I Never Told Anyone This

Brain Boat

by Amy LV

Students - Today's little poem is about something I actually do. And something I have never told anyone else about. Isn't it interesting how we each have a completely personal inner life that no one can enter? For me, the transition from awake to sleep is mysterious and interesting, and sometimes I do imagine floating my brain on a little boat...to give it a break from my thoughts. You are the first people I have shared this with.

So, there's a writing idea. Three actually. You might wish to:

1. Write a poem about something you have never told someone. You are welcome to change the details of course.

2. Write a poem that gives advice as this one does. Your advice may be about anything!

3. Write a poem about something that goes through your head when you are falling asleep or when you wake up in the night or morning.

Remember, it helps a lot to read your poem out loud to yourself as you write it. When I am not sure what to write next, I read what I already have aloud...and the next words appear in my mind.

And...news! On Tuesday, I am excited to share that my new book, THE SOUND OF KINDNESS, beautifully illustrated by Teresa Martinez and published by Magination Press, will be out in the world. I will be having a little party at The Bookworm bookstore in East Aurora, NY, and you can see details about this in my sidebar.

Learn More About This Book Here

(a few pages, educator guide, read aloud video)

Tabatha is hosting this week's Poetry Friday roundup today at The Opposite of Indifference with an assortment of treats including a poem by Geoffrey Brock. Each Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.

I wish your brain a glorious journey...by day or night! It is your very own brain, and I wish it well.

xo,

Amy

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Dear Brain, - Free Verse Letter Poems

 

 Whole Brain & Right Brain

Photo by Mark LV

Holding a Real Brain

Photo by Mark LV

Students - On Wednesday, my husband and I went to a great event called Love Yer Brain put on by Hallwalls, the Buffalo Museum of Science, and the UB College of Arts & Sciences.  It was an evening of talks about the brain, by scientists and artists.  It so fascinating that the two of us just cannot stop talking about it.

Dr. Christopher Cohan even brought two real brains, and as you see above, he allowed us to hold them.  It was humbling, and I stood in awe and gratitude, holding the brain of someone I would never know, would never talk to.  Someone who donated his or her body to science.  I thanked the brain in my hands.

The next day, I wanted to talk to my own brain.  I began to imagine a letter to my brain, and I have started the letter here, knowing that there might be more later.  As I wrote, I loved the idea that while I'm writing the poem about my brain, it's really my brain writing about itself!

This is a free verse poem, and when I write free verse, I often write a line or two and then read the poem so far, aloud, to myself...listening for the next line or two.  This process repeats itself line-by-line, through the whole poem.

Once again, I am reminded that it is stimulating to go new places, read about new topics, dive into new experiences.   There are many free and fascinating opportunities in the world, and we can fill ourselves easily with the offerings of others.  This, in turn, gives us more to think about, more to understand, more ideas to play with in our writing,more to offer to others.

I encourage you to try something completely different this week. Read a totally different type of book.  Eat a food you usually don't eat.  Sit in a quiet place outside and just stare.  Listen carefully to someone you often don't listen to.  Stretch your brain.  After all, we each only get one.

And if you'd like another writing exercise to try...try writing a free verse letter poem.  Choose something - anything that fascinates you - and write a letter to it.  You might surprise yourself.

Cathy Mere and her wonderful brain are hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup over at Merely Day by Day.  There you will find all kinds of poems, poetry fun, and all are welcome to leave links to share.  We're a friendly bunch in here, and if you're new to Poetry Friday, I hope you will come back!

Please share a comment below if you wish.