Where Poems Come From
Last week when I posted a poem called “Hot Flash at Night,” I forgot to mention that it was composed while I was asleep. I frequently “write” in my sleep, but that was only the second time I was able to preserve an intact poem into the morning. (Here is another one).
The poem posted below began title-first. My friend Mara had brought a couple dozen tankas that she had written as an exercise to our last writer’s workshop. A tanka is a Japanese poetry form older than haiku. Traditionally, it consisted of 5 lines with a 5-7-5-7-7 rhythm of syllables (units), but modern rules are more relaxed. I was of the opinion that some of Mara tankas would be better written freestyle and that in some cases she was trying too hard to work them into form. Such a fun announcement slipped through my lips. “Free Leonard Peltier and Japanese Tankas!” I heard myself call out. Seriousness dissolved into laugher, as I wrote the phrase down in my notebook. The rest is history, as I tell it below:
Free Leonard Peltier and the Japanese Tanka
Don’t squeeze syllables
into lines they’re not made for
Don’t pin a turned phrase
under glass
Even a small
unpredictable poem
can kick down a locked door
can climb over the top
of the page
Comments
Touche! There are some poems that just gotta go free form..or no form!
Posted by: Ruth | November 13, 2006 11:00 PM
Maybe you could have a poetry title contest. Let people give you a group of titles and then you could come up with a freestyle poem to go with them. Just don't ask me to write one.
Posted by: srp | November 14, 2006 12:52 AM
chuckles.. oh yeah. too true :)
amazing that they come in your sleep too.
Posted by: keda | November 14, 2006 2:56 AM
I must admit I don't understand the restrictions of some of these "forms"....I know they are thousands of years old and all that...But I don't get what the payoff is to try to write in this restricted manner.....Some people like Chocolate and some like Vanilla...you know, but I've never understood "vanilla" either...
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | November 14, 2006 3:23 AM
Just the idea of people giving me titles to write poems for makes me sweat. You know, that little thing about pressure to write on cue that I mentioned in my previous post. But I actually did do something like that once. I was interviewed by a blogger early on who asked me to write a poem about a button and this is what came out:
No Comment
I should know by now
how to button my lip
just go zip…
and close it.
Didn't write it my sleep.
Last night I dreamt my blog was invaded by spam that got through even though I am moderating comments.
I live vanilla more than chocolate.
Posted by: colleen | November 14, 2006 8:47 AM
I often write a poem from the title first, as if that small spate of words has a life of it's own.
I really enjoyed your poem today, so true!
Tom
Posted by: Tom Atkins | November 14, 2006 10:42 AM
i love the poem! i also think i would struggle under the restrictions of form. although, we had our students write haikus at the special education school where i worked, and they loved it. i was very impressed with what they did- they loved being able to write poetry in general and expressing themselves that way.
Posted by: amy f. | November 14, 2006 10:47 AM
Sleep-writing...
If we could just capture all those unconscious sleep thoughts, I wonder what effect it would have?
You write well, asleep or awake!
Posted by: Susan | November 14, 2006 11:02 AM
Fun vivid images there.
Posted by: Pearl | November 14, 2006 11:25 AM
I love the image of a small poem climbing over the top of the page...
Posted by: Jess | November 14, 2006 1:06 PM
anyone who loves words would enjoy your poem and the images that your words paint!
good for you for letting it be out, form or no form.
Posted by: chris | November 14, 2006 1:09 PM
I often enjoy and am frequently envious of those that can write in rhyme. :-)
Posted by: Coll | November 14, 2006 1:31 PM
I love that one, Colleen!
Posted by: kenju | November 14, 2006 5:55 PM
Love the poem! Incredible images.
I haven't had poems come to me in my sleep, but I once dreamt some music that I was able to remember and write down after I awoke.
Are you familiar with the AHA poetry site?
http://www.ahapoetry.com/
Much fascinating material there, especially on the Asian forms.
Re your question: I'm preparing an entry about the therapy I'd had when I was a teenager. For now, I've posted some pretty pictures first....
Posted by: Elissa | November 14, 2006 11:12 PM
I haven't been able to write poetry when I'm awake lately. Maybe I should try the sleeping method. This is great!
Posted by: patry | November 14, 2006 11:16 PM
That...is a great poem!
Posted by: Rick | November 17, 2006 3:34 PM