The challenge this time is to use the rhymes Dickinson used in this poem, whether as internal or external rhymes. We may make of them what we will. We need not emulate her style or her vocabulary or syntax, though it’s good to plow up and till our own once in a while. A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period– When March is scarcely here. A Color stands abroad On Solitary Fields That Science cannot overtake But Human Nature feels. It waits upon the… Read more Poet’s Challenge 10: ‘A Light Exists in Spring’ by Emily Dickinson →
When and how should writers use archaic words? In what context, for what use, and to what effect? Some, even most people in the writing/publishing business, will tell you that you should avoid archaic words altogether. And so you should, if you cannot be sure that you are using them artfully. But this is true of all words; you should never use a word that you cannot use artfully, if art is what you are making. On the other hand, if you can use a word artfully that is not in… Read more Using Archaisms: A Question of Good Taste →
Leah mentioned that she “lacked inspiration” for the clerihew challenge. I thought I would address the issue of clerihews and inspiration. The questions that occur to me are, Need proper poems be inspired? Are clerihews proper poems? If the answer to either question is ‘no’ or ‘unknown’, then what is our experience regarding clerihews and inspiration? Well, first. Need proper poems be inspired? Here’s what Socrates has to say about poets and inspiration. At his famous trial, he is describing his search for someone wiser than himself. He says he found wisdom… Read more Some Help for the Clerihew Challenge: Need Clerihews Be Inspired? →
Is there something in your life you care so much about that you can’t speak politely on the subject? For me, poetry is that subject. Perhaps that is why I so largely look for virtues rather than defects when I work with individual poets. When you can’t be polite, you must be good, or burn it all down. I am not in favor of burning it all down. But every now and then I must let my feelings out to give the popular poets a good verbal flogging and remind them how… Read more Poetry I Can’t Be Polite About: Also, “Wicked Poets” →
Slow Literature 