Mrs. McCoy 7 th Grade Reading

A “Memory Poem” is exactly what it sounds like! A poem about a memory. Not just any memory! This memory should be special to you and stick out in your mind. Many famous country and R&B singers have made their memory poems famous! Can you think of any?

House that Built Me- Miranda Lambert Over You- Miranda Lambert In Color- Jamey Johnson Laughed Until We Cried- Jason Aldean Tattoos on this Town- Jason Aldean Check Yes or No- George Strait 100 Years- Five for Fighting

Tag! Heart pounding, eyes wandering I descend the staircase Shoes shuffling through the grime Whatever awaits me isn’t making a sound As I draw closer, My heart starts racing The darkness surrounds me My ears begin to pop The stairs start to creak I can feel the moisture in the air The walls are closing in The door nears All of a sudden it swings open In a split second I turn and sprint up the stairs Sally yells at me from behind She’ll never tag me As soon as I burst through the door at the top I run to the safest hiding place- The UPS truck “Ha! She’ll never find me here!” While giggling to myself, I don’t notice the truck crank up When I finally feel it moving beneath me I realize what big trouble I am in. “Tag!” is a poem about a fun memory. This student remembers the sensory feelings he had when playing hide and seek tag and the BIG mistake he made! Sometimes, for effect, you can write memory poems in the present tense. This allows you to focus on the conventions of that specific moment. Identify the sound devices and sensory language this student uses.

Amanda I remember she was on the stool I remember something was funny I remember we were in the kitchen And it was dark not sunny I remember something made her laugh I remember the joy on her face I remember she leaned back in her chair And almost fell out of place I remember the call a couple of days later I remember starting to cry I remember thinking to myself I just don’t understand why The smile of an angel The warmth of that laugh The center of attention The beauty in the path A best friend, a neighbor Someone beloved by all Just another wilting rose Who couldn’t help but fall How is the mood of this poem different from “Tag!”? Some memories are more emotional than others. This can be difficult for the author, but often these poems are the most productive for both the growth of the writer and the reader.

“Cinnamon Rolls with Grandma” Mix it up, mix it up Yeast, milk, and flour Stir it up, stir it up Use a lil’ arm power Roll it flat, roll it flat Smooth like a pancake Roll it flat, roll it flat Gotta get ready to bake A little sugar A little cinnamon Lots and lots of butter “Now put your little hands next to mine; We’ll roll them together. Not too slow, not too fast Let’s do this together.” “Dental floss?” I ask. “Yes, to cut them into rolls.” “This is weird, I say.” A smile for all my toils. On the pan, on the pan Wait for them to grow. On the pan, on the pan In the oven, they will go. Together, together We sit and eat joyfully Together, together My grandma and me How is the mood of this poem still special but different than the mood of “Amanda”? What sound devices are used by this student? How does that contribute to the mood?

Directions for your Memory Poem: 1. Pick a favorite memory or a moment in your life that is meaningful to you. Brainstorm about this memory by making a list or web diagram of everything you remember. 2. This memory can be something that you experienced, or it can be about a person who is/was close to you. 3. Draft a sloppy copy. Make sure to show emotion in your poem. Show your reader why this memory is important to you. 4. Remember to use your POETRY TOOLS! You must use at least 1 type of figurative language and 1 sound device. 5. Try to answer these questions in your poem: - What is your memory about? - Who was there? - Where were you? - What did you see? - Are there sounds, smells, and tastes in your memory? (Think of the 5 senses.) 6. Peer Review your sloppy copy. 7. Create a final, published copy with a title and your name.