January 4, 2011

Poet Or Not?

I'm a little afraid of poetry.

Actually, that's a lie.

I'm a LOT afraid of poetry!

That probably sounds bizarre coming from someone who has three published books in rhyme, but to me, rhyming about airplanes, freight trains, and construction vehicles is not quite the same as poetry.  Certainly, a lot of poems do rhyme - good poems, real poems - but the concept of poetry can be much more elegant and sophisticated than my version of it, and I'm not really sure I can do it.

How, for example, does one go about writing poetry that doesn't rhyme?

For all my years of education, and all the writing courses I've taken (admittedly, avoiding poetry :)) I really wouldn't know where to begin.

If I'm going to be well-rounded (and no, I am not talking about my post-holiday figure, thank you very much!), I'm thinking maybe I should dip a toe into the waters of poetry.  I am not willing to risk a whole foot, never mind both.  A toe will have to do for now.

Megan over at The Write-At-Home Mom is participating in Month of Poetry.  Dare I join her?  I suppose I could, purely for your entertainment...  If I were to try writing a poem a day you would surely get plenty of amusement if I shared my attempts...  I don't know if my delicate ego could take it, though.  I'm very sensitive :)

Here's the most recent poem I wrote.  If you say nice things, I'll consider sharing future attempts.  If you laugh, I will hear you!

Striped in festive red and white
Pretty peppermint delight
Smooth and sweet and cool as ice
Candy canes are mighty nice!

What do you think?  Should I add yet another writing challenge to my list for 2011?  Anyone else want to do it with me?

6 comments:

  1. Go for it! I saw the post on Megan's blog and was thinking about it too!

    BTW, the family resemblance comment cracked me up! :)

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  2. Ah, my son the comedian... He was 3 or 4 when he said that!

    I'll look for your name on the Month of Poetry sign-up and if you do it, I'll consider it. Megan said she was signed up, but I didn't see her name. Probably my technological inadequacies at work again :)

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  3. Yes yes yes! This is going to be fun! And you, my friend, most certainly ARE a poet. Love the sticky ooey gooey candy cane poem above. Keep writing!

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  4. You are very kind, Kathy! I'll think about it! Poetry is so elusive....

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  5. I hope you will join us! I'm posting everyday on the boards. Probably making the other readers cringe with my horrible poems, but heck, it's fun!

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  6. Perhaps if I join I'll be able to read the boards and that will give me some ideas and inspiration...

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