dirt and poem notes
Somewhere rests a story that involves someone saying, "Didn't you eat dirt as a child? All children eat dirt."
Before I could answer, my dad said in a very clear, even tone, "Elizabeth, did not eat dirt."
We were laughing around a dinner table. Me, four and a half months pregnant and wondering about the personality that was becoming inside me, wondering if he or she would be a bit more fearless than her mother.
And here we are, more than two years later, watching this personality develop each day before us.
Fearless. Joyful. (wee bit) Stubborn. Hilarious. Open. Always on the move.
People so often want to "figure out" who she looks like. I just love that she is finding her way to be herself.
*****
Somewhere in the words above rests a poem. I'm not sure where to begin yet. I'm not sure about the title or what the first line will be. But I know that one day soon, I want to revisit these words and these images and these memories and play with a poem.
Until then, I am calling this a poem note because, well, that is what it is. The notes for a poem. Maybe even a few words that will form their way into a poem. I have been writing "poem notes" for a few years now as a way to take those notes without feeling the pressure of writing the perfect poem. Sometimes they end up actually seeming like they might be a finished (or almost finished) poem. Other times they are more notes, like the words above, with images I don't want to forget.
I love the way the poet inside me sees the world. And I am so grateful to poetry for pushing me to let this poet within me breathe.
If you are interested in giving that poet within you space to play and breathe and observe the world around you, consider coming along for Poem It Out. Class starts next Monday, and we are going to have so much fun!
Poem It Out in poem notes
Reader Comments (7)
"I have been writing "poem notes" for a few years now as a way to take those notes without feeling the pressure of writing the perfect poem.". Oh dear Liz, this is brilliant. I have not seriously attempted to write a poem, not even one, for so many years it's hard to think about (and the reasons why are a story way too long deeply personal for this public space). Poetry was once so very important to me! You have no idea the impact your own stories, and your gentle nudges towards those of us out here to tell ours, have had on me. "Create Space" especially started me once again thinking poetically, and it's both exciting and terrifying the same time. This idea of "poem notes", a way of sort of sneaking in the back door towards writing poetry again, has me smiling over here, and I thank you so much for sharing it.
Mmmmm. Just savoring the idea of the "poet inside me" and the freedom to jot poem notes through her eyes. Cannot wait to begin Poem It Out next week!
i find that at the right time the poetry just flows out without thought. in the meantime yes, there are a million notes taking place, little sticky notes in my mind to later write about, including right now a photo of my mom's dog, my baggy jeans, things i learned on vacation, and the deliciousness of chocolate chips and clementines for breakfast.
i love these photos. and i love how you write of not figuring out who she looks like but who she will become. sometimes i see parts of myself in each of my girls and other times i think, just where did you come from?
those little teeth though, they make me squeal with love.
loving your idea of poem notes. i think i inadvertently did this recently...and it was such a relief to not force it until i was really ready. and, sure enough, a few days later...it flowed right out of me.
when my two children were babies and toddlers it used to drive me a little crazy how everyone tried to figure out who they looked like. i thought to myself, "well, they look like themselves, silly". i am so in tune with your idea of our little ones finding their ways to themselves...
yay! I'm in!! :O)
oh...and could you please use my hotmail account...I know I used gmail in my paypal but I couldn't get my regular one to work right...just let me know if you need me to send you my hotmail addy again...
yay! I can't wait!
... and a fine poem it will be :) xo