The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

A Writing Lesson---The Poessay

          No, it's not a typo.  And no, it has nothing to do with Edgar Allen Poe...

          A poessay has the brevity and frugalness of language (every word counts), but also expresses an opinion in a poetic form.  The opinion can be expressed explicitly or implicitly, in a minimalist manner.

           This is a great writing activity for middle schoolers (who are so self centered) and high schoolers (who think they already know it all).

           Below are some examples of poessays I got off the internet several years ago.  By now, there are probably more...

     Tastes Good

What
a sight
to behold!

expensive
cars

and
their owners

either 
parked

or
waiting
in line

to 
receive
hamburgers

and
french fries

making
it clear

to all
the world

how
much easier
it is

to acquire
an
expensive car

than
good taste
in food


         when
       you left
          for
        the front

        you were
     living heroes

         and now
      you're on top
       of the hill

       where only
          poppies
            blow

           ----Jan Theuninck



None for the Road

Alcohol
is
for people

who
can't
get drunk
on
life


Penalty

      soccer
     players

      should
         be
       on the
        field

     practicing
        soccer

        and
   not sleeping

          in
         the
     classroom

      dreaming
         their
       teacher

          is
       going
          to
        give
        them
       a pass

          ----Harvey Wendell