How to write Poems from the Edge....
This is a very popular exercise which many people have done in various formats.
I call these ‘Poems from the Edge’ because they grew out of our ‘Creativity at the Edges’ sessions, which I devised as creative practice for professionals some time ago.
The purpose is to respond quickly - first thought that comes into your head - with a single line response to a 'title' which has been written on a piece of A4 paper, fold it over and pass it on.
These were written right at the end of the session in response to a warm up at the start which was
'How do you feel today?'
I call these ‘Poems from the Edge’ because they grew out of our ‘Creativity at the Edges’ sessions, which I devised as creative practice for professionals some time ago.
The purpose is to respond quickly - first thought that comes into your head - with a single line response to a 'title' which has been written on a piece of A4 paper, fold it over and pass it on.
These were written right at the end of the session in response to a warm up at the start which was
'How do you feel today?'
Here's how we did it: |
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We ended up with.....
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The Light is Bright. The Air is Crisp
In the Maybush, the sparrows are arguing furiously I feel like dancing to the ends of the earth Sunshine, happy time A day to be alive! Do I wear a coat? The birds are singing for their breakfast The world is lovely today The first signs of spring are her Too bright, too bright I long for the grey light of dusk… I was frustrated by the car in front I was in a rush, unusually for me. Defiance in the morning How could they drive so slowly on a busy road? I decided the only solution was to ram it right over the edge and watched as it plunges below, smiling If only I could fly Frustration all around. No way forward or back. I am feeling scatter brained today. It may be because spring has sprung I can’t concentrate on a thing Must collect to re-collect Thoughts form and dissolve like starbursts in my head In my topsy turvey world and my upside down view, I will soldier on Shatter brained, batter brained No time to think, no time to do…. Far from sleep, so far from rest… How very, very loud, the still of the night The thoughts are jostling in my fevered mind My toil will endure for eternity Worry, worry toil and trouble My mind is humming, but no words are coming…. Pretty vacant The sex pistols got it right Like the properties at the back of the library Lovely and empty Mind wandering, but never staying Not pretty, full stop? The empty path beckons, a floral route Oh; perhaps just pretty! |
Not too well, but pretty excited
about the prospect of another writers group I love to write my thoughts out loud These mornings brighten my whole outlook And slowly, moving on, My mind will wander into fields fresh I can now write to my heart’s content. Swamped by Date Clashes and yet so lucky I didn’t know what to do. Time can be a blessing yet can swamp Swamped again, more to do, always more I can’t seem to get a moment to myself. Lucky, lucky, lucky Never to sit lonely with a slow ticking clock The way it has always been will continue I am feeling confused, un-centred, out of sorts. Out of sorts, all sorts Words coming so fast, or not Have to sort myself out Confusion is general All sorts – unsorted, distorted, distracted… My mind is a whirl, unable to concentrate I’m a part of that The group will help me focus If I sit up straight, at least that will re-centre me. Looking forward to new projects What projects are you involved in? What a wonderful feeling Anticipation tingling in mind and spirit Fresh ideas and a positive view Along with all other daily writings New horizons. New day. New dawn. Spring is here. Bright and enthusiastic, life is exciting In a gentle kind of way The excitement of the novel beckons. |