Daily Nourishment for April 12: The Bones and the Skeleton of Language
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 40 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
Poetry is “the bones and the skeleton of the language. It teaches you, if nothing else, how to choose your words.” - Rita Dove
Pause.
Take six deep breaths with a six-count inhale and a six-count exhale. Then give your attention to your body. Where do you notice imbalance, pain, tension, energy? Can you breathe into those places and try to release anything you’re holding on to?
Prompt.
Set a five-minute timer and begin forming a found poem using any words around you. Collect words from mail stacked on your kitchen counter, email, text messages, notes, books, book titles, whatever. Find at least 30-40 words.
Practice.
Set a timer for eight minutes. Then write the words down. Then play with the words and see what happens next.
Don’t worry about writing a perfect poem. Play and give attention to any connections that emerge and surprises that appear.
Want More?
Read “How to Write Found Poetry” by Leah Umansky in The New York Times
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Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
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