A little while back, a Monday Pubtalk discussion opened the door, inviting us to share our favorite poetic devices—you know, things like metaphor, alliteration, assonance—all those wonderful tools you keep in your poetry bag to make your work come alive.
One device that came up and generated a good amount of discussion and “likes” was synesthesia (or synaethesia if you are on the other side of the pond). Eons ago, in 2013, I hosted a MTB that spoke to synesthesia and it elicited some amazing poetry—and a great response, with 50 of you linking up.
So today, let’s take another look at this creative poetic toy. I’m going to plagiarize my own prompt to discuss exactly how to go about this. To start with, I’m going to dip into the world of medicine.
There is a neurological condition (called synesthesia) in which the patient confuses sensations. For example, he may taste a fragrance, or hear a flower. Have you ever touched a rainbow or seen a toccata?
The Poetry Foundation defines synesthesia as “a blending or intermingling of different senses in description.” In the world of art, painters make a conscious choice of color to represent feeling or sensation. One might choose red to express rage or a loud noise. Or gray to depict depression. Practitioners of Therapeutic Touch instruct their clients to choose a color that represents the outcome they hope to achieve. How about words? Do you associate colors or, perhaps, sound with certain words? What color is birth? Growth? Dying? What chord would you chose to depict joy? Grief?
I invite you to settle in for a half hour or so and check out your favorite poet or visit the work that was posted for that prompt in May, 2013 to get a sense of the wonder that synesthesia is capable of producing. Then look around you, go for a walk if the weather is kind (not so here) and allow your imagination to romp through the sensate world to come up with new ways of seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, touching things.
For today’s prompt, I invite you to play with mixing up those senses. It’s not necessary to write a complete poem in synesthesia, just include an incident in which you defy the sense or senses that you choose.
If you are able to participate, here’s the drill:
• Write your poem and post it on your blog or website.
• Copy the direct URL to your poem and access Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post.
• Paste the URL and your name in those spaces Mr. Linky offers you.
• Come on over to the Pub and visit with your fellow poets. Sip, taste their poetry and comment on your impressions.
• Especially try to visit those who have taken the time to read and comment upon your work.
• Enjoy your journey through the senses—that marvelous gift through which we are able to enjoy this world of ours.
When you visit the previous post on synesthesia, if you see a poet you know but have missed around the Pub, why not take a minute and invite them to join in?! Let’s aim for 50 more poems that are sensory delights.
Now, just for fun, I’m going to put up poems by two dVerse Poets who most of you know and miss: Brian and Pamela. They have given their permission!
grandfather
Brian Miller, used with permission
she’s—
warm
honeysuckle floral
as her worn dress
every dandelion
picked
a verse
in the poem she weaves
crowning the head of her king
breathes
mothers milk hugs
into his neck
musses
his beard
(curious)
takes his glasses
in a slow song,
holds them
tight
as the womb
she makes
of his chest
to
nap—
feel the tear
as i take their
page from my notebook,
fold it over
in ever
diminishing squares
& place it on my tongue
as communion
as a hot coal
purifying
every word
i’ll speak, today
that it might be
seasoned, just
the same—
get up from the park bench
& leave, a different way than
i came
only
faint hints of paint
on my lips.
A Small Corner
Pamela Sayers, used with permission
Small stones of noise
where sighs of syllables
slip through the walls,
my body bends within
wisps of warmth’s cradle
as the night breeze kisses
the windowsill; I see the rooftop
greet a tree’s crown, bowing
to royalty; the shimmer
of onyx-pupil stars sitting
in sculptured universe is
only a small corner of mine.
This is Victoria, happy to be with you today and looking forward to tasting your poetry.
G’day fellow poets, and welcome to the pub. I’m looking forward to sharing your sensory confusion and hope you enjoy the prompt. As I mention on my blog, my Internet connection is acting up these days, so if it seems like I’m ignoring you, I’m somewhere at the other end thinking in expletives. But I will be by whenever it decides to behave…like at this moment. So cozy up to the bar and sip some poetry.
Love the creative title too Victoria ~
Thanks, Grace.
I miss Brian and Pamela voices in the pub ~ As well as David King ~
Thanks for hosting this wonderful poetic device Victoria ~
I miss Brian as well. And if this is an example of Pamela’s work, I miss her as well! Such talents.
