In symbolism, the number five is the
number of harmony and balance. It is also the number of the divine grace. It
was a symbol of perfection for the Mayas. Greek philosophers gave five
principles in man: body, animal soul, psyche, intelligence, and divine spirit.
There are five fundamental virtues: wisdom, love, truth, goodness, and justice.
There are five books in the Torah. Jesus Christ had five wounds. There are five commandments of Buddha
Gautama. Astrologically, the number five is associated with Leo, the fifth sign of the Zodiac. Yes, you guessed it – this week we’re going to work with the number
five.
1. Take yourself to place in which you can relax (your den, your
front porch, your backyard, near a lake or stream, the woods, a park).
2. Once you’re settled and comfortable, look around carefully.
Notice things (objects, trees, plants, water, stones, etc.) around you and
write down five things that capture your attention (and, hopefully, your
imagination). Like the image above (five trees in a row), you might select five
things that are similar or the same (five flowers, five pens or pencils, five
windows, five pieces of paper, five books, five people walking by).
3. Now notice the details of those “things.” Jot down some notes.
4. Then write a poem that’s based on, about, or that includes the five
things you selected. Look for connections among the five "things" you've chosen and yourself. How do they "speak" to you? What story might they tell?
5. Let your environment become the “landscape” of the poem. Write in
the present tense – here and now.
Let the objects direct the content of your poem. Describe them, define them, contextualize them, analyze them, repurpose them, recreate them. Play on the number
“five.” Let your poem take you where it wants to go, but don’t let your five
“things” get lost.
Here’s are examples that are not exactly what we’re working on with this prompt (they don’t focus on five things), but they’re close and may inspire
you.
Interesting! I really like the idea of "things" and how we observe and relate to them. Thanks, Adele!
ReplyDeleteJamie
Thanks, Jamie! Always great to hear from you!
DeleteFive Bees
ReplyDeleteFive bees drowning in a swimming pool,
Caught by a reflection,
A sparkling promise of pollen,
Waterlogged.
Once they touch down the mirage disappears
And they are caught,
Their sodden wings can no longer fly.
Seeing tiny ripples in the water from their struggles
I take my net and lift them out
Onto concrete warmed by the morning sun.
Two are not moving,
But the other three have begun grooming,
Abdomen and thorax,
With every available leg,
Diligently scraping off water.
One is still so exhausted
He cannot keep his balance and tumbles over
From the disproportionate weight of water
Still clinging to one side of his body.
With a leaf stem I help restore his balance
So his meticulous grooming can continue,
So the sun can dry his cellophane wings.
The strongest of the three revs up his wings in a blur
Moving in short bursts across the cement,
His legs still giving support,
Testing.
Then he lifts into the air,
Restored.
Perhaps the other two were in the water longer,
For it takes more grooming and warming
Until they too are free from the terrible gravity of the ground.
Or perhaps they are less bold?
It’s hard to fathom the personality of a garden bee.
They may be older, more sentimental,
More shaken by the sight of their two dead comrades
Lying on their backs,
Legs pointed toward heaven,
Without purpose.
Why?
They might wonder,
If they were anything at all like you and me.
Why did God spare only three?
They do not know what we know,
That when it comes to saving lives,
Some will stay,
Some will go.
Very nice, Russ! Thanks for sharing! Your five bees make such interesting content!
DeleteThanks for this prompt Adele. I took myself outside to the porch and wrote: http://hoofprintsinmygarden.wordpress.com/2012/05/20/five-flowers-in-spring/
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Annette, and for sharing your wonderful poem "Five Flowers in Spring!" It's always great to receive this kind of feedback, and I'm so glad the prompt worked for you! Thanks again!
DeleteOnce again, a very interesting prompt!
ReplyDeleteMáire Ó Cathail (Ireland)
Thanks, Maire!
DeleteNo Body
ReplyDeleteOnly one image
looks back at me
in the mirror
yet
I have had many faces
looking back at me
younger
less wrinkled
Who is that person looking back at me?
Who really lives here inside?
Moving my limbs
Whose hand is this?
Whose feet?
Who feels this pain?
This joy?
No one. Truly.
I've just borrowed this body
for a short while
and will leave it behind
like an old suit
and
pray not to need an new one again
Thanks for sharing your poem, Risa! Questions we've all asked ourselves ...
ReplyDelete