We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion.
Mr. Keating in Dead Poets Society
So why write poetry? It is not just an experience for National Poetry Month. It is the opportunity to allow your thoughts to flow freely with unlimited possibilities, or if you prefer boundaries, the opportunity to write within a structured frame. Poems are avenues for thoughts that can grow into poetic expressions, becoming the wings of your inner spirit that wish to take flight. They can be the vehicle for the inner voice to gain entry into a universe of collective thoughts. Sometimes, though, thoughts are locked deep within. In this case, poetry is doorway opening to a portal of possibility.
This month is National Poetry Month so there is much focus on poetry as an art form. Twitter feeds are buzzing about poetry in the classroom, the integration of technology and art, and various techniques to create highly visual poems. Poetry can be introduced in various ways; appear in different shapes; paired with a graphic, photo, or bold typography to become a creative work or advertisement.
For those who love language, poetry may come naturally. But there are those who feel intimidated by the genre. For every naysayer, I say there is a voice inside each of us that can flow as a steady stream with one leap of faith.
To begin the creative process, you might like to start with a visualization. Mary Lee Hahn has provided several pathways to do so in her Our Wonderful World project. Taking her lead and using her poem as a mentor text, I tried the techniques she posted. My first draft was very rough. Rearrangement and refinement were needed. Being the editing geek that I am, several iterations later, I found my voice, gathered momentum, and produced a single thought worth sharing. Using the first and second day techniques that Mary Lee described allowed me to connect poetically with an inanimate object. By starting with a photograph and some research about the object, I lifted single words from either what I read or from my own background knowledge to relate to the topic. Here are my attempts to be more targeted in my approach to writing about inanimate objects:
For those who love language, poetry may come naturally. But there are those who feel intimidated by the genre. For every naysayer, I say there is a voice inside each of us that can flow as a steady stream with one leap of faith.
To begin the creative process, you might like to start with a visualization. Mary Lee Hahn has provided several pathways to do so in her Our Wonderful World project. Taking her lead and using her poem as a mentor text, I tried the techniques she posted. My first draft was very rough. Rearrangement and refinement were needed. Being the editing geek that I am, several iterations later, I found my voice, gathered momentum, and produced a single thought worth sharing. Using the first and second day techniques that Mary Lee described allowed me to connect poetically with an inanimate object. By starting with a photograph and some research about the object, I lifted single words from either what I read or from my own background knowledge to relate to the topic. Here are my attempts to be more targeted in my approach to writing about inanimate objects:
 |
| Version 1 Created with Notegraphy, the Instagram of Words for the Writer The Notegraphy image used reminded me of the Coliseum. |
 |
| Version 2 Created with Word and Screenshot The background design was chosen and paired with the text to reflect a table top. |
Hoping to create a buzz about poetry, I am inviting all to participate in a literary event this April.
Your single thought can become an awakening for others so be reflective and enjoy writing.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
You can view the first edition of the poetry collection submitted at:
No comments:
Post a Comment