Question

Read and consider the literary elements used to craft the following poem. What do you see the author doing, and how does she do it?

“Burning the Old Year”
by Naomi Shihab Nye

Letters swallow themselves in seconds.
Notes friends tied to the doorknob,
transparent scarlet paper,
sizzle like moth wings,
marry the air.

So much of any year is flammable,
lists of vegetables, partial poems.
Orange swirling flame of days,
so little is a stone.

Where there was something and suddenly isn’t,
an absence shouts, celebrates, leaves a space.
I begin again with the smallest numbers.

Quick dance, shuffle of losses and leaves,
only the things I didn’t do
crackle after the blazing dies.
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Poetry response assignment:
Write your own poem inspired by “Burning the Old Year.” Your poem should have the following characteristics:
- be four stanzas and have lines of similar length to Nye’s.
- use a central image (such as fire) both literally and figuratively.
- focus on leaving something behind (beginning) and embracing something in the new year (end).
-You may choose to do some visual or artistic enhancement around your poem’s words if you want. There is a document with an outline of a flame in today’s folder that could be an option.

Answer 1

Explanation:

response assignment:

Write your own poem inspired by “Burning the Old Year.” Your poem should have the following characteristics:

- be four stanzas and have lines of similar length to Nye’s.