I’d stepped away from Playing with Poetry for the past week or so, but seeing recent Paint Chip Poems by Margaret Simon and Kim Douillard had me itching to bring out the paint chips again. This time I randomly picked four colors: Reticence, Escape Grey, Lantern Light and Overjoy.
Accustomed to Grey
Her own reticence
was a surprise
She’d thought that
once the door opened
to allow a sliver
of lantern light within
she’d be overjoyed
to escape grey
instead she clung to
the comfort of shadows
and shielded her eyes
from the flame
©Molly Hogan, 2019
This week’s Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted by the amazing Amy Ludwig Vanderwater at her blog, The Poem Farm. During NPM, she’s writing a collection of 30 poems that will tell a story. This project has kept me on the edge of my seat and sometimes on the verge of tears. I eagerly await each day’s installment, and if you haven’t been reading along, I encourage you to go check them out now!
Nix the comfort zone 
Oh, my goodness….such a story in such few lines. I love how you wove the paint chip words into such a surprise for the lantern holder. Well done, you.
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Thanks, Linda. This Paint Chip Poetry is such an interesting process!
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The portrait of an introvert! Well done! I agree with Linda — great story in a small package!
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Thanks, Mary Lee. “Portrait of an Introvert” would have been a great title!
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Oh gosh. I love this. I see it and want to know more but know that I cannot. Incredible where a few clever color names can take a brain… Happy Poetry Friday!
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Thanks, Amy! I’ve been surprised over and over again by the twists and turns of Paint Chip Poetry. Thanks again for hosting today and for your wonderful collection of poems this month.
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Wow! There is so much in this poem. I’ve been using paint chips with students and am repeatedly impressed with what they create!
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I’m sure your students are enjoying themselves! It’s such an accessible way to write a poem, yet can create such interesting and creative images.
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Wow, this is amazing! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Thanks, Ruth!
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Too much, too soon perhaps? Your paint chips brought you to write a brief and powerful poem of feelings, Molly. Words bring us inside ourselves with many surprises. Beautiful!
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Thanks, Linda. Those paint chip names have surprised me over and over again!
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I agree with what others have said, Molly. Wow! You’ve packed so much into this small package. Well done!
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Wow—what a story you weave with just a few words.
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I misread “sliver” as “silver,” which is an interesting grey-ish twist! Cool narrative poem, Molly.
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I keep reading it that way, too, Tabatha, and I wrote it! lol
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Nice portrait you’ve painted in your compact poem Molly.
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As I read this, Molly, I thought what a great story is unfolding. The magic of paint chip poetry is never-ending.
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Thanks, Carol! I’m never sure where this paint chip poetry is going to take me. It’s a fascinating process and often, quite fun!
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