This week I started following Denise Krebs’ blog, Dare to Care. We met each other virtually through blogging. She introduced me to a poetry form called 4×4. Here are the rules copied from her post:
- 4 syllables in each line
- 4 lines in each stanza
- 4 stanzas
- 4 times repeating a refrain line–line 1 in the first stanza, line 2 in the second stanza, line 3 in the third stanza, and line 4 in the fourth stanza.
- Bonus: 4 syllables in the title
- No restrictions on subject, rhyme, or meter.
It’s a fun form to play with. I’ve combined it with using quotes or a stolen line as the repeated line. I have to admit this form has been tough for students to use. While teaching it to kids, I’ve written a few poem drafts this week. Here are two that I don’t hate.
Awareness is
everything we
need to know to
stand for something.
Don’t fall for it.
Awareness is
looking deeply
into your soul.Answers will come
to questions asked.
Awareness is
waiting for you.No choice ever
Margaret Simon, draft
is possible
until you know
awareness is.
Hang on to love.
Find someone who
cares for you most,
holds you in trust.Trust can be hard.
Hang on to love
anyway, ’cause
you matter, too.When hearts are turned
to the sad news,
hang on to love
to get you through.Not all sparkles
Margaret Simon, draft
or shiny smiles,
for steady hands
hang on to love.
Last summer I wrote with the National Writing Project during a virtual writing marathon. My poem, Muses, is published in their online journal here.
Chloe wrote a 4×4 poem and read it on a Flipgrid video:
Reflections on the Teche 