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How to Write a Transformation Poem

Poets learning to write transformation poetry, endeavor to "show" and not "tell." Interacting with the reader through vivid imagery, rather than passive exposition, enables the writer to craft a strong transformation poem. Significant in transformation poetry is the "transformation," where the narrator or subject undergoes a surprising or subtle metamorphosis. Because poems are linguistically economic, the choice of words is crucial in the overall message as well as immediate meaning.

Instructions

    • 1
      Use animals, nature or additional subjects as the transformation focus.

      Write the first draft of an experiential poem integrating more than one subject. For example, write about an experience that includes other elements such as a person, object, animal or even nature.

    • 2

      Use "first person" to narrate the poem as practice. Writing in the first person, means narrating the poem from the "I" perspective.

    • 3
      Highlight or circle all of the nouns in the working draft.

      Make note of all nouns in the completed first draft, excluding the narrator. Highlight or circle these nouns.

    • 4
      Re-read the first draft of the poem.

      Re-read the completed draft. Consider which noun will symbolize the narrator's transformation. For example, in poet Anne Sexton's "December 17," "Today I bought a sprig of mistletoe all warts and leaves and fruit and stem --- the angel of the kiss --- and hung it in our bungalow. My love, we will take root during Christmas Armistice," the narrator transforms from a shopper to a part of a plant that begins to root. Notice the transformation is subtle and without the use of a phrase such as "I became part of the mistletoe"

    • 5
      Begin revising the draft and rewrite it as a transformation poem.

      Rewrite the poem. This time, integrate a transformation. Do not use the phrases, "I became" or "I turned into."

    • 6

      Edit the final draft. Check for grammatical errors and overall fluency.

Poetry

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