Responding to Poetry: "The Swingset"

Here's Your Two-Part Prompt:

Part 1. Carefully read and annotate your own copy of Grace Walton's poem "The Swingset." Walton wrote this poem when she was in 7th grade. Examine her poem's format, specific language choices, vivid images, and overall meaning. Analyze the poem by answering each of the following questions in separate brief, but complete responses:

• How was Walton feeling throughout her poem? What clues do you have that help you infer her feelings?
• Response:

• Reread Walton's first stanza. Notice the strong noun-verb combinations. Why do you believe Walton selected these particular words and what image(s) do you think readers visualize when they read this stanza?
• Response:

• Walton's swingset is both literal and symbolic in meaning. What does the swingset symbolize for Walton? Explain your thinking.
• Response:

Part 2. Select a personal object that has had some level of importance to you over time. In other words, think about your own symbolic "swingset." Describe your object and narrate its importance to you in either a detailed paragraph or poem.  

Start Paragraph or Poem Below:

Tell this story: "Just remember,..."

Begin with the sentences below. Use the picture and your creativity to continue the narrative. Make sure you have some sort of beginning, middle, and end to your creative narrative. Transitions will help to add flow from one idea to the next. Make sure you also separate your story into smaller paragraphs rather than keeping your writing in one extended “block” paragraph. A tip for paragraphing: every time you notice a shift in your story, especially with dialogue, hit enter twice and start a new paragraph.  

"Just remember, you need to wait until he's finished working to ask him. He can get very angry if his work is interrupted. And we don't want him angry. We need his help."