ENGL 210-5
Spring 2009
Instructor: Lily Rabinoff-Goldman
Poem #1: Metaphor

Poetic Portraits

For this assignment, begin with the list of metaphors you created in class about yourself or someone close to you.  Using and expanding on those ideas, begin to construct a poem that will be a “portrait” of your subject.  This poem may take many forms, including a list of the strongest metaphors, a metaphorical comparison (like in “Litany”) of “you are” and “I am”, or an in-depth look at one or a few of the subject’s qualities through various metaphors (like in Plath’s “Metaphors”).  

Things to consider:
-	What is the tone of this poem?  How do the metaphors you’re choosing reflect how you feel about the subject?
-	Are any of the metaphors you’re using dead metaphors or clichés?  If so, what might be a fresher way to write about the subject?
-	Are the metaphors I’m using concrete and specific?

Due in class on Tuesday, 2/3