Saturday, September 26, 2015

Prompt #232 – The End of Summer


In this corner of the world, summer ended last Wednesday, and autumn began with beautiful weather. I thought it would be appropriate this Saturday to post a prompt that deals with the end of a season—specifically summer here but, if you’re on the opposite side of the world, then the end of winter.

Suggestions:

1. Spend some time thinking about the season that has ended.

2. Then think in terms of a specific event or time during the past season.

3. Free write for a while about the season and the event or time. Give your mind and imagination loose reins, and let your writing go where it wants to go.

4. After free writing, look at what you’re recorded and begin working on a poem based on ideas from your free write.

5. A possibility may be to write about the last day of a season (see the Merrill example poem below).

6. Consider the metaphorical and symbolic meanings of the end of a season.

7. Pull your “End of ______” poem together with a punch at the end—perhaps something that refers to the season that’s just begun.

Tips:

1. Incorporate seasonal imagery that appeals to one or more of the senses. 

2. Be sure to incorporate some figurative language.

3. Avoid all the usual pitfalls (especially too many adjectives, prepositions, and articles).


Examples:

“End of Summer” by Stanley Kunitz

“Three Songs at the End of Summer” by Jane Kenyon

“End of Summer” by James Richardson

“A Boy Juggling a Soccer Ball” by Christopher Merrill


13 comments:

  1. Love this one! There's always a sense of sadness for me when the seasons change, but not when we go from winter to spring!

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    1. Thanks, Jamie! So glad you like it. I agree about the season changes.

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  2. We'll start the week with this one!

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    1. Hope it worked well for you and your students, Rich!

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  3. I just love this time of year (autumn). It's hard to imagine that people on the other side of the world are beginning spring. A lovely prompt to start this season. Thank you!

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Sandy. So glad you like the prompt.

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  4. leaves whisper your name
    answer back...spring is coming
    after the snows melt

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    1. Beautiful, Risa! I love that you're looking ahead to spring! Here's wishing you a wonderful autumn. (I don't suppose you get any snow in Florida—lucky you!)

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    2. I love your poem, Risa. Thank you for sharing it!

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  5. OMG! No, no snow in South Florida. If there were, I would have to write a really different kind of poem...end of the world maybe?

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  6. Thank you, Jamie. Thank you Adele for this blog!

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