Poetry: January 26, 2011 Issue [#4199]
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Poetry


 This week: Crafting a Lyric Story in Verse
  Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading 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

"Here undoubtedly lies the chief poetic energy:
-in the force of imagination that pierces or exalts the solid fact,
instead of floating among cloud-pictures."

George Eliot


         Poetry is the lyrical rendition of the rhythm of sight, sound, touch, taste; of living, seen through the eyes of a poet and consigned to paper and laptop and keyboard until it can be read aloud. Yes, all poetry needs to be read aloud, to savor the rhythm in the words, and revive the images the poet conscribed to the pages of a book or computer. And reading aloud, one hears the song in the wind, the trees, the stars, the heart and spirit of the singer and adds his/her solo to the chorus.

         I am honored to be your guest host for this edition of the WDC Poetry Newsletter. I would like to take this opportunity to share my exploration of stories in verse ~ lyric, rhythmic, images and tales of events real, imagined or perceived.


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Letter from the editor

         Greetings, I'm back to tell you something ~ for all those who say 'I don't write poetry' or 'I can't rhyme' or 'forms?' - it's not about the 'form' or the 'meter' or 'rhyme'

         Poetry is the craft of weaving an image or idea or event in lyric form. Fixed forms can guide the focus, for the writer and listener, so that each experiences the poem. It's a conversation between the writer, the listener, and the poem. Notice I say 'listener' - those of you who've seen me here before know my one rule for poetry - read it aloud.

         Poetry is meant to be spoken, and has been since 'ancient' times a means of sharing ideas, images, stories. The Epic of Gilgamesh, 7th century BCE, Homer's Illiad and Odyssey are narrative epic poems. Beowulf, Dante's Divine Comedy, Chauder's Canterbury Tales, Coleridge's Ancient Mariner, are still read and enjoyed. And what of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, a narrative story in prosaic verse.

         Narrative poems tell a story with rhythm or rhyme. The lyric quality guides the listener, engaging the senses, and its echo remains after the reading. Consider reading aloud an epic or ode - the story resonates throughout the poem, be it rhymed or not.

         Narrative poems can be short or long forms, using rhyme schemes or meter or internal rhyme in the form of alliteration or assonance (using like consonants or vowel sounds within lines or stanzas). When narrative poems don't have a rhyme scheme but make use of other literary devices (the alliteration, assonance, repetition, they become prose poems. Hear that, you who say you can't write poetry - don't you seek in the dialogue of your characters or the expository scenes of your story or essay some alliteration, assonance, symbolism, metaphor - all poetic tools! The only limit to the types of narrative poems is the poet's imagination (and the listener's ear).

         Shorter narrative poems usually have a series of rhyming couplets (abab) grouped in stanzas, but the variations again are as creative as the poet's perception. They can also contain any of the usual literary devices: alliteration, assonance, consonance, repetition, and so on. As the poem is a narration, it usually tells a story that has a beginning, middle and end, replete with character and plot development, climax and conclusion.

         Narrative poems do not have to be linear or chronological - just as works of prose do not. For example, the conclusion may be told at the beginning, or it may begin in media res - story and novel writers, notice anything familiar*Smile* They can weave more than one story line, a puzzle with clues for the listener to perceive and weave together. Focus on the imagery, engaging the senses and you've created a narrative poem for your listener to partake in.

         Speak the words as you write/narrate them - remember,
                   My Fixed Cardinal Poetry Rule = Read all Poetry Aloud -
                   Starting with your own creation*Smile*

Write On*Paw*
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon


Editor's Picks

Now, what you've come here for ~ I'd like to invite you to gather round

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#1621920 by Not Available.


Listen to some stories in verse ~ hear what is said and what is not ~ most of these not in formal metered verse, but hear the rhythm, embark with each writer on the journey they weave and share with them your thoughts (your reply or review a cool way to continue the lyric dialogue)*Thumbsup*

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#1695291 by Not Available.


STATIC
The Serenade Open in new Window. (ASR)
A story-poem with a touch of fantasy.
#1038711 by Voxxylady Author IconMail Icon


 The Chieftess' Sacrifice Open in new Window. (13+)
An African chieftess chooses between her daughter's future and her Amazon tribe.
#832755 by RegalPen Author IconMail Icon


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This item number is not valid.
#945807 by Not Available.


Everlasting Love Open in new Window. (13+)
My first attempt at a poem of this kind, for the Poetic Story Contest.
#975512 by NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon


A Little Girl Open in new Window. (E)
A poetic story of a little girl who wants to reach the stars.
#1034719 by Jezri Author IconMail Icon


 Better to have loved Open in new Window. (E)
Narrative poetry Assignment
#1744356 by Finn O'Flaherty Author IconMail Icon


 Nine Yards of Tradition and Culture Open in new Window. (E)
The steady decline of sari,the attire representing India,among Indian youngsters
#1723258 by Zaisha Author IconMail Icon


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#1650328 by Not Available.


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This item number is not valid.
#1715273 by Not Available.


 Vahlamûr Open in new Window. (E)
An epic Lay about the March of Heroes to Vahlamûr(a stronghold of Heroes of Legend)
#1733297 by Afraz Author IconMail Icon


 A Broken Doll Open in new Window. (E)
The doll in the poem depicts my lost confidence, yearning to be found and loved again.
#1738871 by Shiroしろ Author IconMail Icon


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#780274 by Not Available.


And ~ this final story today for our gathering ~ Listen and Remember

 Weeping at Bear River Open in new Window. (13+)
...creations of the Great Spirit
#1606877 by Lawrence Author IconMail Icon


Now, how about weaving a story in verse of your own ~ no prompt but a unique entry incentive*Smile*

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#1640869 by Not Available.

 
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer

Thank you for sharing this exploration with me.

And I wonder, have I enticed you - those of you who say you 'don't' or 'can't' write poetry?

Or those who are leery of straying from fixed-form verse.

Why not try a story in verse - narrative poetry - any subject, object, image or idea that incites your muse creative and share it with us as your readers.

Remember, there's only one fixed rule in poetry (my opinion) -

Real All Poetry Aloud!


Until we next meet,
I wish you joy in your writing (verse and prose)*Paw*
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon

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