Welcome Poetry Friday friends.
For National Poetry Month this year, I am writing poems in uncommon, unusual, or inventive poetic forms. The only rule I have set for myself is that I choose forms I am unfamiliar with. Here are some of the resources I am referencing.
- 20+ Different (& Wild!) Poetry Forms for Inspiration
- A Strange Poetry
- Refrigerator, Blackout, And Other Radical Poetry Forms
- Experimental Poetry Forms
- Shadow Poetry (See invented forms)
- 20 Fun Poem Types (You've Probably Never Heard Of)
Today I'm sharing a Poetry Fortune Teller.
Have you ever made a cootie catcher? Growing up, I knew this as a fortune teller. If you've never folded one, here is a quick video on how to do it.
To create your poem, pick (or have someone else pick!) a color. Write this down on a spare piece of paper. Then spell the color out, opening and closing the cootie catcher for each letter and alternating the direction each time (up and down/side to side). Once you finish spelling out the word, you should have it open to four nouns. Pick one, write it down on your paper, then spell out the word just as you did with the color. You’ll see four nouns again. Pick one, write that noun down on your paper, then open up the flap. Write that phrase down on your paper. You’ve got yourself a mini poem!
I hope you come back tomorrow to see what new poetic form I've chosen. You can also read the other poems I've written this month.
- April 1 - Quinzaine
- April 2 - Preposition poem
- April 3 - Lipogram poem
- April 4 - Venn diagram poem
- April 5 - Punnett poem
- April 6 - Bingo card poem
- April 7 - Assembly diagram poem
- April 8 - Brevette
- April 9 - Pleiades
- April 10 - Clarity Pyramid
To see what others are writing this month, check out Jama Rattigan's 2025 National Poetry Month Kidlitosphere Events Roundup.
I do hope you'll take some time to check out all the wonderful poetic things being shared and collected today by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem. Happy Poetry Friday friends.
What fun!! I love this tour of poetry joy, Tricia. I will definitely be back to see what else you bring us. Thank you! xo
ReplyDeleteTricia, Hello! I love the cootie catcher! I remember making them too and actually did this activity (or something like it) with my writer's circle students! What fun! Carol from The Apples in My Orchard
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this idea, Tricia. It's always good to find new ways to be inspired.
ReplyDeleteThis is really neat! I love what you came up with, and the form looks fun to try!
ReplyDeleteTricia, you have tapped into a variety of inspirational sparks to deliver your chosen words. I am really taken by the final line of your poem. I frequently find myself moved to do the very same thing.
ReplyDeleteTrisha, this is a very fun idea. I might have to try it out.
ReplyDeleteLove this, Tricia. We called them Cootie Catchers when I was a kid and we made them all the time. :) Fun!
ReplyDelete"I just need to sit with a poem" is so relatable.
My students will love this idea! I like the two little poems you caught. I love your project and appreciate the time you are dedicating to poetry each day this month. Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteA cool call-back to cootie finder days AND a silly/serious yet soothing craft for any age. I especially need your:
ReplyDelete"I just need to sit/ with a poem". Luv this coolness, much.