Illustration of five of the same faces but in different colors
Illustration by Daniel Fishel
Poem,

By Myself

By Eloise Greenfield
From the September 2022 Issue
Featured Skill: Analyzing and Writing Poetry,
Common Core Standards
  • Anchor Standards
    R.10, W.3
  • Grade 6
    RL.6.10, W.6.3
  • Grade 7
    RL.7.10, W.7.3
  • Grade 8
    RL.8.10, W.8.3
TEKS Standards
  • Grades 6, 7, 8
    3a, 4a, 5a, 5b, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6g, 6h, 7a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 11a

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Want to hear this poem read aloud? Click here!

Want to hear this poem read aloud? Click here!

By Myself

When I’m by myself

And I close my eyes

I’m a twin

I’m a dimple in a chin

I’m a room full of toys

I’m a squeaky noise

I’m a gospel song

I’m a gong

I’m a leaf turning red

I’m a loaf of brown bread

I’m a whatever I want to be

An anything I care to be

And when I open my eyes

What I care to be

Is me

“By Myself” from Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems by Eloise Greenfield. Used by permission of HarperCollins Publishers.

Writing Prompt

Using Eloise Greenfield’s poem as a model, write your own poem with the title “By Myself.” You may write from your own point of view or from the point of view of a fictional character of your choosing. (Be sure to indicate in your entry who your character is.) 

This poem was originally published in the September 2022 issue.

Audio ()
Activities (4)
Skills Activities
Writing Support
Answer Key (1)
Audio ()
Activities (4)
Skills Activities
Writing Support
Answer Key (1)
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

Close Reading, Critical Thinking, Skill Building

1. READING THE POEM

As a class, read the poem aloud a few times or listen to the poem read aloud.

2. ANALYZING THE POEM

As a whole class or in small groups, answer the questions in the Analyzing Poetry Activity.

3. WRITING  

Invite students to write their own poems or essays using our Guided Writing Activity.

Text-to-Speech