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SHS CREATIVE WRITING MODULE

Quarter 1 – Module 4.1: Kaleidoscopic View of Gnomic Writings

Writing Gnomic Poetry

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: “No copyright shall subsist in
any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of
the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be
necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may,
among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.”

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand

names, trademarks, etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective
copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek
permission to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The
publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Regional Director: GILBERT T. SADSAD

Assistant Regional Director: JESSIE L. AMIN

Development Team of the Module

Author: RHENLYN O. RELUYA
Editor: SUZETTE P. BARCENA
Reviewers: JOE-BREN L. CONSUELO and SDO CAMARINES NORTE
(headed by EMMA V. DASCO)
Illustrators: JOHN LEONARD P. CUIZON & KENNETH JOSEPH P. OCAMPO
Layout Artist: CRIZ T. NUYLES

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Introductory Message

For the teacher:

Welcome to the SHS CREATIVE WRITING MODULE!
This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by
educators from public institutions in Department of Education Region V
(Bicol) to assist you, the teacher in helping the learners meet the standards
set by the K to 12 Curriculum while overcoming their personal, social, and
economic constraints in schooling.
This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and
independent learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this
also aims to help learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking
into consideration their needs and circumstances.
As a teacher, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use
this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while
allowing them to manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected
to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included in the
module.

For the learner:

Welcome to the SHS CREATIVE WRITING MODULE!
This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful
opportunities for guided and independent learning at your own pace and
time. You will be enabled to process the contents of the learning resource
while being an active learner and at the same time an adventurer. Diego
your learning companion is with you as you embark in this learning journey.
You will transport in the different realms to learn and perform noteworthy
tasks.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do
not hesitate to consult your teacher. Always bear in mind that you are not
alone.
We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful
learning and gain a deep understanding of the relevant competencies.
More so, use your notebook or a separate sheet of paper in noting significant
details and pieces of information in the different modules and even in
accomplishing the tasks given to you. You can do it!

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 Hi there! You are in a mystical cave in Poetria Wonderland that no one
knew about except Diego. This is a place where mysterious creatures live.

Here, you need to look for the first magical seed to complete the four
powerful seeds that you need to plant together. The tree that will produce
the magical fruit, when eaten, will help you go back to your normal size.

To get it, you need to please its guard, the creepy crawler giant spider
named Aragog. He will only grant you the seed if you will accept his
challenges. The giant spider loves gnomic poetry so he expects you to write a
gnomic poem before you can have the seed.

Thankfully, you are not alone in this adventure. Diego, your comrade is
here to guide you get the first seed. Good luck to you and Diego!

The giant spider wants you to do this simple challenge. Diego will show
you the directions in order to accomplish this task. It is dark inside the
cave. Good thing, Diego has found a small lamp to give you light so you
can see the tasks clearly.

A. Directions: Arrange the words to make complete sentences. Write

your answers in your notebook.

1. gnomic/ memory/ poetry/ of meaningful sayings/ consists/ put/ into/ to

aid the/ verse.
2. main/ gnomic poem/ goal/the/ of/ philosophy/to/ conducts/ is/
spread/ the.
3. widely/the/many/ gnomic poems/ are/ of/ the/ adopted/ by /people/
can/ and/ be/recited.
4. aphoristic verse / gnomic poetry/ short/ of/ memorable statements/
containing /traditional wisdom/ is/ and/morality/ an.
5. outstanding/ lies in / adoption/ feature/ an/ of/ gnomic poem/the/
rich metaphors/ the/ present/ theme/ to/ the.
Great job!

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 Here are some words from the sentences you formed above. I hope
you enjoyed making sentences from the jumbled words. For your next task,
try the next activity.

B. Directions: Match each word with the description that fits it. Write
your answers in your notebook.

____1.gnomic A. used to describe something spoken or

written that is short, mysterious, and not
easily understood, but often seems wise
____2.poetry
B. a thing regarded as representative or
symbolic of something else, especially
____3.aphoristic something abstract.
C. a way of thinking about the world, the
universe, and society
____4.philosophy D. a concise statement of a principle
E. literary work in which special intensity is
given to the expression of feelings and
____5.metaphor
ideas by the use of distinctive style and
rhythm

Nice job! You impressed the giant spider! Don’t forget to thank Diego
for helping you.

This time, the giant spider wants you to sit on a big white rock and do
the next challenge which he calls Warm Up! Diego reminds you not to
move while sitting on the rock because if you do, some sort of spell inside
the cave will turn you into a rock forever, so you have to be careful and
be successful in doing the next task.

