Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Reading Poetry

Poems are built on ideas, experiences or emotions in a condensed form that makes the reader search for understanding.  The reader should slow down, think about each line and the words in it, and then reread and reconsider.

However, to understand poetry the reader must not go gently, but should attack.  As we begin to spend time in Reading Workshop with poetry/word study, students must overcome their fears and dive into the language of poetry.  Whether it be as a reader, analyzing the work of others, or when revising their own work, students must go full speed ahead.  They need to take the advise given by Eve Merriam.


How to Eat a Poem

Don't be polite.
Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice
that may run down your chin.
It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are.

You do not need a knife or fork or spoon
or plate or napkin or tablecloth.

For there is no core
or stem
or rind
or pit
or seed
or skin
to throw away.

What is Merriam's point?  What about the poem makes you think that?  What thoughts do you have when tearing into her poem?

Image from http://www.flickr.com/photos/emdot/10362168/sizes/s/

59 comments:

Jessica W. said...

Merriam's point is that don't take poetry slow or gently but you should attack.I think it makes me think that because Merriam said
"Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice
that may run down your chin.
It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are.

You do not need a knife or fork or spoon
or plate or napkin or tablecloth."
When I read this poem I thought that she right, don't take poetry slow, go FULL SPEED.

Megan B. said...

When I was reading the poem I was wondering why any one would want to eat a poem but then it just clicked in my head that they want you to enjoy the poem.I also thought that the juice was the words pulling you into the poem.

Alan S. said...

I am confused about the author`s wording choice who would be so rude no fork spoon or knife? really!

Belle H. said...

What in the heck does that poem mean. I did not get one word in that whole poem. What did it mean when it said lick the juice, there is no juice on paper. I know they did not mean it literally but still come on.

Chase said...

I don't understand what she is talking about. I mean what is she talking about how can you lick the juice off your chin when there is no juice in paper. I think she is crazy. I mean come on could she explain it to where some one can understand it.I did not understand it at all what is she thinking.

Tyler Hart said...

I think that Merriam's poem, tells me that you should bite into a poem harder. When she said that, there is nothing to throw away. I think she means, that you can't change it or you can't skip over things.You mies well, read it because you can't do anything with it. I think she is right about, that you need to bite in and don't be polite. When Merriam said,"Don't be polite." I think she means that, you shouldn't skip over things or you don't care about what is happening. Merriam is telling me to dig in to a poem and make it seem interesting.

stephen D said...

I think Eve Merriam did a good job with telling how poems are so good and telling what you can do! Poems are built on any random ideas. Eve Merriam gave great examples like, experiences or emotions! She said don't be gentle with poems ATTACK it! Don't just read a poem to read it. Actually under stand it!!

Lisa B. said...

When I read this I feel that is funny, but on the other hand it is true.
I think that Eve Merriam's point is that you shouldn't just read a poem to read it. But you should try to actually get the poem and read it until you get it.
The part of the poem that makes me think this is when Eve Merriam says, "For there is no core or stem or rind or pit or seed or skin to trow away."

Mark S. said...

I think the point is that if there is no core to a poem then,there is no story. The poem makes me think that because if there is no core then there is no point to a story. Also when she says Bite in it makes me think get into your poem and know what your talking about.

Katie R. said...

After I read this I thought it was funny.
Then I thought it was true.
When you read it you need to read every word so you understand the poem. I feel if you read it carefully, and understand it then you will like it.

Hayley F said...

I think that the poem is confusing. I think that when she said
Bite in.Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that may run down your chin she might might be talking about some food. When she said You do not need a knife or fork or spoon or plate or napkin or tablecloth. I think that she has the right thinking because people always say eat with a spoon or a fork. I also think that you need to get into poems that you read don't just read them like you read a book read them like they are.

Alex H. said...

I think the poem called How To Eat A Poem is trying to say that when you read a poem really get into the poem. They're saying when you read a poem it is like when you really hungry and you have not eaten in two days and you get that first bit of food and you just want to dive in.

ALISONG22 said...

When I read this poem I thought that Eve Merriam has a good point. That you shouldn't just read a poem just to read it. You should get in to the poem and get what it means, and just bite into it.

tylerw222 said...

After I read the poem I thought she was eating an apple until she sead it had no core and then I thought it was an orange that part mad me confused when she sead their was no core.

DawnB said...

I agree with Jessica,because you shouldn't take the poem gently or slowly just jump right in and go full speed.

