Holiday Personas - The Chicago Poetry Center

Holiday Personas

This week was all about the winter holidays for Hale’s 3rd-5th grade afterschool poets. On Tuesday we read the poem, “December 31,” by Amy VanDerwater. In her poem VanDerwater uses rhyme and repetition to show readers how she gets ready to welcome in a New Year. I ready with my noisemaker/ I’m ready with my hat/ I’m ready with my bowl of shrimp/ I’m sharing with the cat. Together we wrote a class poem about how we will get ready for 2022.

On Wednesday we read the poem “Christmas Tree,” by 8th grade Haugan Elementary student Evelyn P. In her poem Evelyn uses a persona, which is when a poet writes in the voice and point of view of a person, place, or object. Evelyn’s takes on the voice of a Christmas Tree. I shine at night/ lighting up the house/ I make my family happy/ I may be made of plastic/ but I have life. By writing in the persona of a Christmas tree, Evelyn helps readers understand the thoughts and feelings of this special tree that we take for granted.

Inspired by the holiday season students wrote persona poems using the voices of familiar Christmas characters. Please enjoy these poems and artwork to help you get into the holiday spirit. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

Ms. Degiulio's After School 3rd-5th Grade

Ready For New Year's 3rd-5th Hale Students

I’m ready with my Yeti.
I’m ready for the new year on the pier.
I’m ready with my sibling on the pier
and ready to cheer. I’m ready
for Christmas and New Year.
I’m ready to cut pizza pie.
I’m ready to wear my glitter tie.
I’m ready for the countdown.
I’m ready to have my New Year’s crown.
I’m ready with Freddy.
I’m ready to wear my blue dress,
My brother’s a mess.

Rudolph Matthew G.

I have a red nose.
I love to fly.
I guide and lead Santa’s reindeer team.
I eat carrots.
I go with Santa wherever he goes.
I like to play with bells.
I also like candy canes.

Emily the Elf Milania G.

Hi, I read the elf book.
Hi, I will be watching you.
My favorite food is marshmallows.
Be good, do your homework.

Hi, I painted Milania’s dad’s toenails.
Hi, I drew minions on the bananas.
Hi, I am swinging on the chandelier.
I write on the mirror.

Santa Federico R.

Jingle Bells, jingle jingle.
My booming laugh, Ho Ho Ho.
On my sleigh with a whoosh.
With my jolly laugh, Merry Christmas.
My reindeer role call: Rudolph, Dasher, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen!
Please leave me some takis, I’m tired of cookies.
My elves go Chop, Chop, Christmas is almost here!