read write prompt #76: changes
by Christine Swint
There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
– Anaïs Nin
Since today’s prompt is the last one I’ll be writing with Read Write Poem, I thought it would be apropos to write about change, or changes. I’m going through a few changes myself right now, with Ouroboros Review and Pindrop Press, the publishing ventures Jo Hemmant and I have begun, as well as a new course of study I’m beginning in the city where I live. These new developments mean I’ll need to stop writing prompts for a while.
Change is a constant aspect of life, which is a sort of paradox, isn’t it? Even though we aren’t always aware of it, it’s there, a ceaseless flow. You could write about molecular changes, changes in the weather, a change of heart, a transformation in a relationship, a spiritual awakening, or a change in direction. Writing about change is one of those all-purpose prompts that includes everything in the cupboard plus the kitchen sink.
When I think about change one of my favorite poems comes to mind, “Sailing to Byzantium” by William Butler Yeats. In this poem the speaker is on a quest to define and envision paradise and immortality. I think that’s what my changes are about.
Here is the penultimate stanza:
O sages standing in God’s holy fire
As in the gold mosaic of a wall,
Come from the holy fire, perne in a gyre,
And be the singing-masters of my soul.
Consume my heart away; sick with desire
And fastened to a dying animal
It knows not what it is; and gather me
Into the artifice of eternity.
Come back next Thursday, and leave us a link to your poem.
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Wear it loud, wear it proud! Display the Read Write Poem badge on your site. Just click here or on the image above to get the code! read write poem news- the (very) latest on our (virtual) tour of molly gaudry’s ‘anatomy for the artist’
March 11, 2010 | 2:25 pmRen Powell has just posted her take on Molly Gaudry’s electronic chapbook, “Anatomy for the Artist.” Find the post at More Babel.
And, in case you missed it, the first stop was Donna Vorreyer’s, at her blog. Next up was Catherine Fitchett at Poetry Chook and then Lawrence Gladeview at Righteous Rightings.
You can find information about this chapbook and tour here, including a link to where to find it and read it for yourself, online.
- a new poem every day in april (requires reading, not writing)
March 10, 2010 | 6:33 pm“Beginning April 1, Poets.org sends one new poem to your inbox each day to celebrate National Poetry Month. The poems have been selected from new books published in the spring.” Sign up here.
- and it keeps on coming: our (virtual) tour of molly gaudry’s ‘anatomy for the artist’
March 9, 2010 | 1:00 pmLawrence Gladeview has posted his thoughts about Molly Gaudry’s electronic chapbook, “Anatomy for the Artist.” Find the post at Righteous Rightings.
In case you missed it, the first stop was Donna Vorreyer’s, at her blog. Next was Catherine Fitchett at Poetry Chook.
You can find information about the chapbook and tour here, including a link to where to find it and read it online.
- obama’s first hundred days in poetry
March 6, 2010 | 8:36 amArielle Greenberg and Rachel Zucker challenged 100 poets to note the political climate of each of President Obama’s first days in office. The blogged poems have been anthologized in a work called Starting Today: 100 Poems for Obama’s First 100 Days, which will be released in April (ahem, National Poetry Month, although you can pre-order a copy at their blog site).
Read about it here. A hat tip to Rethabile Masilo who posted a link to Rachel Zucker’s poem at his blog, Poéfrika.
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“change” embodies so much in our lives, from the way we exist to our everyday activities. this attempt embraces a clique with journey ambition.
http://beatnikprose.blogspot.com/2009/03/vision-quest.html
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One of the very first poems I memorized.
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Christine, thank you for everything you’ve done for Read Write Poem. I especially loved all the prompts you did in April. You put a lot of thought and time into them and helped make Read Write Poem a really special place last month.
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Christine has been an integral part of RWP for a long, long time. She’s posted the most of anyone on the team to date, giving us ways to relish our creativity with both prompts and the “Get The Lead Out” series.
She’s also helped administratively by editing content for the longest time and manning the spam filters when I’ve been away from the internet.
Her creative and can-do spirit has been a constant source of energy for the site.
Thank you, Christine, for everything you’ve done for RWP and me, for teaching me so much. RWP is better off because of your love for poetry.
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Thanks, you guys! It has been fun. I wish you lots more success, Dana, as you take back the reigns. I’m sure you’ll blaze some more interesting paths.
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[...] * * Christine suggested we write about change this week. I was all over that since I have some changes to deal with, too. For other poems about [...]
[...] This was written for Read Write Prompt # 76: Changes. [...]