  Poetry
This week: The "Art" of poetry. Edited by: ~ Santa Sisco ~  
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Hello from ~ Santa Sisco ~ I am the guest editor of this week’s newsletter.
In this issue I will discuss why art, or any visual aid, is a great way to combat writers block for your poetry. I will also mention some of the ways you can use it to get your creativity flowing. |
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Have you ever had that dreaded block? Sometimes, all we need is some true inspiration.
You are probably reading this newsletter on a PC. It only takes a few seconds to pull up some inspiration. If you really are stuck, try looking at some art and evaluate it. I have to be careful with copyright, so I am not going to post any pictures here. I’ll use one you probably know, and can easily get with a quick Google. (Other search engines are available.) 
I looked at the “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo Da Vinci. Have you ever noticed that she isn’t wearing any jewellery? Whatever picture you look at, try to see what others might not have noticed, then make it a theme in your poem. Does the picture stir any emotions? Does it remind you of anyone you know, or any place you have been? Is there something missing from the picture that you would like to see there? According to WikiPaintings, the Mona Lisa is, "the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world." So I doubt if you would find anything original there. There are millions of works of art in the world, and most available online.
You can use a picture to tell a story. If the picture doesn’t grab you, then think about what would be in the frame if it was a 360° picture? What would you put there? Does the picture bring any memories flooding back? Does it remind you of anything?
When you have asked all that you can, please ensure you write down everything. You now have enough material to attempt that poem. Hopefully, you will be stimulated by the artwork and your creativity will flow like the brush on a canvas.
There are numerous poems inspired by art. Look at “The Old Guitarist” by Picasso in 1903.” One poem captivates this picture and makes it seem as if the picture was painted for the poem. “The Man with the Blue Guitar,” by Wallace Stevens (1937).
The man bent over his guitar,
A shearsman of sorts. The day was green.
They said, “You have a blue guitar,
You do not play things as they are.”
The man replied, “Things as they are
Are changed upon the blue guitar.”
And they said then, “But play, you must,
A tune beyond us, yet ourselves,
A tune upon the blue guitar
Of things exactly as they are.”
This is merely the first cantos, there are thirty two more.
If you have an art gallery nearby, why not drop in and look for some inspiration. Your local artist might love to have a poem written about one of their paintings.
A couple of weeks ago, I was determined to write a poem. I looked all over my home for something to inspire me. Eventually, I looked in the mirror and said, "I just can't write a poem." An hour later, I had this:
I just can't write a poem.
I sit alone and don't know why
I can not write a poem.
The kind that wonders through my head
when I am sat at home.
The words don't come as easily
as they would do back then.
When all I had to do was think
and find myself a pen.
It might be age that stops the flow,
yet I am not senile.
My memory is still intact
and I can always smile.
Perhaps the fact that I am tired
explains the lack of words.
And when I'm stuck for words to rhyme,
I talk about the birds.
You may not think that this is fun
and better left unsaid.
But I just had to write it down
before I go to bed.
I hope these words have made you think
of rhyme and rhythm too.
I just can't write a poem today
so wrote this note for you.
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That is not a plug for my own poetry, merely an example of a visual aid. Seeing myself in a mirror saying those words was inspiring enough to at least get the title. I forgot about my block and began writing. |
These are poems I have read recently and thoroughly enjoyed. I hope you enjoy them too.
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My last newsletter was on 02/26/14. Here are some of the comments received:
Marci Missing Everyone  comments: Thank you for featuring The Poet's Place as well as my poem, Aurora Borealis!
You are welcome, Marci. It was a very good poem! 
🌕 HuntersMoon  comments: Hi Sisco Excellent newsletter - great information for those starting out and a great refresher for the more jaded members of the site who know it (but sometimes it slips their mind)  . Keep up the great work! Ken
You're welcome, Ken. I always need refreshers!
warriormom comments: Great job, Sisco! It's good to be told or reminded of ways to promote our poetry. Adding the new Poet's Patio was a great idea!
Thank you, Pat. I agree with you. We need to promote our work as much as we can. That's another reason I love WDC - the many ways we can get our poetry seen on here!
monty31802 comments: I believe if you read a poem and like it then it will be because it has rhythm and rhyme and flows into a pleasant read. I don't like a poem that I have to stop and look up a word that I don't know the meaning of so I believe in writing on a level that most people will understand.
You are preaching to the converted here!  Thank you for your wise words, Monty. I love good rhyme and rhythm. (Without the need for a dictionary.)
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling  comments: "Oh the Cost" Here's my first poem, with 100 reviews and a black 10K Awardicon attached to it. Still, one likes more of both.
Pleased you have managed to get the exposure to receive so many reviews. Keep writing your poetry!
wordninja comments: Sisco's feedback about exposure is dead on. I have received many reviews through the methods outlined, and connected to some friends who have given excellent feedback. You can't go wrong by getting involved and being active!
Isn't it amazing how many friends we make when we enter contests. I love seeing the striking of new friendships in the forums. It is quite easy to make new friends. After all, we are all here for the same things. Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Mike.
I have omitted the standard "Thank you" replies, but would like to thank everyone that commented on my first newsletter.  |
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Poetry: May 07, 2014 Issue [#6307]
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