Today is Day 18 – 2015 Let's Write a “Memory” or “I Remember” poem for
#NationalPoetryMonth “30 poems in 30 days.”
Oh my, yesterday was so much fun! You might not be able to tell that from the few participants that left poems in the comments yesterday, but on FB things were really hoping.
Oh my, yesterday was so much fun! You might not be able to tell that from the few participants that left poems in the comments yesterday, but on FB things were really hoping.
The #BookSpinePoetry was very successful,
creative and lots of fun.
Today, I’m leaning towards a “Memory Poem.” One of the reasons we write is to help us remember. There are several versions of this type of poem and since it’s Saturday and you might have some extra time or you might have almost no time, you can pick and choose what type of memory poem makes the most sense to you.
There are some few basic guidelines (more like suggestions this time). No rhyming or number of lines requirements. No certain number of syllables per line or anything like that.
One style is simply to create a running list of things you remember, beginning each line with “I remember ….” You can make the memories as random as you wish from your childhood to the present day. You can make your memories about a person, a season in your life, whatever.
This is a spin-off of a book written by Joe Brainard called “I Remember” and it was 192 pages of random memories, each beginning with “I remember….”
OR you can go with, “Remember when…” OR “I still remember…” OR there is an Instant Poem for this if you wish – you can find a fill-in-the blanks “I remember” instant poem HERE
You can go about it any number of ways. This will probably be rather heart-felt. However, you can choose carefree, silly memories if that is the tone you are going for.
Today, I’m leaning towards a “Memory Poem.” One of the reasons we write is to help us remember. There are several versions of this type of poem and since it’s Saturday and you might have some extra time or you might have almost no time, you can pick and choose what type of memory poem makes the most sense to you.
There are some few basic guidelines (more like suggestions this time). No rhyming or number of lines requirements. No certain number of syllables per line or anything like that.
One style is simply to create a running list of things you remember, beginning each line with “I remember ….” You can make the memories as random as you wish from your childhood to the present day. You can make your memories about a person, a season in your life, whatever.
This is a spin-off of a book written by Joe Brainard called “I Remember” and it was 192 pages of random memories, each beginning with “I remember….”
OR you can go with, “Remember when…” OR “I still remember…” OR there is an Instant Poem for this if you wish – you can find a fill-in-the blanks “I remember” instant poem HERE
You can go about it any number of ways. This will probably be rather heart-felt. However, you can choose carefree, silly memories if that is the tone you are going for.
Here’s a couple of examples I started but will need to finish later – I was going for a poem just about my husband and our life together in the first one and then focusing on our kids in the second one:
I Remember
I remember the first time I saw him. He was plastering me with snowballs.
I remember being the new girl, having changed apartment complexes mid-semester.
I remember I swore to steer clear of that guy; that tall lanky guy named Jim.
I remember he proposed to me just five months later, in his truck, in the BYU Stadium parking lot, at 7:30 in the morning.
I remember saying, “Yes.”
I remember having a flat tire on the way to the L.A. Temple to be married and thinking it was a sign. But it was quickly fixed and we got back on the road.
I remember kneeling across the altar from him and making promises for an eternity.
I remember vomiting violently throughout five pregnancies.
I remember giving birth to a girl, a boy, two more girls and another boy.
I remember being the new girl, having changed apartment complexes mid-semester.
I remember I swore to steer clear of that guy; that tall lanky guy named Jim.
I remember he proposed to me just five months later, in his truck, in the BYU Stadium parking lot, at 7:30 in the morning.
I remember saying, “Yes.”
I remember having a flat tire on the way to the L.A. Temple to be married and thinking it was a sign. But it was quickly fixed and we got back on the road.
I remember kneeling across the altar from him and making promises for an eternity.
I remember vomiting violently throughout five pregnancies.
I remember giving birth to a girl, a boy, two more girls and another boy.
To be continued ~ © 2015 Stephanie Abney
OR – here is
another sample:
Remember
I used to stand in the doorway of your rooms,
Remember
I used to stand in the doorway of your rooms,
Just watching you
sleep.
Later I would sit in the hallway with all your doors open
while I read aloud at bedtime, “The Ransom of Red Chief.”
To be continued ~ © 2015 Stephanie Abney
Later I would sit in the hallway with all your doors open
while I read aloud at bedtime, “The Ransom of Red Chief.”
To be continued ~ © 2015 Stephanie Abney
So, go ahead and
see what you come up with. Share here, on your own blog and then link back to
mine for others to get instructions or on your FB pages, etc.
And just so you
can put your thinking cap on . . . Looking ahead
April 22 is Earth Day 2015 (Earth Day's 45th Anniversary) and I’ll suggest ways to write poems about the world we live in.
April 24,
2015 - National Arbor
Day is also National
Poetry Day so it would be fun to write poems about trees. Cheers!!
Please
remember – any poetry found on this blog,
written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my
permission. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments section
of this blog. They are the property of the person who shares them. These poems
are their original work and no one may use them in any form without their
express permission. It is understood that they own the copyright to it.
Thanks!!
And if you choose to post
your poems on your own blog – that’s awesome. But please don’t just copy and
paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem and LINK BACK TO THIS
BLOG POST for others to read the instructions. Thanks for respecting my work.
4 comments:
I remember my heart surgery
I remember my visits to the doctors
I remember getting tired and saying, "Daddy, pick me up!"
I remember having xrays and how nasty the barium solution was
I remember going to the hospital
I remember wearing a hospital gown
I remember being wheeled on a Burney
I remember seeing the ice bath
I remember looking up at the lights
I remember counting down
I remember the smell of the oxygen mask
I remember being asked to wake up
I remember wanting to sit in a chair
I remember my daddy asking me, "Do you still love me?"
I remember saying trough my tears, "Yes, Daddy!"
I remember lots of shots and other children in the Ward
I remember finally going home and showing my stitches to everyone
I remember all the get well cards from my friends at school.
Wow, Vicki!
I remember you standing in midfield, tall and skinny and disoriented.
You did your best to kick the ball when it came to you.
I remember you holding the bat in your hands and doing your best, again.
You then did your best at gymnastics, and basket ball, and even dancing.
I remember when you got your first guitar, and there was no looking back.
You were a natural for music, and friends, and writing up articles on musicians.
I remember all the loud and joyous bands playing shows in our garage on Friday nights.
You were respectful and polite to the neighbors and they supported you.
I remember that you haven't stopped playing music.
You have only broadened your repertoire.
I remember that I was so proud of you.
You know, of course, that I still am.
These are great!! Thanks for participating!! LOVE IT!
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