Hello Writers!

I just wanted to share with you something that has worked well for me over the past couple years as a way to generate new poems and keep writing.  A friend whom I rarely see in person but with whom I have a thriving e-friendship is a marvelous poet, but complained in the past that she rarely found time to write.  We agreed that every Friday we would take just 10 minutes to scribble a new poem and send it to each other.  That way, no week would ever pass without our accomplishing some new writing and also taking the time to stay in touch.

I'll say this:  when it works, it really works.  At our best, we are faithful to the plan, energized, productive, and whimsical in our choice of topics.  We sometimes agree on topics during the week ahead of time; we wrote a poem on cheese, for instance, and one on Barbie, just as two examples.  Working this way has deepened our friendship and left us with a new sheaf of poems we'd never have written otherwise.  And a bonus is that we have these themed poems to read together at open-mikes, which carries the collaboration forwards one more step.

Things to guard against in our experience:  pretending that you're writing a 10-minute poem and then holding yourself to a higher standard and spending an hour or two writing.  That means that the next Friday, the inner 8-year-old doesn't trust this person who says "10 minutes," and she's not so sure she wants to come to  the writing table!  Also, holding yourself too strictly to any agreed-upon theme. If you start writing a poem about cheese and it turns into a poem about a woman whose name you forgot in an embarrassing public moment, then it's better to go where you're drawn rather than turning out something with all the authenticity of processed cheese.

When we receive these poems from one another, we mainly cheer.  Our job is not to critique but to appreciate.  Mainly we're both just pleased to have a new poem arrive in the world. 

Does anyone else do anything like this?  Or something different?  I'm always on the look out for good ways to keep things light and fresh and productive, and I'd be grateful for any good ideas.

Happy writing -

KateSinging 

KateSinging -

First, whenever I see your name I imagine you doing a rousing chorus. Perhaps you are really a lovely tra-la-la-ing mermaid?  What actually do you sing?  Just so I can get my mind picture correct.

Second, the idea of 10 minute poems s wonderful.  I've been going through my mind trying to decide if I know anyone who would take this challenge, but unforunately - I don't.

THEN I thought it might be fun to see if there might be a group of Artella poets who would do a 10-minuter once a week.  Do it in pairs, or depending on the interest, even have it as a challenge on the forum and post there.   Then everyone could share, though maybe the pair idea would feel less threatening.  Any comments or ideas out there?  I'd participate...

Bo 

 Hi Bo!

    It is strange how close to the mark you struck when you guessed mermaid singing, because one of my favorite songs to sing - maybe my favorite - is an Irish song called "An Mhaighdean Mhara" or "The Mermaid"!  Like many people at Artella who have multiple creative lives, I'm also living a couple musical lives at once.  I sing Irish traditional songs in Irish and English, on the one hand.  On the other, I make story-songs of my own and sing them.  I accompany myself with piano, harp, and I take a break from words with Irish flute and whistles.  Haven't figured out how to sing and play flute together yet!

   I'd definitely be game for some form of the 10-minute poem game.  It's a great way to keep the energy moving, stay in practice, and keep things light enough to keep "stage fright" at bay.  An important part of this, for me anyway, is the judgment-free nature of the game:  that allows me to produce something ragged but with promise within the 10 minutes.  I'd love to cheer on other poets!

Should we try it ourselves this week and see if anyone else wants to jump in?  And would you like to throw any special theme into the hat?

 
Bo, thanks so much for responding and being willing to give this a go!  Just like you, I'm delighted to find other poets who want to write, try new things, learn, and keep growing.

happily,

KateSinging
 

It's a plan, Stan.  Oops, I mean KateSinging, though if I call you KS please don't be unhappy. I am sometimes lazy.

A 10 minute poem it is.  I'll pick the subject; you pick when. We can sneak one in before holidays break loose.  If anyone else wants to join in, perfect.

PILLOWS

That's the subject.  Sure, why not?  Everyone has a pillow or two. 

