Monday 20 October 2008

The Writer as Kestrel

The prompt this month at Applehouse Poetry is to write a poem that parallels the world of flora or fauna with the human experience, and which also marks or explores the end of something? It doesn’t have to be a season. It could be a relationship, a journey, a way of thinking… there are endless possibilities. This is my piece - what a writer could learn about concentration and reaching a goal from the hunting kestrel I was able to watch for several minutes recently.

In the Zone

flying high
buffetted by winds

rising

............falling

swept........................................off course
then back again

alert
determined
focussed

then the ecstatic

.............................s
..............................w
.................................o
...................................o
......................................p

as the goal is reached

************************************************************************
A poem that I read recently I think suits this prompt perfectly is Susan Richardson's Who's Afraid which was commended in the recent Frogmore Poetry Prize. Susan's collection Creatures of the Intertidal Zone was one of my favourite books of last year and a definite recommendation for anyone who hasn't yet read it.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ahh that is cool. I've forgotten what you call that, Juliet but I'm sure you know, where the shape of the poem perfectly reflects the shape of the idea. And this one is great because the typography has a point, it extends the thought and slows it down. This is fantastic example and flying too,

Scot said...

always liked concrete poetry--always will

Anonymous said...

Thank you, you just reminded me of a poem I wrote several years ago after sitting and watch that most beautiful bird. I have to confess that my meagre effort was not as good as yours though...

stu said...

Good grief, a piece of concrete poetry where the shape actually adds something. That must be a first.

susanlavonne said...

Cleverly designed and even without the shape, I love the sound of this piece.
Also like the "new" look of your blog (new to me since it's been a while that i've blogged and/or written)
Hope all is well!

jem said...

Clever use of layout on the page. Sometimes it can be a bit gimmicky, but it really works here.

WH said...

Excellent poem, with a format that is as effective as anything Ferlinghetti ever did. Perfect resposne to the prompt!

Crafty Green Poet said...

susan - I change the banner quite ferquently - so its always new now...! Good to see you again!

Jem, Gingatao, stu - well i had hoped that the shape would add to the sense, glad you think it does...

Billy - wow, thanks for the comparison to Ferlinghetti....

Ana said...

I like it,( the "swoop" really swoops) and it does remind me of the kestrel hunting

Janice Thomson said...

Excellent portrayal Juliet in both word and structure.

Anonymous said...

nice - i love watching nature and then to put it to vivid words...

so where do i have to move to in order to have the view out my window be what your banner is?!!!

RG said...

Just what they (and some other birds of prey) look and act like around here now in the windy season!

polona said...

i watched a kestrel hunt successfuly not long ago so i can relate to this poem. and it works very well.

Susan Richardson said...

Thanks for the recommendation :)

And your writer as kestrel poem works beautifully - sounds, shape and content!