Strengthening Poetic Muscle

[Lester Curtis]

Is it just me, or is Mr. Edgemon writing his own version of the Book of Psalms?

Not being critical; just an observation . . .

[Lester Curtis]

I just couldn't help noticing . . . the recent additions seem heavily weighted in the spiritual direction. I actually like them, too . . . they're introspective, as befitting a proper psalm, but they aren't overly solemn. You get a little irony and fun into them. That's good. I like the references to personal strength, too.

[Lester Curtis]

Oh, now, that's funny!

[Lester Curtis]

As a 6th grade teacher, I have often struggled with how to inspire my students' writing creativity. Students at this age level are afraid to venture out and put their thoughts on paper. Some want a "formula", while others want to know exactly how "long" their writing needs to be in order to meet the assignment requirements.

When working with poetry, I try to find examples of poems that pre-teens can relate to and understand. I try also to find poems that invoke a feeling. We analyze them, paying attention to how the poet used words, rhythm, and so forth to convey meaning.

Would you have any suggesstions on ways to help students tap into their creativity, and/or ways to overcome their fear of writing ---egads----poetry?

I would appreciate your input.

What a tough question . . . kids at that age are starting to try to figure out who they are, and they're getting dangerously close to puberty.

I take it you've tried exposing them to the work of famous poets, and to the various forms. (Good writers begin as good readers.) From that, you can get them to perhaps work in a style they like; some may like rhyme and meter, some haiku, etc. Peer pressure at that age may work against such individuality, though. Get them to understand that the different forms are each useful tools of expression, appropriate and effective in different ways and contexts. Then go for emotional expression. Poetry is visceral; get them to understand how each form feels. The structure is an intellectual exercise; the content is emotional.

Would a class poetry club work? Maybe an idea to try. Generate enthusiasm however you can. If they think something is cool, they'll be all over it -- which might have them all trying to be rappers. Disgusting thought, but it might work, if you can compare rap to other kinds of poetry, and with luck, they'd grow out of it.

You have a tough job. Good luck.

[Lester Curtis]

Mark, I love reading your poems, because there's always something surprising and delightful to find. Like:

A bookmark if you will on a story you will never return to.

Marvelous!

Keep at it (not that you need me to tell you so!)!

[Lester Curtis]

I hear only the sound of the air whisking by
And the blur of images passing my gaze.

It's so true, that, when traveling, the only way to actually SEE where you are is to limit yourself to human speeds -- muscle power only, and even better without any machines at all (like bicycles).

[Lipinski]

Mark, it is wonderful to see how you're expressing in what you and I know you hold.
For me, an addiction, for you, a decision, one I feel you shall have until growing cold.
Hot now for another challenge, to take you on a journey; writing a poem word following word
and in the end, you control the title.
(example: I write the beginning three words in the first stanza, you the next three, and so on.)
You or I can choose to end the stanza and start the second, and finally, the third during our respective turns. Thus the stanza can be long
or short, but the poem can only be three stanza's.
Let's see if you can see I and my eye can see your mind while the readers can make up their own mind.
Let us try and make magic together.
***

Three witches dying

[Lipinski]

Three dying witches; holy inverted spells, Holy matrimony tested

[Lipinski]

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells, Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed

[Lipinski]

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence, unholy nipples erect,

[Lipinski]

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second

[Lipinski]

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies!

[Lipinski]

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife

[Lipinski]

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she

[Lipinski]

Do I really exist Mark? Could it be that you are me?
A twist in the fabric of reality; world a stage; life an act; words...words are all important, but of course as a writer
you already understand but do I, or actually, do you?
Of course! The answer is simple! The bigger and longer the words, the more attractive to the girls>>>no?<<<
(sigh)
Will anyone like my short, stubby words? Certainly not girls. Sure, they say size does not matter, it's what's inside
that's important... then why do they snicker behind my back?
***
Rattlesnakes: Painting in words a most excellent picture, short and sweet and full of death, may even give some the shivers.

