The March Slice of Life Challenge-hosted by Ruth and Stacey, at Two Writing Teachers - 15 of 31
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By the time you read this, the "contest" will probably be over and I think I can predict that I won't be moving on, but will lose to a wonderful poet, Renee La Tulippe at No Water River. If you want to read our poems and those of others, go over to The Scoreboard where you can click on each pair and you'll be able to vote for a while longer on the second tier.
I've also been trying to practice writing from one word for this contest, and one way to do that is to visit David Harrison's blog where he offers one word each month from which to write. I thought I'd share today what I wrote for February's word, architecture. If you're interested, search the site to find the Word of the Month and you'll find the link. The word for March is snake.
Architecture
I wonder if you understand
the building of my mind,
the boards upon which lie my
thoughts
constructed throughout time?
Do you see balustrades
surrounding,
protecting without and
within?
And the bricks as firm
foundation
strengthening disordered din?
I hope you like all things
nailed down
for I’ll not keep loosely
made.
I’ll share the blueprint of
my place;
with you, I’m not afraid.
Let’s speak of mullions and
parapets,
of the gutters and the grills;
our life will then be shaped and
planned
with headers and with frills.
It’s critical to frame it
right
because my body clings to
thee,
and we’ll keep mortar in our
veins--
as I build with you, and you
with me.
I love this! Will be looking to share this one fore sure if you don't mind...beautiful imagery. I love: "I'll share the blueprint of my place, with you I'm not afraid." That's it...allowing our students a place to share their blueprints...and a place to add on to them! Lovelovelove!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I appreciate the compliment & of course you can share.
DeleteI love how you've included so many architectural terms! We are all architects, after all, as we go about constructing our lives. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteCatherine
It's so interesting what happens when given a word. I wish I was still in the classroom to see what a whole class would do with the same word? I know it would show such individuality. Thanks Catherine.
DeleteI absolutely LOVE this poem Linda. Wow, that last stanza, I read it several times out of loving the way you crafted those words. Awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks Betsy. So happy you like it!
DeleteLinda, thanks for sharing Dave Harrison's blog. I didn't know about it -- great resource.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is so beautiful. The metaphor of architecture as structure of the mind is logical, but also contains space and craft. Wonderful!
Thanks Laura. I liked the research of it too, finding the fitting words from architecture. Fun!
DeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI love your poetry and I have loved getting to know you and your writing through this blog. Thanks for all of your support as I have gotten started. This challenge is harder than I thought it would be. The nice thing has been seeing this writing community and all of the good work everyone is doing.
Thanks Deborah. I hope my life will slow down a bit in the next few days so I find more people's posts to read. It is hard to do something every day, isn't it? Good for you to keep going!
DeleteYou amaze me with your poetry! You also inspire me to think more when I dabble in poetry. I will continue to marvel at the nuances you develop. This poem touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elsie. I'm happy that you found pleasure in this.
DeleteWhat a great metaphor for life and thinking and reasoning and the shaping of thought. One of my favorites for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jama. I wonder if we could find metaphors for nearly every word? Interesting to think about!
DeleteLike Jama, this is one of my favorites of yours, Linda. Isn't it funny how being assigned a word sends people off in directions they would not have gone otherwise?
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated by just that, Tabatha. I'm going to have to convince one of the teachers in the middle school classes to try a 'one word' writing! Thanks!
DeleteThat playful rhyme is a delight. I was reminded of e. e. cummings little me at the end of this piece. You inspired me to post a poem from my journal today--though the one I drafted needs much work!
ReplyDeleteHow great to hear you're inspired, Lee Ann. I hope you'll get it to a place where you feel like sharing! Thank you!
DeleteI like your idea of using metaphors like balustrades, mullions and parapets in terms of a relationship - well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt! It was fun to do the research as to how they worked, too.
DeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteI love seeing your architecture poem once again. And reading other reactions to it. So much to think about as we build a mind, a life, a relationship. I am loving March Madness Poetry. The words are so challenging and the topics/ideas/avenues the poets take us are really a rush. It happens so quickly. I love thinking about the poets with pen or keyboard in hand creating these poems for public consumption, commentary and evaluation. Plus like basketball madness, those pesky 16 seeds sometimes upset the #1s. Good luck with the results.
Janet F.
Thanks Janet, it is fun thinking about everyone peck-pecking away! David's blog is interesting!
DeleteYour poetry is always a delight to read. This was very thought provoking -don't think I would have made that connect but you have made it work beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI find the writing of poetry just a wee bit of a challenge.
Thanks for the links.
You're welcome Beverley. Thanks for the response!
DeleteI love all the architectural details in your poem, Linda. It's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Katya, it was much fun to write & work 'at'!
DeleteOh, you brave and wily poet! You took this one and ran with it, Linda! I love the way you wove in architectural terms and yet spoke to the "building" of something personal and meaningful. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara-you make me smile with your words!
DeleteYou built an amazing poem! Bravo! =)
ReplyDeleteThanks Bridget, for using the word 'built' too!
DeleteOh this is so amazing. I loved the way the architectural terms took on such poetic rhythms in this piece, and the last stanza just warmed my heart.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mardie. So glad you liked it!
DeleteYour poetry is always inspiring Linda and today's poem is no different. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robin. It is a pleasure.
DeleteWhat a fun term -- "authletes"! I can't believe you managed to write a poem about architecture. I would've had a lot of trouble with that! (Although my uncle is an architect, and I'm sure he would appreciate the poem!)
ReplyDeleteIt is quite a creative word, isn't it? Jennifer, you should try some poetry in Spanish. What fun that would be to read (for me, translate).
DeleteWhat a sweet love poem...from ARCHITECTURE!! (And how fun to hear that I wasn't the only one who "trained" by giving myself a single word prompt!!)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so happy to hear that you practiced too. It was fun to see how my mind worked with different 'random' words, & then my word was 'random'. What serendipity! Congrats, Mary Lee! You are inspiring to me!
DeleteLove your poem and thanks for the links. I need to wrap my head around the word for writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruth-best of luck in the wrapping!
DeleteThis is truly beautiful. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I am still visiting blogs-hope to get to you soon!
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