Tsukioko Yoshitoshi–100 Aspects of the Moon. Labeled for non-commercial reuse.
I Once Used an Earthquake—dVerse MTB: Symbolism
Browsing some of my very old poems, I ran across one in which I used an earthquake to stand in for fear of change. I suspect if you scan some of your own work, you will discover your penchant for SYMBOLISM. As poets and writers of any ilk, we often turn to symbolism, to express the depth of our thoughts and beliefs.
Here, in the city I call home, we are in the throes of welcoming winter: a bit of snow yesterday and frigid temperatures with wind expected all week. The leaves have, for the most part, fallen and been raked. The trees show off their nakedness.
During my morning coffee/quiet time, I think of my own impending winter. Autumn is creeping away and I find freedom in clearing out what is no longer useful, both materially and spiritually. We often use the seasons, consciously or unconsciously, to reflect the stages of my life.
When we write symbolically, we choose something tangible to convey a more abstract concept or a mood/emotion. Rather than just saying something outright, the poet or writer uses, for example, autumn to convey later mid-life or a spider to express fear. You may find it helpful to turn HERE for an extensive list of literary symbols to guide you in the poem I ’m looking for in this prompt: express and idea, emotion or mood symbolically without saying anything directly.
So, for today’s prompt, please get symbolic, using any form you like. Please do be sure you poem uses symbolism. We ask that everyone, always, comply with the requirements of the prompt. Thank you.
To join in:
• Write your SYMBOLIC poem and post it on your website. Please include a link to dVerse in your post. We would like to spread the word.
• Copy and paste the direct URL of your poem into Mr. Linky at the bottom of this page.
• Return to the pub to read other participants and comment on their work. Part of our goal is to create community and encourage one another.
• Enjoy the wonderful process of writing poetry.
For dVerse, this is Victoria, looking forward to reading and commenting on your poems. The weekend is just around the corner—have some fun and be safe.
dVerse 
I tried my best on writing in symbols… but maybe it became more a metaphor (unsure about the real difference)
They really are close, aren’t they. I though of that when I was writing up the post. Symbol or metaphor–they both add depth to the writing, I think.
Maybe they can be used combined… but I look forward to what this will bring.
Welcome, dVerse Poets. Hope to see many of you bringing your symbolic poems to the pub today. Beautiful sunny but very cold day here. Praying that my hometown in Los Angeles, will soon find relief from the Santa Ana winds so that the devastating fires may be brought under control.
It seems like this has happened before in that area of Los Angeles…
Yes. In Orange County–next door LA County to the south a bit. Drought and the winds just make it a disaster waiting to happen. This one is in LA County and to the north in Ventura County. All neighbors.
I remember that there had been fires in Malibu just before I lived nearby in 1995… If I remember correctly it was followed by rain and mudslides.
Sadly, I remember that one too. My first 7 years I lived in the foothills with my mom and grandparents. We had to evacuate, it seems, every year. And then the mudslides…there is a new fire now in San Diego County and they have suffered quite recently from fire and mudslides. And yet people rebuild (something we never had to do).
Good evening Victoria, Bjorn and poets formerly know as symbols! I too am concerned that my symbol(s) turned into metaphor(s). I was also worried that they would be either too obvious or too obtuse. A tricky and challenging prompt which I have enjoyed. Thank you, Victoria.
They go hand-in-hand, I suppose. Yours was quite effective, I thought.
I tried to get symbolic but maybe it was more pointed, ha ~ Thanks for the lesson Victoria ~ Appreciate the tools so we become better at our poeming ~ Very cold here, I can tell you ~ Happy Thursday ~
I think any little tool we have to help us, no matter what we call it, is worth the effort.
Thanks for hosting, Victoria! As I think about it there are symbols all over the place.
And it’s fun to look for them.
Thank you for hosting Victoria! I am not sure if I did metaphor or symbol – the two are so close. But I tried. If it doesn’t fit, you are free to delete it. I will understand and not throw a tantrum. It is cold here as well. I was surprised this morning by several of the cherry trees (65 total) blooming out in the office park where my husband works. Hey, give me some cherry trees and I will haiku!
Wonderful. Bring on those cherry blossoms.
Good Evening, poets, and thank you, Victoria, for the intriguing prompt! I selected a tanka-prose I wrote for Jane Dougherty’s a Month with Yeats. Looking forward to everyone else’s offerings! 🙂
Looking forward to reading, Frank. Thanks for joining in.
Hi Victoria,
I goofed. I placed an incorrect link in Mister Linky (#12). Could you remove it, please? I’ve reposted (#13) with the correct link. Thanks!
Will do if someone else didn’t already get to it. Had a longish lunch date.
Cheers for this excellent prompt Victoria.
Like others, I am uncertain as to whether my offering is symbolism or metaphor…
Anna :o]
I’m happy with either.
Brilliant thing to call attention to. At first I thought to repost something a little older. Then I thought I might be harder to write a poem with no symbolism at all. Then I came up with this one, about packing for a trip and what all that stuff really symbolizes. I welcome all comments and critiques, so if you don’t like it let me know please. And also if you do. Thanks all, cheers!
Cheers back at you. How about a hot brandy or a cold ale.
Oh I think the brandy would go down nicely, thanks. It’s bloody cold out there
Wouldn’t mind one myself. Cold here, too.
I love this, Victoria! Cheers to all! I have posted a little thing. Will be back after dinner to read and respond. Looking forward to the offerings!
Glad you could join us, Charley.
Thank you! Glad I could as well.
