So fun to see one of your early poems, Tara. And very cool to hear what inspired you to hop into writing poetry in the first place.
Poetra. 😂 Love it!
I haven't yet collected my list of words for the sestina, but I'm planning on doing that this weekend. And I agree, very impressed with how Margaret wove all the words into one poem.
I felt a little weird trying to make it come together. But as I continued to write and then pare down/revise, the words that I’d sort of forced into the poem at the beginning then reoccurred more naturally, and I was able to take out the more forced lines. I’ve heard something similar can happen with sestinas, so I’m looking forward to picking out some words this weekend and laying the groundwork.
Thank you! It's funny, I'd been writing a lot of essays at that point, but feeling like I just didn't have the attention span for the kind of deep exploratory writing I wanted to do. So my first poems were like pared down essays, in a way. When I first started toying with prose poems, they felt a bit like cheating. I thought poetry would be my "short attention span" writing phase, but now I really think of it as my primary form. Funny how things sneak up on you. Thanks so much for reading. Really, it means so much. 🤗
Lovely, Tara! I especially like that final stanza — "Caused by water, cured by water."
I've definitely been thinking about sestinas this week, and jotting some notes. Looking forward to spending some time with it this weekend.
And... I think I may have recommended Kooser in the comments on one of your previous posts? If it wasn't me, I'm still happy you're enjoying the read! I really enjoy his poetry.
Imagine if Bruce Lee had read this poem before saying "be like water"...
Jokes aside, I do love this piece. It seems fitting that the first poem of yours that has made its way to me is this one - the first one you ever wrote. Good stuff, and I look forward to reading more
So fun to see one of your early poems, Tara. And very cool to hear what inspired you to hop into writing poetry in the first place.
Poetra. 😂 Love it!
I haven't yet collected my list of words for the sestina, but I'm planning on doing that this weekend. And I agree, very impressed with how Margaret wove all the words into one poem.
Thanks so much for reading! 🤗
Aww, shucks. I'm blushing and grinning at the screen.
I am SO impressed that you managed to include all 29 words in one poem!
I felt a little weird trying to make it come together. But as I continued to write and then pare down/revise, the words that I’d sort of forced into the poem at the beginning then reoccurred more naturally, and I was able to take out the more forced lines. I’ve heard something similar can happen with sestinas, so I’m looking forward to picking out some words this weekend and laying the groundwork.
So, wow. That was your first poem!?!? That is something else. I read it out loud since I'm alone and it flows so well (no pun intended). So good.
Thank you for the lovely shout-out at the end! I'm holding my Over Achiever Prize aloft with pride 😊.
Thank you! It's funny, I'd been writing a lot of essays at that point, but feeling like I just didn't have the attention span for the kind of deep exploratory writing I wanted to do. So my first poems were like pared down essays, in a way. When I first started toying with prose poems, they felt a bit like cheating. I thought poetry would be my "short attention span" writing phase, but now I really think of it as my primary form. Funny how things sneak up on you. Thanks so much for reading. Really, it means so much. 🤗
I love this, you are a truly fabulous poet and this, your first poem, proves that. I how in awe!! Thanks for sharing, it's beautiful 💙
Oh, my goodness, than you so much. I'm blushing! 😊
Lovely, Tara! I especially like that final stanza — "Caused by water, cured by water."
I've definitely been thinking about sestinas this week, and jotting some notes. Looking forward to spending some time with it this weekend.
And... I think I may have recommended Kooser in the comments on one of your previous posts? If it wasn't me, I'm still happy you're enjoying the read! I really enjoy his poetry.
Thank you for reading, and for the Kooser rec. I think it was you. Good luck with the sestina!
I see what you mean by the unpoetic-cum-poetical. This was lovely.
Imagine if Bruce Lee had read this poem before saying "be like water"...
Jokes aside, I do love this piece. It seems fitting that the first poem of yours that has made its way to me is this one - the first one you ever wrote. Good stuff, and I look forward to reading more
Ha! I think water is the boss of all of us. Thanks so much for reading. I really appreciate it.
I can't even begin to remember what my first poem looked like but I know it wasn't this good! This was a great read.