Bo 

I'm in -- just let me know when!

Aunt Bobby

 Hi Bo and Aunt Bobby!

So glad you're both interested (and Bo, KS is cool - and Stan is, too .

 Should we do one on Christmas Eve day and aim to post by say 4 pm?

Pillows is a great theme, Bo.  Let's do it!

cheers,

KateSinging/KS/Stan
 

Good plan.  Monday at 4.  Pillows the theme. 10 minute only poem.  Everyone is welcome.

Ho. Ho. Ho. Bo  

4 PM Eastern time?  That's 2:00 my time -- OK -- it's on my calendar.

 Greetings, Poets!

And Merry Christmas Eve to you both!  This is one of my favorite days of the year and here in MA we have a glorious wind, sunshine, snow, and the freshness that follows rain.  I am loving it.

 Here is my pillow poem, with thanks to you, Bo, for the idea.  Great fun to follow a prompt.

Sending you both warm wishes for a marvelous holiday -

love,

KateSinging 

Pillows

Some people float in extra space,

moving in circles too large for their own forms.

They take up an extra chair in rooms

that lack seats.

Behind them in the grocery line

there is a person-sized gap

with no one in it.

At parties, the ions bubble around them

in singularity, repulsing approach.

They carry a pillow of shyness

strapped to their bellies

like Vaudeville fatties or street-corner Santas.

It’s hard to bend over

and the belt that cinches it

steals one breath in five.

They look stuffed and bulky

(when in fact they’re fragile as a sapling).

Inside the scratchy cases, the pillows

are full of downy wishes,

tickly words,

the fluff of affection and belonging.

You could sidle up and lay your head

in perfect comfort on this pillow,

if you dared.

If you could sidle with that pillow

around your middle, that is.

Here’s my proposal:

I’ll uncinch my belt,

wiggle the pillow free of its case,

open the cotton ticking with silver scissors

and release the feathers into the air.

Will you join me?

Kate Chadbourne

24 December 2007

Merry Christmas to All, and to all a Good Day!
Ho Ho Bo! 

(I'll really miss when I can't send my holiday signature.)

Okay, done in 10 minutes, less 20 seconds.  Woo!
 

Pillow

Crumpled, squashed - when I awake, my pillow shows signs of wearied battle.

It has had a rough night.

Shuffled about as I shifted from right side, left side, belly.
Punched as I searched for a comfortable place to rest my head.
Flipped upside down and downside up as I uncover a cool bit of sheeting.

Crumpled, squashed, shuffled about,
Punched, flipped up and down.

Funny.

So similar, my pillow and me.

Bo
12-22-2007
 

Awesome, Bo!

I love that "signs of wearied battle."  Poor pillow.  Poor poet!
 

Stan the Man,

Your poem is totally awesome.  How can I play against you?  That poem, probably not as complex nor with so many layers, would have taken me a day.  If we are going to be buddies and play together like good girls, you'll have to accept "wearied pillow" - it's the best I can do in 10 minutes.

Happy Holidays to you and yours,

Ho Ho Bo 

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late! For this very important date! Here goes:

Where's my pillow?

On the floor!

Then what good is the pillow for?! ...

My hubby snores

So I've got a flash

Pillow therapy

Where you squash...and dash!

(Not sure if this is what you mean by ten-minute poem, but I had to join in!)

~copper cat

 Copper Cat,

Very fun.  I've used my pillow for that very purpose.  Glad you joined in.

Happy Holidays,

Ho Ho Bo  

It's Christmas Eve, I'm late, and 10 mintues is all I've got, so here's my Pillow Talk:

My Pillow

is made of Viscoelastic memory foam

I must maintain correct head and neck support

or else...

Headaches, Insomnia, Long-lasting Pain.

How did I ever manage to sleep

without this technology?

Probably like I did

When I was a baby...

without a care

and without the need for

My Pillow.

Have a Merry Christmas!