Two Poems on the Charles River
Sensory Poetry About Place
Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site
“Poetry allows you to express yourself, to tell your own story about the things you see and what you feel.”
-Yolanda Oliveira
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)
Who are some poets you’ve heard of?
Do you have a favorite poem?
Close your eyes and think about your favorite place.
How does it feel to be there? What does it look, sound, or smell like?
What are adjectives?
Adjectives are words that describe a noun (a thing, person, or place).
What are the Five Senses?
Sight descriptions
A river looks:
Hearing descriptions
A river sounds:
Smell descriptions
A river smells:
Touch descriptions
A river feels:
Taste descriptions
A river tastes:
Underline descriptive words.
Circle parts that show the poet’s connection to the place.
To the Roller Skating Rink
Bright neon lights, sparkling disco balls
The Roller Skating Rink
Loud music, clacking skates
Buttery popcorn, lemon cleaner
Scratchy carpet, smooth floor, rough and bumpy walls
Too-hot pizza and sour slushies
One time I won a race at the roller rink! I felt really proud of how fast I skated. I almost forgot how to stop, which was exciting and scary!
Bright, sparkling, loud, clacking, buttery, lemon, scratchy, smooth, rough, bumpy, too-hot, sour
Oh rink where I skate,
With your bright neon lights,
Your sour slushies are great,
Your disco ball sparkles just right.
When I won my first race
I felt scared and proud,
The music got quiet,
But my skates clacked out loud.
Welcome to the Poetry Reading!