A poetry meme...for Poetry Thursday
Um..2 weeks ago (or something like that), the prompt offered over at Poetry Thursday was a meme. Since I didn't get around to doing it then, and I'm up at 6:30 on a DAY OFF, I'll do it now (apparently, I have time!).
Works well since this week's prompt seems to basically be a "do what you want" kind of week.
1. The first poem I remember reading/hearing/reacting to was... Shel Silverstein's "Boa Constrictor." (Find it here) I think this was the first time that I'd realized how words paint pictures and that, as that wasn't enough!, they tasted in my mouth.
2. I was forced to memorize (name of poem) in school and... Gosh, we must have been deprived at our school. I honestly can't remember ever having to memorize a poem. I remember reciting "The Fog" (Sandburg) and then doing an art project on it and writing our own "fog-like" poem, though.
3. I read/don't read poetry because... I do read poetry because it relaxes me. But I also subscribe to the notion that to write good poetry/prose/grocery lists/whatever, a person must read those things voraciously.
4. A poem I'm likely to think about when asked about a favorite poem is... Wow, Emily Dickinson comes to mind. I imagine it would be cheating to say "all of it," huh? Well, call me a cheater. It wouldn't be the first time!
5. I write/don't write poetry, but... I do write poetry, but I wish I wrote more of it.
6. My experience with reading poetry differs from my experience with reading other types of literature... It feeds my mild A.D.D. quite well--I can finish a piece and do my thinking before my wanders again. But, too, phrasing and line breaks make sense in my mind. It's how I think.
7. I find poetry... Delicious. I devour it, and sometimes bleed it. Poetry is in every step of my life, kind of like my faith.
8. The last time I heard poetry... A few days ago. One of my students read his pieces to me.
9. I think poetry is like... Visual perception through one's heart. No, not everyone feels poetry intensely, but you can't deny that it evokes the visceral.
For other answers to this meme, visit Poetry Thursday.
Works well since this week's prompt seems to basically be a "do what you want" kind of week.
1. The first poem I remember reading/hearing/reacting to was... Shel Silverstein's "Boa Constrictor." (Find it here) I think this was the first time that I'd realized how words paint pictures and that, as that wasn't enough!, they tasted in my mouth.
2. I was forced to memorize (name of poem) in school and... Gosh, we must have been deprived at our school. I honestly can't remember ever having to memorize a poem. I remember reciting "The Fog" (Sandburg) and then doing an art project on it and writing our own "fog-like" poem, though.
3. I read/don't read poetry because... I do read poetry because it relaxes me. But I also subscribe to the notion that to write good poetry/prose/grocery lists/whatever, a person must read those things voraciously.
4. A poem I'm likely to think about when asked about a favorite poem is... Wow, Emily Dickinson comes to mind. I imagine it would be cheating to say "all of it," huh? Well, call me a cheater. It wouldn't be the first time!
5. I write/don't write poetry, but... I do write poetry, but I wish I wrote more of it.
6. My experience with reading poetry differs from my experience with reading other types of literature... It feeds my mild A.D.D. quite well--I can finish a piece and do my thinking before my wanders again. But, too, phrasing and line breaks make sense in my mind. It's how I think.
7. I find poetry... Delicious. I devour it, and sometimes bleed it. Poetry is in every step of my life, kind of like my faith.
8. The last time I heard poetry... A few days ago. One of my students read his pieces to me.
9. I think poetry is like... Visual perception through one's heart. No, not everyone feels poetry intensely, but you can't deny that it evokes the visceral.
For other answers to this meme, visit Poetry Thursday.
Dec 19, 2006, 10:34:00 AM
#9 is so true. It transcends prose in the sense that the connection between thought and words is more intimate. The distance of linguistic structure is tossed aside.
Dec 20, 2006, 7:05:00 PM
I wish I wrote more, too. I went through a stage of not writing at all; then two good friends said to me I should put aside 30 minutes at the beginning of the day if I could and just write what came into my head. I did that (I've gotten out of the habit lately for various reasons, including moving house for the 24th time in my life), but that period was really creative. Whoops ! Long comment. Sorry. BB
Dec 21, 2006, 6:45:00 AM
Thanks for stopping by our blogs and commenting.
I have enjoyed reading all the memes these past weeks.
Have a happy holiday. :)
Dec 21, 2006, 2:08:00 PM
I miss Shel S...
Dec 21, 2006, 5:44:00 PM
'I bleed poetry'. Wow, that really got me thinking. I really enjoyed reading your poetry meme Jayne.
Dec 22, 2006, 8:51:00 AM
Interesting answers, I did enjoy reading the responses to this meme!
Dec 22, 2006, 9:22:00 AM
You're so right, poetry is a very visceral experience.
And I agree with you on #3. Great readers make great poets.