Friday, March 20, 2009

Magnetic Poetry

I found this magnetic poetry site today after a tip from Kesia aka monarchlibrary in my twitter stream. I have always gotten a kick out of playing with magnetic poetry. Now I can spend hours fooling around with it online.

One of today's poems:

I want to ask if
the gentle window
is always light
when from dark
summer more whispers
take stars?

The trick in magnetic poetry is that you have to pull words from a limited pallet. It becomes somewhat stream of consciousness... or even nonsensical. But for some reason that amuses me and I think it enables me to play with alternate layers of meaning.

In the above poem I think I am wondering if summer will really be all I hope for after this dark winter. And what are those whispers? I guess after my recent struggle with cancer I am afraid the other shoe is yet to fall. Is the worst really over? Can I look forward to an easy summer?

In any case, the poems are easily scrubbed and re-done. No need to erase, just throw some words up there and hit reset if you aren't getting anywhere. Go ahead, give it a go. If you write some (G rated) magnetic poems come back here and share them in the comments. I'd love to see how you do.

There is a special section just for kids. They can register by first name to save and share their creations in a moderated gallery. I am imagining putting this site up in the classroom on the interactive whiteboard during National Poetry Month and letting the kids create some poetry. Sounds fun!

Friday Poetry is being hosted this week by Elaine at Wild Rose Reader. You can bet there are going to be some lovely spring poems in the mix. Go join the fun!


Magnetic Poems from Magnetic Poets: (from the comments)

tanita s. davis :

she says "life is steam
like window seep," translucent
warm smoke when moist with ice

perhaps after breath melts
the present stars
vast breezes will sail her
to yesterdays peace



Mary Lee:

young woman
translucent universe
warm trust
wild worry
velvety questions
poetry window

Scriptor Senex:

"Perhaps we smile
That, streaming poetry, they,
Yesterday, some secret word
Would Say."


Julia Larios:

yesterday you were salt
steam smoke steel fever
a slow poison the one ghost
in my dark glass
no universe was more vast
yet less young
your voices haunted me
woman woman
you must go put morning and night
there above the sky
like wild animals

Elaine Magliaro made one called

POET

I
observe
compose
experiment
sculpt water
paint colors

create metaphors
fashion fiery impressions
chisel rhythm & symbol
capture imagination
passion
ink beauty


Thank you all for these creative responses. Anyone else want to play?

15 comments:

tanita✿davis said...

she says "life is steam
like window seep," translucent
warm smoke when moist with ice

perhaps after breath melts
the present stars
vast breezes will sail her
to yesterdays peace
==============

An ephemeral wish for you.

Jules at 7-Imp said...

Very fun. I'm gonna go back with my five-year-old when she's done playing and make one with her.

No other shoes falling. No other shoes falling. This is my chant.

susan said...

I work midnights. After I get some sleep, I'm going to try this. Love yours.

Holding you in the light. Always.

Mary Lee said...

young woman
translucent universe
warm trust
wild worry
velvety questions
poetry window

Andromeda Jazmon said...

Oh these are lovely! Thank you for those warm wishes and all the light. I've had my moments today but I know deep down that all is well.

Scriptor Senex said...

Great fun.

"Perhaps we smile
That, streaming poetry, they,
Yesterday, some secret word
Would Say."

Julie said...

Oh, no, another way to forget what time it is and stay up all night! But fun. Here is mine:

yesterday you were salt
steam smoke steel fever
a slow poison the one ghost
in my dark glass
no universe was more vast
yet less young
your voices haunted me
woman woman
you must go put morning and night
there above the sky
like wild animals

Beth Kephart said...

I'm just having a really great time watching all of you play. I used to have a set of magnetic words on my refrigerator. I could get lost for hours in that.

Many thanks for your words earlier today. For the sensitivity with which you wrote about an earlier book (thank you for that) and for your reaching out. I still have a dear friend in my old hometown and I make way back from time to time.

Kelly Polark said...

Thanks for the fun link, I'll have to play with it later. It looks like the cookie sheet my mother inlaw has hung on a wall with all the magnetic poetry words!

Karen Edmisten said...

What fun! I'll be back. :-)

Elaine Magliaro said...

That was fun! Here's the poem I composed. The title is POET.

I
observe
compose
experiment
sculpt water
paint colors
create metaphors
fashion fiery impressions
chisel rhythm & symbol
capture imagination
passion
ink beauty

laurasalas said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
laurasalas said...

Gorgeous poems--I always do magnetic poetry poems in my online poetry classes. Having that wordset to choose from reveals nifty things about each poet, I think!

These are just lovely!

And those whispers are only the sweet muses of health encouraging you forward! That's my wish:>)

tanita✿davis said...

Man, all of these were really good!

MotherReader said...

I also like the randomness of the words and the choices it forces you to make with your thoughts. For you, I'm sending vibes for a good summer and for no more dropping shoes.

For me, I'm going to do more playing with the magnetic poetry site.