Persona Poem |
Don’t write what you know; write who you aren’t.
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A persona poem is told from the perspective of the speaker (first person narrative). For example you may want to write a poem from the perspective of your cell phone, your mirror, your little siblings favorite stuffed animal. Some people call this the mask poem because you 'put on' the mask of whatever you are writing about. You become the person or thing telling the story.
Some Examples
TOM CAT
I won’t pretend To be your friend. I won’t sit-up or beg. I won’t lie down Or turn around Or heel beside your leg. I won’t chase trucks Or rubber ducks Thrown into the air. I won’t bark After dark At things that aren’t there. I won’t growl Or try to howl Just to get my way. I won’t poop Out on the stoop Every other day. I won’t care If you’re not there Or if you want to play. I come and go Because I know A Tom Cat gets his way! --Charles Ghigna |
Coward Crocodile
My snout is long, my teeth are sharp, my bite is hard and strong. But when I see a slimy eel, I squeal and scream “So long!” I run with speed, my claws can scratch, my tail can crush a stone. So why do I cry in the dark when I am left alone? I don’t like bugs or snakes or storms, nor my cousins in the Nile! Sometimes I even scare myself-- I’m just a coward crocodile. “Coward Crocodile” by Renée LaTulippe. |