prompt 202 journal poem
journal poem (easy as falling off a piece of cake)
this poem requires some time to do. minimal fudging please, else you’ll miss out on the process and value (please again).
(about the what, how and why)
why? (why first because it may better inform and color how and what)
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a journal poem melts the boundaries between prose and poetry (and that’s a good thing to be comfortable about either way and to realize how they may combine and intermix).
a journal poem inherently has a sense of immediacy (intimacy?).
a journal poem is also: what to do when you have nothing to say!
the process? (aka what and how)
each day write 1 or 2 or 3 sentences (no more than a short paragraph at the most please) (being simple, concise, matters here). now then a “sentence” may be defined as a sentence, a phrase, even a single word, however and whatever comes to you in a brief selected description of your experience of that day.
(ask yourself this question: what do I want to say about today?) your answer needn’t summarize your whole day, although it might. your answer might be one word. your answer might be a surprise, unexpected – just accept what comes when you drop that pebble in the water. there is no wrong answer. neither worry about being neat or poetic. just write.
do this for about 5 (five) days.
then review. edit. clarify. reword. and please, edit language, not story (content). while as a “prose poem” you may use sentences in your poem – let go adherence to the usual rules (this is still a poem at heart) (so is prose too, if you really look). some broken syntax, single word sentences are all allowable. OK?
will it all make sense? two answers: we don’t care, and yes it will. become more comfortable with the seeming abstract, seeming discontinuity of life and experience. yet the “connections” of your writing will still be present (even if less obvious). your life IS the connection, the continuity. THAT is the poem.
a journal poem done in this manner may also become a discovery process, allowing associations to be more visible. (think finger-painting!) those small stray feelings, thoughts, images do matter to us.
see you in five days!
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We Write Poems 
This is excellent, Neil…yes, those abstract streaks and splatters…they do matter. I will be poem journaling these five days….thank you. 🙂
Sent from my iPhone
On Feb 27, 2014, at 4:45 AM, We Write Poems wrote:
> >
Doing anything in a specific proscribed way has always been difficult for me. I’m willing to give it a try…
I’ll try this but I am a doubter – for me, I mean.
will it all make sense? two answers: we don’t care, and yes it will.
Howza.
a journal poem, day one
wouldn’t let me comment… I absolutely love that first stanza!
Wordle poets, there’ll be no wordle prompt next Monday. To allow you to post your poems to Neil’s prompt. We’ll have a blockbuster wordle prompt following Monday. 🙂
old journal page, new eyes
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/8109/
Elizabeth
Second journal poem,
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2014/03/01/first-day-of-the-month-10110/
Elizabeth
Day two poem
Day Three:
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2014/03/02/journal-poem-3/
Elizabeth
Not really my thing. Should have tried it a different way.
http://fredherring.wordpress.com/2014/03/02/for-wwp-the-journal-project/
Day four for me…should have my final version tomorrow!
My day 3 and 4 poems are here and here
http://roslynrosssmallstones.blogspot.com/2014/03/possibilities-in-prose-for-wet-season.html
A challenge in a way, because it is considered prose, but interesting all the same.
Fourth journal poem, back tomorrow with final one,
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/same-page-12295/
Elizabeth
I was totally confused (not a new thing). I thought we were to keep a journal for five days and then write a poem from that??????
Strictly, yes. But as in poetry, whatever your process. There’s no right or wrong is there?
Good to know. I guess I’m too linear.
My journal entries produced a A Litany of Questions….
-Nicole
Day five poem here
Five days…two pieces
The journal: The Pieces
The result:
The Composite
(I have attempted to shorten the links with some bit of code – If it doesn’t work I will delete this and go to plan ‘B’)
I sort of like the result:
http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/fog-isnt-logical/
Elizabeth
ps…have to go for an MRI this afternoon, positive thoughts, energy, prayers are welcome. Will be back later to comment.
The Polar Vortex Blues
Oh, I’ve got the blues
Listen to the news
Not what I would choose
Woolen socks and thermal undies
Give me that polar vortex blues
The sun tries to shine
not doing very fine
reflecting off the icicles
hanging on the lines
The north wind howls and blows
can’t stop my runny nose
Please take me somewhere
where the palms and jacaranda grows
Watch TV all day
Kids can’e go out and play
It’s a level three emergency
and another #%**x snow day.
I am soooo ready for spring, warm weather and green things.
Burrrr…yes, and I echo Debi.
Like the rhyming, carried through it makes for a nice tight piece of writing,
Elizabeth
You described our January – and part of February — perfectly. I have the same kind of blues…which are lifting now that the 50 and 60 degree weather is approaching.
I added an extra day to the challenge…thank you for this!
http://wordrustling.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/six-spilled-thoughts/