How to Think Poetically--A Workshop Approach.
Plus a poem about not fitting in the writing box
Sometimes I Feel Like an Any - A - Gram
I hate it that I am so sporadic
inconsistent, not persistent,
no straight-ahead-in-a-line-to-the-finish.
I’m distracted, side-tracked
stops and starts, mis-matched piles,
can’t remember the whats and whens.
No perfect files, labeled loudly
I A M I N C O N T R O L.
I feign at neatness, completeness escaping me
ever in process, a mess in the making.
Oh, why can’t I be like those orderly others,
those finishers perfectly packing their lives in a box,
the rank and file, who smile
at me, “Oh poor thing, she’s so erratic.”
Well—
I am resigned to the whole of me,
my hits and misses
marking a difference,
scattering joy, seeds abound.
I cannot (do not) go in a straight line—
Random A to B then on to Z.
(Sequences only happen on a test.)
And life is an actual emergency
(not a test).
I like this formula better:
A cubed to D once plus E squared
then back to A and jump to N, then
who-knows-what?
I’m the only one
who can spell my life.
A Resource
I happened upon a fabulous resource here on Substack for poets who want a list of where to submit their poetry. Submission deadlines, fees, journals and more are included in this list from The Poetry Bulletin with Emily Stoddard. Check it out!
Poetry Workshop Idea
Last week I wrote about my brainstorm to pivot from writing and sharing poetry to teaching via virtual PoetCraft Workshops. You can read that post HERE. In short, these 4 and 6 week workshops would be offering people ways to Think Poetically, both how to READ poetry for enjoyment and understanding and how to WRITE poetry. Because reading poetry often leads to writing poetry.
These workshops are for novices, newcomers and all those who want to Make Friends with Poetry. I’m still working out the payment model for those workshops and gauging interest, but will have some details soon!
But First—A Poll: Got Three Minutes?
P.S. Thank you to Kristine Neeley for the kind mention in her post about how and where to begin writing poetry! You can read that HERE. (She titled it, I Know Nothing About Writing Poetry, but she’s knows plenty….)
Annnnnnd….two new poems of mine were included in the Spring Renaissance online journal at The Way Back to Ourselves. You can read those poems HERE.
Oh I just adore this poem!! My brain most days, for sure.
Oh my gosh this poem is ME!! And, I can’t wait to read your poems in the spring issue at The Way Back To Ourselves journal! I’ve got one poem there too this time ❤️❤️❤️