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Poetry Exercise #1 (updated Jan 4), Join In! |
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Dec 29 03, 20:44
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Mosaic Master

Group: Administrator
Posts: 18,892
Joined: 1-August 03
From: Massachusetts
Member No.: 2
Real Name: Lori Kanter
Writer of: Poetry & Prose
Referred By:Imhotep

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Hi all!
Let's start our first interactive class with an abbreviated definition of poetry characteristics:
Poetry communicates and conveys feelings in a concentrated form. It uses language to create sound effects and word pictures, to set up associations in the reader’s mind, and to make striking comparisons through figures of speech.
Jox's take: Poetry conveys emotions and ideas in a concentrated form. It employs language creatively, both as imagery and for its tonal qualities. It is the purest form of writing.
In our first class, we will read a few lines from a famous poem.
The exercise is twofold:- First, write down your first image and emotional reaction.
- Second, write a few lines with your own feeling and figure of speech to match the lines of the famous poem.
From the works of Alice Meynell, "Builders of Ruins", first stanza:
We build with strength and deep tower wall that shall be shattered thus and thus. And fair and great are court and hall, but how fair--this is not for us, who know the lack that lurks in all.
To view entire poem, click here.
Things to keep in mind:- Is there a set metered pattern (of stressed and unstressed syllables)?
- Is there a set rhyming pattern (repetition of similar sounds)?
- Is there a set rhythmic pattern (the sense of movement attributable to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables)?
Let's start now. Please ADD REPLY to this tile. GOOD LUCK!
~Cleo
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"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to." ~ J.R.R Tolkien, The Lord of the RingsCollaboration feeds innovation. In the spirit of workshopping, please revisit those threads you've critiqued to see if the author has incorporated your ideas, or requests further feedback from you. In addition, reciprocate with those who've responded to you in kind. "I believe it is the act of remembrance, long after our bones have turned to dust, to be the true essence of an afterlife." ~ Lorraine M. KanterNominate a poem for the InterBoard Poetry Competition by taking into careful consideration those poems you feel would best represent Mosaic Musings. For details, click into the IBPC nomination forum. Did that poem just captivate you? Nominate it for the Faery award today! If perfection of form allured your muse, propose the Crown Jewels award. For more information, click here! "Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up." ~ Early detection can save your life.MM Award Winner 
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Replies
Guest_Jox_*
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Dec 30 03, 05:19
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Guest

