Think of it as monetary allowance this extra day you’re given to spend the giver of life does the giving, the spending is for you to expend it’s not the giver who wills the outcome it’s rubbish to censor the giver so— a liability to add to your headspace the squanderer is free to squander or sow Remember what you promised to Mother? how you’d take your cue only from her It’s callous to lay still with torpor waiting for someone else to stir help change what you can change; the unchangeable just accept untwist from distorted thinks realistic expectations adopt there’s too much going on in our lifetime bombardment of information, relentless stimulation of our senses, noise all the time— distraction we need to shut it down, reboot & listen to the silence, zoom out, and take a look from above — observe w/ heart, involve w/ soul, or else on this day given to you by the giver put the squanderer to rest call forth the sower of hope and from within bring out your best think of it as monetary allowance this extra day you’re given to spend the giver of life does the giving, the spending is for you to expend. *** © 2021 selmamartin.com
We’re exploring Oral Poetry at dVerse poetics, hosted by Ingrid and I vacillated all day. I took pleasure reciting my little poem to myself– that part was so fun and nostalgic as it took me back to when I used to do that as a child with my dear mother.
But the thought of recording it held me captive all the livelong day.
Firstly, I don’t have a means for recording, never thought of doing something as
creative as that. But the thought of recording it held me captive all the livelong day. Maybe next time.
But from what I remember, I don’t like the sound of my voice. That’s the problem
I need to overcome. So latching on the part of the no-strict rules, I finally published the
poem I nursed all day, and now the little ditty is out of my hands, out of my head. Thanks for having me, flaws and all.
This was a lovely exercise indeed. Thanks, Ingrid.
Some common features of oral poetry: Repeated phrases or ‘motifs‘ which hold the piece together, and aid the memory in recitation. A regular metre and/or rhyming or alliterative scheme. Narrative subject: most oral poems tell a story. In fact, the story may have been composed as poetry in part to make it easier for the teller to remember, recite, and pass on to future generations. The Challenge For today’s Poetics, I would like you to try something a little different. Perhaps you are used to composing in this way; perhaps you’ve never done it before. Either way, here are the steps I want you to take: Begin to compose a poem without putting pen to paper: you can say the words in your head, or repeat them out loud. Record them, if you wish, as an aid to memory. Try to complete the poem as far as possible without writing it down. Think about the devices discussed above: regular rhythms, repeated phrases or ‘motifs’, alliteration and rhyme schemes – anything to aid the memory and help the words to flow. Alternatively, why not compose a stream-of-consciousness poem orally, recording the words as they come to you? There are no strict rules here, but do try to compose at least some of the poem without writing it down immediately, perhaps stanza by stanza. Once you have written it down, read it aloud to yourself, and think about any improvements you could make: a kind of oral editing process. Once you have composed your poem, you can do one (or both) of the following: – Make an audio/video recording of your poem and post it to your blog. – Transcribe your poem, so we can read the finished version. Don’t forget to link up to Mr Linky below, and link back dVerse in your post. I am excited to hear/read your responses! Let’s take our seats around the campfire and begin…
Photo: Round Dance, Image by lillaby from Pixabay
Happy first day in September to you all. And I tell you, in this side of the globe,
September didn’t disappoint: cool and delicious.
Thanks for reading. I wish you miracles.
- Day 25: NaPoWriMo 2024–The “Proust Questionnaire” - April 25, 2024
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- Day 24: NaPoWriMo 2024–A “Barrowed” Line - April 24, 2024
Selma, I love your poem! I am sure it will sound so good when you recite it. ❤️ And our voice never sounds good to us, so don’t think took much about it. Download the SoundCloud app and record your poem there.
Look forward to you doing it sometime. 😊
Thanks for reading and for the lovely encouragement. Minutes before my head hits the pillow and I’ll take your words with me to bed. Thanks so much, Punam. You are my encourager.
Good night.
You are so welcome. I like the idea of being your encourager. Good night. 😊
Beautiful, hopeful poem, Selma. I like the comparison here to monetary allowance. 🙂
😘 good night 🤗 thanks for reading 😴
Good night, take care. 🙂
🙂
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful poem, Selma! I love the message: we reap what we sow after all, and I love the idea that:
we need to shut it down,
reboot & listen to the silence,
zoom out, and take a look from above —
observe w/ heart, involve w/ soul, or else
I tried to do this today, even though my mind was racing, enjoying time walking home from school with the kids. This poem would also fit well with the current earthweal prompt: https://earthweal.com/2021/08/30/earthweal-weekly-challenge-slowness/
Do try the recording some time! I don’t love my own voice, but I’ve learned to be ok with it 🙂
Ingrid, dear one, thanks for taking the time to read. And for dropping a comment. Glad you liked that section. Yes. Those are great words indeed that came through me. Thanks for recognizing them. Also, I checked out the website you mentioned. Gosh, I got reformed with all I read there. I embrace everything they’re discussing there. I will do my best. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I wouldn’t have found it otherwise. I revamped an old post that I’ve already scheduled to go out over the weekend. Wrote it before I heard about Earthweal, but you wouldn’t know from reading my article as it sounds similar to what is written there by the owner of that website that I still haven’t had the honor of approaching. I will in my turtle walk I’ll get there. Thanks for all you do, Ingrid. You’re hero material. Thanks.
