Last month, Heidi Mordhorst posed our Sunday writing critique group the challenge of writing a definito, a fabulous poetry form that she created and defined many moons ago. In short, Heidi describes the definito as “a free verse poem of 8-12 lines (aimed at readers 8-12 years old) that highlights wordplay as it demonstrates the meaning of a less common word, which always ends the poem.” I soon discovered that, even though I came up with word after word to use, the poems are much more challenging to write than I expected. Here are three of mine.
solitary
when there’s only
one
not two or three
existing
alone
on
its
own
solitary
©Molly Hogan, 2019
resilient
When challenges rise
like a flooding river
hold tight in the current
bend with the flow
Be strong
Be tough
Don’t let go…
Be resilient
©Molly Hogan, 2019
And then, just for kicks… and without a photo—
Regurgitate
Upchuck, throw up
heave, hurl, spew
Tossing cookies
sick with flu
What’s a queasy
kid to do?
Nauseous, achy
don’t feel great?
Grab a bucket!
DO NOT WAIT!
You’re going to…
regurgitate
©Molly Hogan, 2019
This week, Heidi‘s highlighting definitos as she hosts Poetry Friday at her blog, My Juicy Little Universe. Make sure to stop by to read more about the evolution of the form and to see some examples. Keep your eyes open while you wander through the Roundup, as there will be plenty more definitos around! Then, consider trying your hand at writing one, but be forewarned: Writing these is kind of addictive!
Nix the comfort zone 
Bwa ha ha ha ha! Regurgitate! That one is perfect for kids. Good job, Molly. And you know I love solitary…it has the feel of mindfulness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Linda. I had no idea there were so many synonyms for vomit! lol
LikeLike
So interesting to come to “Solitary” right from Catherine’s “Haste” – the two put together are a lesson in pacing! Beautiful . “Resilient” is perfectly set off with that photo. [And, what can I say, I’m GLAD the last one did NOT have a picture! ;0) ]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robyn. It’s really interesting to play around with this form. On another note, while moderating comments for PF, I just realized that, for some reason, your comments are being sent to SPAM. I just approved a couple of them that I saw there. Sorry I hadn’t noticed earlier!
LikeLike
It’s so much fun to learn about a new poetry form–I especially like Resilient, maybe because I need to be reminded. I like the photo, too.
And Regurgitate is really funny and perfect for that age group.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t this a great form!? I keep thinking of more words to try–I’ve got a list of at least 10 in the back of my notebook!
LikeLike
They’re all so different. Personally, regurgitate makes me sick😆 (just a bit hard to swallow…🥴). I love the brevity of solitary. And resilient is a perfect blend of picture and poetry.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Hope you’re over the queasiness. This is such a versatile form and really fun to write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitos are challenging, no doubt, but you have a knack for them, Molly! Linda is right that kids will love “Regurgitate.” I love “Solitary” and the way your word placement emphasizes the meaning. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love what you did with “haste”, Catherine. It’s fun to combine a visual with some of these.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are great! My kids are asleep right now, but I can already imagine their giggles of delight when I read them “Regurgitate” – which I’m definitely going to have to do. I’ll report back. I also love the line structure in “Solitary” – especially lines 2 and 3. Hmm… I can imagine combining this form and vocabulary poems (from Kwame Alexander in Crossover) and letting my students loose…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, do let me know how your kids like it! When I wrote it, I could just imagine kids chanting the first stanza. There are so many one syllable words for vomit! I didn’t even use “puke!” lol
LikeLike
They loved it – even though they said it was GROSS. The 8-year-old liked “tossing cookies”; the 11-year-old wanted to re-read. I’d say a hands-down success. Hooray!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That made my day! I’m so glad they enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my gosh, Molly! You really worked these. I’m struck by how everyone (except me) has wanted to illustrate a definito as you did with “resilient.” You got me good with “regurgitate,” which starts out just as a list of synonyms/expressions but develops into a story line. Love it! Thanks for all your encouragement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heidi, definitos are a brilliant form and the perfect one for our inaugural challenge! Thanks for inspiring us!
LikeLike
[…] definitos at these Poetry Swaggers’ sites:Catherine Flynn: Reading to the CoreMolly Hogan: Nix the Comfort ZoneHeidi Mordhorst: My Juicy Little UniverseLinda Mitchell: A Word […]
LikeLike
Playful welcome to my morning. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Dan! You should check out some of the others in the Roundup. It’s really fun to see all the different ways people approached this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Each one’s a perfect thought for the word, Molly. I laughed like everyone over ‘regurgitate’, but what spoke to me, picture not needed, is that slim “solitary”. “one, not two or three”. Wonderful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Linda. I debated about using a photo with “solitary”, so I’m glad to know you think it stands alone well. I have so many words I want to play around with now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am having so much fun reading all these definitos today. I love all three of these, but that last one gets me! I can see a group of kids laughing–and not forgetting–the meaning of this new to them word. Bravo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Regurgitate is hilarious! Resilient is inspired with its hold on tight, go with the flow. Isn’t this form addictive? I can’t wait to try it with kids.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is! I have a long list in the back of my notebook with other words to try.
LikeLike
Ewwww! You knocked “regurgitate” out of the ballpark! Your word choice (spare) was perfect for solitary, and the photo is perfect for resilient!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mary Lee! I’m so glad you played along. Addlepated was a terrific choice!
LikeLike
ha ha ha — that last one is SO FUNNY!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! My husband and I were brainstorming words for vomit on a car trip. Beats keeping track of license plates! lol
LikeLike
Ha ha ha — I LOVED solitary but also? That last one is SO funny!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Liz! I had a lot of fun writing “Regurgitate”. Sorry to be late approving this comment–Somehow I didn’t see it until today.
LikeLike
What a fun way to learn the meaning of words in these marvelous definito ditties! I have to agree with Kat, I want to turn the other way while reading, “Regurgitate,” it hits you right in the gut, and lingers… Thanks Molly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how versatile this form is and also how it exposes kids to new vocabulary and groups of related words.
LikeLike
Molly, I was so into the beauty of your work that when I got to the last poem, laughter at the end of a long day find its way from my heart. Great job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so happy I added some laughter to your day! Hope it lingered into the weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! I love these! The long o sounds work so well in the first, and that repetition and alliteration in the second, and then the utter grossness of the third for a bit of contrast. Barf-o-rama!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Barf-rama! I could have used that! lol
LikeLike
Ha! Thanks for sparing us the photo for regurgitate! You did an amazing job with these, Molly. Love them all, but there’s something particularly effective and appealing about the simplicity of “solitary.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michelle. I had a lot of fun with these and suspect you’ll see a few more. It really is an addictive form and what an engaging way to develop vocabulary with students!
LikeLike
[…] Flynn: Reading to the CoreMolly Hogan: Nix the Comfort ZoneHeidi Mordhorst: My Juicy Little UniverseLinda Mitchell: A Word […]
LikeLike
[…] Flynn: Reading to the CoreMolly Hogan: Nix the Comfort ZoneHeidi Mordhorst: My Juicy Little UniverseLinda Mitchell: A Word […]
LikeLike