Monday, February 18, 2013

The Rules

I know it sounds counter-intuitive, but I think there's something freeing about strict poetic forms.  I find that I'm better able to play with language, re-imagine syntax, and free up word order when I'm forced to fit a certain structure.  Plus, it seems like a challenging assignment to give my teacher-writer self.

RULES:

#1 Write a poem a week. Some are bound to be lousy, but hopefully quantity will lead to a line or two of quality.

#2 Each poem must deal with a quotidian topic.  I like the word quotidian.

#3 Each poem must follow a strict poetic form. We're talking Villanelles. Iambic pentameter. Sonnets. Also other structures that I may not have heard of yet but will most certainly be able to master in a week (wink wink)

#4 Poems are due before 12:00am on Sunday.

#5 If the poem stinks, I blame the form.  If the poem is brilliant, I take all the credit.


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