Lesson 5

Concrete poem:
sort of shape poem; the design of the words adds extra meaning to the poem. It relies on the layout of the words for full impact. (e.g. LOUDER poem)


* Homework: copy text 1 OR 2 and change the layout (don't add or remove any words)

TEXT 1
History of Valentine's Day
Every February, across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday?

The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.


TEXT 2

There's no doubt about it. Valentine's Day sucks. Everyone runs around frothing, proclaiming their love to one another. It makes me sick. If someone truly cared about you, I think you'd hear it more often than once a year, presented with a heart shaped cardboard box filled with cheap chocolates and a card picked up for $2.95. This will supposedly cover all wrongs and faults in the relationship with one fell swoop, leaving the giver allieved of all sins committed within the past year.