This is a narrative poem. Tell it as though you are telling a story. Vary your voice as the mood changes. Enjoy being a narrator! (see the pictures below) Animated – make your listener want to hear more wide eyed Willow Pattern by Tony Mitton short pause Facial expression words to stress Look. On my plate no pause – continue to next line short pause is a blue garden It happened in China no pause – continue to next line a long time ago. long pause short pause There on a bridge the soldiers are running absolutely no pause – continue to next line to capture the princess, short pause the Emperor's daughter. long pause She left with the young man no pause – continue to next line short pause she wanted to marry. They fled to an island no pause – continue to next line that lay on a lake. long pause wide eyed soft face downhearted The Emperor was angry. short pause He ordered his soldiers no pause – continue to next line to capture the princess no pause – continue to next line long pause and kill the young man. But the man and the princess no pause – continue to next line were turned into bluebirds. short pause They flew from the island no pause – continue to next line and never returned. long pause willow tree The Emperor, in sadness, short pause turned into a willow. And always he droops no pause – continue to next line long pause as he weeps in his sorrow. This is a willow pattern plate He weeps on my plate no pause – continue to next line in a blue garden. short pause This is one possible It happened in China interpretation. Every short pause adjudicator has a different interpretation. Students a long time ago. should also bring their own feelings to the poem.