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Saturday, July 19, 2014

Sunday's Mini-Challenge: Boomerang Metaphors



(Wiki Public Domain- A typical wooden returning boomerang)

A boomerang is a thrown tool, typically constructed as a flat aerofoil, that is designed to spin about an axis perpendicular to the direction of its flight.

A returning boomerang is designed to be thrown in a closed arch path, which returns to the thrower.

Boomerangs have been historically used for hunting, as well as sport, and entertainment. They are commonly thought of as an Australian icon.

A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes a subject by asserting that it is, on some point of comparison, the same as another otherwise unrelated object. It is a figure of speech comparing two unlike things without using either "like" or "as". It is not to be mistaken with a simile which does use "like" or "as" in comparisons. Metaphor is a type of analogy.

Hello everyone!

I'm pretty excited to share this form with you...I hope that you'll enjoy it as much as I do. :)

I've been in love with the This poem is a ___, poems. I'd say it's one of my new favorite approaches to poetry and I’ve invented a form to serve the idea and give it a shape that can be repeated. I call it Boomerang Metaphors, (you’ll see why)!

Boomerang Metaphors (invented by Hannah Gosselin)

* 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 closing 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 _____”

A suggestion: One may choose to free write as a precursor to writing this form. I find that it’s really freeing to list a bunch of, “This poem is a ___,” statements before beginning. You may end up with some that relate that you can trio together or some that juxtapose to contrast brilliantly.

I sure hope that you’ll try this form! I had a fun time creating it and I believe it will live in my tool box of writing implements for years to come!

If anyone would like an example of a poem written to this form please, feel free to click over to read the first poem that resulted when I applied the formula that I designed. It's entitled, This Poem is a Hoe, the Wheel and a Sphere. 

Also, if anyone's interested, there's a link at the bottom of that post that will bring you to Poets United where this form was recently featured in a chat between poets.  

Thank you, for the opportunity to share this form. :) 

Please, visit your blogging friends and see what they've created, too. 

19 comments:

  1. To be honest, when I first saw this form I thought I could only screw it up, and I closed the tab. However, I am very stubborn and I was determined to give it a try. I had fun once I got started, and it was not so difficult as I feared it would be. I hope I did okay.
    http://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com/2014/07/this-poem-is-gem-rock-and-stone.html

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  2. I am so happy that you came back and brought us your gem of a poem, Quilla!!

    Thank you so much!

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  3. My apologies folks for mistakenly scheduling this challenge too early...normally the Sunday mini challenge is posted for noon on Saturday to give ample time for the creative process. I tried to reschedule but after its been published they don't let you have that option sooooo...I guess you all are permitted ample time x2 this go-round. I hope you'll forgive my boo-boo.

    Happy weekend to all! I'll be sporadic as tomorrow I have a writing workshop to attend but I will be sure to read each of you as soon as is possible!

    Thank you in advance for giving the form I created new breath with your own poems!! :)

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  4. The weekend schedule is a bit tricky, I know ~

    Very interesting form Hannah ~ I will give it a spin, smiles ~

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  5. Many thanks for hosting the Sunday Challenge with your own form Hannah. I have been wanting to try this for a while now.

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  6. Yes, Grace I guess it can be!! Thank you!

    You're welcome, Kerry and thank you for the opportunity to share this. I'm so looking forward to what you and everyone will write! :)

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  7. I've been wanting to give this a try since I saw it on your blog!

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  8. I thought if tried your form I would end up all nature and spirit like you. Maybe another time. Today the muses had something else in store for me.

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  9. I gave it a try Hannah, though not sure if it's okay..but I really enjoyed writing this...thanks for this wonderful challenge :)

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  10. At first, I thought I wouldn't have the mental discipline required to stick with a form like this. But things flowed much easier once i decided on my three topics. Thanks for sharing this challenge!

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  11. I've been so thrilled poets!! Thank you all so much for writing! :)

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  12. I wrote and I stumbled, Hannah. It was fun. For me the hard part was putting into words the transition to the metaphor. Thank you, Teacher.
    ..

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  13. Thank you Jim, for writing...I'm so glad that you stuck through it and that you had fun!

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  14. Incredibly challenging ... I gave it my best shot! This is going to take me a bit of practice ... thanks so much Hannah.

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  15. Hannah, great form!! Mine boomeranged but not in metaphors. I gave it a shot though. I have to get it together. Helen challenged me to write one before this challenge went up. Hoping to do it better next time.

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  16. really enjoyed this form Hannah! I think Im a little late in posting this.. i hope you like it!!

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  17. You all are doing such spectacular writing with this form! It has been such a treat to read you all!! :)Thank you!

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  18. working on this, Hannah... i'm in circles. :)

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  19. LATE - so I also posted it in Mondays Open Link. Thanks Hannah for an intriguing form.

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