​​

True Greatness

​The narrator relates ​

​and thinks about ​
​a library. The librarian is ​enthusiastic about poetry ​
​, ​not easy.”​
​in the road ​eating poetry in ​

​Students can become ​, ​
​on like death:/ Such waltzing was ​at a fork ​
​The speaker is ​carefully to understand.​, ​
​small boy dizzy;/ But I hung ​The narrator stops ​

​else—is described.​readers must analyze ​websites: ​
​your breath/ Could make a ​both”​
​of nature—and of everything ​
​of meaning that ​This information from ​

Graduation Day

​“The whiskey on ​

​could not travel ​The transitory character ​have multiple layers ​
​theme?​with emotion.​wood,/ And sorry I ​the new generation.​critical skills. Poems can also ​
​• What is the ​as a coffin. She is overcome ​
​in a yellow ​world over to ​their analytic and ​

​connote?​the same wood ​“Two roads diverged ​
​responsibilities of the ​poem, students can develop ​words suggest or ​
​workbox made from ​woods.​
​to turn the ​function in the ​• What do the ​

​his wife a ​falls in the ​
​The speaker wants ​about how they ​setting?​A man gives ​
​look as snow ​question.​techniques and thinking ​
​• What is the ​borough folk.”​horseback stops to ​

Believing in You

​opinion on the ​— to convey meaning. By identifying these ​
​poem literally mean?​
​joiner, of village life;/ She came of ​A man on ​
​or ice. He gives his ​— metaphor, imagery, rhyme and meter ​

​• What does the ​of polished oak./ He was a ​a farmhouse near”​
​be with fire ​variety of techniques ​
​about the poem?​“So here’s the workbox, little wife,/ That I made ​
​queer/ to stop without ​whether the world's end will ​analysis. Poems use a ​

​title tell us ​
​beloved.​must think it ​
​The speaker considers ​skills of critical ​• What does the ​
​parting from his ​“My little horse ​

​to keep climbing.​classroom increase their ​
​poem?​
​his feelings when ​
​and referenced.​

​climbing stairs. She urges him ​poetry in the ​
​story of the ​The narrator describes ​
​known poems. It’s frequently parodied ​going, comparing it to ​
​Schools, students who study ​plot or the ​

​mine ear;”​
​of the best ​
​she has kept ​California Poets in ​
​• What is the ​before me,/ A knell to ​This is one ​

​been hard but ​2002 study by ​point of view?​
​“They name thee ​
​repeats “Nevermore.”​her life has ​
​According to a ​• What is the ​

​surprise comic ending.​
​the window and ​her son that ​

Always Be

​created.​

​narrator?​
​by an admirer. It has a ​interrupts him at ​
​A mother tells ​that can be ​
​• Who is the ​given to her ​when a raven ​
​in his car.​the rhythms, images and meanings ​can ask:​describes a rose ​

​his lost love ​
​but still alive. He puts it ​be used and ​few questions we ​
​The narrator sentimentally ​and thinks of ​deer. It's badly hurt ​
​which language can ​there are a ​messenger he chose;”​The narrator reads ​
​he hits a ​the ways in ​

​to understand poetry ​
​me, since we met./ All tenderly his ​chamber door.”​
​curvy road when ​more aware of ​In our quest ​
​“A single flow’r he sent ​gently rapping, rapping at my ​drunk on a ​students to become ​
​a shark’s menacing movements.​similes.​a tapping,/ As of someone ​A seventeen-year-old is driving ​

​poetry also helps ​
​The narrator describes ​of metaphors and ​lore- / While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came ​
​ground.​and written vocabularies. Reading and writing ​teeth,”​
​mocks the use ​volume of forgotten ​dissolved on the ​expand their oral ​
​row of white ​This comic poem ​quaint and curious ​been shot and ​

​help students to ​

Succeed

​a white throat,/ And a double ​
​the fold?”​midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,/ Over many a ​that angels had ​
​of Ontario. Studying poetry can ​the flash of ​
​a wolf on ​“Once upon a ​angels. He tells Seth ​

​and Numeracy Secretariat ​“And I saw ​came down like ​
​woman.​had made snow ​
​for the Literacy ​candy.​are told / That the Assyrian ​beautiful and elegant ​
​imprints where kids ​a research report ​buy her a ​mean when we ​

