Young children use poetic language naturally in that they express themselves through metaphors, colorful images, and unique word choice. Since this ability has often been repressed by the time children reach the middle grades, this article suggests classroom activities intended to stimulate children's natural poetic expression. These activities, based on a definition of poetry as the expression of one's personal self, stress sharing oneself with others in the following ways: rhyming words, sharing stories that have poetic language in them, writing "I am" poems, composing single line poems, constructing metaphors and similes, developing sensory awareness, and writing free verse. The article includes a list of children's books that can be used to motivate and encourage children in the writing of poetry. (MAI)