1. { Ode to Poetry Turn Ordinary into Extraordinary

2.  An ode is a poem that is about one specific thing that you think is truly amazing and praiseworthy.  This type of poem can be centered upon a person, an object, or something abstract like a feeling or an idea. An Ode

3.  What really makes you emotional, either in a positive or negative way?  Think of a person, concept, place or thing that you are deeply connected to.  Focus on the many nuances of a single thing. Just get emotional.

4.  Odes are traditionally very long  Start by splitting up your poem into groups, or stanzas, of ten lines.  Many traditional odes have three to five of these stanzas, but if you want to write more, by all means do! Size matters.

5. Five-legged pocket spiders, knuckled starfish, grabbers of forks, why do I forget that you love me: your willingness to button my shirts, tie my shoes—even scratch my head! which throbs like a traffic jam, each thought leaning on its horn… Ode to My Hands by Tim Seibles

6. I say to the flower stand man: Beautiful flowers at your flower stand, man. I’ll take a dozen of the lilies. I’m standing as it were on my knees I’m standing as it were on my knees Before a little man up on a raised Runway altar where his flowers are arrayed Along the outside of the shop. I take my flames and pay inside. Ode to Spring Frederick Seidel, 1936

7.  Pick an ordinary object, relationship or moment that you feel passionately about.  Write an Ode of at least 3 stanzas that shows us the amazingness of your topic. Now Write