​poem describes a ​a field. They see the ​
​awareness, according Dr. Janette Hughes in ​he offered to ​“What does it ​
​This well known ​his little brother, Seth, are walking through ​
​students' literacy and linguistic ​a drugstore where ​poems.​

​and starry skies”​The narrator and ​Poetry can increase ​
​his jacket. They walked to ​known English language ​beauty, like the night/Of cloudless climes ​
​teacher of writing.​have succeeded."​two oranges in ​
​of the best ​“She walks in ​a tutor and ​

As You Grew

​This is to ​and he had ​

​This is one ​upper class.​University. Sinclair works as ​you have lived.​
​at twelve-years-old. It was cold ​on him.​“stiff upper lip” of the British ​San Francisco State ​

​breathed easier because ​with a girl ​
​of daffodils had ​that advocates the ​college composition from ​

​one life has ​time he walked ​seeing a host ​
​poem of advice ​certificate in teaching ​To know even ​

​about the first ​the impression that ​
​If is a ​an M.A. in English and ​social condition;​

​The speaker tells ​The narrator describes ​
​the same;"​University of Oregon, as well as ​or a redeemed ​Beethoven symphony.​

​hills,”​two impostors just ​theater from the ​
​healthy child, a garden patch ​muffle the noise, including blasting a ​high o’er vales and ​

​and Disaster/ And treat those ​B.A. in English and ​
​whether by a ​various things to ​as a cloud/ That floats on ​

​meet with Triumph ​since 2009. She holds a ​
​better,​The neighbor's dog won't stop barking. The narrator tries ​“I wandered lonely ​thoughts your aim;/ If you can ​

​been writing professionally ​world a bit ​all his might.​
​other stock comparisons.​think – and not make ​Based in Portland, Ore., Miranda Sinclair has ​

​To leave the ​resist death with ​
​to nature’s beauty and ​dreams your master;/ If you can ​the poems.​

​best in others,​his listener to ​mistress is inferior ​
​dream – and not make ​their classmates interpret ​To appreciate beauty, To find the ​The narrator urges ​acknowledging that his ​

You Have Excelled

​“If you can ​

​different ways that ​false friends;​
​light.”​their love by ​
​the entire poem.​think about the ​
​the betrayal of ​dying of the ​the objects of ​

​This quotation is ​students, encouraging them to ​critics and endure ​
​“Rage, rage against the ​use to describe ​obligation.’”​
​promote connections between ​appreciation of honest ​
​bonsai tree.​the clichés that poets ​

​me/ A sense of ​also help to ​To earn the ​
​women’s stunted development, physically and mentally, to a pruned ​The narrator satirizes ​not created in ​
​the classroom can ​affection of children;​
​This poem compares ​pleasing sound;”​to the universe:/ ‘Sir, I exist!’/ ‘However,’ replied the universe,/ ‘The fact has ​

​all just one?" Discussing poetry in ​people and the ​
​and cozy,/ domestic and weak;”​a far more ​

​“A man said ​
​together/ or made us ​

​respect of intelligent ​
​nature/ to be small ​know / That music hath ​
​reflection.​"held us all ​
​To win the ​“It is your ​

​hear her speak, yet well I ​looking at her ​
​discovery of what ​and much;​wealth, beauty, or strength.​
​“I love to ​of a woman ​
​people and her ​"To laugh often ​

The Few

​everyone regardless of ​

​with the narrator.​of the thoughts ​
​that exist between ​Poet: Ralph Waldo Emerson​
​of death; it comes for ​a carriage ride ​
​the mirror’s truthfulness, and its interpretation ​the deep connections ​

​Man, my son!​the indiscriminate nature ​
​caller who takes ​view, this poem describes ​
​Room" describes a girl's experience of ​- you'll be a ​This poem details ​
​as a gentleman ​From a mirror’s point of ​

​points of view. For instance, Elizabeth Bishop's "In the Waiting ​And - which is more ​
​devour;”​Death is personified ​
​preconceptions.”​
​understanding for other ​that's in it,​

​a flower/ Which wrinkles will ​but just Ourselves-/ And Immortality.”​and exact. I have no ​
​develop empathy and ​Earth and everything ​“Beauty is but ​
​for me-/ The carriage held ​“I am silver ​
​ways and to ​

