Our Blazing Hill
Photo by Amy LV
Some of you may remember my talented friend, musician and English professor Gart Westerhout from his music here last spring. Every once in a while, Gart turns one of my poems into a song, and he did so with this poem. Thank you to Gart who always finds the perfect voice for each of my poems.
Students - Our hill is exquisite this week! I have been drinking in the colors and bottling it up in my mind for the white and windy winter days ahead. Today's poem grew from me imagining a fox wishing to match its fur to autumn leaves...and this wish becoming true. Tossing and turning in bed last night, I got myself up and scribbled this poem in all of its messy glory.
Scribbly Draft
Photo by Amy LV
Today I offer you a new writing idea. Write a song. It does not need to have a tune; it can be a poem in another's voice that feels songlike. You might choose an animal or a person or an object. Pretend to be this other and write in this other's voice. I did not intend to write a fox song, but the repetition of "I am Fox. I'm fire." made me think that this felt more song than poem. Try some repetition in your own song if that sounds interesting to you.
And go for it. Cross out like crazy. Let your poem lead you!
If you are looking for poems in others' voices, check out master poet Joyce Sidman's SONG OF THE WATER BOATMAN or my first book, FOREST HAS A SONG.
Matt is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup today at Radio, Rhythm and Rhyme with a celebration of his latest book. Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.
Wishing you song...and a friend like my orange Claude, who looks exactly like this now at 7:41 on this Friday morning.
Claude, a Sleepy Muse
Photo by Amy LV
xo,
Amy
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I love Fox's Song and that it got you out of bed to scribble it in all its messy glory. Love the final line. The pic of Claude makes my heart happy!
ReplyDeleteNice use of color and imagery, Amy - glad you got up and seized the opportunity to write!
ReplyDeleteI peered and peered hoping to spy that sly fox in your field...then I saw him IN THE LEAVES :)
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! Appreciations for your autumn imagery in words & lucious glowing hill foto eiyh yhid Fox's Song pody. I've never thought of fox or pumpkin color ~ it's beautiful. I've had the pleasure of reading lyrical FOREST HAS A SONG in school as a volunteer & given it, too. Those poems are how children should learn the woods nature mysteries
ReplyDeletejan/Bookseedstudio
I love Fox's voice in your poem, Amy, and "clothed in ginger robes"
ReplyDeleteMy splendid paws crunch maple leaves…
ReplyDeletemy favorite line. I love your sleepy muse, too.
Amy, I so enjoy hearing you read your poems. Your voice is very soothing. Also, Gart Westerhout’s musical rendition of “What Her Parents Asked the Stonecutter” is touching. If only the parents could have heard it!
ReplyDelete"ginger robes of fall" -- wow what a line! I love this! What a beautiful setting.
ReplyDeleteWe have a fox who appears now & then, probably more but I don't see it. Now you've made me wonder if he, too, is excited about blending in with the fall leaves? I love that your friend put your poem to music, Amy. It's lovely!
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for ALL of the orange animals!
ReplyDeleteI love the color words of Fox--fire, ginger robes, and matching pumpkins and autumn leaves. Very lovely.
ReplyDelete