I'm pretty sure that he's not responsible for the prompts though – that would be Joanne, a rather brilliant writer in my opinion. She gave us two choices. The first one was to watch a piece of performance art that was pretty incredible. I recommend going to her site to watch it if you have time – it's about 10 minutes long.
The second prompt was this picture of an Essence Vessel. An Essence Vessel is hollow, with a cork in the back. You are to put things inside it that contain your essence – "a lock of hair, a song, or soil from where you were born."
This second prompt is the one that inspired me. And when I was done, I read the thing & said, "Hello College Dana!" I think if we check carefully you'll see that she wrote this about 25 years ago & had it messengered to me here in the future.
The Tour
Let's open the door &
look inside, shall we?
Better get your hip waders -
it's a bit damp in here.
In my hand I hold
a pair of glasses
and an unfinished book.
All of my sorrow
is stuffed into one small sack –
don't touch it!
Here is a cake instead.
Much better, don't you think?
Can I hear music? No?
Blessed silence surrounds.
Not for thinking!
It is cotton wool for the soul.
Nothing gets out.
Nothing goes in.
I don't much like it in here.
Someone should clean up
the clutter - all of those
unfinished fragments
and unopened boxes
of dreams.
I really like this one. Its so visual. I can really relate to that line about the cake... it is so much nicer than opening that bag!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post!
ReplyDeleteLots of introspection here! I enjoyed it immensely.
ReplyDeletehope the dog has a driving licence?
ReplyDeleteGreat pome
Oh, I do love the word 'sorrow'.
ReplyDeletex
Cor! That's a bit claustrophobic! Better uncork the genie in that bottle soon!
ReplyDeleteLOL Jinksy - I can't help you hadn't mentioned that. Now I'm sitting here taking DEEP breaths because you're right!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to thank you for all of your sweet support on my blog. I am very appreciative.
ReplyDeleteI like the poem. The cake is a good idea!
Ooh Bug, I like that. Jinksy was right, it is claustrophobic, and very atmospheric. Love the sorrow in a sack, and the final stanza is a triumph - very effective 'un's run together like that. Yes, I like that.
ReplyDeleteAll of my sorrow is stuffed into one small sack –
ReplyDeletedon't touch it!
and.....
all of those
unfinished fragments
and unopened boxes
of dreams.
~~~~~
...speaks to me... wonderful
Very musical and bittersweet-
ReplyDeletethanks for writing this!
In hindsight I think mine should have been for this prompt too, there's a fair bit of similarity in it's intentions..
ReplyDeletevery nicely put, it has a lovely easy flow and is laid out bare.. and also like the cake line.. cake always makes everything better..
:-)
I like your conversational tone and the blend of wise hindsight and gentle laughter.
ReplyDeleteThinks - deep breathing improves the figure enormously - think about it! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, Dana - really raw and revealing. "Cotton wool for the soul" That is one spectacular line.
ReplyDeleteKat
Beautiful, Bug. And I'm so glad the sack of sad is small.
ReplyDelete