I didn't think sound would stimulate me to write as much as the colors of last year's "Pantone Poem Project" did, but I was clearly wrong! I've written poems for all this week's posted sounds and I'm ready to get started on more!
The first sound that we were asked to write about is that of a waterwheel. I live near Lowell, MA and I've walked its streets absorbing the mill history. Access to water-power was the reason Lowell was developed into a mill city. I've also written a series of poems about child labor. This sound poem, or, one long run-on sentence, depending on your point of view, is a result of these connections:
I went to the Library of Congress National Child Labor Committee Collection, put in "waterwheel" as a search term and the cartoon popped up. From there it was easy to think how to illustrate the poem!
You may notice that the poem above differs slightly from the one I sent to Laura to post. I've been thinking that I may use the poem in my Sketchbook Project, but if so, I knew I needed to rewrite it slightly so that it is told in present tense. It will fit in better with the other poems.
The poem below is for the second day's sound, angel chimes, in Swedish, Änglaspel. The tinkling of bells and the heat from the candles, put me in mind of a major ice storm we had in December 2008. Once the sun came out, the ice started to fall off and everything literally glowed. The photo is from one of the pictures I took after the storm.
It's ironic that a winter storm, the second in a week, kept me out of work on Monday and allowed me to illustrate both of today's poems.
Last year, in the Pantone Poem Project, I submitted enough poems to be the winner of a Pantone Colors journal! At the risk of sounding inordinately self-assured, I wanted to let you know that I have taken my name out of the running for this year's project prize. Everyone get writing and send those poems to Laura--you might win a spoken word CD from Gargoyle literary magazine!
I'm heading over to visit Elizabeth Steinglass for the Poetry Friday Round-Up where there's bound to be a blizzard of poetry!
Diane,
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you. I posted today about how the sound project is bringing emotions to the surface. Isn't it fun? Or addictive, for sure. This will be a month to remember. I am finding sounds easier than colors.
I've reached a point in life where almost everything I see, hear, smell, touch, or taste can remind me of something. It's called getting old. :-)
DeleteHi Diane, luv your image, always do and todays poetic sharing reads like a chant; nice
ReplyDeleteim linking you to my blogVERSES where today my poem has some water in it and a littleee sound
http://myblog-verses.blogspot.com/2015/02/21.html
much love...
Thanks, Gillena! I liked the way you repeatedly repeated two words! Made it sound like waves...
DeleteDiane, it's great to see these poems illustrated for your PF post. The cartoon you found for the Water Wheel poem is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura! Your project is going gangbusters!
DeleteBoth lovely poems! Great idea to use more senses.
ReplyDeleteAs long as the old body has use of the senses, I will use them!
DeleteThese are really lovely, Diane. I was pleasantly surprised by where the waterwheel took me (of course the teacup made me squeal with delight). Perfect cartoon too!
ReplyDeleteGreat sensory details in the second poem. Felt like I was right there. :)
There are some nice old illustrations on The Graphics Fairy--plenty of teacups to set you squealing!
DeleteWow, Laura's sound project is really resonating with so many people. I love the way your water sound poem flows like water. And I love the branches thickly-battered. Thank you for sharing your poems and your thinking.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like them, Liz. I'm sorry I didn't get to commenting this morning. It's been an oddly busy day.
DeleteLoved both poems and their illustrations. I liked the switch to water pouring for tea in the first one. I didn't know about Laura's sound project when I wrote today, but mine is kind of a sound poem. I'll have to go check out the project now.
ReplyDeleteStop by and I'm sure you'll be writing sound poems, too!
DeleteThese are both wow-worthy, but that first one just DRIPS with irony...(heh)
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteYes - both poems are wonderful, but that first one.... And it's so you! Cheers to Laura for providing such thoughtful inspirations, and cheers to you for using your snow days for such a fine purpose - ;0).
ReplyDeleteIf you don't use snow days creatively, you'll go crazy!
DeleteYour poems have such a way of distilling beauty, Diane - I find myself getting lost in your poems. And I do feel sorry for those ladies and their afternoon tea.
ReplyDeleteDon't get lost, Tara--my sense of direction is so poor I'd end up sending you to Kalamazoo!
DeleteThat first one is so powerful, Diane. Your illustration is spot on!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle!
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