Tags
#BlankPage, #CarolAnnDuffy, #CreativeWriting, #dversepoets, Bees, Foxes, Holub, poetry, Seamus Heaney, Ted Hughes
Welcome everyone to the Poets Pub for a round of Poetics!
This is Dora from Dreams from a Pilgrimage and here we are at the start of 2024. The New Year stretches out before us like a snow-covered field, pristine, a blank page, untouched till we mark it with our footprints, our words.
We all have our particular reasons for writing and our particular styles. And if pressed, we would say we put on our writing personas, employing cadences of language and a way of seeing and thinking that best suits us philosophically, emotionally, at our heart’s core.
In taking a spectator’s approach to writing, Anglo-American Christopher Isherwood wrote in his autobiographical novel:
I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking. Recording the man shaving at the window opposite and the woman in the kimono washing her hair. Some day, all this will have to be developed, carefully printed, fixed.
Christopher Isherwood, Goodbye to Berlin (1939)
Perhaps for some of us we are less a recorder and more the actor, wanting to leave our mark for posterity, to say, as it were, “I was here,” even if our writing is more of a type of journaling. The Czech poet Miroslav Holub writes of a woman on a train to Vienna writing in her diary, “notes about Rome and Naples”:
Ink marks like parthenogenetic aphids,
from Miroslav Holub, “Creative Writing,” translated by Rebekah Bloyd (2008); read the full poem here.
pages like blood smears
of homing pigeons.
. . .
It is her monument outlasting bronze,
five-dimensional reality, the last engraving
of primeval man on reindeer bone,
the last drop
of the fluid soul
before evaporation.
So how did Holub, whom the poet Ted Hughes called “one of the half dozen most important poets writing anywhere” (1988) and whose writing Seamus Heaney described as “a laying bare of things, not so much the skull beneath the skin, more the brain beneath the skull” (source), take on the specter of the blank page? He once told the Paris Review:
My poems … always begin with an idea, an obsessive idea of some sort. … I try to achieve effects of suspense with my long lines and tremendous emphases with my short ones.”
Miroslav Holub (1923-1998), source
We may feel ourselves giving in to the compulsive challenge of the blank page in order to plumb the depths of our being, though not exclusively so, as Seamus Heaney confesses in “Personal Helicon,” marshaling the extended metaphor of various types of wells, deep, shallow, even “fructified,” and others:
Others had echoes, gave back your own call
from Seamus Heaney, “Personal Helicon,” Death of a Naturalist, 1966; read the full poem here.
With a clean new music in it. And one
Was scaresome, for there, out of ferns and tall
Foxgloves, a rat slapped across my reflection.
Now, to pry into roots, to finger slime,
To stare, big-eyed Narcissus, into some spring
Is beneath all adult dignity. I rhyme
To see myself, to set the darkness echoing.
At times we may feel like Emily Dickinson, shunning the blank page, wanting to hear the resounding music of poetry rather than deploying it, but ironically, even that feeling must be written down and expressed:
I would not paint — a picture — (348)
Nor would I be a Poet —
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) (source)
It’s finer — Own the Ear —
Enamored — impotent — content —
The License to revere,
A privilege so awful
What would the Dower be,
Had I the Art to stun myself
With Bolts — of Melody!
And when we’re all out reasons to tackle the blank page, Pulitzer prize-winning author of The Shipping News (1993), Annie Proulx, offers us one more:
You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words on a page.
Paris Review (source)
But let’s be frank: sometimes that blank page looks like a barren desert or an icy field that we tiptoe lightly across or charge fiercely over. Yes, but do we do so timorously like a mouse? Or as an elephant (gliding gracefully on skates of course!)? Or a spider dancing in a parched land trying to make it rain as the old native American myth has it? I speak not in jest. There is something of the animal in us when we write, delving with badger feet or soaring with heron’s wings, that places all our multitudinous reasons and ways of writing in simple perspective.
British poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy describes writing in terms of bees, and Ted Hughes, a fox.
Bees
Carol Ann Duffy from The Bees: Poems (2016) (source)
Here are my bees,
brazen, blurs on paper,
besotted; buzzwords, dancing
their flawless, airy maps.
Been deep, my poet bees,
in the parts of flowers,
in daffodil, thistle, rose, even
the golden lotus; so glide,
gilded, glad, golden, thus –
wise – and know of us:
how your scent pervades
my shadowed, busy heart,
and honey is art.
The Thought Fox
I imagine this midnight moment’s forest:
Ted Hughes (1930-1998), The Hawk in the Rain, 1957 (source)
Something else is alive
Beside the clock’s loneliness
And this blank page where my fingers move.
Through the window I see no star:
Something more near
Though deeper within darkness
Is entering the loneliness:
Cold, delicately as the dark snow
A fox’s nose touches twig, leaf;
Two eyes serve a movement, that now
And again now, and now, and now
Sets neat prints into the snow
Between trees, and warily a lame
Shadow lags by stump and in hollow
Of a body that is bold to come
Across clearings, an eye,
A widening deepening greenness,
Brilliantly, concentratedly,
Coming about its own business
Till, with a sudden sharp hot stink of fox
It enters the dark hole of the head.
The window is starless still; the clock ticks,
The page is printed.
Your challenge for today’s Poetics?
Using Duffy’s and Hughes’ poems as examples, write a poem using any animal of your choice (real or mythological) as a metaphor for how ideas and words take shape for you on a blank page. [Hint: Do we approach the blank page with stealth and craft, or a burst of attack? Hoard ideas like a squirrel her acorns? Drag glyphs onto our laptop screen in exuberant abandon to later edit and score into shape, beaver-like? Capture a stray thought like a . . . Well, you get the picture.]
New to dVerse? Here’s how to join in:
- Write a poem in response to the challenge.
- Enter a link directly to your poem and your name by clicking Mr. Linky below
and remember to check the little box to accept the use/privacy policy. - You will find links to other poets and more will join so please do check
back later in order to read their poems. - Read and comment on other poets’ work– we all come here to have our poems read.
- Enjoy!
dorahak said:
Hello, everyone!
It’s blowing a gale and raining cats and dogs here on the Maryland side of D.C. Fitting, isn’t it, given what’s on the Poetics menu! For poems only, ahem.
For consumables, we have on hand all manner of libations and edibles, including my favorite dessert of choice these days, Mango Mousse Cake. I like to say it keeps summer squarely in sight.
Pub doors are open — Come on in and welcome! Can’t wait to read your poems!
kim881 said:
HI everyone and thank you for hosting, Dora, especially with one of my favourite poets, Carol Ann Duffy, and my favourite Ted Hughes poem. It was difficult writing my poem for this prompt, and I hope it’s OK.
dorahak said:
Looking forward to reading it, Kim! I knew someone at dVerse loved Duffy’s poetry, I just didn’t remember who. 🙂
kim881 said:
I’m a huge fan and have been doing her Maestro course.
dorahak said:
Wow! Sounds great! And inspiring actually. How often does one get to interact with a poet one admires?!
dorahak said:
Just checked out the link Bjorn gave to your first prompt and I love the humor and, shall i say, panache of her poetry. She is a force of nature!!
kim881 said:
Did you read any of the poems written to that prompt? We did have fun with it.
dorahak said:
Not yet! Haha! I can imagine everyone went all in.
kim881 said:
They did.
dorahak said:
Then we need a re-do!
