Poetry Challenge

"Phillis Wheatley, Negro servant to Mr. John Wheatley, of Boston." Engraving in Wheatley's book. Library of Congress

In 1773, Phillis Wheatley became the first Black poet published in America. Captured from West Africa as a child, Wheatley grew up as an enslaved person in the home of a wealthy Boston family. Unlike many enslaved people, Phillis Wheatley received an education from the Wheatley family. As a teenager, she started writing poetry. Her poems focused on topics ranging from religion to famous figures of the time, including George Washington. Wheatley soon gained recognition and popularity as a talented writer. Today, she remains an important figure who paved the way for future Black writers.

Now, we’re challenging you to share your thoughts through poetry! In this activity, we’ll explore using different poetry styles as a way to express ourselves.

Instructions

• Choose a famous figure, personal hero, or important place that inspires you.
• Read through the following prompts. Each prompt will introduce a new poetry style with an explanation of how to write that poem.
• Choose one or more poetry styles from the prompts listed below.
• Follow the prompt and start writing!

Getting Started

Spend a few minutes thinking about the person or place you have chosen to write about. Why does this person or place matter to you? Describe the person or place. Write down anything else that comes to mind to help you start.

Prompt 1

Write an acrostic poem using the following definition. Acrostic poems use each letter in a word to begin the lines in a poem. Use the letters in the name of your person or place to create your poem. You can choose whether you want it to rhyme or not.

Example

If the name of your person is Phillis, your poem would start off like this:

P _____________________________

H_____________________________

I_____________________________

L _____________________________

L _____________________________

I _____________________________

S _____________________________

Prompt 2

Write a haiku using the following definition. A haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that has three lines. The first and third lines have five syllables, while the second line has seven. You can choose whether you want it to rhyme or not.

Example

Black Heritage Trail

A place full of history

Bring your family!

Black He-ri-tage Trail

(1 + 3 + 1 = 5 syllables)

**A place full of hi-st-ory

(1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 7 syllables)**

**Bring your fa-mi-ly!

(1 + 1 + 3 = 5 syllables)**

Prompt 3

Write a cinquain using the following definition. Cinquain poems are made up of 5 lines. The first line has 2 syllables, the second line has 4 syllables, the third line has 6 syllables, the fourth line has 8 syllables, and the fifth line has 2 syllables.

Example

Carney

Brave, Heroic

Serving, Guarding, Leading

Man of Honor

Soldier

**Car-ney

(2 = 2 syllables)**

**Brave, He-ro-ic

(1 + 3 = 4 syllables)**

**Serv-ing, Guard-ing, Lead-ing

(2 + 2 + 2 = 6 syllables)**

**Man of Hon-or

(1 + 1 + 2 = 4 syllables)**

**Sol-dier

(2 = 2 syllables)**

Prompt 4

Write a free verse poem using the following definition. Each line of a free verse poem can be as long or as short as you like. Free verse poems do not have to rhyme.

Congratulations!

You have completed the Poetry Challenge! Don’t forget to share your poetry with us! Tag @BOAFNPS on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter or e-mail us for a chance to be featured on our social media!

Where this belongs

• Boston African American National Historic Site

Where this page came from

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