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Voter Instructions:
- The countdown at the bottom of each pairing indicates how much time is left to vote.
- When voting closes, timer will disappear.
- Read both poems as many times as you like.
- Mark the poem you like best by clicking the circle next to its name.
- Press the “Vote” button to record your vote.
- Votes are counted in real time and cannot be changed once entered.
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- Classrooms should submit one vote as a class.
- Students can then vote again individually from home.
Things to Consider in Making a Choice:
- How well the poem incorporates the authlete’s assigned word.
- Technical elements: meter, rhyme, form, shape, and other poetic standards.
- Creativity: wordplay, imagery, unusual approach, etc.
- Subtle elements that make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.
- Your overall response: emotional reaction such as admiration, tears, laughter, terror, or some indefinable feeling.
Here are the poems:
5-slurred
Mish – Mash
by Linda Baie
“Hey Mom, it’s Mish, just called to shay the newsh about the game.”
“What’s that you say? Can’t hear you Mitch. You’re mumbling again.”
“We won the game, but dere’s a hitch, an injury or two.”
“Don’t understand, your speech is slurred, the words sound all askew.”
“Dear Mom, we won, but dere’s a loth. A toof has disappeared.”
“Oh no, again? Football is rough, the injuries I feared!”
“My yittle finger’s crooked now. My jaw ish magnified.”
“You’ll soon be home; I’ll take a look. Goodbye!” And then she sighed.
vs.
15-rejuvenated
Mother’s Retort to Junior, Age 15
by Heidi Mordhorst
You think I am too old,
You think I can’t incorporate
But even in my frail and failing state,
there must be some way to rejuvenate
my sadly sagging groove and— WAIT!
How ‘bout I chaperone your date?
