April 28, 2005

• Poetic Workout
  

  ---

  In tonight's intro to poetry
  class we were given an interactive exercise.  After each
  instruction, twelve in all, we were to write a line; I'll give the
  instructions first, the result afterward.

  1. Take the opening line from the Frank O'Harra poem we just read.
  2. Take a word from that line and incorporate it into the second line.
  3. Use the color orange.
  4. Look at what has been written so far and ask a question.
  5. Again, take one word from the line above and incorporate it into this line.
  6. Stanza break, use an automobile.
  7. Take a word from the line above and incorporate it in the line; written as baby-talk.
  8. What would you say to a U.S. Senator.
  9. Describe a stain on a piece of clothing.
  10. Stanza break, ask yourself a question.
  11. Repeat one line, any line, from above.
  12. Answer the question in line 10.

  Here is what came out ... a fun exercise to just get the writing going.

  I see the cobwebs collecting already
  collecting on the desk lamp and in the corners,
  orange sunset mutely glinting on their threads.
  When did he leave, why did he leave?
  Sent into the hot sands, the white dessert.

  The old car waits on soft tires
  De owd car waity waity
  How much blood did your family give, Senator?
  Grief spilled like a nosebleed on my white shirt.

  How will we fill the empty drawers?
  Sent into the hot sands, the white dessert.
  Fill the drawers with sand, drape the desk
  in the triangle folded flag.

  • 9:58 pm
  • 2 Comments