Thoughts run free - The Chicago Poetry Center

Thoughts run free

On Monday the Group C students returned back to the O-School after Thanksgiving break. Holiday times can be relaxing, spending time with family and loved ones, but also can sometimes feel overwhelming. This week we discussed ways to calm and center our thoughts.

Together we read the poem “Thought Machine,” by Laura Mucha. In her poem Mucha uses an extended metaphor, which is when poets compare two unlike things using the words is, am, or are and continues this comparison throughout the entire poem. Mucha compares her mind to a machine that generates different types of thoughts. Sometimes my thought machine makes thoughts like /THAT WENT WELL or YOUR DOING GREAT or YOU GOT THIS/ but sometimes it makes thoughts like/ THAT WAS TERRIBLE or HOW EMBRASSING or WHAT A MESS. Anytime the negative thoughts become stressful, the poet sings, dances, writes, swims, or listens to music. By doing activities that she enjoys, the poet’s thought machine creates new positive thoughts.

Inspired by Laura Mucha, students used extended metaphors to describe their unique minds and thoughts. Please enjoy the poems below.

Group C (7th & 8th) Students

Thought Computer

My thoughts are like a computer,
always analyzes, multiples things at a time
but also makes me think positive thoughts,
like I’m smart.
It can also make me think negative thoughts
like I ask too many questions or I’m annoying.

My Thought CD Player

Spin, spin, spinning. My thoughts are always going round and round.
On occasion I have to skip the track, change my perspective.
But sometimes, I have to change the album.
The days go on and my mind spins faster. when it gets harder
the tracks loops.
I can’t find out how to start it over or even skip it.
I have to sit and let it play out.
Listen to the lyrics, study the strumming.
I finally get it, why the buttons got jammed.