Thank you for your kind words Selma. I am sure you would be most welcome at earthweal. I am writing a challenge for them in a fortnight so look out for that!
Wow. I will. Two weeks, gottya. xoxo
I adore the art you chose … and the many messages in this beautifully penned poetry.
Helen, you have such keen eye for art. I appreciate you telling me about those as I struggle finding them for my posts. I spend way too much time searching. So thanks, dear friend. Stay beautiful.
What a wonderful poem, Selma. I love the style and rhythm, and appeciate the wisdom. I suspect you and I think much alike!
Hey, Bev. Hey, Sista! Thanks a mil for your lovely words. I had my suspicions too. *wink* We need to stick together, you and I. I too love your words. Amazing every time. Keep going, dear Beverly Crawford (I like your name) I wish you miracles.
How beautifully you have given the insight that the choice is ours, whether to ‘squander’ or to ‘sow’ is upto us! True life lesson!
Moulina. Dear one. Thanks for reading and I knew you’d agree with that insight. I thank you for commenting. Be well.
Yes I loved it! You are most welcome. And you too stay well…
Great piece, Selma. Love it.❤️
Grace, your visit lights up my day. Thanks.
That’s so nice to hear, Selma. Truly my pleasure.💕
I love the thought of getting that day to do what we please… sounds like the seventh day to me 🙂
Björn, a day with a visit from you is a good day indeed. Thanks so much.
Selma, this is a beautiful poem .. I heard your voice in each line
You heard my voice? Aww. Thanks, sweet Helen. I hope it came through AudreyHepburn-esque… That’s how I made it to sound. I also adored seeing and hearing you in that short video you made. I don’t know how you guys do that. My ineptitude prevents me from venturing with video/audio. Don’t know how-to. One day I will. For now, imagine me as Audrey. Thanks, my sweets.
this had a wonderful flow
“Think of it as monetary allowance
this extra day you’re given to spend
the giver of life does the giving,
the spending is for you to expend”
the rhythm with that word phrasing was fun to read out loaad, well done
Phillip, thanks for the lovely comment. I’m so pleased you read. Thanks so much. Be well, dear friend. I wish you miracles.
Oh my, so much in this that speaks to me. Have saved this to my Favourites! 😀
Hey, Carol, you’ve done me the greatest honor. Thanks so much. There’s so much talent here, and for you to choose mine– well, my heart has grown a whole inch. Thanks for saying that. I wish you miracles.
Recording or no recording, this was incredibly beautifully, Selma.
<3
David
Oh, David. You say the nicest things… Thanks for reading and thinking it beautiful as is. Be well, dear friend. Happy Anniversary (again) and many more. I wish you miracles.
This is absolutely stellar writing, Selma 😀 I especially like; “there’s too much going on in our lifetime bombardment of information, relentless stimulation of our senses, noise all the time— distraction.”💝💝
Hi
I visited your site. I read your biography. Very nice information of yours. Excellent do work . I am so happy. I am odinery reader & I like read odinery story. Beautiful written you.
Aww. You read about oh, so ordinary me, you commented too and you did so much more… Thanks so very much: You made my day perfect. I love ordinary people. Let’s encourage each other from now on. You rock, new reader. I’ve been waiting for you. xoxo
Hi
I am so glad. I emotional, I inspired. You have like my comment. You join my email list. You are so polite, peacefully. I always tuch you. I read yours all post. Again I hearty say:Thank you very much! 👍I waiting!
I believe in the Giver of Life too…may we spend our days well in His presence. Beautifully written, Selma!
Yes, Lynn, May we spend each day worthy of the chance. May we exchange each hour in worthy pursuits. Thanks for reading. Amen, dear friend. I wish you miracles.
I love this.
The university I work for declared that Friday would be a university wide mental health day across all campuses. Everyone was just to take the day off. It made me very grateful, to be given that day.
Grateful, I know. Thanks Kate, for reading (it was long, too long) and for commenting. Enjoy your extra day off.