In a moment of irrational optimism, I endangered my sanity by registering for Writing 201: Poetry, a Blogging U class on WordPress.
Every day for two weeks, I will try to write and post a poem I’ve written to given prompts, forms, and devices.
Oh my.
If you’re in need of amusement or befuddlement, please drop by. Comments expressing sympathy would be nice as well.
Monday Feb. 16:
prompt word: water
form: haiku
device: simile
damp eyes and wet chins
in rest homes sodden and sour
junkyards for the old
Aunt Beulah 
Well done! Depressing, but well done!
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It is rather depressing, isn’t it? Completely unlike the prose I usually write, but the minute I read the prompts, a vision of a nursing home where I used to visit my husband’s great aunt popped into my head. I’m glad you like it.
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I do. My dad was in a nursing home at the end of his life (MS — he was in his 40s). His life was vastly easier there, but there were a great many old people who were just kind of “shelved.” I understand it better now — maybe they were like me, kidless, and maybe they had outlived all their friends and family — and many of their abilities.
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It’s a worry for me, Martha. I know I’ll be another of those saying, “I just want to die at home,” but, of course, that’s not always possible
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I wish we had freedom of choice over that. I believe that for some of us it is absolutely right that we should have.
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Oh, Martha, I agree; and so does my mother-in-law of 99. She is still living independently in the home she’s had for 69 years and praying, quite sincerely, that she dies before she has to go into adult care.
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That’s really intense~ and well done!
So here’s another online class you might like…The Iowa Writer’s actually put on MOOCs (Massive Online Open Classes). Their school of writing is the creme d le creme …I am clearly un-french…sign ups are now! http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f20036938b23d28f266f3cf00&id=fd384b0366&e=845254db38
Let me know if the link doesn’t work. It’s officially titled “How Writers Write Poetry.” Great for writers too who struggle with good alliteration and “sound” to their words 🙂
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Thanks for your kind words and the link. I’ll check it out.
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Wow…”sodden and sour” packs a back hand slap to this hard take effort. well done
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Those words demanded to be used. I actually think nursing homes are better now. I’ve visited a couple recently, and they seem fresher than the one I described.
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Good for you! I love that you are always willing to venture out of the comfort zone. Regarding your poem–you definitely created an image in my mind.
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So far, so good, Shelley, at venturing out of my comfort zone. We’ll see if I can keep it up for two weeKs!
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You are such fun, Janet. Yes the subject is depressing but the words…oh the words…I can’t wait to read your words over the next two weeks. I really can’t wait.
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I thought of you when I posted this poem, Carrie, and your comment that you were looking forward to seeing my humor at work in poetry. Well, so much for humor, huh. Maybe tomorrow.
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No…the humor is there, I think. I actually laughed out loud at the “junkyards” reference. I know, I am a little sick in the head maybe, or not as close to the junkyard yet. But, it was delightful to know you are on this journey and I am SURE your humor will make it’s way into many of these poems. Or not, that is fine with me. I love your words.
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Full confession: the junkyard comparison made me giggle as well. Thank you for your support, Carrie. It’s a major reason I’m taking this risk.
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It feels risky to me too! I don’t write “formal” poetry…but it must mean something to me because I am trying to learn and the only way I know to learn is to throw myself in those uncomfortable seas and start swimming 🙂 Happy to know you are there too.
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I’ve always been reluctant to take the plunge, but am usually happy when I do so. I’ll tell you in two weeks whether I managed to swim or sank most miserably. So far I think I’m keeping afloat.
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Sad but powerful use of words.
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Thank you; I appreciate your kind words.
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Depressing? I did not get that.Greg Brown, poet Laureate of your Iowa is a huge poetic icon to me- describing a junked car “full of saplings and Sparrows” and growing old in poverty, “Bad teeth and a sour smell, lives where it can in a cheap hotel” He writes of his grandparents, growing old on the land, the love of extended family- which when that is lost, that wisdom is shelved to sit in dignity pants. I would hope we never end that way. You are a fine poet, Janet, hope you tackle some nonsense- my only Haiku was an entry in a pet contest- “Cactus As a Pet”, and a long ago naughty Haiku- two weeks of delight! cheers.
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As always, I love hearing from you. I’m going to look up the works of Greg Brown. He sounds like my kind of poet. Is there a chance I could ever read your two Haiku?
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Powerful words, hope we can all avoid that junkyard! 🙂
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I never used to understand older folks who worried about nursing homes, but the worry becomes more evident to me all the time.
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You are either a very brave person or a hopeless masochist. However, I will be eagerly awaiting your next “poem.”
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Bravery is not a strong component of my personality, so it must be masochism; or perhaps a decision to find out if I want to write poetry or not, get rid of my ambiguity, and get on with life.
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I loved your haiku Janet. It is my favorite poetry to write. I haven’t done the art challenges for awhile, but I think they are valuable to push your creativity. Have fun! You will do fine!
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Thanks for your encouragement, Janice. I know you understand the effort meeting this challenge will take.
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You got right to the point. I know you can pull this off no sweat.
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I guess that’s the thing about Haiku, Rob, I didn’t have time to expound. I’ll let you know what I thought of the experience in two weeks.
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Ah Janet, you are so brave to sign up for this course!
And I love this haiku poem—so true, so true.
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I’m glad you like the Haiku, Rita. It’s bleak, but as you said, true.
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I love the direction you took with the prompt. So heartbreaking.
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This was one of those rare moments when the poem came to me quickly and all I had to do was fine tune it. Would I were so lucky with every challenge!
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