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read write prompt #23: oil and vinegar

Published by Christine April 16th, 2008 in Christine, Read Write Prompt.

What happens when you pour balsamic vinegar over extra-virgin olive oil? The oil rests on top of the vinegar in the cruet, but if you shake the contents, you create a delicious salad dressing.

Prompt:
For your poem this week, try combining two elements that don’t seem to go together at first glance. Here’s the process:
• Think of a happy memory, a moment that brings you joy. Write five to ten lines about that moment and then put the poem away.
• Write about a moment or time of distress, sadness or anger. Once again, write five to ten lines.
• Get out the first poem and combine it with the second by alternating lines.

Collaboration:
Try alternating verses with a partner, each of you taking turns writing about opposing or differing emotions. Or one person could write about a joyous occasion, the other about a gloomier time. If you’d like to work with someone this week, you can leave a comment to this post. Remember, the time to link your poem starts Monday.

Other elements to combine:
• Warmth and cold
• Fear and courage
• Beauty and ugliness
• Humor and seriousness

Patricia Lee Lewis, poet and workshop leader, introduced me to this type of poem, and she in turn learned about the process in an experimental writing workshop she attended by Carolyn Forché.

 ~Christine.

8 Responses to “read write prompt #23: oil and vinegar”

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  1. 1 jan doble Apr 17th, 2008 at 10:43 am

    I’m not sure this fits what you are describing, but perhaps it ties into the theme in some way…

    http://moodsandmetaphors.blogspot.com/2008/04/maybe.html

  2. 2 Christine Apr 17th, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    jan,

    We love that you want to share your poems! Post for sharing links to poems will be up on Monday. This post is for any comments you have about the prompt.

    I’m looking forward to reading your poem.

  3. 3 cocoloco Apr 18th, 2008 at 12:19 pm

    Keeping up with the flow. 18 for 18 it’s been fun so far.
    Lots to develop afterwards. Working and thinking is hard let alone writing in the midst of grease and dust. (is that a prompt?)
    Anyway, check Basket Case.

    All the best!
    http://rscocoloco.blogspot.com

  4. 4 jan doble Apr 18th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    oh no…i am so sorry

  5. 5 Christine Apr 18th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

    Jan, no worries! I’m glad the prompt inspired you to write. I’m looking forward to reading.

  6. 6 cocoloco Apr 20th, 2008 at 7:12 pm

    Hi, I used two prompts from the Watermark list.
    # 2 Pineapple, salt chrysantemum 4-18
    and Wood is sexy, something like that on 4-19
    check it out….

  7. 7 UL Apr 20th, 2008 at 11:10 pm

    Here’s mine.

    http://ul-typingaway.blogspot.com/2008/04/detachment.html

  8. 8 Bean Apr 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 am

    Here is my attempt:

    http://beansthought.blogspot.com/2008/04/prompt-oil-and-water.html

WEEKLY READ WRITE PROMPT

May 15, 2008 — The current Get Your Poem On post is here. This post is where you leave us a link to your blog in response to Blythe's prompt having something to do with mothers. Or any other poetric inspiration. We don't care, as long as you eat your vegetables.

Jill's Read Write Prompt for next week is an exercise in comparisons.



WEEKLY READ WRITE ARTICLES

May 15, 2008 — We've been wanting more read here at Read Write Poem and Juliet brings it with her review of Spoken Word Revolution Redux.

Christine has taken Informal Talk About Forms into new territory with her talk about the sonnet. Celebrate a new old form.

Christine's latest installment of Get The Lead Out is a discussion kick-off about writing groups. It's a good read. Join her conversation.

Jessica has a new Poetry Book Club Report about Rae Armantrout's latest book, Next Life.



POLL DANCE

May 11, 2008 — Carolee is back at it with an interesting discussion centered on the last poll, which asks us about our self perception. There are great follow-up comments from participants, so read it...and then visit the latest poll. One column over - yeah, on the far right.



READ WRITE NaPoWriMo

Apr. 30, 2008 — Here's a recap of RWP's April 2008 support for the NaPoWriMo-er's effort(s!!).

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RANDOM PROMPTS

A different word or phrase will appear here each time you visit the site or refresh the page. Your current prompt is — creep



RANDOM WRITING TIP

Stay grounded in detail. When you write, allow as much detail as possible into your poem. You can always cut back later. Try to build a poem in which the details do all the work.



RANDOM READING TIP

Slow down when you read, even when you're reading silently to yourself. Focus on visualizing the characters' world -- the details make a difference and deliver us to that place where we suspend our own reality. Don't cheat yourself!



RANDOM COLLABORATING TIP

Write a list poem, with each collaborator supplying one or more items for the list. Just think of a topic and you’ll be on your way.


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