read write prompt #12: dressing up your poetry

We all wear clothes, whether we’re a fashion victim or take an entirely functional view of what we put on our bodies. Why not use this everyday topic to inspire poetry? The Academy of American Poets offers this article about clothing in poetry, including links to poems inspired by clothes. The current issue of Mslexia - a magazine from the UK for women who write - includes poetry (and short stories) on the theme of gloves. You can read two samples here. When writing this week’s poem you can use clothing in different ways, for example:

  • What do the clothes in your wardrobe say about you? (Such as Gautami Tripathy’s poem “One Too Many“.)
  • Consider your favourite item or type of clothing and see where your thoughts take you.
  • How have clothes been used as a form of social control? (See Jo Hemmant’s poem “Bound“.)
  • If, like me, you are a fan of second hand clothes shops, the next time you’re browsing think about the stories those clothes could tell.
  • Watch people: what do their clothes say about them?

Your poem probably won’t be about clothes at all; just use them as a starting point. If you’re obsessed with clothes, why not write a villanelle, the ideal poetic form for expressing obsession?

Idea for collaboration: Email another poet with a photo or description of your favourite item of clothing for them to include in a poem.

Then come back next Monday after midnight (CST) to share your poetry! Look forward to seeing you all then

~Juliet.

Note: Get Your Poem On #12 will be open and accepting links to you poems based on this prompt — or any other inspiration — next Sunday after midnight.

Posted by Juliet on 01.30.2008 at 12:03 am
Posted Under: Juliet, Read Write Prompt

1. Linda Jacobs - January 30, 2008

Great prompt, as always!

There is a book of poetry out called “Clotheslines: A Collection of Poetry & Art” edited by Stan Tymorek. It’s a whole book of poems about clothes. Each poem is illustrated with artwork and the whole thing is a treat.

P.S. Is there any way to write in italics in these comments? I know the title of a book should be italicized but couldn’t figure out how to do it.

2. Christine - January 30, 2008

Juliet, this is a great prompt! And the links are terrific. I read Jo’s poem, and it brought to mind so many issues. And Gautami’s poem about choices is terrific too.

3. gautami tripathy - January 30, 2008

Juliet, thanks for linking me! This is indeed a great prompt. Jo’s poem reminds of certain Indian practices.

Seems I will have to work out on another poem dealing with clothes. I had written one a long time back about saris. I might link it, f i find it. However, I think one should write new stuff.

Thanks for all the links. Very useful too.

4. Crafty Green Poet - January 30, 2008

Linda, that sounds like a great book - I’ll look out for that! I don’t know how to make italics in the comments though! Christine - thanks! Gautami - thanks, I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

5. Read Write Poem - January 30, 2008

Hi Linda (and anyone),

Here’s how: before what you want to italicize and after.

Fun post, Juliet,and cool how you linked to our very own participants, as well as the other resources!

6. Read Write Poem - January 30, 2008

Uh. That didn’t work as a showing how tool. I need more coffee, evidently.

Before the start of the word or phrase to itlaicize place < em > but without the spaces.

The after write < / em >, also without the spaces.

Ta da?

7. Leigh Lear - January 30, 2008

I don’t know if this qualifies, but I wrote this poem about a lost love, and how many memories still linger afterwards, including clothes.
http://wordsfromanauthor.blogspot.com/2008/01/someday.html

8. Read Write Poem - January 30, 2008

Hi Leigh - glad to have you stop by. This is just the prompt - the post you respond to, with your link in your comment, will show up next Monday, early in the mroning. Stop back then and post your comment again, so more folks see it and go read your work!

9. Linda Jacobs - January 30, 2008

Thanks for the italics tutorial! gotta try it

10. Leigh Lear - January 31, 2008

Sorry I’m new to this, will post again.:)

11. TIV - February 3, 2008

I wrote a flash fiction called The Crypt of Shoes modeled on Edgar Allen Poe’s the Cask of Amontillado. You can find it here:
http://secretcaveofhiddendesire.blogspot.com/2008/02/crypt-of-shoes.html
Secret Cave of Hidden Desire: The Crypt of Shoes

12. back from the quiet « pro tempore - February 4, 2008

[...] about it, but in a happy, excited way.  Also, I am going to get my butt in gear and participate in this week’s awesome prompt.  (You should [...]

13. read write poem #1 « pro tempore - February 4, 2008

[...] prompt, but it’s my first time to participate.   Juliet put up a great prompt about clothes here.  You can check out more responses [...]

14. Via Negativa » Blog Archive » Golden eagle with transmitter - February 6, 2008

[...] the Read Write Poem prompt on clothes. Links to other responses are gathered [...]

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