Happy Poetry Friday! Welcome, everyone–whether you’re brand new or an OG PF friend! (Wondering what Poetry Friday is? Click here.)
This month, my Poetry Sisters and I (along with others in this community) wrote poems inspired by Wallace Stevens’ “13 Ways of Looking at a Blackbird.” I’ll be very honest and say this poem has never resonated much with me, though I admire some of the sections. Still, it felt valuable to take a single concept and try to think about it in different ways/meanings/aspects.
I wrote my rough draft while working a shift at my part-time job. Shhh! Don’t tell! I printed out the original poem and carried it with me so I could try to let its sections inspire me.
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I had 8 sections that day, and then I came up with a couple more at home. But here’s the version I ended up with in draft 2.
I like some of my sections better than others! But I’m always happy to try writing after a mentor text. I use those so frequently both in my own writing and also when writing with young poets. I didn’t make the live write, so I’m excited to see what everybody came up with! I hope you’re sharing yours on your blog or on social media with the tag #PoetryPals.
Liz
Sara
Tanita
Tricia
Mary Lee
Sara
Click here to see all our previous Poetry Princesses collaborations.
Our Poetry Friday host is fantastic poet (and now anthologist too) Irene Latham at Live Your Poem. Don’t miss the Roundup!
One Response
Laura, your topic is unique. Stanza 3 is a wonderful description that made me pause, “Autumn drifts on ripples of September.” Stanza 7 was humorous and a lovely way to end the poem. I look forward to reading the Poetry Sisters’ and #PoetryPals’ poems.