8:33 a.m. — Atlanta
mmmmm… That Lonesome Road James Taylor. Excuse me a moment while I melt.
How are you all? Short week for many. While I don’t, technically, share that, as my time is my own, with my husband home my routine shifts, so I feel the short week aspect.
For the next few weeks, we are going to refocus where we were in May: the self. Fortunately, Poetic Bloomings has been warming you up! When I discovered they were going to do a series of prompts on self, I dithered about where to go with mine. I decided, for my peace of mind, that I will not look to see what their prompt is each week. If we mesh, you write a poem for both of us; if we touch on a similar subject, you play nice and write two poems, one for each of us.
First, a link to the Thursday Thoughts where I discoursed upon why the self is so important in the writing of poetry. Scroll down until you reach this paragraph: As an actor creates a persona to speak words, share an experience, convey an attitude, or point of view, so a poet creates a speaker. The speaker acts as a buffer between poets and their audiences. Unless a writer says, ‘This is completely autobiographical’ [and even then, given memory...], we, as readers, can never be sure what the writer tweaked to make the poem work, and read from there. I include this paragraph here in case you don’t wander over to read/reread me waxing on about the importance of self to writing.
Let’s re-enter gently and have some fun. I would like us to create our own creation myths this week. Creation myths were first told as stories to explain the unexplainable. Much later, they were written down. They don’t have to be long, but if you are having fun, go to it.The myth can be for where you came from, where your family came from, where your world came from, your place in the world and how you came to be you… any one, some, or all.
As for form, consider it. I think writing a haiku that encompasses an entire creation sounds like fun. An etheree unfolding from one to ten syllables might work. A haibun is particularly well-suited. Given the unpredictability and chaos of creation, free verse might be the form. It’s your myth.
The best I can do for you is to give you a link to a site with creation myths, suggest you read a few and do one of two things: note the elements in common and write yours to include these elements; find one you especially like and model yours after it. I found a good site and for those without much time, I suggest the Norse, India, Babylonia, Mossi, and China myths.
There is no right, or wrong. This is your myth. In answer to all questions: this is your myth [however, feel free to ask]. Create, post and then come back to read other myths. I look forward to reading what you come up with.
In case you missed the event poems from a couple of weeks ago, go read the results. They were particularly good. Otherwise, I shall see you Thursday for punctuation [be there]; Friday for the prompt roundup; and next Tuesday for another prompt on self [I will try and be more specific Thursday].
Happy writing, everyone.
vivinfrance
04/09/2012 at 10:24 am
Yes miss. …..Be there? I wouldn’t miss it.
margo roby
04/09/2012 at 10:35 am
Chortle… now why did I think, you would be onto that, ViV?!
Misky
04/09/2012 at 10:48 am
Here’s mine. http://miskmask.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/creation-cycles/
margo roby
04/09/2012 at 11:04 am
Good heavens, Misk! I’ll be right over.
carolisle
04/09/2012 at 12:41 pm
Margo I had been fiddling around with what to write with this watermelon picture so I went with procreation instead of creation and a big wink
http://piecesofstarlight.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/a-slice-of-life-where-babies-come-from/
margo roby
04/09/2012 at 12:48 pm
I’m heading over with great anticipation, Carolisle.
purplepeninportland
04/09/2012 at 10:59 pm
Had to do this in my own way, which means fantasy, of course. Mine is up.
margo roby
06/09/2012 at 2:50 pm
Can’t wait, Sara!
whimsygizmo
04/09/2012 at 11:40 pm
Yay! Had time to play!
http://whimsygizmo.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/created/
margo roby
06/09/2012 at 2:50 pm
I am so glad, de. I miss you when you are family-ing
rosross
05/09/2012 at 1:19 am
Creation myth.
http://roslynrosssmallstones.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/creation.html
margo roby
06/09/2012 at 2:51 pm
On my way.
Misky
05/09/2012 at 6:31 am
Or maybe this one? http://miskmask.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/haibun-eternal/
margo roby
06/09/2012 at 2:51 pm
Another! How lovely, Misky.
PJF Sayers
05/09/2012 at 12:54 pm
Margo, a very interesting prompt. I must go check-out the site you suggest. I miss writing to your prompts lately.
Pamela
margo roby
06/09/2012 at 2:52 pm
I miss reading your poetry, Pamela. I am so glad you stop by, so I at least get to ‘see’ you.
margo
Madeleine Begun Kane
05/09/2012 at 5:14 pm
This is probably too true to be a myth, but…
Musical career
cut short by two injuries,
and so I write.
margo roby
06/09/2012 at 2:53 pm
And, yet, Madeleine, it is the creation of you, the writer.
Annette Mickelson
05/09/2012 at 9:11 pm
Here’s my attempt. I’m not totally thrilled with the result but then, they can’t all be things of beauty, right?
http://hoofprintsinmygarden.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/self/
margo roby
06/09/2012 at 2:54 pm
I’m heading your way, Annette. No, they can’t all be things of beauty, but I’m glad when we post them anyway.
Annette Mickelson
07/09/2012 at 12:45 pm
Okay, I re-wrote it and I’m MUCH happier.
Thanks for the nudge.
http://hoofprintsinmygarden.wordpress.com/2012/09/07/self-take-two/
Hannah Gosselin
05/09/2012 at 11:36 pm
I’m probably way off target with the technicalities of this prompt…I wrote what first begged to be written.
http://wordrustling.wordpress.com/2012/09/05/cyclical-storiesa-haibun/
margo roby
06/09/2012 at 2:55 pm
Technicalities… *snort*. Like that ever worried me. I’m coming.
Hannah Gosselin
06/09/2012 at 8:01 pm
vivinfrance
06/09/2012 at 4:46 am
http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/my-creative-life-something-there-where-nothing-was-before/
Still not happy with this, so suggestions welcome!
margo roby
06/09/2012 at 2:49 pm
Heading your way.
barbara_
06/09/2012 at 4:01 pm
Day late and a dollar short
http://wp.me/p1kVqk-1b
Now I need to figure out how to sign in with the other blog…
margo roby
06/09/2012 at 4:06 pm
So that’s why I have to approve you. On my way.