Sunday, February 1, 2009

Poem of the Month: "Metaphors"

I missed posting January's poem of the month by one day. Better late than never, right? This one requires audience participation. It's a riddle. A pretty exciting one, if I do say so myself. I always used this poem in the figures of speech unit when I taught intro to lit. So, I'll save my commentary on the poem until later. First, you have to let me know if you figure out the riddle . . . 

"Metaphors"
by Sylvia Plath

I'm a riddle in nine syllables,
An elephant, a ponderous house,
A melon strolling on two tendrils.
O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!
This loaf's big with its yeasty rising.
Money's new-minted in this fat purse.
I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf.
I've eaten a bag of green apples,
Boarded the train there's no getting off.

21 comments:

Shelah said...

hmmm, nine syllables... I know when I've felt like an elephant, a cow and a house, and it lasts for nine months. It sounds to me like congratulations are in order!!!!

smart mama said...

can't wait for team pink or team blue news!

Julie said...

Congratulations Catherine! That is so exciting.

Katy said...

Congrats! I hope it's a wonderful pregnancy for you!

cristie said...

It's the melon strolling on two tendrils that gave it away, since that perfectly describes me when great with child (as you can attest--how long has it been since the CCCC conference?).

If this is an announcement, then congratulations are in order! (I'm due with my 4th boy in June so it looks like my melon days are coming soon, too.)

Krista said...

congrats, Catherine!

Christy said...

Awesome news in this riddle!
Very funny way of putting it, this new exciting adventure you are on! Hope you don't feel like a cow just yet...

Miss Melis said...

Hip, Hip Hooray! I'm ready to help!

bluestocking mama said...

thanks for the congratulations!

cristie, i well remember that trip and you trooping all over new york city without a complaint. i was pregnant with my first then, so i never got big at all, but now i can sympathize with you. congrats on your fourth! and another boy too!

christy, no cow feelings yet, thank goodness. i'm not due until july 21, so i'm almost 16 weeks. sorry we didn't spill the news at christmas when we saw you--we hadn't even told our families yet.

melisa, thanks!

Stephanie said...

Catherine, I'm with Cristie...it was the melon on two tendrils that gave it away for me...although looking back it should've been the "nine months"...

How do you know Cristie anyway? I knew her in Cambridge...she was in our ward. But you were way out there so I'm wondering how you guys connected! What a small world!

The Scott's said...

ha ha. Love it! Congratulations!!

Courtney said...

Congratulations!!!

Tara said...

Wow Catherine, I am very excited for you. Congratulations.

Lindsay Riggs said...

Oh, man..."Boarded the train that there's no getting off." Isn't that the truth? Congrats! (I'm sure my mom has mentioned it, but I'm expecting in August.) Sylvia Plath's poetry is always intriguing, although sometimes depressing. I've never read this one, though. Love it!

Madsen Family said...

Catherine, I'll admit, I was suspicious when I saw that you had purchased a mini-van (which I love, by the way and still think you're totally cool). A mini-van is so a necessity with three kids, so I was HOPING that was why you purchased one. Congratulations! I'm so very excited for you and can't wait to find out the gender...Hip, hip hooray for babies! I love 'em and hope there are lots more to come:)

Swimmingmom said...

Congratulations, Catherine! Hope you are feeling well!!!!

Company EIGHT said...

Congrats Catherine!! I'm so excited for you!!

Melodee said...

Love it! I'm so happy for you!!

Arlo & Kara said...

I had no idea what this poem was talking about, until I read the comments! Could it be because I'm a watermelon--(8 more weeks to go)

SOOOOOOOO happy for you and Joe.

Dena said...

Congratulations! That is so exciting! Mister and sweetie are going to be so excited too!

Stephanie C. said...

Wonderful news, Catherine!!!

Congratulations!!!