NaPoWriMo Day 19 and today’s prompt is on a topic that I have addressed many other times, although not addressing it in the crafty way they suggest. ‘Erasure’ basically starts with prose and erases words back to some kind of poetry. Although I am not sure that my own offering has achieved the intended repetitive effect.
I have been avidly watching what goes on outside my window now for nearly sixteen years. Only last week I was setting the table for supper when I spotted a stray sheep munching on the primrose flowers in the pots set outside the front door. I ran out in my pinny doing my best imitation of one of those Dowra mart fellows to chase them down the lane. Except I didn’t have a stick. Only my hands.
To quote today’s prompt:
Our (optional) prompt for the day takes it cue from Brady’s suggestion that erasure/word banks can allow for compelling repetitive effects. Today we challenge you to write a paragraph that briefly recounts a story, describes the scene outside your window, or even gives directions from your house to the grocery store. Now try erasing words from this paragraph to create a poem or, alternatively, use the words of your paragraph to build a new poem.
Early Morning
The world outside my window
silent
except for birdsong
Overcast
but no mist to obscure
the wind turbines on Corry Mountain
I can see three counties
a streak of sunshine
lights up the willow and ash
Turning everything
Crayola crayon
spring green
Except the sky
a watered down ink
There shall probably be rain
But back to the now
the streak of sunlight
jewelling
tits and robins flit
a solitary blackbird
perches on the apple tree
that slants at
a forty-fve degree
from the wind blowing in through the gap
Copyright © 2018 Bee Smith
I love the poem. Very atmospheric, vivid evocation.
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