Saturday, October 6, 2012

Prompt #121 – Weathering the Weather


We don’t have to be meteorologists to have an interest in the weather, and we all talk about the weather often enough (for some, it may be the easiest topic of conversation). Weather certainly happens to all of us, making it something that all people have in common. Weather may not be the only determinant for our emotions and moods, but it does seem to play a role, and it really can affect our thoughts and productivity. People who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) experience moods very strongly associated with the weather. Think about it: how do you feel on a rainy day, on a sunny day, on a snowy day, and when severe weather is in the forecast?

This year there has been an abundance of rain in my corner of the world. A hot, humid summer, and days of rain again this week with unseasonably warm temps, and high humidity (just as I was ready for some crisp, clear autumn air). With global warming, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods so often in the news, I thought it might be interesting to write about weather conditions and how they make us feel. Extending that thought, I wondered how we might use “weather” to write poems that go beyond the obvious. That’s this week’s challenge!

Suggestions:

Write a poem about a specific event that you associate with a particular weather condition (something that happened during a rainstorm, a snowstorm, a sunny day, or any other weather). 

Create symbolic and metaphorical meanings. Write a poem in which you use “weather” as an extended metaphor.

We’ve all heard the old phrase “weathering a storm.” Think of “weather” as a verb rather than as a noun. What experiences or “storms” have you “weathered?” Write a poem not about an actual weather condition but, rather, about an experience that had a considerable effect on your life (emotional, spiritual, a trying time, a test of faith, etc.). How did you “weather" that storm?

Write a poem in which you use weather imagery to set tone and mood.

Write a poem about a “wind” that blew into your life to challenge or inspire you.

Write a poem in which you describe the “weather” of your love life.

Compare yourself (or someone else) to a particular weather (sunshine, rain, snow, tornado, hurricane, typhoon).

Write a “weather forecast” poem for something in your life (relationship, job, friendship, etc.).

For an added challenge, write a poem entitled “Whether or Weather.”

Remember to give your poem room to “breathe,” to go where it needs to go; and leave some spaces for readers to fill in.

Examples:




21 comments:

  1. Definitely lots to think about this week! Great prompt. I love the example poems too.

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    1. Thanks, Jamie! So glad you like the prompt and the example poems!

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  2. Hi Adele,

    This is a wonderful prompt, and I agree with Jamie about the examples - great stuff!. Thanks again for "prompting" our creativity!

    Rich

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    1. Thanks, Rich! Your kind comments are much appreciated!

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  3. My effort: http://thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com/2012/10/09/writimg-challenge-weather/

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  4. Wonderful, Scott! What a fantastic subject and the dismount is superb:


    Perhaps tonight, I’ll take off my shoes,
    let the backyard grass seal
    the gaps between my toes,
    hum a song I’ve never heard,
    and toss acorns at the moon.


    Thanks so much for sharing with us.

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  5. Risa, where are you??? Hope there's a new poem this week!

    Jamie

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  6. Wind gust assaults me
    as I hurry home on foot.
    Weatherman blew it.

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    Replies
    1. Isn't that the truth! How often do the weather forecasts end up being incorrect!

      In just three lines, you said it all. Thanks so much for sharing!

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    2. This is wonderful, Madeleine! Thanks for sharing it with us.

      Jamie

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  7. Hello, Jamie. Thanks for the encouragement. It takes me about a week to "cook" a poem. I'm still working on this one. I think I dreamed a good one last night.

    Thanks again
    Risa

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  8. Dalla serie
    TUTTO E' POESIA / MA LA POESIA E' TUTTO?

    GALE WARNING ISSUED
    AT 1800/UTC ON NOVEMBER 9 GALE CEASED
    OVER LIGURIAN SEA.
    ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH
    LOCAL GUSTS OVER LIGURIAN SEA, NORTHERN TYRRHENIAN SEA,


    CENTRAL TYRRHENIAN SEA, SOUTHERN TYRRHENIAN SEA WEST SIDE, CORSICAN SEA, SARDINIAN SEA AND CHANNEL, BONIFACIO
    STRAIT,
    SICILY STRAIT AND CONCERNING COASTAL REGIONS.
    ACTIVE THUNDERSTORM
    AREA WITH GUSTS OVER
    SOUTHERN TYRRHENIAN SEA
    EAST SIDE, MESSINA STRAIT, SOUTHERN ADRIATIC SEA, OTRANTO CHANNEL AND JONIAN SEA. COASTAL REGIONS AFFECTED:
    JONIC CALABRIA AND EASTERN SICILY

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  9. Whether it rains or shines
    life goes on
    not caring if we're gone
    We tremble at this thought

    Whether it rains or shines
    mail gets delivered
    babies get born
    dishes get washed

    Whether it rains or shines
    the question remains
    "Who am I?"
    We tremble at this thought

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    1. Wonderful, Risa! The well-known question of rain or shine takes on different levels of meaning here. And ... you used the Adeleanelle form! It's great to see the prompts working for you!

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    2. Fantastic, Risa! Adele is right about the way you craft your poems from apparently simple premises to universally meaningful ones. Love that you used the Adeleanelle form - so much more fun than struggling with the villanelle! Keep 'em coming!

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  10. Hi I'm Kaylie, Risa's student from Shanghai, China! Here's a poem I wrote last week! Hope you'll like it!

    "No longer alone"
    copyright Kaylie Zhu 10/20/12
    Gently the night fell,
    As I stood alone in the darkness,
    The clouds unfolding in the sky,
    With the breeze through my hair.

    I closed my eyes and listened
    To the rustling of scattered branches
    The sound of a lifeless leaf swirling, falling,
    Or a seldom dull chirping of a lone bird

    I shivered as the loneliness descended,
    It was like I was forgotten, abandoned,
    A totally hopeless existence
    The only wandering soul.

    A drop of rain danced onto my palm,
    So lively, pure and sincere,
    As if whispering a song in my ears,
    I smiled cause I was no longer alone.

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    Replies
    1. Hello, Kaylie!

      It's so nice to "meet" you (all the way from Shanghai) here on the blog! Thank you for sharing your wonderful poem with us.

      Your imagery is lovely, and you've created a strong sense of mood in your poem. You have a great teacher!

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    2. Thanks so much for your reply! It was my first poem ever and I'm so glad that you liked it!

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    3. Kaylie, if this is the first poem you've ever written, I think you have a special gift and hope you continue to write!

      I know Risa is an extraordinary teacher and her own gift for poetry and art will inspire you.

      Thank you again for sharing your poem with us!

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