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Hi Cleo,
Good luck with this new idea.
We build with strength and deep tower wall That shall be shattered thus and thus. And fair and great are court and hall, But how fair--this is not for us, Who know the lack that lurks in all.
First, write down your first image and emotional reaction.
In my ignorance, I had never heard of this poem nor, indeed, the poetess. So I am better educated already!
Image One - Literal and not so. ..
Literal - a thick-walled strong, baronial castle where good living combine with the ever-present danger of attack and siege. I have been to many of these castles - some in tact and many ruins. This verse makes me think of the fine line betwixt great riches and great dangers. One month the Lord, his family and entourage are feasting; the next they are being besieged by the King's men; they then are starving. There are many such castles in Wales which are ruined after their inhabitants tried to stop the English / Anglo-Saxons from invading. A testament to bravery and man's ultimate desire for freedom.
Metaphorical - The same fine line between the good life and the bad death is applicable in a multitude of situations. We all sit under Damocles’ sword in one way or another and this verse illustrates that. Nuclear war, famine, disease, road accidents, one could continue ad mortem! (Well, one could try!)
Image Two - Literal and not so...
Literal - The displaced, the disadvantaged, the dispossessed and the disenfranchised people, peering in at the haves and their rulers. This could have been written by Karl Marx; for it certainly has a strong Marxist message.
Metaphorical - The understanding that physical wealth is but one facet of man and that, despite that, he may be lacking in very many other human forms of wealth. The knowledge that we are all inadequate in so many ways. The understanding that, despite the great power and wealth that these men command they are, in some ways, just as frail and vulnerable as any human being. The walls that shatter might simply be someone piercing that vulnerability... those people appear strong and resolute - but they are never invulnerable.
Please forgive me if I leave the poem there. I shall watch this thread with interest and may comment but personally I wouldn’t wish to match that verse (or anyone’s). Thanks for the opportunity to reflect on this though. I thought the message excellent although I did not actually care for the verse itself.
James.
PS I agree with your definition of poetry - or whose ever it is - but to it I would add "ideas"... thus my own take on it would be something like...
Poetry conveys emotions and ideas in a concentrated form. It employs language creatively, both as imagery and for its tonal qualities. It is the purest form of writing.
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Posts in this topic
Cleo_Serapis Poetry Exercise #1 (updated Jan 4) Dec 29 03, 20:44 Cleo_Serapis What an excellent commentary James! This is wonder... Dec 30 03, 06:07 Jox Cleo...
Thank you very much. Think you ought to ... Dec 30 03, 11:50 Don QUOTE (Cleo_Serapis @ Dec. 29 2003, 19:44)Hi ... Dec 30 03, 11:52 Don Hey Cleo,
How about
A word is packed with pixels... Dec 30 03, 12:15 JustDaniel Well...
after reading all the great and insightfu... Dec 31 03, 05:11 Jox Hi Daniel,
I've read many of your works; you... Dec 31 03, 07:08 Cleo_Serapis QUOTE (Jox @ Dec. 30 2003, 11:50)Cleo...
We... Dec 31 03, 08:20 Cleo_Serapis
Hi Don!
You get a gold star for the day! :... Dec 31 03, 08:34 Cleo_Serapis QUOTE (Don @ Dec. 30 2003, 12:15)Hey Cleo,
H... Dec 31 03, 08:47 Cleo_Serapis QUOTE (Just Daniel @ Dec. 31 2003, 05:11)Well... Dec 31 03, 08:55 Don A glorious goodbye to December.
Hi Lori,
Having ... Dec 31 03, 17:28 Don QUOTE (Just Daniel @ Dec. 31 2003, 04:11)Well... Dec 31 03, 17:55 Cleo_Serapis Did Don mention 'slot machine'? Ohh la la!
I'll b... Jan 1 04, 15:27 JustDaniel Thank you all for your kind words and encouragemen... Jan 1 04, 15:52 Jox Hi Don,
I've been reading your reply to Danie... Jan 2 04, 18:46 Don QUOTE (Jox @ Jan. 02 2004, 17:46)Hi Don,
I... Jan 3 04, 13:14 JustDaniel surface meanings trope
this bumpkin would-be poet
... Jan 3 04, 16:10 Jox Hi Don,
Thank you for your reply.
Sacred temple?... Jan 3 04, 17:47 JustDaniel dry seriousness
clear the evidence;
wipe away de... Jan 3 04, 19:18 Athena If I had more wit
I'd do more than just sit
sa... Jan 4 04, 01:38 Jox Hello Dolly
(Been wanting to say that all year... Jan 4 04, 05:02 Athena Hey James,
Thank you so much for your kind and pa... Jan 4 04, 05:12 Jox Thanks Dolly...
But you really DO NOT want to hea... Jan 4 04, 06:21 JustDaniel Excellent summary, James...
except for glossing o... Jan 4 04, 07:01 Cleo_Serapis QUOTE (Just Daniel @ Jan. 01 2004, 15:52)Than... Jan 4 04, 09:09 Cleo_Serapis QUOTE (Don @ Dec. 31 2003, 17:55)All too ofte... Jan 4 04, 09:17 Cleo_Serapis To continue with this exercise, I am going to past... Jan 4 04, 09:25 Don QUOTE (Just Daniel @ Jan. 04 2004, 06:01)Exce... Jan 4 04, 09:38 Jox Daniel,
Hi; I don't think that I glossed-over... Jan 4 04, 09:46 Jox Builders of Ruins by Alice Meynell >> The title is... Jan 4 04, 10:13 Don QUOTE (Cleo_Serapis @ Jan. 04 2004, 08:17)QUO... Jan 4 04, 10:29 Cleo_Serapis It is my honor and pleasure Don! :) Jan 4 04, 10:39 Don QUOTE (Cleo_Serapis @ Jan. 04 2004, 08:25) To... Jan 4 04, 10:59 Don Hi Jox,
Enjoyed your comments upon additional ver... Jan 4 04, 11:19 Don QUOTE (Athena @ Jan. 04 2004, 00:38) If I had... Jan 4 04, 12:04 Don QUOTE (Just Daniel @ Jan. 03 2004, 18:18)dry ... Jan 4 04, 12:16 Don Dear Jox,
Who would have predicted how lively thi... Jan 4 04, 13:19 Cleo_Serapis After reading the additional stanzas, my interpret... Jan 4 04, 18:20 JustDaniel QUOTE (Don @ Jan. 04 2004, 11:16)QUOTE (Just ... Jan 5 04, 06:53 Don QUOTE (Just Daniel @ Jan. 05 2004, 05:53)QUOT... Jan 5 04, 08:53 Cleo_Serapis Hehehh, any suggestions for the next poetry exerci... Jan 5 04, 18:28 Don QUOTE (Cleo_Serapis @ Jan. 05 2004, 17:28)Heh... Jan 5 04, 19:14 Cleo_Serapis QUOTE (Don @ Jan. 05 2004, 08:53)I looked int... Jan 6 04, 06:22 JustDaniel A note to Don:
I'm heartened by your reply, m... Jan 6 04, 06:27 Dear Cleo
We build with strength and deep tower w... Jan 6 04, 07:51 Don QUOTE (Cleo_Serapis @ Jan. 06 2004, 05:22)QUO... Jan 6 04, 08:05 Jox Alan,
My very dear fellow how absolutely spiffing... Jan 6 04, 08:35 Cleo_Serapis Nwext part of exercise -
Please re-write the last... Jan 6 04, 17:47 Cleo_Serapis QUOTE (Alan @ Jan. 06 2004, 08:51)Dear Cleo
... Jan 6 04, 17:50 Dear Jox & Cleo
Thank you for the welcomes !
... Jan 6 04, 18:38 Jox And make our pause and silence brim
with the shril... Jan 6 04, 18:42 Jox Alan, Hi.
Yes, I am completely out of kilter with... Jan 6 04, 18:57 Dear Jox
"if romance be the food of dreams then r... Jan 6 04, 19:08 Athena Welcome back, Alan!
As for these exercis... Jan 6 04, 22:52 Dear Daniel
Well, if that doesn't bring it sl... Jan 7 04, 02:21 Athena Hi Don,
I wanted to get in here to give you thank... Jan 7 04, 02:45 Cleo_Serapis We build with strength and deep tower wall
that sh... Jan 9 04, 17:51
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