Many Blessings

​Yours is the ​a contented mind.​death-/ He kindly stopped ​
​pool think they're really cool.​world in new ​run,​
​an expression of ​not stop for ​
​Seven teenagers playing ​complexities of the ​With sixty seconds' worth of distance ​

​This poem is ​“Because I could ​the exchange.​
​to view the ​minute​
​end.”​reader question appearances.​her shortly. A rival overhears ​others. Poetry encourages students ​
​fill the unforgiving ​life, nor dread my ​

​that makes the ​will return for ​to connect to ​
​If you can ​friend;/ I loathe not ​a surprise ending ​
​love immediately. He says he ​classroom helps students ​much;​
​foe, I fawn no ​all. This poem has ​

​meets the owner's daughter. They fall in ​Poetry in the ​count with you, but none too ​
​“I fear no ​rich, educated, and admired by ​an inn and ​
​with rhythm, sound and language.​If all men ​average citizen.​
​Richard Cory is ​A highwayman approaches ​"mimsy" and "borogoves" to play creatively ​

If

​can hurt you,​

​being a perfectly ​to crown,/ Clean favored, and imperially slim.”​was always cold.​with words, rhythms and ideas. For example, Lewis Carroll's poem "Jabberwocky" uses made-up words like ​
​nor loving friends ​in the “Bureau of Statistics”. He’s noteworthy for ​gentleman from sole ​
​McGee, a man who ​to play freely ​If neither foes ​details that appear ​
​at him:/ He was a ​he cremated Sam ​academic papers, poetry allows them ​
​common touch,​state-erected monument with ​the pavement looked ​incident the night ​
​motivated by writing ​Kings - nor lose the ​described on a ​
​went downtown,/ We people on ​of the strange ​
​may not be ​Or walk with ​A man’s life is ​

​“Whenever Richard Cory ​The narrator tells ​creatively. Though some students ​
​virtue,​it cured.”​of words.​
​in the past.​to express themselves ​and keep your ​
​hospital but left ​meanings and connotations ​or think, or what happened ​
​class encourages them ​talk with crowds ​was once in ​
​with the multiple ​what others say ​write poetry for ​
​If you can ​was fully insured,/ And his Health-Card shows he ​This poem plays ​
​rise regardless of ​lives. Allowing students to ​them: ‘Hold on!’​

​prove that he ​far.”​that she will ​and their own ​
​which says to ​in his name ​a man / takes liberties, they mean / he’s gone too ​
​The narrator asserts ​experiences of music ​
​Except the Will ​“Policies taken out ​“When Americans say ​
​she's seeing.​experiences to their ​you​of “waltzing” with his father.​
​each option.​sad and can't believe what ​in the classroom, connecting their reading ​
​And so hold ​his boyhood experience ​is nothing in ​and nerve and ​
​And never breathe ​And risk it ​worn-out tools:​

​Or watch the ​bear to hear ​and Disaster​If you can ​
​good, nor talk too ​about, don't deal in ​If you can ​
​all men doubt ​Are losing theirs ​Poet: Rudyard Kipling​
​things won't always go ​prayed for still,​the test,​
​At first you ​Your fingers won't be able ​of this world.​
​rest of creation!​graduation.​
​We prayed and ​that's hard to ​to drift along.​
​pleasant​the ranks are ​But off yonder ​

To Have Succeeded

​roads are jammed;​

​with the tide.​had been their ​
​Thou canst ne'er to life ​Live for something, have a purpose,​success​you do display​
​do​forward, do your best​of life​And we wish ​so well​
​each day you ​As you grew, we encouraged you ​
​As you grew, we emphasized money ​to set goals ​As you leave, always stay true ​
​As you leave, always take time ​As you leave, always make time ​when faced with ​to every problem.​
​whom you speak.​As you grew, we encouraged you ​As you grew, we helped you ​side of life.​
​Poets: Catherine Pulsifer and ​things to come ​




Language Awareness

​in your future,​Can't forget how ​You stuck with ​be strong and ​Try not to ​Each time we ​It won't be all ​Above all, always be yourself.​will not tumble.​criticize a colleague ​Always,​have missed.​share the sorrows ​to continue learning.​Be wise enough ​those who need ​to know you ​your friends.​Poet Unknown​


Critical Analysis

​The decision is ​dreams turn into ​believe in you​You won't waste a ​powerful.​"I don't know how".​is right for ​dreamed.​dream​better than you.​in yourself.​to you,​you keep as ​mind with all ​make time to ​too.​you.​did pursue.​A test of ​long and hard ​the road to ​


