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Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Poem Prompts
What prompts you to write a poem?
For me, different things at different times. I once wrote a poem after visiting
the cemetery at Wounded Knee. But not right after visiting. The experience had to marinate a bit first.
Another poem came from watching a nearby farm turned from pasture land
into a trailer park. But it, too, had to sit for a while.
One poem was written after a particularly hot summer. I thought about
how women from earlier generations must have endured the hot, dry summers in layered clothes and long dresses. It
actually had some humor to it.
Still another poem came to me while I was considering my grandmother, how
close she lived to us, yet how distant she was to us grandchildren. I wasn't quite sure of my feelings until they came
out in a poem.
It wasn't a popular poem. Those who didn't like it felt as though I had
taken on a protected class--grandmothers. There were no warm fuzzies or loving memories. But others recognized those sometimes
painful, yet poignant truths that those we might try to love don't always know how to return that love.
What prompts you to write a poem?
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Poets I Love
While we're focused on poetry at The Write Helper, I thought I might include
some of my favorite poets. This is more of an "off the top of my head" listing, so it's certainly not exclusive.
Ted Kooser, Poet Laureate to the Library of Congress--only I was a fan years
before he got that gig. His poems have a rural flavor, which this farm girl loves. One of my favorite collections of
his is Sure Signs, which my mom bought me years ago.
Robert Frost, quintessential American poet. So many good poems, too
many to mention. I recommend The Poetry of Robert Frost, The Collected Poems, Complete and Unabridged. Okay,
I'll mention my favorite, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." I'm not sure how he does it, something so simple, yet
beautiful.
Sylvia Plath, for her edgy, tortured soul. I can't claim that
I love every poem she's ever written, but she draws me in. I imagine many of her poems were written while burning
the midnight oil!
Thomas Merton, poet and priest. Certain poems stand out, among them this,
"For My Brother: Reported Missing in Action, 1943."
Edgar Allan Poe, for his dark, haunting poetry. "The Raven," of course,
comes to mind, but also his melancholy poem, "Annabel Lee."
Just a sampling from Amy's poetry buffet table. Read a few of
these, drop me a line, and tell me what you think.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Thoughts on Writing Poetry
I've been in this writing gig long enough to have heard all the excuses--and
used them a time or two myself! One of the excuses I hear most often concerns writing poetry. "I just can't write poetry,"
writers whine.
I don't buy it. For one thing, if you're a writer, then you're creative. And if you're creative,
you can write poetry. Granted, some writers will take to poetry quicker than others, but I believe many writers can turn out a
decent poem--maybe even a few! Poetry is just a different way to look at the world. It requires a high level of observation,
an "ear" for words and phrases that move well together on paper. It's risky, this poetry stuff, but I believe it sharpens
a writer's skills to give it a try.
In the spring we'll be offering a poetry class for those writers willing to take a risk. But
until then, I'd like to challenge those writers who think poetry is beyond their abilities. Sit by a window. Observe. See
the world through different eyes, then write down what you see. Massage the words. Go with your gut. Write fearlessly. You
just might be a poet yet!
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"Two
saxophone cases sat on the table. I rushed over and ran my fingers over the case that was clearly the more expensive. When
I lifted the cover, I gasped and my mouth went dry. I'd never seen anything so beautiful. The gold-lacquered saxophone, nested
in a plush velvet lining, shimmered like a rare jewel. I ached to own it and to run my fingers over the mother-of-pearl finger
pads whenever I wanted to. It was a dream. Would it come true?" [...] Read "The Saxophone" by George Thomas, winner of our 2010 Dead of Winter Nonfiction Contest.
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So why get a critique?
Every day we pay for small, trivial things, like a soda out of the vending machine at work or
a candy bar in line at the grocery store. A magazine or a manicure. A cup of coffee through the drive-thru.
But how much do we invest in enriching our lives?
Developing a talent that's been dormant for a long time? Realizing a dream, like seeing our name in print?
Why
get a critique? I say, why not?
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