Unit 2 Poems

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of poetry? Brainstorm What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of poetry?

Definition a piece of writing in which the words are chosen for their sound and the images they suggest, not just for their obvious meanings. The words are arranged in separate lines, usually with a repeated rhythm, and sometimes the lines thyme at the end.

Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is a speaking picture. ——Simonides, ancient Greek writer Poetry comes nearer to vital truth than history. ——Plato

The song feels the infinite in the air, the picture in the earth, the poem in the air and the earth; For its words have meaning that walks and music that soars. ——Tagore

A Few Simple Forms of English Poems

Skimming What is the main topic of the reading passage? What’s the main idea of the first paragraph? What five kids of poems does the reading passage talk about?

Close-reading A Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Papa's going to buy you a mockingbird. If that mockingbird won't sing, Papa's going to buy you a diamond ring. If that diamond ring turns to brass, Papa's going to buy you a looking-glass. If that looking-glass gets broke, Papa's going to buy you a billy-goat. If that billy-goat runs away, Papa's going to buy you another today.

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Row your boat Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream. Sleep, time to dream.

B Which last words in the lines rhyme? How many things have been listed in poem B? What are they? What do they have in common?

C We would have won… If Jack had scored that goal, What does the author mean by this sentence? 2. Did his team win the game? 3. Can you express the same thing in different words?

C How many excused did the author make for their defeat? Write down three of them. Does the author really believe his excuses? How do you know?

D E How many syllables are there in each line of poem D and E? Do the authors like the subjects? What make you think so? Which word sum up the whole poem?

D E Try to write your own cinquains: Decide what you would like to write about. Brainstorm words and phrases that have to do with your idea. Write your words and phrases in an order that tells your story, being sure to count the syllables as you go.

F G What does Haiku have in common with the cinquain? What does a butterfly have to do with a fallen blossom in poem F? What kind of feeling is conveyed in poem G?

H What is the story that poem H tells? Tell the story in your own words. What feelings do you think the woman in poem H has? Give your reason?

loneliness love trust sorrow The woman may have the feelings of : she was alone watching her husband on the mountain top. love she waited year after year despite wind and rain. trust she believed her husband would come back one day. sorrow year after year, she waited and waited without seeing any hope of her husband coming back, she was very sad.

Which one do you prefer, the original poem or the translation? Why? Do you think poems can be translated?

Poetry is what is lost in translation ——Robert L. Frost 译诗也应当是诗，这是我们所最不能忘记的。译诗应当忠于原文。 ——成仿吾《译诗论》 以诗译诗 ——郭沫若

Poetry Appreciation

Lady Greensleeves Alas, my love, you do me wrong, To cast me off discourteously.  For I have courted you so long,  Delighting in your company.  Greensleeves was all my joy,  Greensleeves was my delight,  Greensleeves my heart of gold,  And who but my lady greensleeves. 

So, Greensleeves now farewell adieu, May good fortune prosper thee So, Greensleeves now farewell adieu, May good fortune prosper thee. For I am still thy lover true, Oh, come once again and love me. Greensleeves was all my joy,  Greensleeves was my delight,  Greensleeves was my heart of gold,  And who but my lady greensleeves.

我思断肠，伊人不臧。 Alas my love, you do me wrong 弃我远去，抑郁难当。 To cast me off discourteously 我心相属，日久月长。 For I have courted you all so long 与卿相依，地老天荒。 Delighting in your company 绿袖招兮，我心欢朗。 Greensleeves was all my joy 绿袖飘兮，我心痴狂。 Greensleeves was my delight 绿袖摇兮，我心流光。 Greensleeves was my heart of gold 绿袖永兮，非我新娘。 And who but my Lady Greensleeves

绿袖去矣，付与流觞。 So, Greensleeves now farewell adieu, 我燃心香，寄语上苍。 May good fortune prosper thee. 我心犹炽，不灭不伤。 For I am still thy lover true, 伫立垅间，待伊归乡。 Oh, come once again and love me. 绿袖招兮，我心欢朗。 Greensleeves was all my joy 绿袖飘兮，我心痴狂。 Greensleeves was my delight 绿袖摇兮，我心流光。 Greensleeves was my heart of gold 绿袖永兮，非我新娘。 And who but my Lady Greensleeves

Homework Listen to the poem “I’ve saved the summer” and then read it. Finish the exercises 1、2、3 on page 14-15. Review the words and expressions of the text.

Thank You!