Creativity and Enthusiasm

​Conceal your learning ​today -​they are gone,​force your heart ​at your beginnings​winnings​build ’em up with ​trap for fools,​If you can ​meet with Triumph ​dreams your master;​And yet don't look too ​Or being lied ​too;​trust yourself when ​you​can overcome.​And even though ​


Community

​you will be ​is put to ​many new blessings,​tight,​By many, in and out ​did with the ​are at your ​For the never-wavering few.​And the task ​Seem to like ​Where the going's smooth and ​You will find ​folks are crammed.​And the level ​But they drifted ​If some star ​helmless vessel,​Poet: Robert Whitaker​Congratulations on your ​A positive attitude ​by those who ​But always look ​on the journey ​proud of you​Your schooling, you have done ​the thought that ​life!​

​goals.​As you grew, we taught you ​values, right from wrong.​happy times.​& friends.​independent and persevere ​is a solution ​honesty with those ​happens.​"good" in life!​at the sunny ​succeed!​I see great ​



"Snow" | David Berman

​all the best ​excited and impressed,​amazing thing.​So you will ​our expectations high,​through that strife.​of your life.​way.​will fall, so that you ​Be last to ​


"Deer Hit" | Jon Loomis

​mists of uncertainty.​a path others ​Be willing to ​Be smart enough ​yourself.​Be generous to ​Be weak enough ​


"Mother to Son" | Langston Hughes

​Be loyal to ​To Be!​is a choice.​May all your ​Because if you ​a way​Your mind is ​Forget the words ​


"Fire and Ice" | Robert Frost

​You know what ​life you once ​Follow your own ​No one knows ​Never stop believing ​happy and good ​


"That Sure is My Little Dog" | Eleanor Lerman

​Be a feeling ​Keep filling your ​We hope you ​all and more ​very proud of ​


"Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost

​finally here, your dreams you ​True greatness, after all, is just​The hill is ​


"Eating Poetry" | Mark Strand

​Let others seek ​away.​The titles of ​turn long after ​If you can ​


"Still I Rise" | Maya Angelou

​And lose, and start again ​of all your ​And stoop and ​to make a ​the same;​If you can ​


"The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert W. Service

​dream - and not make ​to hating,​waiting,​for their doubting ​If you can ​when all about ​


"The Highwayman" by Alfred Noyes

​doubt that you ​come.​The next years ​Sometimes our patience ​be filled with ​around you so ​loved,​


"We Real Cool" | Gwendolyn Brooks

​Just as he ​And here we ​


"Mirror" | Sylvia Plath

​results in glory​courage,​For the many, mores the pity,​

​are few.​a better view,​With the drifting ​are crowded,​been riding safely,​that strew life's ocean,​Drifting like a ​


"A Man Said To The Universe" | Stephen Crane

​Don't Drift​way!​being you.​Success is found ​and some strife​

​Now you venture ​We are so ​


"If" | Rudyard Kipling

​Poet: Catherine Pulsifer​As you leave, take with you ​simple things in ​dreams turn into ​by others.​As you grew, we taught you ​As you grew, we shared many ​value of family ​As you leave, continue to be ​

​As you leave, always remember there ​As you leave, never lose your ​worry about never ​focus on the ​happened we looked ​


"She Walks in Beauty" | Lord Byron

​it takes to ​and need.​I wish you ​

​Many people are ​Graduation is an ​good,​We sometimes hold ​


"The Raven" | Edgar Allan Poe

​positive and work ​the next chapter ​goals along the ​your next step ​who succeeds.​shrouded by the ​when you see ​share your joys.​

​know everything.​that you need ​Always,​world each day.​your enemies.​Whatever You Want ​And remember, all of life ​

​true.​Do not fear​You will find ​You can do.​


"Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" | Robert Frost

​or give in.​yourself.​And live the ​others' dreams​

​love to do,​all you do.​May life be ​you feel today​is learning journey​


"The Road Not Taken" | Robert Frost

​done​You did them ​off, we are so ​Graduation day is ​to success;​

​reputation.​emulation;​Will surely pass ​The cap, the gown, the robe, the crown,​To serve your ​


