Poetry Prompt Day 18: And the Poetry Runs Through It

I used to strongly believe in writer’s block. 

I don’t believe in writers block so much anymore. I believe there are times when the words are tougher to come by and there are times when language isn’t flowing and there is time when any word combinations that show themselves on the page are too clumsy or just plain old bad writing that I throw my hands in the air in disgust. Usually I go for a walk or watch Project Runway on my DVR. Sometimes I even wash dishes or declutter.

Now, however, it’s different.

I’ve discovered the key, the secret, the be-all-end-all to all my writing troubles.

It is simply this: I discovered the joy of writing really badly.

It is waving the white flag to the muses and they respond, immediately, by pouring the most funky words possible from my hands to the page.

Sometimes, they stay funky and silly – which is good.

Sometimes, they turn the corner and I discover I really am quite a decent writer.

Here is your task, as strange as it may seem.

Today, write a really bad poem.

Yes, I said write a really bad poem.

Naturally we all have different definitions of really bad poetry. I may, for example, write a bawdy limerick simply because to me, a limerick is normally…. really horrific poetry.

For you, it could be writing a poem almost entirely of adjectives and adverbs or concepts that are not definable. It could be too sing songy or just going nowhere except… usually into the trash can.

Just give it your best worst.

Have some fun.

My only request is this: give it your best shot to be terrible. If you keep the right attitude, I will be surprised if you don’t surprise yourself.

Quotes:

"The old writer’s rule applies: Have the courage to write badly.”

Joshua Wolf Shenk


"Push away the sense of shame from writing badly, and just get the words out. "

Mona Simpson

 
Word Prompt:  Lousy

Sentence Prompt: I thought I would write a lousy poem, so here.....

I look forward to read your horrible, worst, most ridiculous poems EVER!

Have a great weekend!

-- Julie Jordan Scott

Poetry Prompt Day 4: Poet: Be Gentle with Yourself

 

First – I wanted to give you another hearty "Welcome!" to OctPoWriMo2013. It is a delight to be writing alongside you for this unique poetic event in October 2013. Remember, you and your friends may join us at any time. Just hop in and begin writing… and then link up to your daily poem.

 

Second – I wrote a Poetry Writing Tip early in September that was titled "The Poetry Tip I Never Got (But Oh I Wish I Had)" with a theme that went something like this: “Be gentle with your poetic self and forgive yourself now for any perceived short comings lurking in the hallways of your poetry yet to be written.”

My hope is you will remember this – as I hope I remember this – during those moments of doubt which may pop up for some of us during October.

This brings me to our first opportunity to write together on the same theme: Be Gentle. Even more focused is Be Gentle with Myself (or you may use Be Gentle with Yourself.)

Some thought questions to get you started:

What does it mean to you to be gentle?

Who are some gentle people?

What animal is the most gentle?

How do you feel when you encounter someone who is gentle toward you?

Coupling with “I remember….”

I remember my gentle teacher…..

I remember my gentle heroine…..

I remember being gentle with….

Your personalized 'I remember'....

Sometimes I wish someone would show me gentleness by…..

Some of you will immediately begin to write a poem – this is fine.

Some of you will start with some free writing – this is also fine.

Some of you will sit back in your chair and look out the window, pondering – this is another example of a fine way to go about birthing a poem.

I encourage you simply to begin. Perhaps carve out fifteen minutes to read the poems others have posted (if it isn’t early in the day!) and then allow your gentle spirit to coax your pen, pencil or fingers on the keyboard to flow along with the words that want to be sculpted into your poetic take on Being Gentle.

 Some additional inspiration for you:

Quotes: “All those writers who write about their childhood! Gentle God, if I wrote about mine you wouldn't sit in the same room with me.”          

                                     Dorothy Parker

“Life is like the river, sometimes it sweeps you gently along and sometimes the rapids come out of nowhere.”

                                             Emma Smith

Word Prompt: Gentle or Being or Being Gentle

Sentence Starter: The gentleness of touch reminds me…..

I look forward to reading your poetry, whatever theme you choose!  

                               -- Julie Jordan Scott

Poetry Writing Tip: The Surprising Joy of Being with What Is.....

I sat quietly at a table at the Art and Spirituality Center at Mercy Hospital with a paint brush in my hand on Wednesday. Before me, a tray I am upcycling/repurposing from utilitarian tool of women FOR YEARS into a work of art about women artists, writers and poets whose voices were squelched.

I haven’t allowed myself the luxury of attending Open Studio much this season, but I felt compelled to go because I wanted to be busy and I wanted to be around people rather than alone.

I meant to make some cobalt blue random swipes along with the yellowish white swirls but my first swipe looked weird, not at all swipey. It looked like an intentional shape of some sort but not only that, it looked like an intentional shape.

I put the brush back onto the board and the same shape, the same shape and the third time the same shape. I picked up the brush and looked at its face and there I saw it, the same shape.  I decided to follow the lead of the brush and dipped it into the paint, keeping the shape intact.

