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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/2935-.html
Poetry: March 11, 2009 Issue [#2935]

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Poetry


 This week:
  Edited by: Fyn Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter


Poetry is a form of display. The poet bird repeats vowels and consonants in order to widen his tail. Meter and counted syllables make up a peacock tail. The poem is a dance done for some being in the other world.~~~Robert Bly

A born poet knows in his cradle that a poetic life is the only life worth living~~~James Broughton

As to the pure mind all things are pure, so to the poetic mind all things are poetical.
~~~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow



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Letter from the editor

In the 2/25 Poetry newsletter, larryp wrote of writing a new poetic form called 'Cleave Poetry,' which is a three part poem where the left side is a poem, the right side is a poem and then the whole read together is a third poem. Hen then issued a challenge to write such a poem.

I tried. I'm still trying. In the midst of trying to create a 'Cleave Poem,' I stumbled across a question: Something along the lines of 'Which came first; the chicken or the egg?'

And so I ask my fellow poets: Which comes first--the form or style of the poem; or the idea for it? In trying to write a 'Cleave poem,' my issue was a suitable idea that would translate well into this form of poetry.

I've written sestinas and pantoums. I rather like these forms, but still, they were quite the effort to write successfully. The 'Cleave poem' is stumping me.

Usually, an idea for a poem (for me) pops into my mind as a particular phrase, gets thrown in a stew pot on my mental stove, simmers for a bit and upon arriving at a full boil is transferred to the page. The poem at that point, takes me over and directs its writing, I am merely the instrument by which the thought becomes said poem. Unfortunately, for me, when I try to rearrange the thought into a specific form, the end result often seems like three day old leftovers and gets tossed.

I tried to come up with an idea that would translate into this specific form but it felt forced: something like trying on a favorite pair of jeans that are two sizes too small and while I may be able to shove my body into them, will still look terrible and two sizes two small--that painted on jean--I can live without breathing for two hours effect. Ick! Gasp!

Then there is the subject matter. Occasionally, I've stumbled upon form poetry where (to me) it seems that the form itself has become the essence, rather than the words. In these cases, the form itself seems to distract from the subject being poeticized. ( I know-that isn't a word--but it should be!) So, I find myself going round and round and getting nowhere but dizzy.

So I shall keep trying. Always good to make your mind and talent stretch into a new direction. Once upon a time there'd have been a wastepaper can overflowing with discarded paper balls, now I simply click delete (Not really as satisfying somehow) and start again. Maybe here I have my idea...*tosses it in that back burner to stew a while...I still have another newsletter to write and this one to finish in the next three hours.



Editor's Picks

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#1536369 by Not Available.


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#1535951 by Not Available.


 Meeting under the Stars Open in new Window. (E)
A poem inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's story of Beren and LĂșthien.
#1535212 by L.V. van Efveren Author IconMail Icon


 King Henry Came To Me Last Night Open in new Window. (E)
read it please
#1534479 by Beowulf Author IconMail Icon


 Cold Water / Modern Sijo Open in new Window. (E)
My first attempt at Modern Sijo, a form of Korean poetry.
#1534110 by Dorianne Author IconMail Icon


 For The Moment Open in new Window. ()
Poetry from a 16 years old girl
#1533489 by Stephanie - ClosetFaerie Author IconMail Icon


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#1533000 by Not Available.


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#1111011 by Not Available.



 
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Ask & Answer

It's been a long time since I last guest-edited a Poetry Newsletter, so I have no feedback to offer. I would be interested, however, in getting some feedback as to how you approach your poetry---form leading or following the function and subject matter!~~fyn

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