‘Legends say people are still staring’: Personification Poems

After students read Frank O’Hara’s poem, ‘A True Account of Talking to the Sun at Fire Island’, they crafted their own poems using personification to ‘talk to’ a non-human/ non-talking object.

” Creative writing provides a safe, judgment-free zone where students can explore their emotions, identities, and thoughts. It allows them to find their own voice and share personal stories, leading to improved self-worth.”-Connections Academy

Ms. Wright, 7th Grade, Group One

Talking to Shoes by Amy L.

 

I woke up in the morning and a

Shoe spoke to me saying

“Don’t walk on me!

I hate it when you do.”

 

I looked at the shoe and said

“I need more sleep. 

I’m starting to hallucinate.”

Then I went back to bed.

 

The shoe spoke again

Saying “Hey! Don’t ignore me!

I’m talking to you!”

 

I looked at it again and said

“I need to stop staying

Up so late every single day.”

And I proceeded to sleep

Talking to a City by David C.

 

 

I woke this morning and a city 

spoke to me

Saying “I can provide anything for you.”

“Really?” I questioned

“Yes. Everything you want is here.”

 

“Get up from bed and explore.”

“Why should I get up?” I say as

I bury myself in my blanket.

The city started to continuously 

Make sounds you would hear

In a city.

 

Honking noises,

People talking,

Drills drilling,

Sirens sounding.

“Why do you want me to wake up so badly?!”

I yelled out

“Because there is much for you to explore.”

 

I decide to listen to the city

And explore.

As I explore,

I thank the city 

And it thanks me back.

Talking to a Pot by Eddie C.

I woke up in the morning,

And I came out into the kitchen.

“I’m so stressed,” I exclaimed.

 

But then a pot started talking to me

“What’s wrong?” it asked

“I can’t do my work in time,

There’s too much.”

 

“Why don’t you do it slowly?”

It asked, 

“But then I can’t do it in time!” I said,

“You always cook with me on low heat and slowly,

and you still get your cooking done”.

“Why can’t you do the same with your work?”

 

Ms. Wright, 7th Grade, Group Two

A Guidence to Home by Brian T.

As I steer the ship, I realize

“THE GPS IS BROKEN!!

Omg what do I do???”

That’s when I saw a bright light

 

I knew it was a lighthouse

As the ship moved closer 

The anchor dropped next

To the lighthouse island

 

“Hi, what’s up with you?” the lighthouse said

“Help, my GPS is broken. I don’t know how to

Get home.” I studdered

“Oh! Don’t worry, I’ve been here all my life!

Go South, over there is Chicago.”

 The lighthouse explained.

 

“THANK YOU SO MUCH!!” I exclaimed

“Don’t worry, that’s what I do,” Lighthouse said back

“Alright, I’ll be on my way. Have a great rest of your day.”

I said as I removed the anchor and sailed away 

To reach the place I call,

My home.

 

A Lamb to the Slaughter by Pinyan O.

 

Visiting a farm

I walk around.

I see various animals

Round and round.

 

But then,

I spot a lamb.

“Why are you so concerned?”

I ask.

I didn’t expect an answer,

Until it gave an answer back.

“It’s just how it always has been.”

 

I thought I was insane

Hearing an animal talking to me.

I spin around

to see if it was a prank.

No one was looking.

 

“Can I ask you why?”

“Most animals are raised to the fullest and then sent

somewhere distant.”

“Then what happens?”

I questioned with a frown.

 

“They are then turned into products

People used it day after day.

Like the clothes you wear

And the food you eat.”

 

The lamb looks up, looking very seriously.

“Will humans eat animals that could

Talk?”

It shook me to the core.

 

When I arrive home,

Dinner is served.

I look at the chicken that is prepared

And the only thing I could do

I think of what the lamb said.

 

A Chaotic Conversation with the Uncontrollable Feet by Sharon C.

 My left foot leaped  

                                                          forward
Leaving the right 

All alone in a split position,

                                                                                                 bended

 “What the heck?” 

I mumbled to myself.

 “Is this what you call chorea? 

Oh, nah”

 I tried to get up with my hands.

My feet were as still as a Barbie doll,

 Frozen in place.

 I smacked my shoe. 

 

“Ow! Why are you hitting me, human?!”

 I hit my shoe again, twice. 

The right one this time.

I looked around, 

lushful grass in the park

filled with dogs walking people.

 People’s eyes watching me

 Like I’m a crazy person! 

Then, I realized.

“Wait… D-did you… just talk…?

 I’m in a dream right?

 Right? 

Right? 

Oh, shucks.”

 

 I accepted this reality,

 Rather quickly. 

I mean, black holes exist as well…? 

So, a talking foot can too…?

I thought to myself.

I help you walk, and this is how you treat me? 

Wow.” 

The now angered foot responds. 

“Well, how do you expect me to answer a talking foot?! 

Especially mine as well!”

“Is it only the left foot…?” 

I blurted to the limbs.

“No,”

 It said nonchalantly 

As it made the right foot reach 

Into a split. 

A SPLIT.

“Yeowch! Why would you do that?!”

 I yelped in the tingling pain.

“Ugh…”

 

“How come I only noticed you

now?” I whispered to my feet.

“Well, you’re always staring at your phone instead of me. 

Of course you wouldn’t notice!” 

Ranted the left and right feet.

“Oh yeah, that’s true…” I mumbled.

 

“Whatever, whatever. 

Can we just go now, human?!”

“Um, how am I supposed to when

 YOU’RE MAKING ME BE IN A SPLIT?!” 

The two argued. 

“Nah, you’re just sitting like that, 

I never did 

anything.”

“Wow, now you’re just being ignorant.

The two bickered 

back and forth.

 

Legends say people are still staring

At the crazy girl doing the splits,

Talking to themselves

In the middle of a park

That is long dead.