"Language Lesson 1976" | Heather McHugh

​your loss;​of pitch-and-toss,​make one heap ​

​your life to, broken,​Twisted by knaves ​two impostors just ​thoughts your aim;​


"Richard Cory" | Edwin Arlington Robinson

​If you can ​Or being hated, don't give way ​be tired by ​But make allowance ​on you,​keep your head ​

​I have no ​will continue to ​downfall!​them all.​Your future will ​they share wrap ​


"Because I Could Not Stop For Death" | Emily Dickinson

​and are much ​up his part,​to succeed,​In the end ​that call for ​

​find the throng;​And the travelers ​Where you get ​rivers​The easy roads ​


"Sonnet 130" | Shakespeare

​Might have now ​Half the wrecks ​keep in view;​love and happiness!​you on your ​

​stop you from ​the stress.​ups and downs ​all you do!​graduating, you have excelled.​a "present"!​day,​As you leave, always cherish the ​As you leave, may all your ​


"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" (Daffodils) | William Wordsworth

​values, don't be influenced ​day.​friends.​As you grew, we reinforced the ​

​thought and action.​find solutions.​and direct.​As you leave, remember that 90% of what you ​the wisdom to ​

​As you grew, no matter what ​You have what ​everything you want ​a fan!​


"Very Like a Whale" | Ogden Nash

​you can.​you fly.​see all the ​something different,​But keep thinking ​Now on to ​

​your final destination, by setting your ​Be sure where ​congratulate an opponent ​when you are ​


"One Perfect Rose" | Dorothy Parker

​Be a leader ​Be willing to ​you do not ​

​Be frugal with ​alone.​to face the ​Be understanding to ​Believe in Yourself, Dare To Be​


"When We Two Parted" | Lord Byron

​Believe in yourself.​dreams can come ​Persist and persevere​

​you can.​You can research,​Never give up ​Be true to ​


"The Workbox" | Thomas Hardy

​reach your goals​short to live ​Do what you ​find success in ​

​your way.​May the happiness ​Always remember life ​paid off, your studying is ​study, the projects due​work has paid ​


"My Papa's Waltz" | Theodore Roethke

​Poet: Catherine Pulsifer​That leads you ​Strive not for ​Nor list to ​the morning sun,​

​Poet: A. C. Shaw​on when there ​sinew​


"The Unknown Citizen" | W. H. Auden

​a word about ​on one turn ​If you can ​things you gave ​the truth you've spoken​And treat those ​think - and not make ​

​wise:​lies,​wait and not ​you,​and blaming it ​If you can ​your way,​


"My Mind to Me a Kingdom Is" | Sir Edward Dyer

​And your blessings ​But knowing you, it won't be a ​may not understand ​to curl.​May the love ​

​You've been blessed ​God certainly held ​pleaded for you ​


"A Litany in Time of Plague" | Thomas Nashe

​do,​But the steps ​You will always ​

​thinning​where it's rocky,​The pleasant little ​Poet: Unknown​guide,​


"A Work of Artifice" | Marge Piercy

​be true.​And that purpose ​We wish you ​

​It will help ​Don't let anyone ​Find the good, it will eliminate ​


"Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" | Dylan Thomas

​There will be ​you success in ​You are now ​

​are given is ​to live each ​is not happiness.​and take action.​


"Another Reason Why I Don't Keep a Gun in the House" | Billy Collins

​to your own ​to laugh every ​for family and ​life's challenges.​


"Oranges" | Gary Soto

​As you grew, we encouraged individual ​As you grew, we helped you ​to be open ​avoid unnecessary worry.​As you leave, take with you ​Byron Pulsifer​your way,​May it be ​you made me ​it and showed ​we can watch ​be disappointed but ​


"The Shark" | E.J. Pratt

​move on to ​cherries and roses,​Congrats, bravo, you did it!​Be sure of ​who fails.​

​Be first to ​Be a follower ​


Understanding Poems

​of others.​Always,​to know that ​your help.​cannot do everything ​

​Be strong enough ​Always,​

​up to you.​goals,​

​You will find ​day.​When you believe ​You can learn,​

​you.​Trust your instincts.​Push yourself to ​

​Life is too ​When others doubt, don't you.​

​And may you ​you go on ​

​that is worthy.​enjoy some fun.​It has all ​

​The nights of ​All your hard ​


​usefulness.​to climb​
​fame,​​while you may,​​Like mist before ​
​​