Merriam's point is that when you are stuck in a poem or just go really slow at reading it,it means do not go slow and just jump in right in to the poem and have fun.

Dylan H said...

I think Eve might be saying that you can read poems any time of the year when ever you want to, when she says, "It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are."

andrewm22 said...

I think Merriam's point about this poem is you should dive right into the poem and just keep reading. I think she means you should get into reading poetry. I think this because it says in the poem, "Bite in, pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice." I also think she means that you can read a poem any time and that, it will be there whenever you want to read it. I think this because her poem also says " It is ready and ripe, whenever you are.

sabrinab said...

Merriam's point is that you should just dive into a poem,and don't just read it like one of the lines in the book you're reading. If you would have listen to the way Mr.McGuire read it,it sounded as if he was the one reading it in front of 1000 people. Which is one of the main things I look forward to in Reading workshop. I also thought it was kinda funny in a really weird way, the reason I thought that is because it was like you could really eat paper.
I have always loved to read poetry,but I've never really had a poetry book at my house and we don't go to the library that often either. So all I read is really,really long books. Like the book I'm reading now Remember Me,it has 187 pages in the book.

KyraS. said...

When I read this poem it makes me think about an apple because the juice runs down my chin.
I think what Merriam is trying to say is don't be afraid of a poem just go in and attack it like it's nothing. I think Merriam is also trying to say you should try and get into the poem before you put it away or think badly about it. If you still don't understand reread the poem and refresh your brain.

jakob said...

This poem is funny and true because every time you get a poem like this one you need to read it so you understand. If you read it to fast you wouldn't understand this poem. So you will like it. Every one understands poems all the time. Some people don't like this poem. When she says bite in. It will make you get into the poem and know what the poem means.

Emily said...

I thing what is Merriam's point is to try getting in to the poems you read. Like when she said "Bite in Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that may run down your chin.
I think she means don't be slow when you start to read just go your full speed.

Ashlee J said...

I think Merriam's point is that you don't have to wait to read the poem just read it.I think this because in the poem it says...
Don't be polite.
Bite in.
Pick up with your fingers and lick the juice that may run down your chin.

Micah H said...

I think in Merriam's poem she meant that you don't really need as much help as you think you do when your doing something.I think that because she says: You do not need a knife or fork or spoon or plate or napkin or table cloth.

For there is no core
or stem
or rind
or pit
or seed
or skin to throw away

Nick U said...

I think that Eve Merriam's poetry is exciting to read. I think that exciting because when it saids

bite in.
pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that run down your chin.

I think that anybody would be interested in the poem. When they read that.

Sara A. said...

I think the writers point is to express her feelings and to show the readers that you don't have to be nice, cautious, polite, mannerly, or even make sense to other people as long as it makes sense to you.

The poem makes me think that because she says "Don't be polite, Bite in , use your fingers" which means who cares just express you feelings through your writing.

When reading this poem I was constantly thinking that, she is very good with words, that this poem has a lot of meaning, I was thinking that she has a good point and that everyone who wants to write poetry should do it and express their feelings through it!

Cade V. said...

I think that Merriam's point is that eating poems is good because you don't have to worry about getting up and throwing things away. I think that because she says it in the poem. If you ask me if I liked a poem I will tell you I hated it because I hate poems.

Seth V. said...

I think that the writer is trying to tell you to not be afraid to write poems just because you're not good at it. Also not to listen to what other poetess think about it if they something bad about it.
I plum stink at poetry but I still try to write poetry. Even if someone makes fun of me for it. So I usually don't write poetry but every once in a while I will.
So just don't be afraid to write just because you stink at it. Also take Eve's advice write poetry more often.

Brook E said...

What I think of Merriam's poem is that she is trying trying to give us a point to how we can get in to a poem and understand the poem. Like Merriam's poem on The Reading Workshop She is trying to say a poem is not that hard to read and it won't be if you know how to read. I think if you can read a book you can read a poem.

HeathJ22 said...

I think Merriam means that you should not go slow go fast.

Don't be polite.
Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice
that may run down your chin.
It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are.

rhiannal said...

I think that Merriam's poem was very interesting. It's exciting. My favorite part of the poem is when she says "don't be polite". It's true. When you are writing a poem you need to just throw it out there. You don't need to be polite.This poem has a lot of meaning. It has a lot of feelings. She really express' her feelings.

Lindsey H said...

I think that Merriam's point is that don't take poetry slow or gently but you should attack.

