Final Creative Component: Social Issue Couplet

This is part of your FINAL EXAM, but you will be able to work on it beforehand and bring it with you to the final (or submit digitally prior to Dec. 20). In the spirit of CREATIVITY helping us through difficult times and societal challenges, create a RHYMING COUPLET poem (at least 8 lines) based on a current event or issue.

For centuries, artists, songwriters, lyricists, poets, filmmakers ....all strive to comment on humanity's current condition through their art.

Here's a poignant song (written by a schoolteacher) sung by the legendary jazz singer Billie Holiday about racism and lynching, in particular.

Southern trees bear strange fruit Blood on the leaves and blood at the root Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant south The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop Here is a strange and bitter crop

Here's one I wrote about school shootings, which references WWI:

Your Challenge

Choose an issue in the world that concerns you - one you'd like to change or at least speak out about.

Brainstorm your thoughts and related words and phrases about this subject.

Use a rhyming dictionary such as https://www.rhymezone.com/ to help you rhyme the ending words.

Write your poem - it's ok to rework it as you see fit.

Check out this animated rap video on RHYME https://www.flocabulary.com/unit/rhyme-rhythm/

Give your poem creation a catchy title.

Submit your poem as part of your FINAL EXAM. Bring a copy with you to the exam room or submit digitally by Dec. 20.

If you are exempt from the exam because you have an A you are welcome to do this as extra credit or for your own personal creative fulfillment.