Poetry Monthly

There were some fabulous Romantic efforts this month and I loved reading such diversity:

Walking a mile in someone else’s shoes. Ewan’s poem has the hallmarks of history: https://www.abctales.com/story/ewan/sheep-station-perkolilli

Linda Wigzell Cress does rhyming with mythology to great effect:

https://www.abctales.com/story/linda-wigzell-cress/comrades

Cacophony of voices creates a cutting storm of ice: https://www.abctales.com/story/cacophonyofvoices/heart-storm

I’m slightly embarrassed about this confession but it’s a necessary one due to March’s brief: I collect shopping lists. Not my own, other people’s. Curled up. Faded. Creased. Scribbled on. Sometimes illegible or in beautifully formed script and nestled there in the trolley. There’s something deeply appealing reading other people’s wanted lists, their groceries, life essentials, staple ingredients central to their recipes and internal lives that drives them out to the supermarket or local shop for supplies. It goes much deeper than this but I’ll stop there and introduce this month’s brief:

List poetry started as far back as The Bible. Modern pieces may include people, places, objects, events, or interests – anything goes in terms of content. Some list poems rhyme and it’s certainly not an essential characteristic although repetition often features in its style. Don’t just throw together a random collection of eclectic items (like my hoarded shopping lists) because if your piece has a carefully constructed meaning about bigger ideas or concepts it will only enhance its structure. Intriguingly, the last item in the list is usually crucial to the meaning, and often provides a fresh twist.

Thanks for your input and see you next month,

Ray

​Photo Credit: