Golly, what a revelation! I thought I was the only one who did this with
indexes. Maureen says:
Have you ever flipped to the index of a book and found it super interesting? Well, I have (yes, I live an exciting life!) For example, the other day I pulled from my shelf a copy of on old book that excerpts parts of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s journals. I took a look at the index, and found the following entry under “Man”: (That’s a poem, right there!)
fails to attain perfection, 46; can take advantage of any quality within him, 46; his plot of ground, 46; his use, 52, 56; not to be trusted with too much power, 55; should not be too conscientious, 58; occult relationship between animals and, 75; God in, 79, 86; not looked upon as an animal, 80; gains courage by going much alone, 81; the finished, 89; and woman, distinc- tive marks of, 109; reliance in the moral constitution of, 124; the infin tude of the private, 151; and men, 217; should compare advantageously with a river, 258.
Same-same.
I live an exciting life and love to pay attention to the
“breaking news” erupting every day in my backyard.
I tell you–
this is one more reason I know I’m
in the right place right now and
why I’ll continue galumphing in
poetry for a while.
Here’s Day Twenty-Eight Prompt
Today, I challenge you to write your own index poem. You could start with found language from an actual index, or you could invent an index, somewhat in the style of this poem by Kell Connor. Happy writing!
Well, I could list from the index of my one-day-to-be-released poetry collection,
but… so I give you one curated from the book that’s sitting on my table right now.
YOU CANNOT MAKE REMEMBRANCE GROW A bee his burnished carriage 1339; A dew sufficed itself 1437; A lane of yellow led the eye 1650; As plan for noon and plan for night 960; Baffled for just a day or two 17; Before I got my eye put out 327; Belshazzar had a letter 1459; Bring me the sunset in a cup 128; Conferring with myself 1655; Contained in this short life 1165; Could that sweet darkness where they dwell 1493; Dropped in the ether acre 665; Empty my heart, of thee 587; Escape is such a thankful word 1347; Facts by your side are never sudden 1497; Fame is the one that does not stay 1475; Finite to fail, but infinite to venture 847; For every bird a nest 143; Forever honored by the tree 1570; Fortitude incarnate 1217; Glory is that bright tragic thing, 1660; Glowing in her bonnet, 72; Grief is a mouse, 793; How dare the robins sing, 1724; How fortunate the grave, 897; How soft this prison is 1334; How still the bells in steeples stand 1008; How well I knew her not 837; I bet with every win that blew 1215; I cannot meet the spring unmoved 1051; I cried at pity, not at pain 588; I dreaded that first robin so, 348; I had some things that I called mine 116; I shall know why, when time is over 193; Let me not mar that perfect dream 1335; Let my first knowing be of thee 1218; Softened by time’s consummate plush 1738; Spurn the temerity 1432; Take all away from me 1640; The bird did prance, the bee did play 1107; The dying need but little, dear, 1026; The heart has narrow banks 928; You cannot make remembrance grow 1508. (forgive that I couldn't emulate Emily's brevity) I'm a glut © selma
Thanks so much for reading, and happy national poetry writing month.
I’m a simple woman who dares to see the beauty in ordinary. I’d love to connect with you and like pen pals, I want something beautiful to blossom between us. Will you join me? Selma is my middle name. Its meaning—peaceful, complete, are euphoric affirmations I like to think of myself as having. They compliment the joy I feel when I write. I sincerely hope you decide to join me on my writing journey. I Wish You Miracles.
Latest posts by Selma Martin (see all)
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Perfect! I loved this prompt, too. Thanks for your not so brief tour of Emily Dickinson’s poetry – one can never have enough of that! ‘You cannot make remembrance grow’, the perfect finishing line for this tour de force. Bravo!
So happy you agree that one cannot get enough of Emily. *cheering* You’ve seen that book, it’s a thick one. This could have gone on forever… haha. Thanks, Britta. Glad to be here doing this with you. I know you are enjoying this. One thing I just learned (you asked me before): if you turn on napowrimo’s notifications on Twitter, you get alerted to when the new prompt of the day is posted. Just so you know for next year. I hope you’re a constant here from now on. Bless you. xoxo
Oh, I’ll definitely be coming back for next year’s installment of NaPoWriMo, Selma! This has been great fun and also the perfect way to step out of my poetic comfort zone. I thoroughly enjoyed this April and looking at the posts on WordPress, so did many other bloggers.
Oh, and extra star for the bake! I can practically smell it over here… and will get my flour out in due course. Two essentials in life: write poetry and bake, bake, bake.
Glad you could smell that! Love your essentials in life. yay.
Very interesting prompt and so well done Selma
Sadje, my sweet. Thanks so very much. Have a lovely weekend. Bless you.
Thanks Selma
Very nice & interested prompt poem.
Emily is an intersting poet, dear RAj. So glad you liked this poem. xoxo
Yes, I too, am an index reader. They are fascinating places to browse and get lost. Delightful! Xoxo
More similarities with us. I cannot get enough of you, dear friend/sister. Indexes, right? (thus those first lines…) I could get lost in these things. and many times I do… Thanks for being here, Kathryn. I am behind in comments. I’m so grateful for you. My Tokyo-dwelling son is here for the weekend. A pleasant surprise. I will get in touch when I untangle. But it’s a good tangle. Bless you. xoxo
I knew we had this in common: paying attention to the
“breaking news” erupting every day in our backyards. That’s the best news ever! You’ve done a lovely job, Selma.
The best news ever is in the breaking news in our backyards, indeed. And we are better for it. Blessing you, Elizabeth… Amazing job this year again. xoxo I cannot wait to get Goloshes. (The list gets bigger and bigger. I will get it) Will review when I do. Wait for it. Blessings on your weekend. Stay sweet, dear one. You are already amazing. xoxo
You can never go wrong with Emily. (K)
One never goes wrong with Emily. So right. Thanks, K.
Kudos to you for writing to this prompt, Selma!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
I am tired, Yvie. Running on empty, really. But hey, it’s almost time for the last prompt. I hope I love it.
Hey Yve, how have you liked it this year? You are soooo busy, but working the prompts like the pro you are. I hope to see you doing this again next year. God willing I will be here. Maybe. Most likely. Join me, please. I have loved reading your lovely words. Thanks for being such a lovely supporter of mine too. Blessings on your weekend.
Thank you, Selma! I have every intention of joining you again next year. Thank you for your encouragement and support. 🙂
Just wonderful. You have quite a gift
Carol… Thanks so dearly, dear one. You are just as wonderful and your gifts are many, I know now. Thanks for sharing them with me this year. I bless you. Keep going. I will be reading. xoxo
I think that I would enjoy the index poem more without the page numbers. As a sneaky little device that doesn’t draw attention to itself – more like a “found poem” or an “erasure poem” – just use the entries that work, but leave off the numbers as they break the flow. 🙂
Great prompt Selma Beautifully written