One word can be so much. One little, tiny, 'most' non-sexual word...has the power to impregnate the world.
'God'
or if so inclined
'Devil'
or
'love'
and certainly
'hate'

Yes Mark, when it comes to words SIZE does matter, not just to a writer but to those who decide what is what.

Now, back to a poem, a challenge, and it is nice to see how you're growing.
***

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead?

[Lester Curtis]

Hey, I'm putting in my 3 cents' worth, too . . .

************

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Alive? Surely she saw this coming?

[Lipinski]

I do so love a good challenge.
Mmm (and) ahh!
'3'
three players
three different poems.
Mark
Iian
and Lester
we shall take this poem three different ways.
First: Mark, please continue where we left off.
***

Iian: (you and I shall make magic also) same rules as first stated apply.

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid,, alluring...dead? Alive? Surely she sees behind lies?
***

And now for you Lester, light another candle, sharpen your pen. Same rules apply.

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Alive? Surely she saw this coming?
Yet?
Yet this

[Lester Curtis]

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Alive? Surely she saw this coming?
Yet?
Yet this also fails, frozen.

[end stanza]

[Lipinski]

Lester's Poem

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Alive? Surely she saw this coming?
Yet?
Yet this also fails, frozen.

Smile fractured, shattered,

[Lipinski]

Marks pieces continue

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eye.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Right said...Fred!
Naive derrrF: Evil,

[Lipinski]

Good morning Mark, I don't know if you realize but the poem about baby snakes is actually a horror poem.
Mother snake kills a human allowing her young to feed. I do love poems with many meanings.

Now,
***

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife, incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Right said...Fred!
Naive derrrF: Evil; seeking naivete distractions, calls his name

[Lester Curtis]

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Alive? Surely she saw this coming?
Yet?
Yet this also fails, frozen.

Smile fractured, shattered, final breath imminent,

[Lipinski]

The Muir/Lipinski variation

***

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Alive? Surely she see behind lies? But what if the flesh speaks?

[Lipinski]

Mark/Robin

***

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife, incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Right said...Fred!
Naive derrrF: Evil; seeking naivete distractions, calls his name, marked...by indifference.
Her shame named

[Lipinski]

Lester/Robin

***

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Alive? Surely she saw this coming?
Yet?
Yet this also fails: frozen.

Smile fractured, shattered, final breath imminent, ecstasy of pain.

[Lester Curtis]

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Alive? Surely she saw this coming?
Yet?
Yet this also fails: frozen.

Smile fractured, shattered, final breath imminent, ecstasy of pain.
Fade to white;

[Lipinski]

Lester/robin

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Alive? Surely she saw this coming?
Yet?
Yet this also fails; frozen.

Smile fractured, shattered, final breath imminent, ecstasy of pain.
Fade to white; black passion folded

[Lipinski]

Mark/Robin
***

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife, incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Right said...Fred!
Naive derrrF: Evil; seeking naivete distractions, calls his name, marked...by indifference.
Her shame named; her beloved...him!

Third: Final witch

[Lipinski]

Mark/robin
***

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife, incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Right said...Fred!
Naive derrrF: Evil; seeking naivete distractions, calls his name, marked...by indifference.
Her shame named, her beloved...him!

Third: Final witch; fearfully dreading unfamiliar love, she grasps

[Lester Curtis]

Three witches dying; holy inverted spells; Holy matrimony tested; tasted in hell.
One witch dressed; cloaked in malevolence; unholy nipples erect; stroking her beastliness.

Second, seconds, second reality, unseen lives; lies, seductive lies! behind tempestuous eyes.
Crying/sighing wife; incidental whipping post, in seconds she dreams him again.
Vivid, alluring...dead? Alive? Surely she saw this coming?
Yet?
Yet this also fails; frozen.

Smile fractured, shattered, final breath imminent, ecstasy of pain.
Fade to white; black passion folded in upon itself,