In her Slice of Life post this past Tuesday, Margaret Simon shared some word group love poems she’d written with her students. They were inspired by a wonderful Charles Ghigna poem, some brainstorming and then a photocopied page of small word groups from Sandford Lyne’s Writing Poetry from the Inside Out. I was immediately drawn to the word collections and, in particular, I was intrigued by this list:
crane
brushstroke
iris
cloud
Here’s the resulting poem:
Invitation
you are the crane
in flight above
the purple flag
of my iris
your wings brushstroke
cloudy paths
through azure skies
as if to say
Come this way
Come this way
©M. Hogan, 2019
I’m not sure it’s a love poem, per se, but it’s what happened. Thanks to Margaret, her students, and Sandford Lyne for the inspiration!
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by children’s author, poet and artist, Robyn Hood Black at her blog, Life on the Deckle Edge.
PS–In a mixed-up moment this week, I thought Haiku Dialogue’s current theme was “a smooth coin.” I wrote a haiku, then realized I was a week late to submit it. “A smooth coin ” was last week’s theme. Oops.
how heavy the coin
worn smooth by Charon’s hand
the final payment
©M. Hogan, 2019
Nix the comfort zone 
Molly, you did write a love poem! And I love it. “your wings brushstroke” is a lovely line.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again for the inspiration, Margaret!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Come this way… definitely a love poem. 🙂 And thank you for sharing your coin poem, too. Sometimes “late” poems are the best. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
“the purple flag of my iris” — beautiful 🙂 Your haiku is wonderful too. You are really making the most of prompts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes when I’m feeling a bit directionless, a prompt can really help!
LikeLike
For we readers this week & forever visiting here, not a thing is late about this smooth worn coin poem – like it a lot. The high-flying crane feels very much like lovely Spring..
Such transformative alchemy – take words in a list add the prompt, “make a poem of this.” Brava! to all of you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m looking forward to diving into some other word collections and seeing where they take me!
LikeLike
Very nice, Molly – I love the simplicity of the poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Matt! Sometimes I lose sight of how powerful simplicity is.
LikeLike
I agree you did write a love poem! Love the “Come this way” ending. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jama.
LikeLike
Adding my cheers for the “Come this way” lines… lovely. And the coin poem is full of weight in so few words – well done! Thanks for sharing both.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robyn, and thanks again for hosting this week! It was fun to have an old-fashioned round up and I truly appreciate the extra effort on your part.
LikeLike
Celebrating a person whose ‘wings brushstroke paths” certainly feels like love to me, Molly. Beautiful image to imagine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I love that haiku….the double meaning, the smoothness and the rubbing that made it so. That purple iris….a wonderful poem. Will you submit it somewhere I hope?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Linda. I didn’t have it in mind to submit anywhere. I’m feeling a bit aimless at the moment :), but not in a particularly bad way.
LikeLike
I did hear your poem as a love poem. I submitted a poem this week, too. I don’t think it will win any prize, but it was a promise to myself that I will still find time for the inner quiet part of me that needs its moments to live.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m impressed that you’ve managed to keep writing along with your new obligations. Good luck with your poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It ain’t easy, my friend. I’m preparing for my daughter’s sleepover birthday next weekend and a writing class with an editor from Charlesbridge. I am wearing a bit thin. But still smiling.
LikeLike
You really nailed both prompts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, MaryLee! I’ve been thankful for prompts lately.
LikeLike
And I wondered how you’d work that collection of words together. Well done, as always, Molly! You’ve inspired me to add a word collection poem or even word collection slice to my “to do list.” Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Christie! I was so intrigued by the page that Margaret shared that I ordered Sandford Lyne’s book. It already arrived and I’ve been playing around with all sorts of word collection poems in my notebook. They’re fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
i”ll be looking for your crane and
“the purple flag
of my iris”
I hope spring will bring them both swiftly. Thanks for this refreshing poem Molly and for your haiku too–which sounds like a narrative to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Spring feels quite distant here, though I am enjoying the extended hours of sunshine. For now I’m buying tulips and daffodils and enjoying them inside. I loved your tulips and accompanying poem!
LikeLike