A poem is the perfect gift for the mother who has everything.
A mother is not only a primary caregiver and source of life lessons, but she can be the origin of your life. Therefore, when writing her a poem, it is appropriate to use an extended metaphor for life to carry the emotions and small anecdotes on its back. An extended metaphor spans the entire length of a poem and defines its shape, intent and other aspects of its flavor.
Instructions
1. Make a list of life metaphors. Don't think too much about it, just write down the sentence, "Life is a..." and fill in the end with the first thing you think of that feels true. Use these examples as jumping-off points: life is a race, life is a roller coaster, life is a classroom.
2. Pick three to five items from the list you made in Step 1. If desired, write each one at the top of a new page. For each one, give yourself five minutes to free write on the metaphors. Again, don't think too much. Allow the words to flow unedited.
3. Reread the free writes from Step 2, underlining energetic or clever phrases and lines as you go. Pick the free write that has the most underlined phrases -- or simply speaks to you the loudest -- and set it aside for now.
4. On a separate piece of paper, list a series of qualities and memories about your mother. For example, her green eyes, dark hair, strong hands, and the time you got lost at the grocery store and she found you and swept you up off your feet with a big embrace.
5. Using the free write and the list from Step 4 as inspiration, compile a poem. Use the metaphor that inspired the free write, "Life is a..." as the first line.
6. Make sure the last line of the poem offers a logical and symbolic conclusion to the metaphor you have chosen. For example, if your metaphor is "life is a rollercoaster," end your poem with something about embracing the ending of the ride, or unstrapping yourself from the rollercoaster cars. If you are writing about life as a courtroom, end with lines about acceptance of the judge's verdict.
