Flip back the pages of time. Back. Back. Back. I'm attending the university of Winnipeg. I have an assignment due for the Children's Literature course. The professor has request I read and comment on Leonard Clark's Poetry Unfettered. Twenty-something me writes and submits...
I must admit that I had doubts about the significance of poetry. I have read poems which left me feeling incompetent. These poems were described by English teachers as being good examples of great poems. I could see nothing great about them. Due to my experience, then, I ruled out poems for children.
Leonard Clark, however, has challenged me to take a new look at poems. He describes poets as having their heads in the clouds but their feet firmly on the ground. He says that poets write the way we would write if we had the skill. They take the ordinary and make it seem special. The last line of his article, Poetry Unfettered especially interest me. He writes: 'poetry and science together equals magic.' I am a firm believer in magic for children. Especially the magic and wonder of everyday life. If this what poetry is really trying to do, I ma interested in rediscover it.
The professor feedback:
A- (82)
'the magic and wonder of everyday life' - This is a fascinating phrase. I wish you'd explain it further.
This is a good account of your response to critical article. It makes a few points, but makes them well. There is an assumption you make about childhood (or life in general?) underlying such statements as the one I've noted above that might be worth trying to explicate. Knowing just what assumptions/perspectives/prejudices one has always makes for stronger readings of literary works.
Every Thursday, for the entire month of April, we will celebrate Poetry
Please visit this site: Poets.ca: The League of Canadian Poets
Oops, sorry, we'll take a small break next Thursday from celebrating poetry. So that you can come with me to the New West Lit Fest. But I plan to end the month with poetry.
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Sharing my author journey...
When you are starting your author career, as I am, it’s important to take the time to understand how you work best. Consider the working conditions that yield the best results for you. What challenges do you encounter, and how can you overcome them? For instance, I struggle with compartmentalizing my thoughts. When I’m engaged socially, like in the past week, I find it difficult to focus on my manuscripts. Does this mean I stop writing? No, I continue to write, but I shift my focus. I work on articles for my blog instead of narrative pieces and compose emails rather than dialogue. All of this is still writing and contributes to honing my craft. I firmly believe that to have a fulfilling career, you must also lead a fulfilling life.
This all changed this morning at 6 AM when I wrote a new scene. Hurray! I wonder if justifying my inability to write freed me up to write?
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Next post: Please welcome Author Elizabeth Ruth