So do I! David King had posted for the 2013 prompt. He was a special person.
Hi Victoria! It was fun to go back into the archives to read your first post and the poems linked at that time. I don’t know how close I came but….I live in a state of confusion most of the time anyway! Good luck on that internet thang!
I rather think confusion and poetry are partners. 🙂
Confusion is also writing poetry on a tightrope over an abyss.
Great metaphor. I have a fear of heights…and sometimes of where poetry leads me.
LOL, I have to laugh. I think of the song by the Kinks ages ago and the line – I’m in a state (state) of confusion… I always used the term, like trying to surf on an earthquake….
I am so honoured, Victoria. Look at me up there with poet pal, Brian. I miss you all too, but life is not allowing me to get much writing done. Well, that is my excuse for now. Thanks again.
Pamela
Ah, Pamela….so good to read your poem again. I remember how active you were poetically in the ‘old days.’ I hope you find some time again soon!
Thanks, Mary. I need to ease myself back in.
Pamela, I hope you can find time sometimes in the future. We all miss you.
Miss you too, Björn.
Life has a way of impeding us at times. I’m always happy to see you when you do show up, Pamela.
Thanks, Victoria. I hope to come back soon.
It is wonderful to define the various techniques many of us have picked up just by reading a lot of other’s poetry; then again it feels good to more clearly understand why each of our styles of writing (mine has been in flux since running with the dVerse pack) seems to gravitate toward certain techniques. I have been honing my own version of the Haibun with great relish this year. In Tacoma, I am known out in the open mic groups a the last Beat Poet. When I write with synesthesia I certainly do get my Ginsberg on.
I can see that strain of beat in your work, Glenn.
I love to focus on just one teqnique.. Sometimes it can improve our skills just by focusing…
What a wonderful prompt, Victoria. I do remember when you used it as a prompt a few years ago. I always forget about using synesthesia in my poems, so I was glad to have this reminder once again! Thanks for the poem & also for tending bar.
Loved your work with the prompt, Mary, and always am grateful to you for your support at the bar!
I just came from a concert with a deep bouquet of cinnamon and bread…. I really love this technique, and sometimes I use it just to build a skeleton of a poem. Also great to remember all the poets that used to come.. Let us hope.
Concerts can be so inspirational, can’t they. We went to a Mannheim Steamroller performance this last weekend and I’m still humming.
Wow, those two poems by Brian and Pamela are enchanting.
Both of them always stunned me with their talent.
I missed this the first time around but am happy to get another chance at it. I actually had used a reference to this condition in a poem of mine some time ago not knowing what it was called. Thanks, Victoria, I always did love your fun prompts! xo
Thanks you, Gayle. This is a fun device to play with, I think.
It’s very fun, Victoria. And thanks for the two excellent poems you shared…made me feel a little wistful for the “good ole days.”
Hi everyone. The senses are the heart of poetry.
Well said.
I agree ~ 🙂
So very true. :~)
Lovely sets of poems so far… I might link up a second one in the morning, but it’s bedtime here in Sweden.
Sleep well, Bjorn. I might just do a second one, too.
A second one is up… 🙂
Beautiful second share Bjorn 🙂
Hey everyone,
This was quite a challenge! Sharing my poem “What the heart wants” hope you guys like it 🙂
Lots of love,
Sanaa
I’m looking forward to reading it.
🙂
I love mixing things up in my poems, and this is one I did awhile back. Hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday!
So glad you’ve joined us
Thanks, Victoria! Glad to be here!
Victoria, I adore this device. I’m sure I’ve used it at least once without even realizing but to set out to accomplish this was awesome! I have enjoyed reading all of the other poet’s work also!
Hey… Nice having you on board.. it’s a wonderful device, and using it is such fun.
So glad you enjoyed it. I’m off to catch up now and look forward to reading it.
..better late than never, they say. I couldn’t resist this prompt, but feel I could have done much better..have been back and forth to the doc’s office all week but I will catch up with everyone…have already read some beautiful offerings!
You did so much work on your beautiful poem I can understand why you would be late. I hope everyone takes the time to come and read it. it’s a delight.