A Word with Laurie: Perspective

I'll never forget the art class I took in college. I had so much fun learning the various techniques of an artist. For instance, the professor had us turn a picture upside down and then draw it. That way we'd see it from a fresh perspective, not the way our brains were trained to see that particular object. It was much easier for me that way.

We also learned perspective. The above picture is not from my class, as I don't have time to go digging through boxes in the garage. Instead, my husband sketched this for me. Pretty good, huh? As you can see, everything focuses on the center; the train on the right and buildings on the left seem to move.

What does this have to do with poetry?

Have you ever written a poem and then discovered that one of your blog visitors, possibly a toad, has perceived it in a different way than you initially intended? Then you go back and reread your own piece and think- wow, I see what they mean.

I recently wrote one such poem which I will share with you here.

The Scar of Regret

Regret is the scar

on her dimpled chin

quivering

like a puppy cradled

in strong helping hands

held out with ease.

The years, they heal

regret fades away

and running through endless

fields of bluebonnets

a yellow Labrador

cannot see the scar.

Although the poem is notably about regret and the scar it leaves on one's soul with god as a supporter who offers unconditional love and forgiveness like a canine friend, one reader commented that she read it a whole different way- that of a child being bitten by a dog and having to get painful rabies shots.

It's all in one's perspective.

Dictionary.reference.com provides great definitions of perspective:

1. a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface.

2. a picture employing this technique especially one in which it is prominent: an architect's perspective of a house.

3. a visible scene, especially one extending to a distance; vista: a perspective on the main axis of an estate.

4. the state of existing in space before the eye: The elevations look all right, but the building's composition is a failure in perspective.

5. the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful interrelationship: You have to live here a few years to see local conditions in perspective.

~~~

What I would like you to do today is to write a poem with depth and movement that revolves around the distant center. No commentary or background on the piece allowed. You can use the sketch as inspiration. Perhaps the definitions will help you. Or you can write a piece that can be interpreted different ways (which we do anyway so use this as your last resort). Go ahead- it's all about one's perspective.

*Add your piece to Mr. Linky, leave a comment, and be sure to hop over to other lily pads in this pond and give them your perspective.*