1. An Introduction to Poetry

3. Poetry is not just the flower but the scent of the flower, not just the storm but the sound of the storm

4. Poetry is a song the needs some decent lyrics. Poetry is a virus that can infect all of us. Poetry is the expression of all that we are, and would like to be. “the best possible word in the best possible order” S.T.Coleridge.

5. Poetry is Splashing thought like paint Onto a page, Not worrying about Anyone Anything, Letting your heart and mind Erupt like a volcano, Making you feel Like you’ve let go of everything. Joel Salmon

6. Task Consider all of these statements about poetry, and choose those which best express your feelings. Write your own sentence or short poem to convey what poetry means to you. Prompt: Poetry is …..

9. Songs - poetry with music Song lyrics are poetry that is put to music. They are lyrical - focus on feelings and ideas of the writer. They are rythmic, easy to remember and have unlimited subject matter. Love is a common theme but some songwriters are inspired by lives of others (e.g. Don McLean was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh.

10. Vincent van Gogh Listen to the story of van Gogh before we listen to and read the lyrics of “Vincent” by Don McLean.

11. The Starry Night (1889)

12. Sunflowers (1888-89)

13. Old Man in Sorrow (1890)

14. Task a) After reading the poem (and listening to a recording of it), summarise what you think is the meaning of each verse. b) What 3 images in the poem stand out in your mind? Write them down and explain why they stand out e.g. the image of swirling clouds in violet haze stands out because it gives the sense of feeling out of control - clouds and Vincent. c) How does McLean want us to feel about Vincent? (Quote 3 lines that demonstrate this). d) McLean makes many references to Vincent’s eyes? Find 3. Why do you think he does this?

15. Task Think of a song or part of a song that you appreciate because the lyrics are moving or powerful. What do you find most memorable or appealing about this song? E.g. rhyming pattern, structure, use of symbolism or images. Write down any examples of imagery or symbolism used by the songwriter to create visual images in your mind. What do you believe was the songwriter’s intention when writing this song? What emotions are represented and how are they created? Who is the intended audience if any?

16. Sources: Eshys and Guest, 1997, The Power of Poetry, Universal Publishing, Noosaville, Queensland. Various Google images Manning, Mary and O’Neill, Jennifer, 1999, Why Poetry, Oxford University Press, Oxford, United Kingdom.