Can you use modal verb constructs to create emotive poetry? Modal verbs are useful for expressing and exploring personal feelings. Look at the following poem by Emily Dickinson as a starting point:
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
As an alternative, the topic of ‘resolutions’ would work well using ‘If …’ statements to explore what you would do if you could be rich, taller, smarter, could win the lottery, or rule the world.
Can you write your own poem including modal verbs for our blog?
WAGOLL
If I could stop bullying
I would stop hearts aching
And eternal pain
I would help people onto their feet again
And no longer be in pain
I would smile in everything
And do what I can really do
If only I could stop bullying…
If I could be a bird,
I would fly to paradise.
I should tell the Lord,
I could visit him.
I ought to help,
I might do things wrong.
If I could be like the Lord.
If I could be an Olympic Gymnast,
I would train a lot,
I should have a cabinet full of trophies and medals,
I could win a Gold Medal at the Olympics,
I ought to sign lots of autographs,
I might even have a book/film about me,
If only I could be an Olympic Gymnast.
If I could be a bright star,
I would fly over Saturn and Neptune,
I should help moons glow light,
I could soar above the clouds,
I ought to leave stardust in the night sky,
I might even be seen high up,
If only I could be a star.
If I could be a racing driver
I would only wear white
I should never show emotion
I could challenge any star in a reasonably priced car
I ought to set the example
I might be fast, but all I know…
If I only could be called the STIG
Comments
CG
7 November 2019
If I could bring world peace,
I would rid the world of all war.
I ought to end all opposition and squabbling in politics.
I hope I would be able to create an unbiased government.
I should solve all disputes,
And take down ideologies and opposing believes
Until everyone believes in one common goal.
I should see that everyone shall be united under one nation.
It would be a nation with no predjudice,
Where everyone should have a say on how it was run.
If only I could bring world peace.
Mrs Beesley
17 November 2019
Amen CG. An excellent poem. Prize Box!
Mrs Beesley
17 November 2019
Well, I am very impressed by all of your modal verb blogs Year 6. Well done to you all. 3DJs for all. Hopefully, your work will be read and enjoyed by many. Thank you. Mrs B :)
O.N
21 September 2020
If I could buy any video game
It would stop me from being bored
If I could buy any video game
I ought to be delighted
If I could buy any video game
I would be excited
How lucky I would be
to have video games a plenty.
RMat
21 September 2020
If I could be a tiger
I would hunt
or maybe travel
I would run for smaller animals
And I would hide from greater animals
If only I could be a tiger
JJ
21 September 2020
When Coronavirus landed,
It felt like I was stranded,
We were told we couldn't go to school,
At first I thought it was really cool,
Home schooling started with Joe Wicks,
Who taught me lots of tricks,
He pushed us every day,
Until the end of May,
Boris would come on the telly,
I would get nerves in my belly,
I missed football so much,
It caused me to loose my touch,
I sent letters in the post,
To who I missed the most,
Even though things are starting to change,
It all still feels very strange,
I'm now allowed to see my friends,
But I really wish the infection would end.
Rmu
22 September 2020
If I could be a dog
I would run round all day
I might jump in a pond
I shall run after the ball
I would have so much fun
If I could be a dog
GF
22 September 2020
If i could be a astronaut
I would explore space
I could soar past planets
I may walk on the moon
I shall dance with the stars
I have to do flips in the rocket
I must wear a space suit
I ought to come back
If i could be an astronaut
EJC
22 September 2020
If I could cure corona,
I would go out for tea;
I might go swimming,
I may go on holiday and swim in the sea,
I should save lives all over the world,
I shall be praised,
If I could cure corona.
SM
22 September 2020
If I could dance all day,
I would never be bored again.
If it was boring in a way,
I ought to stop today.
Through good and bad,
I would still dance.
I wouldn’t be sad,
Oh if I could dance all day.
E W
23 September 2020
If I could be a doctor
I might fly one day
I shall be a teacher
i could be studying for SATS or not studying for SATS i might fail but it shall only about trying my very hardest if i could be a teacher.
AF
23 September 2020
If I could be a football player,
I would play in centre-midfield,
I will give my all every game,
I mustn't stop until the final whistle,
And I wouldn't stop and complain,
I might score a goal or two,
If I only could be a footballer.
