The “Ode” Poem We rarely proclaim or praise the people, places, and things that enrich our lives. W.H. Auden said, “There is only one thing poetry must do: it must praise all it can for being and happening.” Odes are usually dedicated to monumental heroes or ideas. Pablo Neruda, however, revolutionized the form of odes to everyday things.

Pablo Neruda Ode to bread Bread, you rise from flour, water and fire. Dense or light, flattened or round, you duplicate the mother's rounded womb, and earth's twice-yearly swelling. How simple you are, bread, and how profound! You line up on the baker's powdered trays like silverware or plates or pieces of paper and suddenly life washes Ode to My Socks Mara Mori brought me a pair of socks which she knitted herself with her sheepherder's hands, two socks as soft as rabbits. I slipped my feet into them as if they were two cases knitted with threads of twilight and goatskin, Violent socks, my feet were two fish made of wool, two long sharks sea blue, shot through by one golden thread, two immense blackbirds, two cannons, my feet were honored in this way by these heavenly socks. They were so handsome for the first time my feet seemed to me unacceptable like two decrepit firemen, firemen unworthy of that woven fire, of those glowing socks.

Ode to everyday things Odes are poems that celebrate everyday things. They should be fun but also descriptive. What features in the world are most special to you? Shall I compare thee to a piece of toast? Thou art more scrumptious and delectable: Unevenly the elements may glow’st, And sticking levers are detestable: Sometimes too long the slice of bread doth roast, And seldom do the crumbs not make a mess; And often it is much too sweet for most, If one should drizzle honey in excess; But thy eternal warmth shall never cool, Nor shall thee lose thy lovely golden hue; And I’ll rejoice that fate hath not been cruel, Each morning on beholding thee anew; On this perception all the world agrees, That no delicious bread’s divine as thee.

Your Turn Pick a one of a kind object Pick a thing, not a feeling like love or peace. Brainstorm all the reasons this object is amazing and why you like it so much on one side of your paper.

Ode Poem Must be at least 15 lines Must have rhythm, flow well Must be an ode to an ordinary thing Must be easily read, neat, and on clean unmarked paper Must include your brainstorm on the back Must include original title!!