Things That Trigger the Poet in Me
I've been working on a poem the last four days, and while I'm making progress, that progress has been excruciatingly slow. I decided to take on this particular subject in response to a poem I read on the site I submit my work for critique. Yeah, probably not the best reason to write a poem, but seriously, that poem made me want to stab my eyes out with one of the many black ink pens I have scattered across my desk. Sometimes I just don't understand what motivates people to write what they do. I take that back. I do know what motivates them: love or sex or both at the same time. It's like there aren't any other subjects worth writing about.
So this poem I'm working on, in addition to it being brought about in response to the poem that made me want to stab my eyes out, is also for a contest sponsored by the site where my work is posted for feedback. The general idea is to "graphically feature the preparation and/or eating of delicious food," specifically "winter holiday foods." I really don't care if I don't win, place, or even show for this contest. I just want to see if I can create a piece that captures the wonderful aromas and beautiful dishes that can be prepared during the holidays. I also hope to evoke a nostalgia through the imagery, at least for those whose families had the more traditional turkey with stuffing and mashed potatoes followed by pie kind of meals. I know not everyone has experienced this kind of holiday meal, but it's the only kind of holiday meal I can draw from.
I am having a lot of fun thinking this poem through, working with near rhyme while creating the scene. And the title came to me pretty early on in the process, so though the writing has been kind of slow it's also been a good mental exercise. I've learned the scientific process of what happens to a turkey when it's in the oven, which is quite fascinating, and I've learned what goes into making a mincemeat pie from scratch. I just might have to try making this pie this year as it does sound delicious now that I'm an adult, way beyond the child who thought just the name of the pie sounded so gross she wouldn't even try a bite. I think all the learning that happens when I'm writing a poem is one of the best things about writing poetry.
I still have quite a bit of time to finish the poem. The due date isn't for another three weeks, so hopefully between now and then, the poem will pull together into something I can be very happy with.
So this poem I'm working on, in addition to it being brought about in response to the poem that made me want to stab my eyes out, is also for a contest sponsored by the site where my work is posted for feedback. The general idea is to "graphically feature the preparation and/or eating of delicious food," specifically "winter holiday foods." I really don't care if I don't win, place, or even show for this contest. I just want to see if I can create a piece that captures the wonderful aromas and beautiful dishes that can be prepared during the holidays. I also hope to evoke a nostalgia through the imagery, at least for those whose families had the more traditional turkey with stuffing and mashed potatoes followed by pie kind of meals. I know not everyone has experienced this kind of holiday meal, but it's the only kind of holiday meal I can draw from.
I am having a lot of fun thinking this poem through, working with near rhyme while creating the scene. And the title came to me pretty early on in the process, so though the writing has been kind of slow it's also been a good mental exercise. I've learned the scientific process of what happens to a turkey when it's in the oven, which is quite fascinating, and I've learned what goes into making a mincemeat pie from scratch. I just might have to try making this pie this year as it does sound delicious now that I'm an adult, way beyond the child who thought just the name of the pie sounded so gross she wouldn't even try a bite. I think all the learning that happens when I'm writing a poem is one of the best things about writing poetry.
I still have quite a bit of time to finish the poem. The due date isn't for another three weeks, so hopefully between now and then, the poem will pull together into something I can be very happy with.
Comments