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Patterns in Poetry -Valerie Worth

 In my search for suitable text examples to share with teachers for shared reading, I found myself returning yet again to Valerie Worth's wonderful collection of short poems about everyday items- 'All The Small Poems and Fourteen More.' 

Poetry along with other text types deserve to be represented in the texts chosen for shared reading. Valerie Worth's  poetry possesses much to inform young readers about writing and the ways in which poets play with language and structure.









Valerie's poem 'Backyard' sets up a pattern of unrhymed couplets, where initially the first line is long and the second line short. This pattern continues through five successive couplets, at which point she reverses the order. 

The poet demonstrates total control here, deciding when to flip the line length. We can infer from the poet's clever pattern change that she has done this to signify a change in the prevailing weather in the backyard, resulting from the hanging out of washing. 

It's a dramatic change, precipitated by the hanging out of the washing and the arrival of the fresh wind rushing through the items hung on the clothesline. A simple act has brought dramatic change to the backyard. This change justifies the flipping over of the line length. It's as if everything is turned upside down. 

backyard

Sun in the backyard
Grows lazy,

Dozing on the porch steps
All morning,

Getting up and nosing
About corners,

Gazing into an empty
Flowerpot,

Later easing over the grass
For a nap

Unless
Someone hangs out the wash-

Which changes
Everything to a rush and a clap

Of wet
Cloth, and fresh wind

And sun
Wide awake in the white sheets.

Valerie Worth





It is Poetry Friday again and this time our host is Irene Latham at Live Your Poem. This week, Irene is exploring the idea of patience and presents a number of poems that explore that very idea. Please visit Irene and discover more...

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Comments

  1. Linda Mitchell28 January 2022 at 22:19

    Loooooooooove this poem. I can't believe I don't have this book. I've seen it referenced so many times. I need to fix that gap in my collection right away. I love that you are working with poetry and teachers. What fun...what worthy work.

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    1. Alan j Wright29 January 2022 at 14:50

      It's a keeper, Linda. You will not regret purchasing Valerie Worth's book -well Worth it! I am trying to broaden the range of text types teachers deem suitable for shared reading, so poetry is high on my list of suitable inclusions.

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  2. Liz Garton Scanlon29 January 2022 at 05:40

    I've always loved her Small Poems -- thanks so much for this reminder.

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    1. Alan j Wright29 January 2022 at 14:51

      That makes two of us Liz. Glad you enjoyed revisiting part of Valerie Worth's treasury of short poems.

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  3. Ruth29 January 2022 at 09:19

    Such a perfect poem! Thanks for sharing it!

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    1. Alan j Wright29 January 2022 at 14:54

      Thank you, Ruth. My pleasure. It's always a gift to be able to share a poem that genuinely rouses you to think- this deserves wider acknowledgement.

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  4. Mary Lee30 January 2022 at 00:26

    I would hope that after a shared reading of this poem with students, THEY will be encouraged to notice the patterns and the shifts and make conjectures about why the poet chose to flip the line lengths (and what that adds to the meaning in the poem)! We did this kind of work in my class on a weekly basis. I learned the instructional move from Tara Smith. "Unpacking Poems." It's amazing what learners will find when we provide them with a rich text like this one!

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    1. Alan j Wright30 January 2022 at 14:51

      Here's hoping, Mary Lee. This is the important work that can be undertaken when shared reading embraces a broad range of genres. The secret lies in uncovering these rich texts and presenting them as the gift they are. We are very much together on this.

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  5. jama30 January 2022 at 02:47

    Wonderful poem -- I need to get that book too. :)

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    1. Alan j Wright30 January 2022 at 14:53

      You will not be disappointed, Jama. It is a wonderful reminder to take the time to celebrate everyday objects. There is magic everywhere, if only we are looking.

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  6. Rose Cappelli30 January 2022 at 03:16

    Thanks for reminding me of this book! I used it quite a bit when teaching, but now I want to dig it out just for fun.

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    1. Alan j Wright30 January 2022 at 14:53

      There is joy in revisiting old treasure Rose- enjoy!

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  7. Carol Varsalona30 January 2022 at 06:15

    Alan, the poem is such a visual one and the format is just right. Valerie Worth is an amazing poet. I will log this poem into a folder for teacher prep. Thank you.

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    1. Alan j Wright30 January 2022 at 14:55

      It pleases me immensely that you see the potential in this poem, Carol. I hope they see and appreciate its inherent qualities.

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  8. Elisabeth31 January 2022 at 01:55

    Oh I love this! Thank you for sharing this poem, and telling us about this book. Definitely another one to add to my collection. One can never have too many books of poems or about poetry!

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    1. Alan j Wright31 January 2022 at 12:04

      My pleasure Elisabeth. Fully concur with your final sentence.

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  9. Janice Scully31 January 2022 at 11:36

    I love the form of this poem. I have this book and I so admire her little poems that are so utterly beautiful. Thank you for sharing this, Alan.

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    1. Alan j Wright31 January 2022 at 12:05

      Thank you, Janice. I think it's a ripper! I am glad to share such a poetic pearl.

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