Poetry Starters
Use one of these opening lines to create your own poem.
Need inspiration? Read “Sirenita” by Edwin Fontanez below.
Use one of these opening lines to create your own poem.
Need inspiration? Read “Sirenita” by Edwin Fontanez below.
On this beautiful island,
as far as my eyes can see…
En esta hermosa isla, hasta
donde alcanzo a ver…
From the golden arc of
the sky to the dark desert…
Desde el dorado arco del
cielo hasta el oscuro desierto…
Pale fairies dance in the woods,
and sleep under the leaves.
Hadas pálidas bailan en el
bosque, y duermen bajo las hojas.
The dog lies down beside
his trusted friend the cat.
El perro se acuesta confiado
al lado de su amigo el gato.
Illustration by Edwin Fontánez © 2008 Exit Studio Publishing
Brillante, entre las olas
una sirenita canta.
Vestida de oro y jade
con coronita de algas.
El mar sube, se levanta
se cansa y echa en la arena.
Y la sirenita ríe
brincando entre la marea.
El sol y el aire salado
pronto se cubren de estrellas.
La sirenita cansada
desaparece en la arena.
Adiós, sirenita adiós,
princesa de uvas playeras
que en tu castillo de corales
sueñes entre las almejas.
Luminous among the waves,
There was once a singing mermaid.
Embellished with gold and jade,
A crown of sea weed adorned her head.
The sea rises, and rolls,
then tired, crashes over the sandbar
and the little sea maid laughs
as she rides over the waves.
Over the sun and salty wind
The sky is covered with stars.
The little mermaid now tired,
Retreats behind the warm sand.
Goodbye, little mermaid, goodbye,
Fair princess among the sea grapes.
In your palace of coral reefs,
You’ll dream among the seashells.