It is true, sometimes I start a poem for this book and discard it. The only thing that inspired me about the original draft of #25 was the color I’d mixed on a paint palette.
So, I cut everything but the number and the color and went in a more narrative direction. As it turns out, I am pleased with the final page so I am also fine with the process.
Having spent the past two months caught up in a number of things that required that I abandon my sons to Minecraft.
Having woken in the middle of too many nights trying to shake the terrible feeling of complete domestic failure.
Having finished the first draft of my novel yesterday.
Having finally made Pasties from scratch.
Having missed my last two blog-Wednesdays.
Let’s show a bit of formatting today. Here is the excerpt of today’s poem, like I would typically post:
and here is the full page, with words blurred out:
Prompt: This poem came entirely from the title.
It is really fun, whether working experimentally or not, to write a poem from a title. You might choose a line from a beloved poem, or even a beloved line from a poem you aren’t head over heels for.
For a more experimental take on this: Remember the container of words you already created? If not, scroll to the bottom of this post and take a look.
Pull three or more words out of your container and arrange them into a title. Write that poem in the ransom-style. Or just write it, with a pen, the regular way poets do. After the leap we discuss copyright. Blah.
I admit that I adore this poem. Mostly because the finished product reminds me of a John Hughes movie. It is such a misfit, just like he was.
I kind of want to write a million poems about young fair hearts now.
Speaking of young fair hearts… I recently finished up teaching a little poetry in the Hamline YOUNG WRITERS WORKSHOP. (Meghan Maloney Vinz is a genius for many reasons, but this summer day-camp for budding writers is a crystal clear example of how much she gives of herself to support and build a writing community for the people who need it most.) What I want to say about that group of students is Thank You. I was floored by their talent, their motivation, their kindness, and their heavy journals spilling words.
For the first poem in the series of “Another affair with Water,” a more language based piece. I counted the steps (originally step-by-step instructions for building a King-Fisher) and … there are 29. I admit, this is overwhelming. I will have to be flexible, I assume, because I know of no brain (writer or reader’s) that can handle 29 poetic instructions.
Either way, here is the first. I like the way this one came together; I’ve always been a sucker for ripped paper. 
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