February 19, 2015

Poetry Friday--Sound Poems

Most of my poems written for Laura Shovan's Sound Poem project are not easily illustrated. Small poems generally work best, and I was a bit wordy with some of my submissions. That is not to say that I didn't visualize all of my poems. I wrote one that required funky formatting:


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

This next one isn't as complex as the one above, I did fiddle a little with format.


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

Here's a poem, a tanka, that I've illustrated. It hasn't been posted on Laura's blog, yet, because the sound is tomorrow's assignment.


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. The background is an old postcard of Shanghai, courtesy NYPL Digital Collections. The musician is Lan Fang Mai, also courtesy NYPL, and the tree sparrow photo is by Laitche, courtesy Wikimedia.

Here is the sound clip.

I just assumed it was recorded in a market, and the birds are sparrows. When I looked online to find out what kinds of sparrows there are in China, I was horrified to read about the Four Pests Campaign. I won't summarize it--it is simply too painful for me to think about--but you can read about it here.

It's time to head over to see Linda at Teacher Dance where she's hosting this week's Round-Up.
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26 comments:

  1. Linda BFebruary 20, 2015 at 12:34 AM

    Diane, I always enjoy your poems, but just love the one in the stairwell. You've managed a story that wants to be read more than once. There's a bit of truth in it, too, I think. I haven't heard the sparrow sound yet, but yours is lovely. I'm still messing about with the reptile! Happy Writing!

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    1. Diane MayrFebruary 20, 2015 at 7:45 AM

      Thanks, Linda!

      I'm skipping the reptile. There are no inspirational reptiles in the snow covering my world right now.

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  2. Mary LeeFebruary 20, 2015 at 6:48 AM

    I'm with Linda -- I really LOVELOVELOVE Baby Steps! Good onya for taking on this February challenge with such creativity and panache!

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    1. Diane MayrFebruary 20, 2015 at 7:47 AM

      One more week to go, it's hard to believe February is almost over! As much as I like the daily sound challenge, I'll be happy when it concludes. :-)

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  3. Donna SmithFebruary 20, 2015 at 8:34 AM

    Loved "Take the Stairs" - reminds me that I may look like that "old woman" sometimes as I take the stairs in a motel instead of using the elevator. She should smile - I know exactly how she feels!

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  4. Carol VarsalonaFebruary 20, 2015 at 2:20 PM

    Diane, because I am an antique lover from way back your last poem attracts me. I listened to the sound and see how cleverly you crafted your poem to tell a story between two in front of a story that is happening in the background. You gave me an idea for a poem using my postcards from the past. Laura S. told me about her past postcard challenge. I am sorry that I missed that adventure with words.

    Is there a Winter Whispering poem and photo or postcard image that you will share with me for the Winter Whisperings Gallery?

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    1. Diane MayrFebruary 20, 2015 at 11:20 PM

      I'll be in touch, Carol! I'm always happy to share.

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  5. jamaFebruary 20, 2015 at 2:39 PM

    Baby Steps is my favorite too! I like the narrative in the second poem, the chance encounter that can pose so many possibilities . . .

    Great visual for the Chinese market poem. The bird made me think of a garden as well.

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    1. Diane MayrFebruary 20, 2015 at 11:21 PM

      Thanks, Jama! I learned a few things in putting the visual together.

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  6. Margaret SimonFebruary 20, 2015 at 5:15 PM

    I love how you think about how your poem looks along with the sounds and meanings of the words. So much to do when writing. How do you do this so seamlessly and every day? This sound project has been fun.

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    1. Diane MayrFebruary 20, 2015 at 11:22 PM

      I usually devote the weekend to writing, and if I'm able, I'll polish some more right before sending or posting.

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  7. Robyn Hood BlackFebruary 20, 2015 at 5:45 PM

    Diane, I'd enjoyed these first two poems over at Laura's blog, but having them paired here - that's a treat and a different angle!
    (I still believe you don't require sleep, by the way. It's one thing to be prolific, but another to be prolific AND consistently wow-induding.)

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  8. TabathaFebruary 20, 2015 at 6:10 PM

    Poor sparrows! (I followed the Four Pests link). Just goes to show you that consequences are not always immediately apparent. Enjoyed your poems, Diane.

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    1. Diane MayrFebruary 20, 2015 at 11:24 PM

      I warned you! And the man-caused consequences were horrific to man and beast. We are so effin' stupid!

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  9. TaraFebruary 20, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    Baby Steps - loved the way you formatted this, and the humor, too. I'm in all of all the poetry pursuits you are involved in, Diane. Such a treat to stop by on Fridays!

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  10. LindaFebruary 20, 2015 at 7:41 PM

    I love all three of your poems, but the last two lines of your tanka was especially surprising and such a delight to read!

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    1. Diane MayrFebruary 20, 2015 at 11:29 PM

      I'm glad you like the tanka. Tanka gives one a little more space, and the freedom to use poetic devices and interpretation.

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  11. Karin Fisher-GoltonFebruary 20, 2015 at 11:30 PM

    Diane, I love "Take the Stairs." As I just wrote on Author Amok, I like how there's a chaos of people and then one becomes a story. I also like how your form changes when that perspective changes. In "Baby Steps" I like how your change of case evokes a toddlers uneven gate. I love the different perspectives on the crumbs in your tanka.

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  12. DoraineFebruary 21, 2015 at 1:05 PM

    I love the woman in the stairwell! Nice work.

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  13. Heidi MordhorstFebruary 22, 2015 at 6:04 AM

    I'm glad the prompts are inspiring you! Of these I find "Take the Stairs" most intriguing--it reminds me of the wonderful work you did (are doing?) on your working kids series.

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    1. Diane MayrFebruary 22, 2015 at 8:05 PM

      Ah, the project is due the end of March. I've been dragging my feet in finishing it. I have two final poems in addition to the ones I've posted. Maybe I'll post those two soon. Thanks for reminding me to get crackin'.

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