Skip to main content

Memories Can Spark Poetry

It's fascinating to think about the range of amazing things that influence our writing. I was sitting in my favourite writing space recently when I noticed the distinctive sound of a lawn mower outside in a neighbour's garden.


I no longer have to do this chore, but I hold strong memories of being mower man. The sounds, smells and the action are strikingly clear in my mind. 


As I began to recall my adolescent years, I remembered the mowing of the family lawns and this simple little poem helped me recapture the memory. 


It's something to consider when thinking about recounting your past. You don't always have to write a recount. You clearly have options. 


Lawn Thoughts
Alan j Wright

















Mowing the lawn                   
Is clippings in your hair
Up your nose              
In your socks

Mowing the lawn               
Is smoky fumes     
Swishing blades
Aromas of cut grass

Mowing the lawn               
Is hugging the edges                       
Avoiding the cat
 Gliding past Mum’s chrysanthemums

Mowing the lawn                
Is refilling the tank        
Dumping the clippings 
Raking and sweeping

Mowing the lawn
A neat, grassy haircut               
A summer chore                  

-And pocket money



Comments

  1. There's nothing like the smell of freshly mown grass, is there? I'm still the primary lawnmower around here and enjoyed your poetic trip down memory lane. I only wish someone were paying me pocket money...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I only wish I needed to cut my lawn. It's brown and dry as paper.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's amazing what memories a sound can evoke.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sound and smell are so strongly connected here - love the linkage between these two, and the rather mundane chore that evoked this poem.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ha! great memories....especially the pocket money. That sound, that smell, that feel of grass. Good memories but I'm ever so glad I don't have to mow anymore!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I was there! Thanks for the smells, sounds and sights - and the last line which made me smile.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The sound of a lawnmower is very evocative for me, too. Maybe I need to write a poem! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Life Cycle -A football poem by Bruce Dawe

This poem by Australian poet Bruce Dawe epitomises the unique connection sporting tragics have to their preferred football teams, -an almost tribal allegiance. Each season supporters stare down the twin imposters- victory and defeat. They remain both loyal and hopeful of eventual triumph. This poem refers specifically to Australian Rules Football, but it's themes are universal. I share this poem on the eve of the 2017 Grand Final to decide the Premiership for this football season. My team, the Richmond Tigers have reached the play off to decide the ultimate victor. They have not contested the Grand Final match for 35 years. My hopes fly with them. This poem links two of my great loves -football and poetry... Life Cycle When children are born in Victoria they are wrapped in club-colours, laid in beribboned cots, having already begun a lifetime’s barracking. Carn, they cry, Carn … feebly at first while parents playfully tussle with them for possession of a rusk: Ah, he

Poetry Friday: The Safety Pin Poem

Poets not only write poetry, they also read poetry. In order to be able to write poetry, one must read it. Lots of poetry in fact...  I want to share a short little poem by Valerie Worth. I bought Valerie's book, 'All The Small Poems And Fourteen More,' while living and working in New York, some time back. It remains a personal favourite.  I love the way the poet shines a special light on everyday objects, transforming them into something unique and worthy of attention. Her close observations elevate her poems into the special category.  Each poem in the collection celebrates earthly wonders. From eggs to garbage, from potatoes to pockets, each object is given special attention in the form of short poems employing keen observations.  Valerie Worth demonstrates through her poems she totally understands the saying-'ideas exist in things.'  The poem I have chosen to share with you (one of my personal favourites) is titled, 'Safety Pin'. S af

Opposite Poems

O pp o s ite P oem s In his book, ' How To Write Poetry,'  Paul Janeczko presents the idea of opposite poems. Paul suggests they could also be referred to as antonym poems. This is wordplay and it's fun to try. Here are some examples Paul provides to help us see very clearly how these short little poems work. I think the opposite of chair Is sitting down with nothing there What is the opposite of kind? A goat that butts you from behind Paul Janeczko You will  notice the poems are written in rhyming couplets. They can be extended so long as you remember to write in couplets. Paul shows us how this is done. What is the opposite of new? Stale gum that's hard to chew A hot-dog roll as hard as rock Or a soiled and smelly forgotten sock You might notice that some of Paul's opposite Poems begin with a question. The remainder of the poem answer the question posed. Opposite poems are a challenge, but it is a challenge worth trying. Not e