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Opposite Poems


Opposite Poems
In his book, 'How To Write Poetry,' Paul Janeczko presents the idea of opposite poems. Paul suggests they could also be referred to as antonym poems. This is wordplay and it's fun to try.

 Here are some examples Paul provides to help us see very clearly how these short little poems work.

 I think the opposite of chair
Is sitting down with nothing there
What is the opposite of kind?
A goat that butts you from behind

 Paul Janeczko

 You will  notice the poems are written in rhyming couplets. They can be extended so long as you remember to write in couplets. Paul shows us how this is done.

 What is the opposite of new?
Stale gum that's hard to chew
A hot-dog roll as hard as rock
Or a soiled and smelly forgotten sock

 You might notice that some of Paul's opposite Poems begin with a question. The remainder of the poem answer the question posed.

 Opposite poems are a challenge, but it is a challenge worth trying. Not every thing has an opposite and not every word has an easy to find rhyming partner. 

 It might be a good idea to begin by brainstorming a list of feelings, thoughts and objects that clearly possess opposites. Make a quick list in your writer's notebook. Adjectives are a good place to begin when looking for opposites.
Paul advises young poets not to be satisfied writing all two line Opposite Poems. Try and challenge yourself to compose a four line poem. 


 So, with Paul Janeczko's sound advice in my head, I had some fun creating my own opposite poems.

 OPPOSITE POSITIONS

 I think the opposite of skinny
Is the bottom on my Auntie Minnie

 What is the opposite of dark?
A flashlight beam- bold and stark

 What is the opposite of  fit?
Someone who prefers to sit

 The opposite of sweet, I think
Are my brother's shoes-they really stink

 The opposite of underwear
Are the clothes on top, we wear out there

 And if purple has an opposite
I'm certain I can't think of it

 The very opposite of happy
Is someone cranky, nasty, snappy
It's screaming, yelling, don't come near
It's go away, don't want you here

 The very opposite of morning
Is late at night when I start yawning
It's darkness falling around
When nightfall covers all the ground

UPDATE: This poem has been included in my latest anthology, What The Poemster Found.' published in 2019. In fact it is the lead off poem...



Finally, I give you this poem by Richard Wilbur.

 Some Opposites
What is the opposite of riot?
It’s lots of people keeping quiet.

The opposite of doughnut? Wait
A minute while I meditate.
This isn’t easy. Ah, I’ve found it!
A cookie with a hole around it.

What is the opposite of two?
A lonely me, a lonely you.

The opposite of a cloud could be
A white reflection in the sea,
Or a huge blueness in the air,
Caused by a cloud’s not being there.

The opposite of opposite?
That’s much too difficult. I quit.
Opposite Poems, give them a try... 


Comments

  1. Sally Murphy22 July 2016 at 17:40

    Love these. Thanks for sharing them. I think my favourite image is of cookie as the opposite of doughnut.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright23 July 2016 at 09:56

      Thanks Sally. These poems do bring an inherent challenge, but they are fun to compose.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous29 July 2016 at 23:40

      Methinks that would be mine, too. Looking forward to trying some of these myself!

      Delete
  2. mbhmaine22 July 2016 at 21:59

    These are such fun! I can't wait to introduce opposite poems to my students and I'm looking forward to playing around with them myself. (Poor Aunt Minnie to be immortalized thus!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright23 July 2016 at 09:57

      Hi Molly, have fun! Afterall, poetry is about wordplay.

      Delete
  3. Tabatha22 July 2016 at 22:36

    Great post, Alan! I enjoyed these examples. Looks like fun to try!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright23 July 2016 at 09:58

      Thank you Tabatha. I urge you you to give it a try.

      Delete
  4. Linda B22 July 2016 at 23:02

    Love these, and your "opposite of fit", Alan. They look easy, but imagine they aren't, as you said.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright23 July 2016 at 10:00

      You're right Linda. There is a challenge, but what a buzz when you find the words that fit as opposites.

      Delete
  5. Julieanne23 July 2016 at 01:01

    So fun to read. But a challenge to create!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright23 July 2016 at 10:01

      Thank you Julieanne. Well, we all need challenges. Go for it!

      Delete
  6. Joy23 July 2016 at 05:36

    Alan, I want to follow your posts. How can I do that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright23 July 2016 at 10:03

      Hi Joy, you can subscribe at my writing blog 'Living Life Twice' which has a link to this poetry blog. Glad you want to join in on the journey.

      Delete
  7. Tara23 July 2016 at 06:56

    Such fun! I'll have to try this with my students in the Fall.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright23 July 2016 at 10:04

      Hi Tara, I have no doubt you will give this a go and that you and your students will produce words that sing.

      Delete
  8. Mary Lee23 July 2016 at 07:51

    Fun! I'll have to try one of these!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright23 July 2016 at 10:06

      It is indeed fun Mary Lee. Jump right in and create your own, I say.

      Delete
  9. Unknown25 September 2017 at 09:52

    Oh no! Oh yessss! This style is simply difficult! It really makes you focus on the pictures your words are making.
    Have written some myself and now ready to give the kids a go ... will let you know.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Molly Hogan4 March 2018 at 12:11

    I love these opposite poems. I am definitely going to try this. Thanks for sharing such wonderful examples, yours, Paul Janeczko's and Richard Wilbur's.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright4 March 2018 at 13:49

      One of my favourite compositions Molly. I can't wait to include it in an anthology.

      Delete
  11. Cheriee Weichel27 April 2019 at 03:33

    Thanks for the inspiration Alan. I enjoyed reading all of these opposite poems. I like the combination of humour and profundity. I will have to try this out this week - only four more poems to write for this month's challenge!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright7 May 2019 at 09:08

      Glad you liked them Cheriee. They have proved extremely popular. I often practice them randomly when the thought visits me.

      Delete
  12. Carol Varsalona13 February 2021 at 14:35

    Well done, Alan!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright16 February 2021 at 23:00

      Thank you Carol. It was fun in the making.

      Delete
    2. Carol Varsalona10 October 2021 at 23:16

      I always enjoy coming to your blog posts, Alan.

      Delete
  13. Carol Varsalona9 September 2022 at 23:37

    Alam, I loved these poems and the how to information that I am including it on the resource page of my keynote presentations for teachers this year. Thanks for your creativity and humor in your selections.

    ReplyDelete

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