A Found Poem is where you borrow, or “rent” an author’s words from a song, poem, or book, and create your own poem.
The awesome thing about found poetry is that there are no rules. Found poems take existing texts and refashion them and present them as poems. (Example)
Remember to:
- Read the excerpt from your chapter.
- Look for the beautiful language.
- Think about the message you want to convey about your story.
- Highlight words or phrases that you might want.
- Record these words on your Found Poem planning page.
- Rearrange your words to convey a message in a poem.
- Add your poem to this blog post.
A penguin
speechless with delight
two white circles
red sharp beak
Delight.
by Richard and Florence Awater
found by James Dennehy
Veterinary school
My dream sort of leaks out like water in a paper bag
A warm July night
Tree’s look dark against the red sky
Lights coming on a house here, another there
Judd travers
Fast talking
Spits tabacco
He can get away with anything
By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Found By Lilly Hasenfus
doctor
care
friendly
how come
my dream sort of leaked out like water
had to be like this
tree’s look dark against the red sky
I blink
he was in front of me blocking my view
best part
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
found by Thomas Rae
She rushed me grabbed my legs bear hug
Tickling my feet
I was extremely dead from laughing Creamy inside spongy cake I love them
You hungry
I snatched the uneaten Twinkie
The kid howled
I shoved the Twinkie back
Excuse yourself from joey long enough to empty your waste basket
Silence
The world waiting
I looked at the bear
Pointed to my one eyed teddy bear
Joey in shock gave a disgusted grunt he sneered
You’ll never hack it as a rat
He got up and left
By Jerry Spinelli
Found by Caroline Pastore
Dajun
Protect us
All season
Summer beach
Fall trees
Water oak and sparkle berry
Winter lily pads
Protects the beauty
Of Gumbo Limbo
By Jean Craighead George
Found by Jocelyn Cowan
The Boy Who Harnessed The
It Was The Beginning
Of A
Perfect Place To Receive
A Hero
Strong, Heavy,
As If Laden With Stones
Flexed Muscles
Perfect I Scanned Through
The Crowd looking For A Hero
Excuse me, I stared At Him
We began to dance, laughing together.
By William Kamkwamba
Found by Isabella Georgetti
without a word
James James
read it, crumpled it
and stuffed it
in his pocket
James James murmured
more to himself
than me
by Jean Craighead George
found by Patrick Byrne
Dead from laughing
legs
bear hug
rushed me playground
last test last chance
mother waiting
Judy waiting
world waiting
grunt
you’ll never hack it as a rat
She Rushed Me
Tickling The Bottoms Of My Feet
Dead From Laughing
Take Care Of Number One
Spongy Cake
Creamy Inside
I Love Them
Last Test
Last Chance
Judy Waiting
The World Waiting
You’ll Never Hack It As A Rat
By: Jerry Spinelli
Found By: Logan Lenihan
His hands were trembling
speechless with delight “Ork”
the penguin was not speechless
it looked like a little gentleman
with its a long black tailcoat
and two white circles in its black head.
He strut in inspecting the house.
by Richard and Florence Awater
found by Collin Butler
Dajun of Gumbo Limbo Hole
Without a word
He read it,
Crumpled it,
And stuffed it in his pocket
He murmured to himself more than me
“What are we going to do?”
“I’ll lure him.
Dajun would like it.”
The Missing ‘Gator of Gumbo Limbo
By Jean Craighead George
Found by Jacklyn Srubas
down the dirt road
wind in my face
perfect place
biggest boy
heavy strong muscles
furious powers
and never before
still standing
The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
By William Kamkwamba
Found by Brendan Kukla
Days crept by
slowly from boredom
Will I become strong
The day awoke different
Arms heavy as if laden stones
Muscles felt as firm as tree trunks
Fists solid as two bricks
Running felt like fast speed
My powers were deadly
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
By William Kamkwamba
Found By Stella Bertoli
Delight
penguin
small smooth white black
two white circles
strange ice snow thirsty
curious
You hungry, for a Twinkie
Go for it, I snatched it
The kid howled bloody murder
I took off
One more thing to do
My mom
“Suds!”
The world waiting
Okay
Joey, disgusted
I didn’t think so
You’ll never hack it
By Jerry Spinelli
Found by Jonathan Narcisco
Sharp red beak about two and a half feet a penguin Mr. Popper was speechless with delight.