Reading and Writing Poetry

How do poets use repetition in poetry?

Count how many times the poet, David McCord, repeats the line "Every time I climb a tree" in the poem "Every Time I Climb a Tree." Copies of the poem will be given out.

Write a response as to why you think the poet repeats this line over and over again. Share your response with a friend and discuss his/her response together.

What feeling do you get when you read this poem? What feeling do you think the author is trying to convey? Does this feeling come across by repeating the line over and over? Why or why not?

What kind of childhood do you think the author had and where do you think he lived? Answer this question in a complete sentence.

Try to write a poem about your childhood. Use repetition to emphasize an event or activity.