Spring rain - poem

I puddle up the neighborhood I make the mailman mad I wake the worm and spank the frog Sleeping on his lily pad And when the tulips in their beds Nod happily, it's true, I shake the petals of their hands And say, How do you dew?

The Joy of the Persona Poem

Persona poems are written from the point of view of a thing. In essence, the poet becomes the thing. Not surprisingly, persona poems are often referred to as mask poems because the poet is wearing the "mask" of an object. Your students will enjoy the pretend element of this form of creative writing and the fun they'll have researching their subject or simply drawing upon their own observations.

READING THE POEM

In "Spring Rain," on the miniposter, J. Patrick Lewis writes a persona poem using his knowledge of rain based on both scientific data and personal observations. This understanding of the subject enables him to create the vivid imagery that makes the spring rain come alive, such as "I puddle up the neighborhood" and "spank the frog." His wonderful alliteration - "make the mailman mad" and "wake the worm" - and delightful plays on words - "the tulips in their beds" and "How do you dew?" - produce a lively rhythm and add to readers' perception of the rain as a carefree and good-natured fellow.

Test your students' knowledge and powers of observation by reading the poem aloud without revealing the title and having them guess what mask the poet is wearing. ("Spring Rain" is best suited to fourth and fifth graders. For older students, you may want to substitute a more sophisticated persona poem, such as "Dolphin Mother," in Earth Lines: Poems for the Green Age, by Pat Moon; Greenwillow, 1991.)

CONNECTING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM

Persona poems can easily be incorporated into other areas of the curriculum, providing children with a new and creative perspective on their studies. They could write about what it might feel like to be a plant or an animal that they are studying in science. If they are learning about the ride of Paul Revere in their social studies class, they could write from the point of view of Revere's horse. If they're studying great artists, they could imagine they are Picasso's paintbrush. Persona poems can even be used in math: What would it feel like to be the number zero?

FINDING A FUN SUBJECT

A good subject for a persona poem is one that children find interesting and raises questions for them. Students must also know enough about the subject, whether through academic research or personal experience.

If they are studying the Civil War, they might write a persona poem from the point of view of a tattered hat worn by a Union or Confederate soldier.

Or perhaps they'd rather write about a favorite pair of sneakers or a beloved goldfish.

To write a good persona poem, students need to include more than just the facts. They should also consider the emotional side of their subject, answering such questions as:

* How does the subject feel? For example, if children are writing about the sun, they might consider how the sun feels during an eclipse.

* What has its life been like? Youngsters might imagine how life is as a locker that has seen many different boys and girls come and go over the years.

* What are its likes and dislikes? Students should add fun details, such as whether their pet dog prefers table scraps to dog food or to sleep in their bed rather than the doghouse.

More Persona Poems

On the Wing, by Douglas Florian (Harcourt Brace, 1996).

How Now, Brown Cow, by Alice Schertle (Harcourt Brace, 1994).

The Dragons Are Singing Tonight, by Jack Prelutsky. (Greenwillow, 1993)

Paul B. Janeczko, a former teacher, is a poet living in Hebron, Maine. He is the editor of numerous books on poetry. His most recent publication is Favorite Poetry Lessons (call 800-SCHOLASTIC).

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