Metamorphosis through Metaphors

For their 5 week of poetry, Twain 6th graders went through a transformation. I asked students if they could change and become one thing, what would it be? The responses were awesome: a taco, the rapper Drake, Spiderman, a painting, and a bird.

Together we read “Alien,” by teen poet Maya Marie Washington, who was spotlighted on the Young Chicago Authors’ blog. Maya used an extended metaphor, to create a spoken word poem, comparing herself to an alien from unknown planet. She also incorporated rhymes and onomatopoeia words to express her unique identity and personality. I’m soft spoken/ My vocabulary is awoken/ I got telekinesis and pens for hands/I’ll glow like a star in my moonlight darkness/When I devour your basic words/I swish, savor it up/spit back lyrics and odes.

Inspired by Maya Marie Washington, students wrote their own metamorphosis poem, comparing themselves to strange and imaginative creatures and people.

Mr. Barr 6th Grade Group 1

Rats By Max G.

I am a rat.
People can’t get enough of me.
I’m everywhere,
except for expensive homes,
always killing friends and family.

I like eating people’s food.
Always delicious.
I love hearing the sizzle of food,
gulp gulp is all I hear.

Oops… I’ve been caught in a trap.

bye, bye

I AM A Lion By Aaliyah M.

I am a lion.
I can run very fast.
I can roar very loud.
I can kill people to save myself.
I can kill people and eat them.
Rrrr
Rrrr
I say
I met up with my family.
My mom.
My dad.
My brother.
I will protect my family no matter what,
I love my family.
But sometimes they take my food.

I am A Star By Daniel T.

I am a star.
I hang in the galaxy,
like a Christmas tree
ornament.

I am a star twinkling in the dark.
I never hear a dog’s bark.

I am a star.
Large
but small.

I am a star,
far, far, far,
no car can get to me.

I am a star.
I cannot be captured in a jar.

I am a star, not old
still bold.
not bold enough
to go near a black hole.

Mr. Barr 6th Grade Group 2

I Am A Clock By Celeste C.

I am a clock.
I see kids in class,
waiting to see the grass.
Tick tock is the sound I make.
In most places I can be found.
I sometimes sing tick tock
and ring tick tock as well.
I have hands that move as
time passes and I have
12 different bands.

Drake By Leah C.

I am Drake
I can eat cake
When I’m awake
Woah
Swish
I make songs
I have millions of dollars $
Drake has a pet snake
Our kids are afraid of our
pet snake.
Ahhh they say!
I feed my pet snake
expensive food
that’s all he needs
Everywhere I go,
They say
Drake! Drake!
Let me get a photo!
Click
Click
the cameras are all on me
People buy my albums
they know I am
the jam.

Harry Potter By Chris M.

I’m Harry Potter in Hogwarts,
playing Quidditch.
The air goes through
my hair as I fly during
the match.
Swoosh, I catch the
golden snitch in under
fifteen minutes.
Then a big party
in the common room
until in the morning.
Then class begins with
Snape who hates me,
because I’m famous,
but I can’t remember
why.

Mr. Barr 6th Grade Group 3

I Am A Cat By Jennifer G.

I am a cat.

I love laser pointers
I hit them with my pointer finger.
I want ham
and then slam the scratching pole

Slap Slap my human,
because they’re annoying.
Hiss cause I’m angry
but then “hangry.”
I love my sister,
(the ugly dog :[ )

I Am A Fish By Aaliyah S.

My day would begin
flapping my fins.

I’d make a commotion
out in the ocean.

It would be cool
to swim in a school.

in the sea,
I’d move so free,
Swish, Swash.

With just one thought,
Don’t get caught!

I Am Lucifer By Ava R.

I am Lucifer,
I used to be God’s favorite.
Misunderstood.
I flew happily in Heaven,
until I fell from
grace.
I rebelled against plans
reliance
and became Satan
as followers were casted
out with me
the Swish as I
fell from grace.
my last words were
I will not serve
as I fell from the sky
knowing I will get
Revenge.