Last year, I spent the majority of my THON 2025 graveyard shift crafting the perfect haikus. This year, I knew I had to find a way to up my game. What better way to do that than craft elaborate poems?

As a writer and an English minor, I find more joy than most in making poems. Therefore, I spent over an hour trying to come up with the best THON 2026 poems I could.

Haiku

• Haikus follow a 5-7-5 format, lasting three lines.

Dancers receive mail

Encouraging messages

Sent with love from friends

Villanelle

• Villanelles are typically written about an obsession. They follow an ABA, ABA, ABA, ABA, ABA, ABAA rhyme scheme, and last 19 lines.

BJC brisket mac and cheese

You were the best meal I had this week.

I think I’ll take some more of that, please.

Eating the small bowl put me at ease,

It was more than unique.

BJC brisket mac and cheese.

Whether it’s 100 degrees,

Or I’m feeling very weak,

I think I’ll take some more of that, please.

When it comes to mac and cheese, I have an expertise,

Yet this one had the perfect technique.

BJC brisket mac and cheese.

It’s so good that it makes me stop and freeze

It’s so perfect I don’t have the words to speak,

I think I’ll take some more of that, please.

It’s so good I could give it a tight squeeze.

It’s something I will always seek.

BJC brisket mac and cheese

I think I’ll take some more of that, please.

Elegy

• Elegies do not follow a specific pattern or rhyme scheme, but are normally written in mourning.

As the hours go by, so do the lights on the Greek letter signs.

As we near the end of THON 2026, only some of the best are left standing.

It’s so sad to see, a once lit-up BJC,

Is now just a darker arena filled with people,

And colored signs, that used to be filled with light.

Free Verse

• Free verse poems do not need to follow a specific rhyme scheme or pattern, and can be written about anything.

THON is one of the most inspiring weekends of the year.

One where students from all backgrounds and campuses

Come together to create a beautiful weekend

Always and forever, For The Kids.

Acrostic

• Acrostic poems can take any form, but the first letter in each line spells out a word.

Today, we dance for a cure.

Hours spent standing

On the floor of the BJC.

Next stop, dancing in celebration.

Limerick

• Limericks are supposed to be funny poems, taking on an AABBA format.

When Dancer Relations Captains get called to the stage,

I’ll admit, sometimes I find myself filled with rage.

It means I have to get out of my comfy seat

Just to try and capture that exact beat.

Oh well, I guess I’ll have to get up and engage.