Experiments in Poetry

I know I haven't posted in ages... College has taken up most of my creative writing time, but now it's summer!

 Last semester, I was fortunate enough to be able to take an excellent creative writing class. It was wonderful to be able to count creative writing as homework, and I immensely enjoyed being able to re-enter the magical world of imagination. One of the main purposes of the class was to help us explore different types of creative writing, including poetry, drama, and stories, my personal favorite. 

Poetry was definitely the most challenging--I tend to go big when I'm writing, which is partly how I ended up with four books to my name. In poetry, everything is generally much smaller and more concentrated. Like story-writing, it's challenging, and while you always want to revise and do your best, you'll lose your mind if you obsess over the imperfections too much. It's a great way to practice writing creatively when you don't have much time to spare, and the tighter focus will help your prose stories be more vivid. Trying out different styles of writing gives me better perspective on all areas of writing, and I encourage you to do the same!

I thought I would share one of the poems I wrote for creative writing class as a way to begin the summer. 

"Pro" Tip: If you're feeling stuck with your current project, take it outside if you can! There's something about being outside that's extremely stimulating to creativity. I was completely at a loss for a topic until I went outside and looked up at the sky. It was a beautiful day, and it reminded me of my undying love for the color blue, so I wrote this poem:     

Blue Happy

by Olivia Taylor

Blue like fish-sparkling ocean tide swirling cold

Against my bare ankles

Ringed in salty impossible lace

Dissolving in the wind

The infinite taste of summers gone by and returning

Blue like infinite canvas of sky with new eyes spreading end of night

Music of the spheres opera notes flying

Blue like moody star-flung twilight roaming into cloth of memories 

Familiar metal dull sheen of everyday miracles

Turrets of Cinderella Castle reminding the sky

Blue like a stuffed kangaroo from a misty bedtime story

Mismatched china plates telling stories

Indigo’s name and Errol’s eyes

America trying to keep its color

The hottest of fires and icicle lights

Blue staining raspberry slushies on Yellowstone roads.  

**Indigo and Errol are two of my characters, Errol being my favorite**

Best of luck on your next writing adventure! 

--Jodi