Dove

(original poem 4 - freeverse)

A troop of soldiers moves silently through the underbrush

guns impatiently quake in their gloved hands

heavy breathing

sweat drips down into their eyes

A sudden bang causes them to halt

anticipation

anxiety

all hold their breath

The leader makes a quick signal and they jump

running quickly

"forward, forward!"

no time to think

They reach a clearing, the ground littered with 

bodies

remains of an explosive smoke up from the ground

there is nobody left

Several soldiers fall to their knees

weapons hang loosely at side

A single white dove flies over the masses

it lets out a cry and soldiers look up

The bird soars and soars until it flies into the trees 

never to be seen again

The soldiers pick themselves up

Tomorrow will be a better day

Maybe it will all end tomorrow

Explanation:

This a poem about a war. It is freeverse and has no rhyme scheme. On line 2 there is an example of personification because guns do not have emotions and cannot be impatient. The dove mentioned is symbolism for peace during times of war.

Baby

(original poem 3 - haiku)

sleeps on a blanket

she is a beautiful rose

chest rises and falls

Explanation:

This haiku is about a sleeping baby. It has 3 lines with a syllable count of 5,7,5. The second line is a metaphor because the baby is not actually a plant. 

   Dog and Frog

 (original poem 2- ballad)

Once upon a time there was a frog

He lived with his best friend, a dog

They were sick of their boring lives

They picked up and left a letter

"We are going and leaving for the better"

Put it in an envelope for their wives

The pair went adventuring off the city

they bustled like bees and it was pretty

until they met two men with knives

"Good God, look at these creatures"

"We could sell their coats to dealers"

Dog is caught but Frog survives.

Explanation:

This is a poem about two animals who leave their homes and then run into men who sell animal fur. For some reason I gave it a gruesome end. It is a ballad with 4 stanzas with 3 lines each.  The rhyme scheme is AAB CCB DDB EEB. In the last stanza, the first line has an allusion with "Good God.." Third stanza, second line contains a simile comparing the two animals to bees. The whole poem contains rhyming.

   Beach Day

 (original poem 1- sonnet)

The ocean waves crash

Roughly against the shore

Rocks tumble and smash

There is silence no more

Crabs scuttle through the sand

Seagulls search for their prey

Children run, fall and land

It is just another beach day

Ice cream falls and babies cry

Lifting rocks, poking holes

Kites soar and frisbees fly

People smile, happy souls

Families clean up and leave the beach

Nature is a lesson no school can teach

Explanation:

The topic of this poem is about families going to the beach and playing in the sand and enjoying the outdoors. It is a sonnet, that has 4 stanzas and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. "Families clean up and leave the beach" on line 13 is an example of assonance. The first stanza contains imagery.