Grace said:
Hello Dora. Thank you for hosting and sharing those wonderful poems. I admire Duffy’s poems so much. It is snow and rain and ice here in Ontario. Well that mango mousse cake sounds inviting. Bring in the sun and fun!!!!
dorahak said:
You got it — A huge slice of sun and fun!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Carol Ann Duffy is defintely one of my favorite poets… I actually let the nature of my selected animal set the poem… maybe with another animal I would follow another path.. That mango mousse cake sounds delicious.
dorahak said:
I’m beginning to get the feeling Duffy is a big fave at the pub! She’s a remarkable poet. I loved your poem, by the way. A big slice of cake coming up!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I think we have had more than one prompts inspired by her… especially the one were we wrote to her collection “the world’s wife”
dorahak said:
I am not surprised. I’ll have to check it out!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
It was Kim’s first prompt writing as a guest
dorahak said:
Thanks for the link, Björn.
Melissa Lemay said:
Hi Dora!👋🏻 It’s quite rainy here today in PA, due to the winter storm Finn, same name as my three year old. I got a kick out of that this morning. I love the Annie Proulx quote. And all the poetry. I’ll have a cup of coffee mixed with hot chocolate with some whipped cream, please.
dorahak said:
Coming right up, Melissa! I’m looking forward to reading your poem.
seanatbogie said:
Prompting toward such a thought provoking metaphor is a great way to start the year.
dorahak said:
I’m so glad you think so! Thank you, Sean — Happy writing!
Oloriel said:
Beautiful prompt, and I have the idea, but grasping at the moments to write it down. Thank you for the inspiration!
dorahak said:
So glad you like it, Oloriel. Just reading through the ones already posted is amazing. Can’t wait to read yours! Have fun with it.
Helen said:
Mango Mousse Cake ~ how can I resist? Hot tea would complete the treat! Love the challenge, I need to ponder a while.
dorahak said:
You got it, Helen, and the poem too, I have no doubt 🙂 Looking forward to it!
poetisatinta said:
So great to see you as host Dora and such a fab challenge 🙌
dorahak said:
Thank you so much, Ange, and I’m so glad you like the prompt. Hope to see your offering soon! 🙂💖
poetisatinta said:
Thanks Dora yes it’s there 😊
dorahak said:
It’s wonderful with the energy (and joy) of whales!
msjadeli said:
Hello Dora and All. What a lovely post, with an enchanting menagerie of images and poets. Will have to think on this one a bit.
dorahak said:
Thank you, Li, and I can’t wait to see what your fertile imagination comes up with. 🙂
msjadeli said:
You’re welcome 🙂
rog said:
hi dora
hi poets
what a great prompt.
the mango mouse sounds good.
back to read shortly need to give my ear drums a blasting while i read
back when i have found my headphones
rog
dorahak said:
Haha! One mango mousse headed your way. You deserve it for hitting the nail on the head for this prompt and for the laughs. 🙂
rog said:
cheers headphones found
dorahak said:
👍
lillian said:
Dora: SINCERE APOLOGIES! Somehow, when I scheduled my poem for this prompt, WordPress stripped all the formatting and it looked like prose! I’ve not deleted that version, rewritten (just a tad differently) and posted. Please delete my first link on Mr. Linky.
dorahak said:
I really appreciate that, Lillian, but you needn’t have done it. There is such a thing as a prose poem. But I see you’ve gone ahead and deleted the first link. Your poem is too much fun for words and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for joining in!! 🙏🏾❤️
Rob Kistner said:
Thank you for hosting Dora and what a wonderful prompt. This was a joy to pursue my friend. 🙂✌🏼🫶🏼
dorahak said:
Loved you poem, Rob, of which I waxed lyrical. Thanks so much for the comment on the prompt. So encouraging to know you enjoyed it!! 😊🙏🏾
dorahak said:
Will be back later to read more, ladies and gents! Help yourselves to the victuals and thanks for joining in!
memadtwo said:
This is a great prompt Dora–thanks! (K)
dorahak said:
Thanks for joining in, Kerfe. Will be headed over in a few minutes to read — 😀
rothpoetry said:
A great prompt, Dora. Thanks for hosting today. On this cold night how about some coffee and a piece of Cherry Cheese Cake.
dorahak said:
Coming right up! Sounds yummy and I think I’ll join you before heading over to read your offering 🙂 So glad you like the prompt, Dwight.
rothpoetry said:
Thank you!
dorahak said:
You’re most welcome! It is, in fact, my virtual pleasure. 🙂
Frank J. Tassone said:
Good Evening, poets! Thanks, Dora, for the delicious offering tonight! The torrents fall as gales howl hear in NY’s Backyard-on-the-Sound!
