Poetry Magazine

Here is a poetry magazine project that can be helpful for all grade levels. I chose mine for high school and middle school, but all levels apply.

The Collected Poems by Theodore Roethke

Poetry Break 5: A poem with a refrain or chorus

Introduction: Teach students about refrain by analyzing song lyrics. Afterwards, students are to read "The Waking" and identify refrain in the poem.

Book: The Collected Poems by Theodore Roethke
Author: Theodore Roethke
Published: 1974

"The Waking"
by Theodore Roethke

I wake to sleep and take my waking slow.
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go. (refrain)

We think by feeling. What is there to know?
I hear my being dance from ear to ear.
I wake to sleep and take my waking slow. (refrain)

Of those so close beside me, which are you?
God bless the Ground! I shall walk softly there,
And learn by going where I have to go. (refrain)

Light takes the Tree; but who can tell us how?
The lowly worm climbs up a winding stair;
I wake to sleep and take my waking slow. (refrain)

Great Nature has another thing to do
To you and me; so take the lively air,
And, lovely, learn by going where to go. (refrain)

This shaking keeps me steady. I should know.
What falls away is always. And is near.
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. (refrain)
I learn by going where I have to go. (refrain)

Extension: Have students create their own poem using a chorus or refrain. Students will present their work in front of the class in their own creative way. Some students can rap their poem, some can work in pairs and play an instrument while singing their poem, while others can read it with voice and emotion to the class.