Soon there were randomly placed shapes among the swirls and I found myself falling in love with what the “paintbrush said” much more than what I thought I wanted to say. I started an inner chant with each new movement of the paintbrush I added, “What is, What is, What is….”

I was consciously being with “What is” and in my own way, showing gratitude to the paint brush reminding me how important is to simply be with what is in each moment rather than try to make it be something it isn’t.

So, what does this have to do with poetry?

There are times when “I” can’t write a word of poetry. Usually I turn to free writing at this point. I can’t tell you how many times I have read my free writing aloud at my writing group prefacing it with “This will make no sense, I’m embarrassed to even read it to you,” and after I read my group is stunned into silence in a POSITIVE way.

At some point in October when you will think you haven’t got a thing to write. Do like we do in yoga, when you can’t “do a pose well” just lean into it. Don’t effort, just lean. If you can’t write poetry, just write “What is,” even literally at times, scribing what is, even if the word you write is yellow, yellow, yellow – and then free write – stay with “what is” and write – and you will eventually find treasure.

-- Julie Jordan Scott

Poetry Writing Tip: Add Your Voice to the Poetry Soup, Salad, Stew - Choose Your Metaphor

It seems like I have come in here and started many a blog post with a confession. I can’t help it. I am given a virtual microphone and I can’t help but say, “Yes, I did this!” because I feel like at least one or two or seventeen of you will look back at me and say, “You, too? I thought I was the only one who thought that?” so congratulations, dear poets, we are not alone.

Being together is a big part of what OctPoWriMo is, after all.

I offer you a place to practice pedaling around in the poetry stream in the days before we officially begin with my next confession. 

When I was a new poet – well, not new exactly but new in taking my poetry writing and love of poetry more seriously – I did not read much poetry by other poets.

I didn’t own a single poetry collection.

I just didn’t think I could get through them.

I still can’t say there was a defining moment when I said, “I think I’ll start reading published poets,” or specifically modern poets or poets that have won Pulitzers or something like that, but I do know the first collection of poems I ever bought was one of Mary Oliver’s on a bargain table at Russo’s Books here in Bakersfield.

It wasn’t in that book, but later, when I read the poem “Rain” by Mary Oliver, that I understood what Maya Angelou says here:

“Words mean more than what is set down on paper.  It takes the human voice to imbue them with

the shades of deeper meaning.” 

I started to discover slowly and steadily the joy of reading poems by other poets aloud.

When I was perfecting my English accent for a play I was in I bought a collection of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and was nearly in ecstasy listening to myself reading her words. 

Reading aloud gave each poem a whole new life, whether I particularly enjoyed the poem at first read or not.

I scoured the internet looking for poems for you to read aloud. I specifically hunted for  poems written during or after the twentieth century in honor of my friend, Morgan, who doesn’t fancy older poetry as much. such poetry.

Read this warning before you move to the link:

This page will bring you to a page of poems that have been chosen specifically because of how delightful they are to read aloud.

Scroll down to Number 7 (and the rest) to find the modern flowing poets. Number 7 is a blast to read aloud. I adore Ferlinghetti and all his Beat friends. A side note, if you are ever in San Francisco you must go to the Poetry Room at the City Lights Bookstore where many of these wonderful folks used to hang out, plus at the bar next door. A special bonus is Jack Kerouac alley right behind the bar. I digress.

The content of these poems are very different from one another, so even that will help you discover something of the craft of poetry by reading them ALOUD. I so strongly recommend reading them with your voice, at your pace, with your rhythm.

The Poetry Foundation: Poems to Read Aloud

Other poets to look for: Mary Oliver, Billy Collins, Anne Sexton, Sylvia Plath, Maya Angelou - please add your suggestions in the comments. I have a strong tendency toward women so gentlemen (and other ladies) help our OctoPoMo poets a bit here. 

A special bonus: visit a used book store, thrift store, library sale, and buy a collection of poetry.  Any poetry book will work.  Begin reading one poem aloud daily if you can. Even one aloud a week would be good. And then stick to it. Listen to your voice as you read that poet’s work. Notice when you sit (or stand) to write next time, if there is any new influence from that poet you read aloud.

If there isn’t, surely there is no loss in trying. Let the poetry seep into your bones.

You could read Ferlinghetti’s poem via the link here every day for a month aloud and I bet you would find something new in it.

Another suggestion: if you are unfamiliar with which poet’s collections to buy, I would suggest a compilation of different poets. If you go to your bookstore and ask at the customer counter, there will be someone there who knows which collection is popular. I especially love Roger Housden's "Ten Poem" series which have titles such as Ten Poems to Change Your Life or Ten Poems to Say Goodbye.

I also have a request for those of you who read poetry books regularly to leave some book recommendations for others to check out both now and in the future.

-- Julie Jordan Scott