Day 31 SOL 16: Shifting to Poetry

"One learns by thinking and writing, and by talking about writing - but primarily through writing."      ---Mary Oliver, A Poetry Handbook (p. 17)


Today one door closes another one opens, as today I step from the month long Slice of Life Writing Challenge with Two Writing Teachers into a month of writing poetry for April's National Poetry Month celebration.  I'm looking forward to spending some time writing poetry.  This is my third year to join poetry bloggers in a month of writing (thanks, Mary Lee, for the nudge and inspiration).


Many moons ago I was talking about poetry with a friend and poet.  We were discussing poetry and I was lamenting that poets seemed to have a style.  I'm always trying to figure out my style.  Do I write for children or adults?  Do I write about small things or moments?  What type of poetry feels right when I sit down to put words on paper?  Without skipping a beat, my friend commented, "You're a narrative poet."  She said it so quickly that I had to pause to consider her words.  In a sense she was right.  I'm not sure I've found my place in poetry yet, but I'm going to use this month to try it out a bit.  As Mary Oliver says, "One learns...primarily by writing."

I considered a theme.  I'm looking forward to Mary Lee's writing around old photographs and Amy VanDerwater's quest to Wallow in Wonder.  There will be a myriad of other poets choosing a lens for celebration.  I can't wait to see what the month has in store for me ---- and kicking off Poetry Month on a Friday is more cause for celebration.  I did consider a theme, but I've decided I'm going to spend the month working on the craft of poetry and see where it takes me.  While I don't plan to have a theme (of course, who knows what will happen), I do plan to focus on narrative poetry and improving my craft in free verse poetry.  I've gathered my mentors:


I'm looking forward to the switch to writing poetry.  I know it will focus my attention on smaller moments, on word selection, on the rhythms of a poem, and on the significance of a line.  There's something comfortable about poetry.  On the days when I struggled to find something to write about during March's challenge, I could ease the stress by thinking about poem.  So here we go....another crazy month of writing.  Who's in??




For the month of March I will be participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge hosted at Two Writing Teachers.  It has been a busy month of writing, commenting, and learning with this community.  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!  Stop by today's link up to join the conversation or find some great reading.





Comments

  1. This could be a challenge. I have 24 hours to think about this, huh? Thanks for the nudge.

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  2. A month???!!!! I committed to Fridays in April and thought that was huge!!! We plan to post about poetry all month - It's Monday! Slice of Life and Poetry Friday -so 3 days a week on poetry. I think that is the best we can do -- poetry is not my things so this is a challenge for sure!! 30 days -- good for you!
    Clare

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  3. I can't do every day as I have in the past, a trip and a few other things will keep me from that, but will write as much as I can, and look for your poems, too, Cathy. Enjoy your search!

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  4. Glad you were part of this challenge, Cathy!

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  5. Glad you were part of this challenge, Cathy!

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  6. I'm thinking about it. I also think I may have lost my mind (I DON'T WRITE POETRY!), but I'm thinking about it. I've done a few slices that look like poetry (LOL--I can't even commit to calling them poems! They are "poem-like" or "poem-ish.") And I've REALLY enjoyed writing those. So maybe I ought to just commit.

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  7. I have enjoyed reading your posts. Can't believe you're starting a new challenge! And poetry, too. Looking forward to following your posts.

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  8. I have enjoyed reading your posts. Can't believe you're starting a new challenge! And poetry, too. Looking forward to following your posts.

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  9. I do plan to write more poetry in April, but I don't think I will step into the challenge...yet. But who knows. Loved your suggestions about gathering all your poetry tools. I will be doing that this evening. And since I will be away for the weekend, a poetry book will go along. Looking forward to reading some of your poems!

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  10. Is it truly shifting to poetry if some of my favorite posts you wrote in March were also poetry?? I think you get to continue to pursue a genre you enjoy and l can't wait to see where your experiments with narrative poetry and free verse take you!!

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  11. I love poetry. I would love to be able to write poetry. Don't think I could commit to 30 days of poetry but I want to keep up the writing. Maybe I'll try some. I may have to find your book suggestions. Thanks for the suggestion.

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  12. I love poetry. I would love to be able to write poetry. Don't think I could commit to 30 days of poetry but I want to keep up the writing. Maybe I'll try some. I may have to find your book suggestions. Thanks for the suggestion.

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  13. Hate to see Slice of Life end, but looking forward to your poems.

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