The Poem Farm: Writing from a Photograph

Friday, July 5, 2013

This Picture - Writing What We Do Not See

Country Road

Photo by Amy LV

Click the arrow to hear me read this poem to you.

Students - One exercise I have tried in a writing workshop is to "write about a photo that has never been taken, a photo that should have been taken". This is a great exercise because there are so many meaningful snips in our lives that we do not document with pictures. As a second part of this exercise, sometimes the leader asks us to write about the story that does not show in the photograph. Every photograph has things you can see...and things you cannot see.

This morning, driving Henry home from his swim practice, we were tickled to see a parade of ducklings crossing the road with their mom. I put on my flashing lights, stopped the car, got my camera, and the two of us got out to look. Wobble, wobble went the ducklings into the tall grass, and my camera was not quick enough to catch it!

Today's driving surprise was an gift, a reminder of the unexpected beauties that wait around every corner. This photograph and poem, my souvenirs of that moment in time, nudge me to find magic in unlikely places. I find myself wondering about all of the befores and afters of every moment I have ever lived, the happenings right before and right after I leave a meadow or a room.

Keri is hosting Poetry Friday! Head on over to Keri Recommends to find out all of what is happening poetry-wise in the Kidlitosphere today.

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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

For One Day - Writing from a Photograph

On Sanders Hill Road

Photo by Amy LV

Click the arrow to hear me read this poem to you.

Students - Yesterday as I was driving to the post office, I passed this barn. Now, I've passed this barn many times before, but today I actually pulled into the driveway, stopped, and took a picture of it. On Monday, I'd read this week's poetry stretch at The Miss Rumphius Effect -- to write from a photograph -- and the barn above just felt perfect.

I've never written an imaginary story from a photo before; usually I'll write a family story. So this was a stretch...and a fun one at that. Today's verse makes me think about how many writers ask "What if?" to get a story going. What if bicycles could fly? What if they did so again?

Stuck? Take any photo and play with this idea. Imagine a "What if?" of your own from any picture at all!

'Want to know something funny? Just as I was about to take a second photograph of this barn, I saw a truck drive down the hill with its blinker on. Yep, it was the man who lived here, ready to turn into his own driveway. I backed out and called through my open car window to his open truck window, "I was taking a picture of your roof!" He gave me a salute-wave, and we went our separate ways. (I may slip a copy of this poem in his mailbox...)

This week over at my other blog, Sharing Our Notebooks, I am so happy to welcome Barry Lane. Barry is a cartoonist, a songwriter, a teacher of teachers, and a very inspiring notebook keeper. If you keep a notebook (or if you're a curious person) do not miss his post. Teachers - he has also offered a generous giveaway of two of his books about writing and a CD!

I have also just added an index to Sharing Our Notebooks. Click here to see a list of previous posters. I will continue to add to the descriptions of the posts so far.

Today I have finally linked all of the wonderful Poetry Peeks into one index. If you are looking for some inspiration, student mentor poems, or ideas for ways to bring more poetry into your classroom, don't miss this new index. You will permanently find it in the tabs up top!