Writing with Sled Ride Down Unrue Street

Author Techniques

Refrain and Full Circle

I bet you noticed that there is repetition in this poem. You can’t miss it. The last line in every stanza ends with the same two words: Unrue Street. The preceding words on the line may differ, but never those last two. In addition to rhyme, using repetition is another way that authors create rhythm in their poetry. The repeated word or phrase in a poem is called a refrain. The refrain is generally an important feature or theme of the poem. In this case, Unrue Street is the setting where the main event, the sled ride, occurs. 

Did you also notice that the first and last stanzas in the poem are the same except for two words? The first stanza is in the present tense, telling the reader to “take your sled for a ride down Unrue Street'' while the last stanza is in past tense, signifying that you (the reader) completed the experience and “you took your sled for a ride down Unrue Street.” Coming full circle in a poem emphasizes the overall topic and brings the reader easily to the conclusion. Authors often use this technique to highlight the big idea (in this case, a sled ride down Unrue Street) while encompassing the details (of that sled ride) in between. 

Both techniques make poetry enjoyable, especially when read out loud.

You Try It!

Writing from Memories

Sled Ride Down Unrue Street is a poem based on a memory of the author. Memories can be our best writing topics because we know all there is to know about them. After all, they are our memories! Furthermore, it is so much fun to travel down memory lane to that favorite scene and imagine yourself there once again. Carol June Franks did just that when writing this poem. She imagined herself back on that snowy hillside surrounded by sleds and neighborhood kids. She reflected on that sled ride and what it felt like from start to finish. Then she captured on paper all the sensory details of those moments in time. 

You try it! Think of a special memory. Imagine yourself back in that moment and scene. Spend a few minutes thinking about all the details of that adventure. Next, start writing them down. Don’t worry about the order yet. Just get all your thoughts down on paper and try to include not only your thoughts and feelings, but also the details that can help you paint a picture with words. What did it look like, sound like, smell like, feel like, and/or taste like? 

Once you have all those ideas down on paper, decide on a refrain that reflects an important place or feeling you want to highlight through repetition. Next, start drafting your poem. Use your notes and the refrain to relive your adventure. When you think about the ending, try repeating the first lines or a version of them to bring your poem full circle. 

Remember poems don’t have to rhyme, but you can try to include words that rhyme if you wish. Don’t forget that rhyming words are usually found at the end of the lines in a poem. Be careful that you do not force rhyme. You don’t want to take away from your story just to include rhyming words. Sometimes no rhyme works best.

Keep in mind that writing is always a process and you are off to a great start just by brainstorming and getting your ideas down on paper. Just keep reworking the words, revising until you end up with a poem that recreates your memory. You’ll know you’ve made it when others can live your adventure through your words.