{Ode to Poetry

Turn Ordinary into Extraordinary

An ode is a poem that is about one specific thing that you think is truly amazing and praiseworthy.

This type of poem can be centered upon a person, an object, or something abstract like a feeling or an idea.

An Ode

 What really makes you emotional, either in a positive or negative way?

Think of a person, concept, place or thing that you are deeply connected to.

Focus on the many nuances of a single thing.

Just get emotional.

Odes are traditionally very long

Start by splitting up your poem into groups, or stanzas, of ten lines.

Many traditional odes have three to five of these stanzas, but if you want to write more, by all means do!

Size matters.

Five-legged pocket spiders, knuckled starfish, grabbers of forks, why do I forget that you love me: your willingness to button my shirts, tie my shoes—even scratch my head! which throbs like a traffic jam, each thought leaning on its horn…

Ode to My Handsby Tim Seibles

I say to the flower stand man: Beautiful flowers at your flower stand, man. I’ll take a dozen of the lilies. I’m standing as it were on my knees

Before a little man up on a raised Runway altar where his flowers are arrayed Along the outside of the shop. I take my flames and pay inside.

Ode to SpringFrederick Seidel, 1936

Pick an ordinary object, relationship or moment that you feel passionately about.

Write an Ode of at least 3 stanzas that shows us the amazingness of your topic.

Now Write