An Alphabetical Alien Invasion

Likewise there is danger when Brones are around
For they can attack from their home in the ground.

Crumlins are harmless in contrast to these
Their only bad habits are swinging in trees

And causing mischief to the sweet Dumberlings
Who flutter by gracefully using their wings.

My own favourite is the Entoulijelly
Who lets out a squeak when he touches his belly.

He’s definitely preferable to the Fuloo
Who constantly looks like he’s needing a poo.

The Grumberland’s scary because of his claws
And loud gnashing sounds which come from his jaws

The contrasting Hafferlug’s totally great
He’s friendly and smiley, and everyone’s mate

His closest ally is the Inkyblink
Who trickles black ink, with every wink.

You would hardly notice the Joulig at all
It hides in the shadows curled up in a ball

Which can be a danger if Karubs pass by
As they kick all round things up into the sky.

Unlike the Lamite who just stands and stares
With enormous eyes; he simply glares

At anything, causing the nervous Maleeze
To react with a totally unrestrained sneeze.

The Nagalug has an interesting flair
For styling geometrical shapes in his hair.

Meanwhile the Olug will pass by with a whoosh
As he tackles everything in one big rush

The Phantel is hard to describe in a word
If I had to try, I’d simply say “blurred”

Quiribs are beautiful, just like a pet
They’re cute, and furry, but play hard to get

That won’t stop the Reelabub constantly trying
But tragically failing and ending up crying.

It’s difficult to get a view of a Smirl
Which moves in the style of a whirlwind swirl.

And then there’s the Tribble who only eats peas,
His hair can be seen overlapping his knees;

Whilst down at his toes is his servant, the Unt
Who obeys his master with a feeble grunt.

Avoid the Vigoob, whose bolts of lightning
Are dangerous, threatening and truly frightening

If you see the Welliburn, stay calm and still
For he turn his victims to frogs at will.

The Xylabog‘s body is just a rectangle,
With long arms that battle the urge to strangle.

The Yukaliese is a small hairy ball
Which trundles along on the top of a wall.

The Zumbig‘s extinct, a sad little creature
(The last one drowned in a water feature.)

Made up words are a great way to create an alphabet poem, as they can be as long or short as you want. This therefore helps you to keep to the rhythm and rhyme of your alphabet poem easier without being restricted by the order of the letters.

B for But…..

Notice also that the alphabetical element of the poem doesn’t have to be the first letter of the line, but can be a highlighted word within the line.

C for Creative….

This mythical idea of including monsters or aliens etc is another good way to link poetry to artwork, by illustrating the poem imaginatively. Whilst a poem like this can feel too long and laborious to write (and read) on its own, the concept can be made more fun by…

D is for Doing it together

Allocate each letter to a separate person and ask them to write and illustrate a rhyming couplet so that it can be identified. Now it becomes a more interesting pastime, choosing a few accurate (and amusing) descriptive words!

Care, you might like to agree on a rhythm and all use the same one in case you choose to….

E is for Extend it and edit it…..

Try putting all the couplets together to make a collaborative poem and edit it where necessary and possible to add conjunctives too and make it feel like it was written as one complete poem!

I was inspired to write this poem by Edward Gorey’s “Utter Zoo Alphabet Poem”.

Follow the link below for an excellent example of its use. http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/utterzoo.htm