Australia

[Melanie_Page]

This was written to teach year 8 students (12/13 year olds) how to write poetic techniques, but I quite like it so I thought I would share.

Soft and somnolent, the eastern sea
lay dreaming on the beaches and
caressed the foot of the cliff.
Atop the precipice, the white gums glowed
in the pink sunrise while galahs screeched.
Inland, golden wheat waved gaily and sheep grazed,
like fluffy clouds on a green sky.
Under the noon sun the dry earth cracked,
lizards baked on rocks.
The heat haze hovered over the parched land
and insects hummed.
The red heart of the land beat proud
above the red plain, echoing with Dreamtime.
The westering sun wandered slowly over gaping chasms
where men scurried, ant like,
pillaging superficial wealth from a far greater treasure.
The last, fitful glimmers of light fell across a broad swathe,
glowing grapevines and skyscrapers reaching up
to catch the sun in its flight til,
worn out,
the great ball of fire
doused itself in the far ocean.
Sultry darkness fell on the great southern land.

[DATo]

Nicely done, both as a poem and a teaching tool.

I find instances of well-placed alliteration, metaphor, hyperbole, simile and personification which serve as excellent examples from which your students can learn the nuances and appropriate use of poetic literary devices. The poem itself is quite good spanning one arc of Helios' chariot of the sun over the Red Continent, from his first appearance Soft and somnolent, the eastern sea to his departure, the great ball of fire doused itself in the far ocean. I can almost hear the sound of a didgeridoo following in his wake. *L*

Lovely! Thanks for sharing!

[teacher_jane1]

Nice work! I've never been to Australia, but your carefully written poem gave a strong sense of what it must feel like to be there. I enjoyed reading this. Thanks for sharing.

[Emmers00]

Wow great imagery