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Directions: Analyze what is being described in each gnomic verse
by Robert Creeley. Write your answers in your notebook.

1. _________
Down the road Up the hill Into the house A. Loop
Over the wall Under the bed After the fact
By the way Out of the woods Behind the times B. Eat
In front of the door Between the lines Along the path
C. Winter
2. _________
In the way it was in the street
D. Fate
it was in the back it was
in the house it was in the room
E. Echo
it was in the dark it was

3. _________
Be at That this
Come as If when
Stay or Soon then
Ever happen It will

4. _________
Season’s upon us
Weather alarms us
Snow riot peace
Leaves struck fist.

5. _________
Head on backwards
Face front neck’s
Pivot bunched flesh
Drops jowled brunch.

Great! You passed the terrifying challenge posed by the creepy

crawler and keeper of the first seed!

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 You have been successful in the initial tasks and it seems that you have
a background knowledge on gnomic poetry. Let’s learn more about it.

Gnomic Poetry
Gnomic poetry refers to aphoristic verse containing short, memorable
statements of traditional wisdom and morality. The Greek
word gnome means “moral aphorism” or “proverb.” Gnomic
poetry consists of meaningful sayings put into verse to aid the memory.

Gnomes are found in the literature of many cultures; among the best
known examples are those contained in the biblical book of Proverbs.
They are found in early Greek literature, both poetry and prose, from the
time of Homer and Hesiod onward. A gnome is an aphorism-that is, an
observation or sentiment reduced to the form of a saying. Gnomes are
sometimes couched in metaphorical or figurative language, they are
often quite clever, and they are always concise.

A gnome was defined by the Elizabethan critic Henry Peacham as "a

saying pertaining to the manners and common practices of men, which
declareth, with apt brevity, what in this our life ought to be done or not
done".

As such, the gnomic verses express something about wyrd—about the

way things are fated to be in this world. When the poet says that

Frost shall freeze

Fire eat wood
(Alexander 1966, 88)

he expresses the inevitability of these natural laws.

When he says:
Courage must wax
war-mood in the man,
the woman grow up
beloved among her people,
be light of mood
hold close a rune-word
(Alexander 1966, 88)

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he expresses the expectations society has for the two genders,
expectations that should presumably be seen as just and inviolable: This is
how people should behave.

The native tradition in Philippine poetry can be found in a specific form

called the gnomic verse —and “gnome” meaning something that is short
or small, these are then poetic lines which are short and compressed.

Different regions of the Philippines have a wealth of gnomic poetry in

the form of proverbs, riddles, and ditties for different special occasions.
These (below) are but a few samples of the treasures we have in the
bugtong tradition. You will recall that the bugtong of the pre-colonial
times were used by the people as a teaching device of sorts, sharpening
the observational skills—and the practical knowledge that goes along
with it—of things in their environment and community.

The main goal of gnomic poem is to spread the philosophy of

conducts. Authors of gnomic poems always employed this form to present
the moral standard and the learning spirit in social life and the proper
attitude in getting along with others.

As to the style of writing, every paragraph of gnomic poem includes 4

lines, every line includes 7 words, two sentences are used metaphorically,
and the other two sentences are used to describe facts.

An outstanding feature of the gnomic poem lies in the adoption of rich

metaphors and methods of reasoning to present the theme and thus
make the poem seem more philosophic. All metaphors used by gnomic
poem are those that people are familiar with. In addition to the natural
phenomena that are common in daily life, gnomic poem uses many
literary quotations and proverbs, which led to its great popularity among
the common people. Many of the gnomic poems are widely adopted
and can be recited by people.

Aragog prepared four consecutive challenges that you need to

accomplish. He wants you to follow the directions he has given Diego. To
do the following tasks, Diego will lend you a block of wood where all the
directions are carved on it.

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Practice Task 1. Write a four-line poem in your notebook with a rhyming
scheme of a/a/b/b about a nominated person. This is a good start on how
to write a four-line poem. Do this in your notebook.

For example, for Ben the Traveler, the poem could be:
Brave and bold is our friend Ben
He's going overseas, we don't know when.
We'll see him off with many tears
We hope he's not away for years.

Choose one from the suggested names below:

- Gwen, a Pirate
- Roger, a teacher
- Natalie, a two-week-old baby
- Charles, a prince
- Ronald, a rogue
- Cyril, a singer
- Ferdinand, a fake
- Marcia, a magician
- Sammy, a snail-catcher
- Esmeralda, a trapeze artist

Aragog is waiting whether you will succeed or fail in the succeeding

tasks! Prove him you can!

