Students - Earlier this week, I was writing in my notebook about names. We have two cars, an old one and a not-as-old-one, and each has a name. The old Accord is named Iris (she's blue), and the less-old one is named Pearl (she's pearly white). This got me thinking about children and dogs and cats and chickens and hamsters and horses and all of the beings we name in our lives. I thought about how some people name every dog or cat they ever have the same name, and well...I got a name bee in my bonnet! I decided to try to play with the idea of naming in a poem but was not sure how to begin.
Sometimes when I have a writing topic but not a way in, I read poems by others, and sometimes, I borrow a meter from someone else, counting the syllables and studying the rhymes, marrying those syllables and rhymes to my own topic. On this day, I read and played with and leaned into the poem "The Python" by Hillaire Belloc, using the same meter and rhyme as the first 8 lines of his poem. You can read Belloc's poem HERE at The LiederNet Archive if you wish to listen to the poem that I leaned on.
Where did I find this poem? Well, in this old book from 1968, a book remaindered from a library but still so very full of riches! Remember this...when someone else is throwing something away, this does not mean that their discarded object does not have value. It might be just what you need!
If you begin writing this week, and if you are not sure how to begin, I recommend taking a writing break. Turn to reading. Perhaps something about the way another writer has crafted a piece will give you some shoulders to stand on. We all need each other.
Margaret is hosting today's Poetry Friday roundup over at Reflections on the Teche with three different poems in three different forms offering three different small journeys. Each Poetry Friday, all are invited to share poems, poem books, poetry ideas, and friendship in this open and welcoming poetry community.
Oh, if you're wondering how Thor (my first dog) got his name, I am not sure! I will ask my mom today and will let you know. Lots of love to you this week. Feel free to name a wild bird in your yard or a favorite chair in your home.
Oh, my goodness -- so true! Our new pup, Poppleton (named for the Cynthia Rylant books) turned 22 weeks old yesterday and he's got us completely!
ReplyDelete"Turn to reading" for names, for inspiration, for everything! Thanks for "The Truth about Names!" I don't have any dogs to name but I do have some characters and you have inspired me, Amy!
ReplyDeleteAmy, I enjoyed the rhyming and meter in your poem. Thanks for remind us to turn to another book or poem to use as a mentor text. The Python poem was a good choice.
ReplyDeleteWe have a stray cat hanging around that I have been afraid to claim and name. My husband changes his name every few days…Delbert, Wally, you get the idea. I love how your poem captures this universal idea of naming pets.
ReplyDeleteYou always give the best writing advice! (Have you seen Billy Collins' new book of dog poems, DOG SHOW? (I haven't, but I'm anxious to!)
ReplyDeleteWonderful advice, Amy! I love naming the birds in my yard, especially the bluebird couples. I've had Fred and Ginger, Sonny and Cher, and cardinals Red Boy and Queenie.
ReplyDeleteLove that you've turned "name it" on its ear -- IT claims US! Yay!
ReplyDeleteDelightful, Amy, and terrific advice, as always.
ReplyDeleteWe name our cars too. My two favorite names from our car history are "Putty" (after the Patrick Warburton mechanic character in Seinfeld) and The TARDIS, our blue car. :)
Mary Lee, I just snagged DOG SHOW at my library a couple of days ago!
Sitting next to Biscuit the dog, I smile as I read your poem this morning, Amy. My now-grown son named him when Biscuit arrived 14 years ago.
ReplyDeleteAmy, thanks for your fun-to-read poem. I love poems with rhythm and musicality. My favorite chair? I have two highback armchairs with caned seats layered with many hues of green paint that were on the porch of a cabin we had to sell. I miss sitting in them on the lake. They symbolize a peace that I still have a hard time finding.
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