Merriam's poem I think it says like it is just poetry so you don't have to be nice or polite.

This poem is really funny because every time you get a poem like this one you need to read it so you understand it.

vincen said...

I think when you read poetry you should take our time and really think about it. Connect our life to the poetry. Has that happen to you yes or no. If that happen to you would you do something about it.

Caitlin W. said...

I think Merriam's point was to bite in the poems.When she mean bite in to the poem so you can get the point of the poems. When the poem said
Don't be polite.
Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice
that may run down your chin.
It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are.

You do not need a knife or fork or spoon
or plate or napkin or tablecloth.
It a good poem to read.When I read it the poem made me thought the eating the poems would not have juice in the poems. But I like it.

dustinf2222 said...

I think what Eve Merriam is saying is to write a poem the way you want to. Like just be free make it your way. They don't have to rhyme to be a poem.

Blaize said...

I think Merriam's point is, when it comes to poetry you have to think about what the poem means, or read between the lines. Her poem makes me think this when it says Bite in, It's ready and ripe now whenever you are.
For there is no core
or stem
or rind
or pit
or seed
or skin to throw away. Maybe there is some special word that you don't know what it means or even how to say it. Something may not be spelled right or make any since at all to you at all!

Danny said...

I think Merriam's point is for a poem to be funny,sad not boring .What I think about Merriam's poem is that why would you eat a poem there's no telling where that papers been.

Shala.S. said...

Merriam's point is to not take poetry so gently and say what you want to say not what other people want you to.The part that makes me think that is when she said don't be polite and pick it up with your finger and lick the juice.Thoughts I have are that Merriam is right by saying don't be polite. Just because your poem lets out your true feelings doesn't mean they have to be polite ones.

Catelyn F. said...

When Merriam talks about not being polite and letting the juice run down your chin. I think of a nice juicy pear or, green beens with all kinds of juicy butter all over them and around them.Completely rapturing in the juice and all the awesome, mighty flavors.When she starts talking about not using a fork, or a knife, or a spoon, or a plate, or a napkin, or even a tablecloth.Then I get to thinking that is very interesting.The thoughts that I have when she talks about this poem is what would this have to do with how to write a poem.Then I start to think where is this all going?.Then I found out that all of the juice and the fruit and all that was the poem.

ridgey22 said...

I think Merriam was trying to say you can't just take poems/poetry slow, or just skim through them! I think she was trying to say that you need to get into poetry and actually understand it well. Also Merriam said you do not need a knife or fork or spoon
or plate or napkin or tablecloth
. I think Merriam meant you don't need a whole lot to make or understand poetry.

Lindsey H. Vince N. said...

We think that Merriam's point is that don't take poetry slow or gently but you should attack it.

You should read a poem in until you get the poem meaning and take your time reading a poem. Connect your life to the poetry.

When you are writing poetry you should put all yourself in it. Write about your feelings. Write about your life and how things are going.

Seth V.,Sara A. said...

I think that the point of the poem is to not be afraid to express your feelings and attack it with a determined attitude. Also to approach it with a confident feeling and positive feeling. Because like when she says ''don't be polite bite in'' , she means to not be afraid and write what you feel like.

Cade V., Austin P. said...

We think it means to write what you want and nothing has to rhyme. You do things on your own, on your own time, and about what you want and you want to write about. We think that because it says don't be polite just bite in.

Megan B. and Jessica W. said...

Merriam's point is to take poetry FULL SPEED and not go slow! Also don't go gentle when reading poetry. You should attack the poem and let your mind explode in it! Sometimes the reader should slow down and read the line and every word in it carefully if they don't understand what they just read.I think that because it said
Don't be polite.
Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice
that may run down your chin.
It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are.

At first we didn't know what that meant but now we do because we slowed down our reading to understand what it meant. It means to dig into the poem and make sure you understand it.

Nick,Micah said...

In Reading Workshop we got a poem. We think it means.Take all you can. We think that because it says: Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice
. Which we think means take all of it.

Caitlin W. and Heath J. said...

How to Eat a Poem

Don't be polite.
Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice
that may run down your chin.
It is ready and ripe now, whenever you are.

You do not need a knife or fork or spoon
or plate or napkin or tablecloth.


Merriam's point was to go fast. You should attack the poems. When it said bite in the poem I think they telling us to dig in the poem. To make poems more it exciting. You don't need a knife or fork or spoon or a plate or napkin or tablecloth to read a poems. When you attack poems it mean you love the poems. If you dig into the poem you will understand the poem.

