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The following poem was constructed during the Method and Mystery Book Launch event on June 22nd, 2019. Every participant contributed a line, which was then assembled into the work below. Comment on this post by leaving your own line of verse – Where Do Poems Come From? Last night a…
Many people think they need to feel “inspired” to write, but seasoned writers know that not only is that untrue, “getting inspired” isn’t even a key ingredient. Sometimes the best work you can do is done not out of inspiration, but out of sheer panic, under perfect duress, when you…
The truth is, I know that a lot of my students are more talented than I am. Some of them have surpassed me in both reputation and resume; their work drips with lyrical brilliance, and their insights into life pack a more powerful punch. My ego would love for me to believe otherwise, to be teaching because, clearly, writers everywhere would be wise to bow down to the sheer power of my mighty metaphors! However, while being the best writer in the room might feel good, sometimes being the worst writer in the room also makes you the luckiest. A smart, evolving artist brings with him or her the humility to arrive with ample room to grow.
Finishing poems is hard. You can always do more to make sure that metaphor is complete, the rhythm is just right, and the ending line packs a punch. Some poets leave their work moldering at the bottom of a drawer, unfinished for years. Some people even, I’m sure you’ve heard…
I was in a poetry workshop where a talented poet wrote, “I had to burn my brother’s body in order to stay alive during the night.”
I responded, “Oh, how sweet; the brother sacrifices himself in order to keep the sister alive.”
My neighbor said, “No, that’s not it. She’s empowered. She killed her brother in order to take care of herself.”
The instructor said, “You can shorten this to ‘I burned my brother and lived off the warmth.’”
The writer said, “I have no brother. Everything in this poem is a lie.”
When I tell non-artists that I am a professional poet, this is the gist of the conversation that typically follows: “Really?” “Yes.” “You’re kidding.” “No.” “You can make a living doing that?” “Yes.” (long pause) “Huh.” They mostly can’t think of much to say after that. I suspect they think…