JP
24 September 2020
If only I could be a footballer,
I would fly past the defenders,
I might score the tiebreaker,
I may lose but I wouldn't care,
I may even win and get carried by my teammates,
And shall celebrate the title,
I could take home a trophy or two,
If only I could be a footballer.
HB
26 September 2020
If I was a Bird, I would fly to paradise.
If I was a Giraffe, I could reach the tallest trees with the greenest leaves.
If I was a Snake, I may slither slowly towards my prey.
If I was a Cheetah, I could run as fast as a car.
If I was Mouse, I should run very fast when I hear that owl.
If I a Meerkat, I must keep a watch out for predator's trying to hunt my family.
If I was a Lion, I would feel like I'm King of the World.
M.E
27 September 2020
If I could be an athlete
I would train very hard
I might get to go to competitions
I must remember it just for fun
I should always do my very best
If only I could be an athlete.
F.E.R
27 September 2020
I could do something about this
will the oceans be oceans
when they shall not have life
we ought to know the damage that is happening
under the sea, it should be full of life
the ocean, it might become a lifeless place
we must be responsible
will the oceans be oceans
DW
27 September 2020
If I could be an Olympic gymnast
I should train ten times harder every day
I shall be shown on TV
May or may not win a gold but I know I tried my best
I would put my heart and soul in to everything
I will train before the sun came up
And train until the sun went down
I must give my all into this opportunity
I might not get a place but at least I learnt a lot more
And even experience everything I went through
If only I was an Olympic gymnast
RS :)
27 September 2020
If I won the lottery,
I would never work again.
If I won the lottery,
I could buy a house in Spain.
If I won the lottery,
I might buy my dad a car.
When I win the lottery,
I will buy my mum a star.
Lilly Holt
27 September 2020
If I could be kinder,
I would help people in need,
I may stop hearts aching,
to help people sucside.
When the storms have past,
on a rainy day,
rainbows and sunshine,
may follow and stay.
I must feed my pets every day,
after words I sit and play,
sometimes they can be a pain,
but I love them so I cant complain.
I was in lock down for six months,
I had to get home schooled witch wasent that fun,
It ment I could not see my friends,
witch was sad because I thought it was the end,
The best thing was I saw my mum,
When I was in lockdown for six months...
Kyle Jolley
27 September 2020
If only I could win the Lottery
I would have lots of money
I shall spend it on V-buck so I can buys lots of skins
I would have to play on fortnite
I may get a Victory Royal
I should save the rest of the my money for another day
If only I could win the Lottery.
HM
27 September 2020
If only I could win the lottery,
I would give some money to charity:
to help people who need it,
I might be famous,
I ought to share some of it,
I will not waste it,
I may buy lots of stuff,
If only I could win the lottery!
Harry D
27 September 2020
If I was a policeman.
I would arrest naughty people.
I might get hurt by them.
But I ought to make a difference.
People have to obey the law.
If only I could be a policeman.
IWAI
27 September 2020
If I could be a teacher
I would let the children play all day
I ought to get them to do some work
I may set something for them to do
I would teach them maths all day
If only I could be a teacher.
a.b ;)
27 September 2020
If I could leave the house
I might meet a friend
There must be someone out there
I could call a friend
Should I leave the house?
I would really like a friend
I will leave the house
The world shall be my friend
If I could leave the house
MV
28 September 2020
If only i could be sports ambassador ,
I would do everything in school to help sports ,
I would inspire everyone ,
I would help and make people feel comfortable in all sports,
If only I could be sports ambassador.
EMc
28 September 2020
If I could be singer
I would be singing about important things
I could be famous
I might give people autographs
If only I could be a singer
Eg
28 September 2020
If I could be a football player, I would play for Barca,and win lots of trophies. Help my family with money.Also be a star to watch. If I were a football player
Cb
28 September 2020
If I could be a kind person,
I would be kind to everybody,
I should involve everybody,
I should let everybody play,
I should say yes when somebody wants to play with me,
I could make new friends.
IWats
28 September 2020
If I could be school councillor
I would be great at it
I would loved doing it
I may have a meeting with year 6
I would love to do it
I should be good at it