Poetry Writing: Ode 1

What is an Ode?

“An ode is a lyric poem that is written to praise a person, event, or object” (Sembre, 2017).

There are three types of odes:

1. Pindaric: three stanzas with two having the same structure, such as “The Progress of
Poesy” by Thomas Gray
2. Horatian: multiple stanzas following the same rhyme structure and meter, such as “Ode
to the Confederate Dead” by Allen Tate
3. Irregular: no set pattern or rhyme, such as “Ode to Tortilla” by Gary Soto
(https://www.bisd.net/cms/lib/TX01001322/Centricity/Domain/475/ODE-TO-LA-
TORTILLA-Text.pdf )

Brainstorming:
Subject: anyone can write an ode
• Find something you are compassionate about, love, or hate
• List adjectives that provide a vivid description
• Make a personal connection of how the subject has impacted you
• Grapple with your writing and have fun
Rhyming structures (if not irregular ode):
• ABAB “the last words of every fist and third line rhyme and the last word in every
second and fourth line” (Sembre, 2017)
• ABABCDECDE uses in John Keats text

Rough draft & editing:

Create three or four stanzas that focuses on three or four different aspects of your subject.
Read aloud your draft and edit.

Final draft:
Decorate and change font for the publishing

Sembre, B. (2017, October 6). How to write an ode. Retrieved from

https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-an-ode-4146960
Poetry Writing: Ode 2

Ode to the Neighbor (irregular)-rough draft

The one reliable

dependent individual
who comes through in a pinch,
with always a
“Yes, I can do it!” reply.
My angel in disguise
that cares so deeply,
for me, my people family,
my fur family,
my home, my packages,
and my protection.
The calm relaxed reassuring
Nature of a friendship,
always willing to drop everything
for other people’s needs.
I cannot live without
said neighbor.
The strength of a thousand men
to put together an enormous bunk bed
where it doesn’t fit.
The cheerful voice
when I’m miles away, friend,
who will run to your house
to open the door for your son
who is stuck outside and upset.
These neighbors, I cherish,
with all my heart and soul.
I will do whatever they desire,
in their time of need.
They have given me sanity,
and hope for a world that is so secluded.
Blessed,
Thankful,
Grateful,
am I
for the neighbor.
Poetry Writing: Ode 3

Ode to the Neighbor (irregular)-first edit

• Edit alone
• Read aloud
• Changed format, after looking at Gary Soto’s layout
• Checked spelling, punctuation, word usage
Poetry Writing: Ode 4

Ode to the Neighbor (irregular)-second edit

• Edit with peer and again by myself after reading aloud
• Removed all of the capitals that didn’t start a sentence.
• Reworded
• Changed font
• Concentrated on noun/pronoun and verb agreement
Poetry Writing: Ode 5

Ode to the Neighbor

The one reliable

dependable individual
who comes through in a pinch,
with always a
“Yes, I can do it!” reply.
My angel in disguise
that cares so deeply,
for me,
my people family,
my fur family,
my home,
my packages,
and my protection.
The calm relaxed reassuring
nature of a friendship,
always willing to drop everything
for other people’s needs.
I cannot live without
my neighbor.

Wonderful memories
fill come my mind.
The strength of a thousand men
to put together
an enormous bunk bed
where it does not belong.
Mask, gloves, gagging, giggling
action of removing
twenty-five days of cat shit,
in six litter boxes
kind of friend.
The cheerful voice
when I’m miles away,
neighbor,
who will run to your house
to open the door
for your son,
who is stuck outside and crying.

The neighbor,
I cherish,
with all my heart and soul.
I will do whatever they desire,
in their time of need.
They have given me sanity,
and hope
for a world that is so secluded.
Blessed,
Thankful,
Grateful,
am I
for the neighbor.
Poetry Writing: Ode 6