A little late to the bar…any drinks left? Great prompt Victoria -right up my street!
Name your favorite and I’ll have it ready tomorrow. It’s bedtime here now.
Thank you for this interesting prompt Victoria…I gave it a try…I look forward to learning more through reading
So glad you could join us. This is a fun place to learn from each other.
LOL: As a reader of Japanese, it is hilarious for me to see a picture printed backwards. Seeing that most readers here don’t know Japanese, except I thought Toni would have, I have to point it out. Of course it is understandable because it just looks like scribble to non-readers. And when I search TinyEye, I see this print in inverse all over the web and EVEN put on tee-shirts — hilarious. Anyway, this is Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) print — one of his hundred prints about the moon. It is the one called “Musashino no tsuki” (Musashi’s Moon) — Musashi is a plain near the old capital of Japan which was said to be haunted by magical foxes which can take human form. Great pic you choose, even if flipped inside out, lol. My poems is about a squirrel — the symbolism is that the squirrel is often me.
Here is the source of a picture without the words all written backwards, if you wish: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Yoshitoshi_-_100_Aspects_of_the_Moon_-_91.jpg
Hey Victoria, I noted that your tag says “critique and craft” == are we suppose to critique — not usually a welcome d’Verse activity?
I used this tag but it was the craft I went after. At the beginning of dVerse in 2011 we tried a critique mime but people seemed both afraid to give and receive it. I used to belong to a great critique group on facebook but the main facilitator became ill and it folded. It was a great tool for me and I think I wrote some of my best poetry at that time, but it is so time-intensive.
Hey there. I’m interested in getting critique, if any of you are game to give it. I’m ready to take my writing to the next level and would appreciate any help or insight. You can email me direct if you’d prefer Eric.Erb(at)gma il.com
I’d love if someone had time to start a critique group on Facebook, send out invites so it’s not wide open. Sadly, that time in not in my playbook right now.
Thanx for the history of the demise of critique on dVerse. dVerse has become a sanctuary for those who just want praise for whatever they write. This is all very building, I suppose. But any doubt, question , suggestion are very poorly received hear. Too bad all that is lost. I started a site called “FeedBack Poetry” for that purpose, but doubt many will come. It is also a site for “Accessible” Poetry, which is not the usual sort of poetry on dVerse.
Critique is important, and will definitely help you grow tremendously. My critique partners have pushed me to greater heights for years.
A couple lessons learned:
1. critique is probably best done not publically. that way there is less ego involved. it can be painful. as writers we have to be willing to kill our babies. that line that you think is so good, dont make it sacred. it may be a great line, but not good for this poem. if you are unwilling to make cuts, you dont want crit, you want validation.
2. critique is best received by/from someone you trust. this implies relationship on some level. but, definitely not from someone who is just going to kiss your ass. that will do you no good in the long run. honesty on the other hand, is quite valuable, and expected.
3. definitely need to lay down the ground rules as well. general crit versus specific crit. suggestions vs. just pointing out the rough patches.
4. you got to give to get. there are many poets out there that would love crit, but few willing to give it honestly. all part of building that trust, like in #2.
Wise words, X. I’m willing to give it as well, as best I can…
Great idea. I’ll check it out. From my point of view, critique is better when wanted. I love dVerse because I see many poets develop just by learning from the prompts and by reading one another. I don’t think critique works here because many are just stepping into the waters of poetry. I try to be positive to keep people trying. Send me the link for your feedback and I’ll check it out. I like X’s points and suggest you look way back at the first MTB or close to the first (2011) where we had some very clear guidelines. The big thing is, the poem belongs to its author and that is who can choose to follow advice or ignore it.
I used to be in a lit critique group with Luke Prater. That was a huge honor. It’s no longer active though.
“Cut” is typically the best advice.
See the other 99 moon prints of this amazing artist here
http://yoshitoshi.verwoerd.info/
But you did choose one of the best, IMHO
Got it. Thanks.
I love the variety that comes through on this site.
dwight
I agree–so many opportunities and ways of seeing things.
I appreciate this prompt, though my effort probably fell short. I had other efforts, but those veered into cliche. Hell, the one I posted feels like a cliche too, but it was the closest I could get. Blargh.
Didn’t fail, Barry. Not sure I noticed the cliche factor either.
Thanks, Victoria. I just thought… I mean… who among us HASN’T tried lassoing the moon at some point? After seeing others comment on it though, perhaps I was putting too much pressure on myself.
Thanks V, for the encouragement to post.
I appreciate the prompt, and writing it out helped me deal with a difficult day.
Just a disclaimer (there is one at the top of the post as well) that the symbolism I use is quite graphic, so feel free to skip.
So glad you did. It was so intense, raw, powerful.
It is nice to see you, Victoria. Always I like your prompts, although this one was difficult for me today.
I bet you use symbolism more than you realize, Kathy.
thank you for this one Victoria – I’d been stuck on my poetry project and your prompt got me out of the rut
That makes it all worth the effort. Thanks, Laura.
Hi Victoria,
Your prompt had me thinking about the difference between metaphor & symbolism. I’m still thinking about it. I followed that link you posted where I spotted symbolism of the color “red”…romance, passion and went with that. I wrote this yesterday but wasn’t sure it would fit. But I linked it today. Thanks for making me think ☺☺
Red and, as far as that goes, all colors are full of symbolism.
So I see. That was a great link you provided☺
Victoria- thank you for the prompt, it was quite challenging. I also bookmarked the page you referenced regarding symbolism.
So glad you were “challenged,” Linda. Thanks for coming by.
A pleasure!