Common Threads

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, (available on Amazon, linked on title or here on NCTE), which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

Above: Lake Hamburg from Campsite 18 at Hamburg State Park, early morning of October 30, 2022 after vapors disappeared

Below: A pond near the Johnson Funny Farm where I see steam rising each morning

On Lake Hamburg

wisps of steam
vapors on Lake Hamburg
rising, swirling, reaching Heavenward
vanishing into the fall trees
on the edge of the shore
light, ethereal, angelic

is that you over there,
waving from the distant shore?

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

In poems that turn up, Vaughn explains, there is an ending that turn up to a higher level of consciousness or give a feeling of epiphany. In poems that turn down, on the other hand, there is a feeling of the reality of humanity in a grounding fashion.

Hawk on a Wire, or Mom?

is she seeking (with
visual acuity)
unsuspecting mice,

or is she giving
(all-knowing) from Heaven's realm,
heart hugs from above?

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

In a layered metaphor poem, Vaughn explains, writers break down metaphors into more than one aspect or detail, exposing the layers of relationship or comparison.

Kasa, shortly after arriving at her new home where now belongs

Kasa

female bird dog with a gunshot foot
for doing what bird dogs do best-
she’s a spooning foot warmer
a broken heart healer
a pleading charmer 
life enhancer
my brother’s 
princess 
now 

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

In today’s exercise, Vaughn introduces readers to the extended metaphor poem, in which a metaphor is described throughout several lines or stanzas.

Seeking Little Guy Max

one tiny teardrop
big enough for getaways
to recharge the soul

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, (available on Amazon, linked on title or here on NCTE), which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

Today’s exercise is a Just Because poem, using two images that are illogical in a cause-effect relationship until explained in a poem that begins with the word because.

Just Because

because of your sock sorters
we make time 
for more important things 
than sorting socks 
endlessly

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, (available on Amazon, linked on title or here on NCTE), which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

Today’s inspiration is to depict your inner self with images that depict the states of mind or heart.

Missing Mom

Hawk on a wire
checking on my seat belt
fastened tight

Feeder birds at the window
assuring me 
things will be okay

Dogs asleep in my lap
reminding me to 
offer peace, comfort

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, (available on Amazon, linked on title or here on NCTE), which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

Today’s inspiration is to write a poem that brings the abstract into focus in the concrete.

Packing

I packed
a book
3 dogs
2 chairs
a bag of firewood
a box of matches
jeans
a flannel shirt
and no to-do lists
in the camper

we pulled out
of the driveway
on the road to 
weekend freedom

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

In today’s exercise, Vaughn encourages writers to write a poem in which a word or words are used to paint images.

Gwendolyn’s Dad

lingering blood stains
on Highway 46
at the scene
took her 27 miles
out of the way
for a year
after the fatal wreck

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

In today’s exercise, Vaughn encourages writers to write about an unexpected image such as a tuba to capture a reader’s imagination with surprise. He references “Tuba” by Morton Marcus, but my mind goes straight to Billy Collins’ “Irish Spider.”

My poem today is inspired by the end of Will’s Red Coat by Tom Ryan – one of my favorite unexpected images! It still brings a tear and a message to live life fully and smell the flowers while we can.

Hooked

Will's little red coat
hanging on a wall hook, still
do you smell flowers? 

I’ve been reading Kyle Vaughn’s Lightning Paths: 75 Poetry Writing Exercises, which inspired me to delve into another book study of poetry forms and responses. I’ll be making my way through the exercises and prompts between now and the end of the year.

Today’s exercise is writing a poem using a blend of senses that mix into a single experience such as mixing taste and smell (synesthesia). We’re camping this weekend at High Falls State Park in Jackson, Georgia, where the senses are in the full swing of autumn.

Campsite 68

campfire smoke
clinging in trees the
flavor of marshmallows~
ethereal, ghostly swirls
this October night
leaves crunch
underfoot
dogs bark off in the distance
   conversation sparks laughter nearby
      music pulses the beat of the night
           around the bend
we warm our feet fireside
  warm our core
     drinking cinnamon spiced tea
       warm our hearts
          holding hands 
            warm our spirits
               stargazing