside the poem's roomor walk inside the poem's roomand feel the walls for a light switch.and feel the walls for a light switch.I want them to waterskiI want them to waterskiacross the surface of a poemacross the surface of a poemwaving at the author's name on the shore.waving at the author's name on the shore.But all they want to doBut all they want to dois tie the poem to a chair with ropeis tie the poem to a chair with ropeand torture a confession out of it.and torture a confession out of it.They begin beating it with a hoseThey begin beating it with a hoseto find out what it really means.to find out what it really means.-- -- Billy Collins Billy Collins

The Origin of All Poems

Cousin Billy CollinsPoet Laureate of the United States

2001-2003Poet Laureate of New York State

2004-2006CLASSWORK: Find examples of the five ideas we used to compose our class poem (death, poetry, love, longing, dangerous) in this poem. List three things that seem important to this poet.Extension: Why do you think these ideas are important to him?

Simile Starters!Simile Starters!Directions: Directions: Fill in the blanks for Fill in the blanks for fivefive of the of the followingfollowing. Compare each thing to an object or . Compare each thing to an object or situation that is really different. situation that is really different. Be as creative, Be as creative, detailed, and surprising as you can!detailed, and surprising as you can!Example: My street sounds like ______________Example: My street sounds like ______________My street is always really quiet, so it sounds like My street is always really quiet, so it sounds like the random ruffling of paper during an exam.the random ruffling of paper during an exam.

1.1. My street sounds like…My street sounds like…2.2. My father/grandfather snores like…My father/grandfather snores like…3.3. A spider on an old man’s beard is like…A spider on an old man’s beard is like…4.4. ____________________ is like muscles stretched ____________________ is like muscles stretched

taut over bone.taut over bone.5.5. The wind whispers like…The wind whispers like…

A poem should be palpable and mute As a globed fruit, Dumb As old medallions to the thumb, Silent as the sleeve-worn stone Of casement ledges where the moss has grown– A poem should be wordless As the flight of birds.- A poem should be motionless in time As the moon climbs, Leaving, as the moon releases Twig by twig the night-entangled trees, Leaving, as the moon behind the winter leaves. Memory by memory the mind– A poem should be motionless in time As the moon climbs. - A poem should be equal to: Not true. For all the history of grief An empty doorway and a maple leaf. For love The leaning grasses and two lights above the sea– A poem should not mean But be.

Activities/Questions1) Underline the similes in the

poem 2) Put a star next to the ones that

jump out at you or that you find beautiful.

3) Why does the author suggest a poem should be “wordless”?

4) “A poem should be equal to: Not true” What does that

mean to you?

Extension: Do you like this poem? Why or why not?

1)1) WriteWrite a simile for your poem a simile for your poem

2)2) Write a metaphor for your poemWrite a metaphor for your poem

2)2)DefendDefend: the use of similes and : the use of similes and metaphors in language is vitally metaphors in language is vitally

important. Why?important. Why?