Practice Task 2. Remember that when you can write lines

metaphorically, you can write a good gnomic poem too! Now, you are
given three subjects to write three metaphors for each of them. This is a
good start on how to write lines metaphorically. Write your answers in your
notebook.
For example:
The moon is a pearl from a necklace,
a cold, cheesy pizza,
earth's halo

Topics:
1. Cloud
2. Ocean
3. Autumn leaf

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See? You can do it! Try the next task!

Practice Task 3. Hey buddy! Here’s a sample gnomic poem by Ayoola

Titilope. Read it and try to understand how a gnomic poem is written.
Answer the poem analysis questions that follow once you are done
reading this.

Gnomic Thoughts of Existence

In the world of gloom and negativity,
Like the shadows of guilt, evil is lucid,
And glasses of truth is shattered
Like drops of gore on a deathly desert.

The good old days will never return

For long gone they are like medieval ages,
And the years will come when the time is ripe
And poised are the hearts of men with memories.

Virtue and vice will cease to survive,

And goodwill is void in the end of time,
Why dying to live when we live to die?
Well, what is a world without enigma?

This is where the strong devours the weak

Sticking tongues on frozen poles of negligence,
As the youths shed blue blood
On the golden grounds of sordid beings.

But remember, hope is not lost when terror diminishes,

But whose fate would soon be sealed?
And famine spreads on fertile lands
As justice hides, concealed in pretense.

Why shall men seek elevation

When their cursed nature is against satisfaction?
Our actions be eggs in the throat of a goose
Living and moving forward—in reverse!

To fathom the concept and purpose of nature

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 Is like hoping for peace whilst preparing for war...

O mighty heavens of the solemn sky;

Of life, of death, of good and evil,
Make us decipher this enigmatic life
Before it fades before our eyes.

Poetry Analysis
Directions: Answer each of the following questions to the best of your
ability. Write your answers in your notebook.

1. What is the title of this poem?

2. Who is the author of the poem?
3. Basically, how many lines are there in each stanza?
4. What kind(s) of literary device have been included by the poet?
5. What is the mood of this poem? Explain your answer.
6. What is the author’s tone (his or her attitude toward the subject?
7. Was the poem successful in establishing a significant theme? Explain
your answer briefly.
8. Based on your analysis, what do you think is the author’s purpose in
writing this poem?

Excellent! There is no doubt that you will also pass the next challenge. Are
you ready?

Practice Task 4. Here we go! It’s time for you to write your own gnomic
poem! I hope that the previous tasks helped you understand the style of
writing gnomic poetry. Don’t forget to include four lines in every
paragraph and use metaphor for two sentences in each stanza and
another two sentences to describe facts. Compose a 4-stanza gnomic
poem celebrating the beauty of Mother Nature and why there is a need
to preserve the Earth. Write your answer in your notebook.

With all the things that you did, I know you are exhausted now. Try to
cool down for a while.

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 Aragog needs to rest for a moment and he needs to read your gnomic
poem before he decides to give you the magical seed. He wants you to
do this task while he is busy. Diego has been instructed by Aragog to look
after you.

Directions: Read the following and identify which from the lines below are
written metaphorically. Write YES on the blank if it contains metaphor and
No if not. Write your answers in your notebook.

1. ______________
The ocean is deep and vast like my love.
I am often blue as the sky above
or the waters below, I dream of trees and hummingbirds, flowers and
honeybees.
I yearn for peace amidst the storms of life.
I disdain the pistol, the bomb and the knife.

2. ______________
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

3. ______________
You are my earth and all that earth implies:
The gravity that ballasts me in space,
The air I breathe, the land that stills my cries
For food and shelter against devouring days.

4. ______________
I’ll love you, dear, I’ll love you
Till China and Africa meet,
And the river jumps over the mountain
And the salmon sing in the street.

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 5. ______________
The light sleeps under the skin of the river stone.
What brings out the fire in the feldspar
The tiger in the gate
The rose in the quartz
Is the persistence of desire.

Nice job! You are done now! All you have to do is wait for Aragog’s
decision.

Now that you learned the basics of writing gnomic poetry you are
encouraged to read other examples of gnomic poems that will serve as your
guide so you can write more gnomic poems on your own. You may read
some famous gnomic poetry like the Sakya Proverbs. Here is the link for further
reading. (http://www.szakja.hu/english/teachings/SakyaPandita_elegantsayings.html)

Congratulations! You did it! Aragog is giving you your reward! You just
earned the first magical seed! Good luck to your next journey as you gather
the remaining seeds.

