Book Spine Poetry: Beginner’s Luck?
The poetry module was the one I hated most in a creative course I took about ten years ago. I sweated and swore a lot over that assignment convinced I was going to get a very low mark, or even a fail. Amazingly I not only passed but ended up with a distinction. No idea how that happened but not wanting to tempt fate I never tried my hand again at writing poetry.
Cathy’s recent post on spine poetry at 746.com has inspired me to give it another shot. By coincidence the title she chose – Nocturnes – happens to be the name of the book I read in the last few days. The stars were in alignment it appeared.
Since many of the books I used are on my e-reader, I can’t give you a photo of the actual spines. I’m having to make do with the cover images instead.
Nocturnes
Tender is the night,
Whispers on the wind, long shadows
as the women lay dreaming.
English music behind closed doors;
sunlight on a broken column;
the murmur of bees;
the gift of rain.
Our souls at night
under another sky.
All this I will give to you, beloved.
Never let me go.
Not sure what my former creative writing tutor would have thought of this but I’m chuffed that I managed to cycle back to Ishiguro at the end. Perhaps it really was beginner’s luck!
This was great fun and the perfect distraction activity for a weekend. Annabel and Rebecca have been getting their creative juices flowing so why not join in
This is fantastic, Karen!!!! Well done!
Thanks Sheree, glad you liked it
This part does it for me:
It just really sets a scene and a specific moment changing in time.
I hadn’t noticed that it almost forms a sequence over time. You’re much more attuned to poetry than I am Geoff
very nice!
I was quite pleased with how it turned out
This is really wonderful Karen – those last lines are gorgeous!
I couldn’t imagine writing poetry, though if I wrote I hope I would write poetically. I tried a book spine poem last month (following Naomi/Consumed by Ink). The hardest thing for me was settling on a theme in the first place – every cover suggested something different.
I think the fact Cathy had selected Nocturnes which I had only just read, was a huge help
This is brilliant! I am like you in that I have tried writing poetry but have struggled with it, never seeming to really get the results I’m happy with. Maybe I should try Book Spine Poetry too.
I absolutely love this
Ah, thank you – that’s made my day!
I love this creativity! 🙌
Thanks Carol. Are you going to have a go??
I doubt if my fatigued pandemic brain can rise to the challenge! It’s something to keep on the back burner!
Understood. I get up each morning feeling tired!
Loving it, well done! It was fun to recognize several books I have read
It just fell into place. I bet you the next time I have a go it will be a real slog