Poetry Break

Forgotten
by Eric Metzdorf

Introduction:
This poem has been written in an unusual form that is known as free verse. The poem is a combination of short one word lines and longer lines consisting of two to six words. A young child created this poem. It is a wonderful poem written in free verse with descriptive details. The poem does not rhyme but the language used enhances the rhythm. This nine year old child is sending a strong message.

Metzdorf, Eric. "Forgotten," in For the Good of the Earth and Sun, ed. Georgia Heard,146. New Hampshire: Heinemann, 1989.

Forgotten

Long,
brown hair
cascades
over her shoulders.
Shoulders over-burdened
with duty,
or maybe guilt.

I see her face,
pale and tight
with lines of exhaustion
etched in patterns
like artwork.

Her beautiful hair
tied
in an ugly
ball
on the back of her head.

Through gentle wisps of hair,
I see
my mother.

Erik Metzdorf, age 9

Extension: Use this poem as an example to children between the ages of 8 - 10 to demonstrate how a poem sounds without the normal rhythm and rhyme. Beginning writers of poetry could experiment using their own writing techniques and words to put on paper what they are feeling inside or to send a descriptive message. Children would feel more relaxed in creating their own works if they realize that the lines in a poem does not have to always end with rhyming words.