Ashlee J, Dustin F said...

I think the point of the poem is to write a poem the way you want to and just be free make it your way. I think this because in the poem it says...
Don't be polite
Bite in.
And that goes with what we said just be free make it your way because the poem is the way she wanted it to be.

Tyler Hart and Shala Spaulding said...

Where the poem says there is no core, we think that you can write your own feelings. You can have your own opinions about a poem. You might be able to see something interesting like, wording or sentences. Especially when it said, Bite in, then we thought it meant that you should write what you think is interesting. We thought it was interesting because of the wording.

Lisa B. Stephen D said...

We think that the poem How to Eat a Poem, means to actually understand the poem. Don't just read it, enjoy it!
We think, Merriam is trying to tell you to understand it.

Belle H, Vanessa V said...

We think that the poem means that you should never take it slow you should take it full speed. What that means is you should never stop in a good poem or even slow down. In the part that said, you don't need a knife or a spoon, we think that means you don't need anything to enjoy a poem.

Alan and Heidi said...

How To at A Poem is telling you that 1. Just read the poem 2. Enjoy the poem 3. you only need your eyes to read the poem 4. there is nothing to throw away(this is not literal)
We figured out this by interpreting the way the poems wording sounds and how the wording was used.

Chase, Katie said...

When the poem says pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice. We think it means to take it all in. We also think that when they say bite in they really get the poem. When the poem says that may run down your chin we think it means that take it all.

Ridgey22, DustinC22 said...

We think the poem means that you should never leave a poem or forget about it if you don't no what the point of the poem is. What makes us think that is when the poem says Don't be polite. Bite in. Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that may run down your chin. We also think it means you don't need as much as you think you do to understand it. We got that idea when the poem says You do not need a knife or fork or spoon or plate or napkin or tablecloth.

DawnB,HayleyF,CalebH said...

We think that the poem means that do not read really slowly and boring,you should just go full speed.You should need nothing to enjoy a poem.

We agree with Lisa and Stephen,because we also think that Merriam is trying say is to understand the whole poem. Do not just give up when you do not understand it.

JakobS,KyraS said...

It's ready and ripe now,whenever you are. We think it means you don't have to have permission to read a poem just pick it up and read it. Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice that may run down your chin. We think it means you should get really interested in it before you sit it down. You do not need a knife or fork or spoon or plate or napkin or tablecloth. We think it means you don't need anything but yourself to read a poem. Don't be polite. Bite in. We think it means that there is know one there to see you read it don't be polite.

Cassie D. and Tyler W. said...

We think this poem is about reading with a good idea of what the poem is about.You should get into what your reading.Once you read something in a good poem you will not forget it.Be sure to think of comments,questions and connections.You don't need any resources to read a poem so read all you can.

alisong22&DylanH said...

When the poem says
Don't be polite.
Bite in.

You don't really bite into the poem. You try to get what it means and understand what it is talking about.

What the poem is trying to tell you is how to get in to a poem and like understand it.The poem is being sarcastic. It does not really mean how to eat a poem.

sabrinab22,EmilyD22 said...

When you're reading this poem you think you can eat it right,right,wrong. You can't really eat a poem,you can try but it won't taste very good. I mean when you read this,it's just a figure of speech.When you say Bite in.
Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice
that may run down your chin.

It don't really mean lets eat a poem!!!! It mean lets read the poem like it was meant to be read, NOT,like the way most people read their book. What were are saying is that you can't eat a poem. Were also trying to say is this poem means get into the poems you read don't just start reading it and say "wow that is a great poem".

Alex H. & Andrew M. said...

When the poem says, Bite in Pick it up with your fingers and lick the juice . It means really get into it.Then, when it says, it is ready and ripe now,whenever you are it means you can read the poem whenever you're ready to read it. Where it says, you do not need a knife or fork or spoon or plate or napkin or tablecloth it means, you don't need to be prepared to read a poem.When it says, For there is no core or stem or rind or pit or seed or skin to throw away it means there is nothing left. A poem says it all. But it doesn't come right out say what it means.

Rhianna L. and Blaize R. said...

Blaize and I think that her poem was to express her feelings. She wrote this poem with a lot of attitude. In the part where it says "don't be polite". It's just like doing what ever you want to. She You have to read between the lines. You have to try to figure out what the poem really means.