To remember our lesson better, let us synthesize.

Remember that the main goal of gnomic poem is to spread

the philosophy of conducts.

Authors of gnomic poems always employed this form to

present the moral standard and the learning spirit in social life and
the proper attitude in getting along with others.

As to the style of writing, every paragraph of a gnomic

poem includes 4 lines, every line includes 7 words, two sentences
are used metaphorically, and the other two sentences are used
to describe facts.
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Vocabulary Builder
A.
1. Gnomic poetry consists of meaningful sayings put into verse to aid the
memory.
2. The main goal of gnomic poem is to spread the philosophy of conducts.
3. Many of the gnomic poems are widely adopted and can be recited by
people.
4. Gnomic poetry is an aphoristic verse containing short, memorable
statements of traditional wisdom and morality.
5. An outstanding feature of the gnomic poem lies in the adoption of rich
metaphors to present the theme.
B.
1. A
2. E
3. D
4. C
5. B
Warming up

1. Loop
2. Echo
3. Fate
4. Winter
5. Eat
Keeping You in Practice
Practice Task 1. Answers may vary. Use the criteria below for rating.
Criteria Points
Content 3
Creativity 3
Rhythm 2
Neatness 2
10

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 Practice Task 2. Answers may vary. Use the criteria below for rating.

Criteria Points
Content 3
Creativity 2
5
Practice Task 3.

1. Gnomic Thoughts of Existence

2. Ayoola Titilope
3. 4
4. Simile, Metaphor
5. gloomy
6. serious, confused
7. answers may vary
8. The author tries to express the irony of existence.

Practice Task 4. Use the rubric below for rating.

Poetry Writing Rubric

Excellent Average Poor

(5 points) (3 points) (1 point)
Cohesiveness The poem goes The poem somewhat The poem does
perfectly goes together but not go together.
together. There is needs more The poems lines
unity between cohesiveness. The and stanzas
lines and stanzas, poem’s lines and sway from the
which connect stanzas sometimes topic.
with the topic. sway from the topic.
Use of poetic The poem uses The poem uses poetic The poem uses
elements poetic elements elements but they no poetic
to enhance the sometimes distract elements.
poem and the the reader.
reader’s emotions.
Rhythm The poem uses The poem sometimes The poem does
rhythm uses rhythm but may not have any
throughout, which waver in a way that noticeable
benefits the distracts the reader rhythm.
poetic tone. and negatively
affects the tone.
Creativity The poem uses The poem uses The poem does

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 enough and insufficient metaphors not use unique
unique metaphors to describe situations, metaphors.
to describe objects, and people.
situations, objects,
and people.

Cooling Down

1. No
2. No
3. Yes
4. No
5. No

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Textbook

Aguila, A.A, Galan, R.S, Wigley, J.J. (2017). Wording the World: The Art of
Creative Writing. Writing Poetry. 839 Edsa, South Triangle, Quezon
City, Philippines: C & E Publishing, Inc.

Online Sources

Bates, D. Poetry word games. Retrieved from

http://education.maritime.history.sa.gov.au/documents/PoetryWordg
ames.pdf
Chinaculture.org. (2020 June, 29). Gnomic poem. Retrieved from
http://en.chinaculture.org/library/200802/04/content_25784.htm#:
~:text=As%20to%20the%20style%20of,are%20used%20to%20describe
%20facts.
Date, M.R. (2013, July 28). An Overview of Philippine Poetry. Retrieved
from https://www.scribd.com/doc/156499906/An-Overview-of-
Philippine-Poetry-in-English-doc
Encyclopedia of medieval literature. (2013). Gnomic verse. Retrieved from
https://medieval_literature.enacademic.com/254/gnomic_verse

Hess, G. Poetry Writing Rubric. Retrieved from

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CtuLBEWaUX_1Mt3ZUlFUdc
bWclz9AyEbAYW-CVnTgzc/edit#
Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Gnomic. Retrieved from
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gnomic
Poetry Analysis Worksheet. [PDF Document]. Retrieved from
https://www.crhsd.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinsta
nceid=2808&dataid=4681&FileName=poetry-analysis-worksheet-1.pdf
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. Gnomic poetry. Retrieved
from https://www.britannica.com/art/gnomic-poetry
Titilope, A. (2020 February, 23).Gnomic Thoughts of Existence. Retrieved
fromhttps://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/gnomic_thoughts_of_existen
ce_1237182
Wikipedia. (2019 December, 30). Gnomic poetry. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnomic_poetry

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