This funny poem is about a maths test that goes very bad. It includes five different types of poetic devices, including hyperbole and metaphor.
“Maths Test Poem”
By Kia West
I think I failed my maths test
It didn’t go too swell
I read, revised and studied
But my mind’s a maths hotel
The knowledge checked into my head
And checked right out as well
I sat there at my table
The numbers swirled around
My heart was thumping in my chest
I couldn’t make a sound
I started getting dizzy
And I fell right to the ground
They called my mum to pick me up
And she said that I was faking
I told them I was truly sick
And my body still was quaking
When the teacher looked at me
I’m sure he saw me shaking
They made me go back to the room
To finish off the test
I was taking years to write things down,
Way slower than the rest
I think if failing were a sport
I’d really be the best!
Poetic Devices:
Rhyme
Alliteration
Metaphor
Personification
Hyperbole
More about “Maths Test Poem”…
One thing that might stick out to some readers is the subject is called “maths” in Australia, not “math” like it is in the USA. This is not a typo.
This poem has a consistent structure of six lines per verse and an ABCBDB rhyme scheme. This means that in each verse, lines Two, four and six all rhyme with each other.
Figurative poetic devices like hyperbole and metaphor are sometimes harder for students to spot in a poem than sound devices like rhyme and alliteration. Metaphors, like the one in verse one, make a comparison by saying that one thing is another thing. Hyperbole, like in verse four, use exaggeration to emphasize a point. When trying to spot figurative devices, students should ask them selves, “Does the poet really mean exactly what they have written? Or do they expect me to understand a secret hidden meaning?”
For more poems like this one, click on the link below.