Can it really be Thursday already? Time for Thursday poem share!
First up I’d actually like to link to Connotation Press where I read some fabulous poems this week. I’m hoping to send them some of my work in the near future.
Since I’ve been pounding away at the 2nd full length manuscript, I decided today would be a good day to post one of the poems from the potential collection. Last night I got through all 78 poems. Dropped 2 and about 6 are kind of shaky because they don’t transition well. They are poems I like but I’m just not sure if they fit. I’m typing up the new order this morning and then perhaps tomorrow I’ll try another read through, maybe backwards this time, to try and place the poems again. Each time I do this it shapes itself a bit more.
The first poem up is one that appeared in Wild Goose Poetry Review previously. I actually had a chapbook of Fat Girl poems that I sent around for over a year. It was actually a finalist at least once in a contest but I’m kind of glad it didn’t get picked up now since I am weaving it into the 2nd manuscript.
Fat Girl: The Superhero
You won’t be Wonder Woman
because you wouldn’t wear
that outfit. Although, when
you were five, and not fat
you had those red boots
that you swore made you run faster.
Your least favorite is Super Girl,
the girl, the skirt, how close the word
Super is to Supper and how you’d fall
out of the sky targeting
the first red Wendy’s sign.
Maybe you could be the awkward/
obscure Gigantic Girl whose gift
was growing tall, not out you notice,
but up. She was hefty, having
strength and size like a man.
Now for my 2nd poem I am having a much harder time figuring out what to post. I actually haven’t been writing a whole lot of new material while I have been working on the 2nd manuscript. A few things here and there but mainly revision and then the flash fiction pieces I have been writing., which are still a surprise. I think I’ll post one of the poems I was having trouble placing in the manuscript. The form isn’t quite right because the poem actually spreads out a bit across the page but wondering if this is one I should consider retiring. The manuscript has a wide variety of poems that deal with gender, mythology, a child’s wonder at things like bats and of course metaphorical zombies.
[thanks for all your help guys. the poem that was here has been sent out to a lit mag for another consideration but it did not make it into the final new manuscript, code name Z]
So you guys know the drill right? Link to your own poems in comments or post your own. Leave comments about the work I post here or questions etc. Let’s get out there and share some poetry!
Oh and quick last note, I have a review of a poetry book and an interview with a poet up at Poet’s Quarterly
I like Echolocation a lot……..I love the metaphors…….the last stanza is my favorite one….
thanks! you guys are giving me some hope that I can perhaps hold onto it and find a way to fit it into the manuscript.
loved the second one most,
very quality poems,
you are gifted and an expert,
u r 2 kind jingle (see txt speak like your u poem!)
i don’t think i’ll ever feel like an expert!
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i really like echolocation. nice and vivid.
the first is nice as well, maybe she will find her superhero within.
Thanks Brian! I am potentially going to open the book with the first poem and Echo, if I can make it work, will fit into another group of poems that all circle around bats. I guess the bats are starting to seem like a metaphor for the unknown creature within yourself. or does that sound too hokey? hmm
I love how these two poems showcase the great spectrum that is your writing. They represent two very different poetic styles, both of which are superb.
All you have to do is click on my name, as always, to see what I’m sharing this week. MedicatedLady and I are having the poetic equivalent of a dance off.
Bryan – you are always too good to me!
Pants off dance off?
Hi Jessie
I loved both the poems
You are a wonderful poet and I’m so glad to know you
Margie
thanks Margie! It has been a pleasure getting to know you as well
The first poem was going to be the first poem in my 2nd book but now that i’m back to work on it I’ve changed my mine – AGAIN!
they’re both good but the second one. wow
Thanks! I’m really sad that the 2nd one doesn’t seem to fit this 2nd book as well as I wanted it to. Perhaps I just need a chapbook with all bat and echolocation references..hmmm
I like how you write such different styles in stuff I have read…I like the visuals, and relating you do in the first- takes me back to my own period of self evaluation (not sure I like that word, so do not try and figure out what I mean)…I like the second; it is different, makes me want to read it over and over again, as it fascinates me in a good way…
I have a new one that I will put up on my Muse Monday, which btw anyone is welcome to join that, just link to the site at http://www.musemonday.blogspot.com/ on Mr MckLinky each Sunday… A way to do photo musing… if you do not mind I self promote here…
How do you feel about mixed media- video poetry? I am thinking of playing with that…do you think it would put my work out there in a way that it might hurt my publishing chances? See I worry way to much!
i’m gonna stop by your site. how many blogs do you have girl! hehe
i am a big believer in letting the poem decide the form. i think that is why i shy away from too much rhyme or writing formal poetry because i think, at times, it can stifle what you are working on.
that being said. sometimes when you are blocked a form is the perfect thing to set you free. i know i am speaking out of both sides of my mouth but it is true!!!
considering i did a whole lit mag of video until my computer decided – we don’t like doing video! – i love the idea of mixing the genres. http://shapeofabox.wordpress.com for anyone who wants to check out the archives and the work the new person who took it over is looking at.
i think if you publish the text of the poem with the video material then it is published but if you only publish you reading or making a video of the poem then it isn’t published.
Thanks that really helped me…I could not sleep was having ideas rolling around my head about dancing food and ketchup bottles…I should have given in to that french fry craving yesterday
I only have two active blogs now. I hate to take down the others. Now and then someone finds them and make comments about my work. TMI & CookAppeal, but Muse Monday is a link site only, back to TMI or others if they chose… PIWClub makes me money, food & wine, the real job, lol!
glad to help Chef E