Poetry Friday Roundup by Robyn Hood Black at Read Write Howl
When I first saw a book spine poem, about a month ago, I was excited to try it myself. I kept my eyes open, let my fingers run along the bottom edge of the shelved bindings. Finally, this week, I got inspired and filled a crate with books. Back upstairs to the bench for assembling and then had my husband take a peek at my layers of words!
(second line: A Taste of Blackberries)
(My husband gets credit for the "flipping" of the book, loved it).
My husband has been writing song lyrics on the driveway and then photographing them. It is what inspired a haiku I wrote a few weeks ago; driveway as a canvas to a poem, anything is possible. He recently wrote some favorite lyrics from a Fleet Foxes song; upon reading it I wondered what inspired the lines. When I was making my book spine poems I opened up Poetry Speaks, right to Yeats, and there was the inspiration.
As a result, I made a bit of an inspirational sandwich below.
(Above, lyrics from The Shrine/An Argument by Fleet Foxes, Picture and Chalk Art by my husband)
Finding Innisfree
On my darkest day
Last year or today
Relief, though muddy
Emotions in the way.
A moment in my play
Carrying me away
Remembering, though muddy
Fleeting memories in the way.
My story shaped by pain
Preparing me today
Gratitude, though muddy
On my darkest day.
The Lake Isle of Innisfree
by William Butler Yeats
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay an wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.
So many good things here, Betsy. I love that first spine poem 'on the way home'. It's such fun to imagine the titles as lines in a poem. And love your husband's poetry in the driveway-that took a while, I think, at least to put it down. And it's great to photograph them to keep-a possible book? Finally I think on poets.org you can access Yeats reading Innisfree himself. It's lovely to hear & see! Thanks for all!
ReplyDeleteI like how you and your husband work together to create/capture poetry and it shows up in this slice.
ReplyDeleteNice! I love your book spine poems and the sidewalk chalk art/poetry!
ReplyDeleteThis is all so very very cool!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun, eclectic collection here today! It's all wonderful. Kudos to your hubby for the "flipped" idea for the bookspine poem.
ReplyDeleteTonight my husband and I were talking about odes. Interestingly Yeats name came up in the conversation. Then I came to your blog and found this example. Enjoyed your spine poems especially, "Where I'm Calling From."
ReplyDeleteWonderful! I have to do some of those book spine poems. What a creative household you have!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, how could I have missed this one for Poetry Friday! I agree with Robyn's comment, the 'flipped' idea is great. How fabulous that your husband also composes songs - that chalk art is gorgeous! Reminded me of Bill Thomson's picture book Chalk. :) Yeats is also a personal favorite, thank you for sharing all these treasures. :)
ReplyDelete