Poems are generally about single events, things (objects both natural and human-made), or people. By presenting this subject clearly and definitively, a poet is able to say something about how we "as humans" or "as readers" or as "an observer" relates to the subject, object, event, etc.
Our mistake is to try to cram too much into a poem. Poems should be single snapshots of the subject. They should be careful and crafted--not a fast-food taco.
Today, in your poetry groups, spend some time completing the following poems by Ted Kooser. For each poem list whether the poem is about a: 1. Character 2. Event 3. Setting or 4. Object. Discuss and list with your group. Turn in the list at the end of this exercise.
Poetry drafts: go back. Take all your poems thus far and trim them. Focus them on single subjects (events, settings, objects, or people). If you have more than one focus, trim it down to one focus.
TASK: revise all your previous poems into new drafts.
HOMEWORK: Please complete Ted Kooser's article for homework.
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