Boomerang Metaphors:
* Create three, “This poem is a ____,” statements.
* Support each statement in separate stanzas, (one can choose the length of the supporting stanzas and whether or not to rhyme or employ free verse).
* Restate the statement that’s being supported in the last line of these supporting stanzas, (as mini boomerang metaphor refrains).
* Then name the list of three, “This poem is a _____,” statements again as a boomerang metaphors refrain.
Note: One may choose to state the closing refrain slightly morphed but mostly the same. As it seems, words that go out into the world do tend to come back touched – slightly transformed.
* The title encapsulates the three listed elements, “This Poem is a ____, ____ and a _____”
* Support each statement in separate stanzas, (one can choose the length of the supporting stanzas and whether or not to rhyme or employ free verse).
* Restate the statement that’s being supported in the last line of these supporting stanzas, (as mini boomerang metaphor refrains).
* Then name the list of three, “This poem is a _____,” statements again as a boomerang metaphors refrain.
Note: One may choose to state the closing refrain slightly morphed but mostly the same. As it seems, words that go out into the world do tend to come back touched – slightly transformed.
* The title encapsulates the three listed elements, “This Poem is a ____, ____ and a _____”
Having just struggled with Hannah's form I wasn't sure I could do it justice on my second attempt. Since the whole point is to challenge myself to go beyond my normal, I took a deep breath and put on my thinking cap and began to write.
Photo: Helen Dehner
This Poem Is A Blue Pool
This poem is a pool
This poem is vulnerable.
This poem is trust.
This poem is clear water
painted with sky,
rocks, and pine. It is as
deep as yesterday and
as wide as first sight.
This poem is a pool.
This poem is toes on
the edge gripping stones,
flirting with gravity,
wishing for wings.
This poem is vulnerable.
This poem is wisdom
that knows shifting earth
can be a leap into disaster.
It is a voice that brings
the rebel to the security
of solid ground.
This poem is trust.
This poem is a deep blue pool.
This poem is tempting fate.
This poem is wisdom inducing trust.
©Susie Clevenger 2014
You did a great job. The deep blue pool sounds peaceful and relaxing to me!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful response Susie ~ I specially like the part of This poem is vulnerable ~ The deep blue pool can tempt fate but it also brings a security to solid ground ~
ReplyDeleteThe back story is tragic ~
You did Hannah's form proud. Your poem is as beautiful as the picture that prompted it. I esp love this: "This poem is toes on
ReplyDeletethe edge gripping stones,
flirting with gravity,
wishing for wings.
This poem is vulnerable."
Yes, your poem was lovely…for some reason I found this form a bit difficult? Thanks for the prompt.
ReplyDeleteThe poem and the story behind the poem are both remarkable. Sometimes we must go beyond our comfort zones, and trust that things will be all right in the end, but that is not always the case. Your poem has indeed become the vehicle of the tale.
ReplyDeleteThis was definitely inspired . . . I really struggle with the boomerang form you did fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI love love the second stanza susie... "flirting with gravity wishing for wings" how wishful how poetic how extremely fantastic is That! Amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteJust an amazing poem Susie. I found this form completely impossible even once, so many kudos for making your second so eloquent. You have really illustrated the 'boomerang aspect by the way you have circled so beautifully beginning and end.
ReplyDeleteOh Susie, this is a fantastic write! The photo is beautiful, the backstory so sad and your poem absolutely perfect. LOVED this!!!! I especially love the toes on the edge stanza.
ReplyDeleteI love, how the stanza with toes grew into fate...amazing! Inspiring too :)x
ReplyDeleteIf you had not researched the Blue Pool I may have never known of this young man's death last year. Thinking back on the hike through an enchanting woodland and up,up,up to that spot where we stood high on the cliff ~ I cannot imagine the horror of that day.
ReplyDeleteA champion tennis player at the University of Oregon, Center Court has been named the Alex Rovello in his honor.
There are not enough accolades to describe my reaction to your poem.
Thank you so much for accepting my challenge, Susie!
@Sally, thank you
ReplyDelete@Grace, thank you so much
@georgeplaceblog Thanks..that is my favorite part also.
@annell, Thanks. I have struggled with the form a bit, but I so appreciate how it flows. Each writing I am a little more comfortable with it. Hannah, is certainly talented creator.
@Kerry, thank you. The talent here in the garden with members and visitors has caused me to step out of my comfort zone many times. I am grateful to be pushed off my comfortable stool.
@Kathryn, Thank you so much
@Arushi, Thanks
@hedgewitch, Thank you. Once I relaxed into the form, it wasn't as difficult. Each person who writes with the form brings such unique poetry. I so understand not being able to do it. Rhyme is my downfall...It is almost impossible for me to do.
@Sherry Thank you!
@humbird...Thanks so much
@Helen, Thank you again for challenging me. Perhaps those who learn of Alex's story will take a moment to pay their respects when they make the climb to the Blue Pool.
I love how you brought Helen's image to life with a new layer...you brought the story and form together with such skill and creative flair, Susie!!
ReplyDeleteThank you both for this treat today!!
@Hannah, thank you. I so appreciate the form you created. It pushed me to think in a new way.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you took the challenge, Susie. I liked this form and had been wondering if I would try it again. You wrapped it up so nicely I won't have to. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat I like is the way that in each of your verses you beautifully amplify one of the lines at the beginning before returning to the line it represented. Then a the end, the three lines summarized the middle verses and returned modified to the first.
THANK YOU.
..
Wow, Susie!! What an inspiring comment for me to read about my form...I feel very happy that I could be a poetic catalyst for your beautiful heart-work in words, Susie!! Thank you for telling me. ♥
ReplyDeletethis poem is fantastic, Susie. truly, i love it.
ReplyDeleteHannah's form is hard, i think, with the repetition--hard to write without reducing to trite, in my opinion, anyway. your poem stays high above, floating above the pool, and is really satisfying.
@Jim, thank you so much. It was a little difficult to get it to flow the way I wanted, but I am so happy it spoke to you in the manner I hoped it would.
ReplyDelete@Hannah, you are so welcome!
@Marian, Thank you so much!!
Helen, good challenge!
ReplyDeleteSusie, a marvelous pen on a sad story ~