Here's my license to, "poetize, versify, rhyme, alliterate, or jingle":
I would also add to that, "haiku-ize," and to tell a "truth" in as few words as possible. Thankfully, there's no expiration date!
I received the license when I entered a haiku competition the Christian Science Monitor held many, many years ago. There was a year or two when I wrote short pieces and quizzes for the CSM's "KidsSpace" page; to see one, click here. The CSM was the periodical that published my first article, and, my first haiku.
My first article, "Rhyme Time Let's Do Verse Terse" (I'm not responsible for that title!) appeared twenty years ago at the end of March! Where does the time go? If you click on the link, you will find some of the terse verse poems are missing due to the way they were formatted in the original newspaper article. Sadly, I'm about 5 computers beyond the original manuscript. (As a matter of fact, the ms. was typed on a small word processor. For those who don't know, the word processor was a precursor to the personal computer.) I lost a bunch of files along the way, and so, can't supply the missing poems.
My focus certainly changed over the years! I started with a poetry article, without being a poet. Then, for a while it was picture books all the time, then on to nonfiction, and here I am, back to poetry. But now, rather significantly, I might add, I'm not afraid to call myself a poet, or, to flash my poetic license when needed!
The photo on the license is one of my elementary school pictures. I think it looks rather poet-like, especially that black velvet collar! It put me in mind of the 1894 Emily Dickinson lithograph of Dickinson as a child, except our outfits are reversed--she has a white collar and a black shirtwaist.
I may as well conclude this with another in the series of Ku-dos to Emily!
Laura Salas is hosting the Poetry Friday Round-Up, so be sure to stop by.
One more thing...I am in no way comparing myself to Emily D. We're as different as night and day. I would never write lines such as these,
For each ecstatic instant
We must an anguish pay
In keen and quivering ratio
To the ecstasy.
I have a much rosier outlook on life than she!
Oh My, I love that poetic licence. No one's going to question your choice of phrase, you have an ID to prove you can do whatever.
ReplyDeleteEmily Dickinson was the first poet I ever fell in love with. I read her collection of poetry quite a number of times. I discovered her back when I was in 6th grade and has ever since revisited her poems too many times to mention. I suppose it's her almost cynical touch as well as her love for nature that spoke to me. Thanks for sharing.
I came late to Miss Emily, but better late than never!
DeleteI've recently started a poetry group & am so happy that over half my class chose to write with me! We first share poems that are somehow 'liked' by other authors & two young girls shared Emily Dickinson's poems yesterday. It was lovely to hear them read her words. I love seeing your 'poetic license', Diane. I might borrow some of that wording for a celebration at the end of the year. Thank you always for your own written words. I read them & study them, trying to see what you do & how. Thanks for all of this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda for your kind words. I don't think the CSM would mind if you borrowed their words.
DeleteI adore this post. Your license is gorgeous. What a treasured reminder of where you began.
ReplyDeleteI was tickled pink when my license arrived in the mail!
DeleteAha! And now I know the origin of your twitter handle too! I already told you on FB, how much I love that poetic license. :) Now that you've recovered it, I think it should be framed and hung in your office for all the media to see when they're pounding down your door for interviews. I've heard that the sound of journalists pounding and wailing is not dissimilar to alley cats, actually.
ReplyDeleteIf the media wants to meet me, they'll have to come to the library! My cat doesn't like strangers!
DeleteYou and Emily, soul mates in dress and soulful eyes. That license is awesome, I am so jealous. I am unlicensed, in the most rebellious way -- I have a poetry still in the mountains of my imagination that federal agents cannot find and shutdown. LOL
ReplyDeleteI hope you write it down!
DeleteOh, love that poetic license! -- and hearing about your first publications in the CSM. And so nice to see another Ku-do to Emily. I like that soulful look on both your faces. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jama! There will be more ku-dos to come, I assure you.
DeleteThis might be one of your best posts, Diane. It perked me up on a dreary Friday. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andy. I know your Friday got a whole lot better around 5 pm!
DeleteOh, my. That license and photo are adorable! And that haunting haiku...lovely.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like the haiku. I rewrote it about 10 times!
DeleteI laughed out loud at the "Poetic License." I once told my children that I had poetic license and one exclaimed, "I didn't know you could get a license for that!" And see here is proof!
ReplyDeleteLove your responses to Emily's brilliance.
You'll have to create poetic licenses for your students! I'm sure they'd love them as an end-of-year gift.
DeleteA-ha! So now I know why you're the Terse Verser on Twitter! It all makes sense now...
ReplyDeleteAnd it could be because I write really short poems!
DeleteI want a poetic license!
ReplyDeleteI will send you one!
DeleteDiane, it is a treat to see you as a little one on that really terrific license. And you may have a different outlook than Emily, but you certainly have the same sensitivity to the small moments, as well as some extra outwardness! Thanks for this fun post!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it! I enjoyed looking back 20 years!
Delete