I’ll have my usual burgundy, please! 😉
dorahak said:
Here you go, Frank, a glass of burgundy for you! Yes indeed, same here. This winter’s turning out to be rather wet. Flood advisories too I hear. Thanks for joining in the prompt. Cheers!
paeansunplugged said:
Thanks for hosting, Dora. I love your selection of poems. Mango mousse cake sounds delicious, save a piece for me, I will have it later in the day.
dorahak said:
Done, Punam! Glad you enjoyed the poems and hope to read yours soon, my friend.
Truedessa said:
I haven’t been writing much – I was inspired by a courageous goose left behind by the flock.
dorahak said:
Wow, can’t wait to read, Truedessa! Hope to catch it before I turn in for the night.
butungislayp said:
Thank you for hosting, Dora. It’s relatively sunny here in my part of the globe. Blasting the AC while melting in bed. Would love a slice of dark chocolate cake. Will get on the prompt in a few. 💜
dorahak said:
A big slice for you, Tea, and keep that AC turned up. 😃
butungislayp said:
Will do! Thanks, Dora 💜
pvcann said:
Thank you Dora, such a great prompt to work with. It was 34c here today with a late sea breeze, summer progresses. 🙂
dorahak said:
That sea breeze sounds marvelous! Thank you for joining in the prompt, Paul. Your poem was an exquisite read.
writingpresence said:
Dora, what an extraordinarily rich prompt-context you offer here, so multilayered and nuanced that I feel lured away into a pandemonium of animal analogies!
I am not planning to meet this challenge this time, but just want to thank you for the resources, especially from other poets, that you have offered here in this feasr of words.
I shall be coming back to have a peep into other people’s process, and yours x
dorahak said:
Kathy, Thank you so very much for taking the time to drop this note. Your kind words are much appreciated. Writing the prompt was a mini-education for me. Though I knew the poets, I had no idea that Duffy, for example, had written “Bees” and that Ted Hughes & Heaney were admirers of Holub. That all came together when I was researching dates of poetry and poets. Ok, TMI, right?! Anyway, I’m amazed at the offerings by the poets that have taken part in the prompt so I know you’ll enjoy reading each one. The prompt will stay open until 1 PM (EST) Thursday if you change your mind! Thanks again, Kathy.
msjadeli said:
Dora, just linked up!
dorahak said:
Yaaay!!! Headed over in a sec. 🤗😊🙏🏾
SelmaMartin said:
Thanks so much for hosting poetics, Dora. I found this very interesting and hope I was able to follow to the prompt (I’m having a hard time concentrating these days)
Anyway, I added to Mr. Linky. Wow, lots of reading ready for me already. I’ll read as many as I can. (I sure need to relax) Thank you so much.
Oh, did you say Mango? Yes, please–a good generous serving of mango will do me wonders. Thanks. Stay warm and dry…
dorahak said:
An extra-huge slice of Mango Mousse for you and your rodent buddies, Selma — I read your utterly captivating take on the prompt and was blown away. So glad you got it into Mr. Linky before I shut it down today. Thank you so much, Selma. 💖
zipferlake said:
That one was definitely too short for me to use Mr. Linky.
But I wrote my poem, so I’m happy none the less.
Is there a standard time for how long Mr. Linky is open?
dorahak said:
Oh no Jan!! 😟 For Tuesday poetics, I think linky can stay up until 1 PM Thursday, which is what I did. I’m glad you wrote anyway and I managed to catch it on your blog. 😊