Stuck for an idea for a slice, I reached for Karen Benke’s Rip the Page: Adventures in Creative Writing. (Read another post inspired by this book here.) On page 56, I found “Juxtaposition.” This exercise begins by folding a piece of paper in half lengthwise, then choosing ten words from one of the many word lists in the book. Next, add a descriptive word in front of each of the chosen words. Turn the paper over and follow the directions for what to write next. When you unfold the paper, write “Poetry Is” at the top. Try various combinations from the assortment of words and phrases you wrote until you find a “juxtaposition…two unlike things (side by side) to wake up your ears and make your mouth smile.” Some of these pairings aren’t really a surprise, but I liked the images they conjured.
Poetry Is…
Poetry is a blizzard of fireflies
blinking with joy
in a meadow teeming with life.
Poetry is crickets
buzzing autumn’s song.
Poetry is an iridescent peacock
strutting under the mellowing sun.
Poetry is popcorn
jumping and jittering
in a cobalt blue pot while
the grandfather clock chimes
on a Tuesday afternoon.
Poetry is the glimmer of dawn,
tip-toeing onto my pillow,
creeping through my eyelashes,
into my imagination.
© Catherine Flynn, 2017
Thank you to Stacey, Betsy, Beth, Kathleen, Deb, Melanie, Lisa and Lanny for creating this community and providing this space for teachers and others to share their stories every day in March and on Tuesdays throughout the year. Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read more Slice of Life posts.
Reading to the Core 
Love your word choice in this poem!!
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This is my favorite line:
“Poetry is the glimmer of dawn,
tip-toeing onto my pillow,
creeping through my eyelashes,
into my imagination.”
Beautiful juxtapositions Catherine.
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I do love your poetry Catherine! You create such beautiful images. Thanks for sharing the juxtaposition exercise, too!
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These images are so great! I love the iridescent peacock, and the fireflies, and the popcorn! I want to try this exercise with my students. Fun word choice!
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What a wonderful exercise, and the poem is fabulous. I love each line, but especially “tip-toeing onto my pillow,” Isn’t that the nicest thought? Thanks.
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Oh Catherine, feel free to erase my comment. Argh, my excuse is I’m just waking up!
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A wonderful poem! Such a beautiful contradiction – a blizzard of fireflies! I am definitely going to try it out…..Thanks!
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This slice is glorious! Such rich language.
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Wow! What a great poem from that little paper folding exercise! I’m keeping this one and using it during the poetry units. Wow! (I know I already said that!)
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Definitely putting this book and this writing idea in my writer’s notebook, though I am sure I could match your beautiful prose.
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Catherine, I like the exercise and your final product is a delight. I look forward to trying this out at some time.
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[…] Flynn, who blogs at Reading to the Core, recommended a book for writers, Rip the Page: Adventures in Creative Writing by Karen Benke. I […]
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[…] I had already been considering revisiting an exercise from Karen Benke’s Rip the Page: Adventures in Creative Writing. (Read another post inspired by this book here.) Here’s the explanation of “Juxtaposition” (found on page 56) from last year’s post: […]
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