Pantoum Guide Sheet

The structure of a pantoum follows a fixed pattern of repetition. Use the layout below to draft the lines of a three-stanza pantoum: First Stanza: line 1______line 2______line 3______line 4______

Second Stanza: line 2 repeated______line 5______line 4 repeated______line 6______

Third Stanza: line 5 repeated______line 3 repeated______line 6 repeated______line 1 repeated______

Writing Tips:

1. It's permissible to make slight changes to a line, such as substituting "laughed" for "laughs" or "man" for "men." 2. It's easier to move lines around if some of them are incomplete thoughts, such as:

If you lean down to smell a rose When a cardinal lands in the hemlock tree Waking at night to see the stars As sparkling as an autumn sky

3. Each line needs to be sufficiently separate and independent so that it can readily be moved to a new location. 4. Because the beginning and ending line is the most prominent, that line should be one you especially like or consider important. Moving

Valencia was the first street I lived on All I can remember is that I loved it Then there was the one on Hartrey I created my room to be any thing I can remember that I loved it But that did not stop us from moving I created my new room to reflect me I could sit on the porch for hours But that did not stop us from moving The Chicago house had a bajilion floors I missed my memorable porch My stomach plummeted looking out the window The Chicago house towered over the rest But soon we had to leave My stomach stopped plummeting Our new house was different We have not had to leave I still miss the one on Hartrey My house is different Valencia was the first street I lived on

-Shama (6th grade, Evanston, IL, 2011)

A Calendar Named Pointless

My timing is irrelevant when I look at the date Once January, November, May and now September Together we create such common goals To always keep track of time

Months go by one by one Never stopping, never stirring as if it didn’t exist Time is fast, time is short, time is almost pointless If no one thinks to look

Never stopping, never stirring as if it didn’t exist If you don’t check the calendar If no one thinks to look Across the giant chart

If you don’t check the calendar Together we create such common goals Across the giant chart My timing is irrelevant when I look at the dates Friendship

Who are you again? You are the wackiest human being on Earth I guess you aren’t so bad It’s just you and me kid You are the wackiest human being on Earth Joyful years go passing by It’s just you and me kid I don’t even know you anymore Joyful years go passing by Have you always been this way? It’s like I don’t even know you anymore Your presence isn’t worth my time Have you always been this way? I guess you are so terrible Your presence isn’t worth my time Who are you again?

-Coco (6th grade, Evanston, IL, 2011)