Poems

Interpreting Poems

In each of the poems below an object is being described as if it were alive.

Next to each poem, write down the ways in which the object is described to make it seem as if it is alive. The first one has been done as an example.

Tulip Sunday In the Botanical Gardens bright tulips spread out like a yellow tablecloth on a table with thousands of legs. Some tulips have red lips and dark black eyes. They bow and curtsy in the wind. By Laura Ranger Rags The night wind rips a cloud sheet into rags, then rubs, rubs the October moon until it shines like a brass doorknob. By Judith Thurman Paperclips A jumbled sight, The sheets I write – High time for paperclips To take a bite And clasp them tight Between bright bulldog lips! By X. J. Kennedy Lawnmower The lawnmower Grinds its teeth Over the grass, Spitting out a thick Green spray; Its head is too full Of iron and oil To know What it throws Away: The lawn's whole Crop of chopped Soft, Delicious Green hay. By Valerie Worth Sun The sun Is a leaping fire Too hot To go near, But it will still Lie down In warm yellow squares On the floor Like a flat Quilt, where The cat can curl And purr. By Valerie Worth

The tulips in this poem seem alive because they: have red lips have eyes bow curtsy The wind in this poem seems alive because it: sheet doorknob october shines The paperclips in this poem seem alive because they: bite lips tight bulldog The lawnmower in this poem seems alive because it: teeth spitting throws Delicious The sun in this poem seems alive because it: leaping Lie down curl fire