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First Line Index Poetry


First Line Index Poems

I was recently reading 'The Writing Life' by Annie Dillard where the author made brief mention of the fact that some days she reads part of any poetry anthology's index page of first lines. These first lines were considered to possess the potential to set off a new writing direction, particularly the words that stood out as strong and suggestive of further thought and action.


I pondered this action by Annie Dillard and decided  maybe, just maybe I could take this a little further...
Could I use these first lines and jostle them about into a more or less cohesive list of lines that formed a poetry montage...
Not every anthology has an index of first lines, it must be noted. However, I found some among my poetry collection that did and chose some from which to attempt this new challenge.
The first was Roger McGough's 'You At the Back.' The second anthology was Dylan Thomas's, The Notebook Poems 1930-1934. 

First Line Index Poem

After Roger McGough

Aunt Agatha

Aunt Ermintrude

Have you heard the latest scandal?

At a publishing party in Bedford Square

On a clear night

The Countess

The beautiful girl

The man on the veranda

They're at it again

Why did they nail her shadow to the ground?

I say, I say, I say

Watch the words

Where would we be without worry?

You stand behind the curtain

With a rainbow under your arm

I'll go home by train.

Alan j Wright


First Line index Poem

After Dylan Thomas

High on a hill

Light breaks where no sun shines

Cool, oh so cool

How the birds had become talkative

So I sink my myself in the moment

To be encompassed by the brilliant earth

Today, this hour, I breathe

Come, sing me a song of the succulent spring

Now understand a state of being heaven.

Alan j Wright

 

But then I found more...


First Line Index Poem
After Alan Ahlberg
First day back at school
The bell is ringing
Boys and girls go out to play
I see a seagull
In the playground
She came into the classroom
The teacher groans
There's something in Harrison's desk
Boys will be boys.

Alan j Wright




It is once again Poetry Friday! This week our kindly host is Kat Apel. Kat is announcing to the world the launch of her latest book- The Bird In The Herd -A bright and playful, rollicking, rhyming picture book. A book that has taken much patience to publish. Kat even has a poem to go with her theme of 'patience.' Find out more and search the links to discover what other poets are doing.





Comments

  1. I feel these index poems could be distant relations to spineys, Alan. They look like they'd be a lot of fun - and I'm definitely tempted to try them! Also, thank-you for your welcoming words for my new book!

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    1. You're right Kat they do have a connection to Book Spine Poetry. These First Word Index Poems are equally a challenge and lots of fun to create. Glad you liked my welcoming message upon the arrival of your new book.

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  2. What a clever way to be inspired, Alan. I especially like the pairing of these two lines:
    "You stand behind the curtain
    With a rainbow under your arm" after Roger McGough. :)

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    1. Glad you enjoyed my efforts Bridget. Like you I was most taken by Roger's lines. They refused to be ignored, so I gathered them up and, here they are!

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  3. Oh, how fun! I'm going to try this one for sure.

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  4. What fun to read another clever way to create, Alan. They remind me of spine poetry, but poem title kind of feel even deeper. I laughed at "They're at it again." Great find!

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    1. Thank you Linda. They are like Spine Poetry as both you and Kat have noted. I agree with you that this might be a way of delving a little deeper- maybe there's more to play with in this instance. There is hidden treasure in these index lines- that's for sure...

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  5. Ohhhhhh! How fun! I want to play too. What great ways of seeing how poems fit together. That first poem is so gossipy. It had me giggling and leaning in for more news. I think kids would enjoy this...and it's not a bad way to learn about what an index has to offer a reader!

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    1. Your enthusiasm is noted Linda and you make a good point regarding the value of alerting kids to this literary element.

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  6. These are fabulous! Kind of like a cento and a book spine poem have a baby. And now I want to try. Thank you for sharing this, Alan--and for your delightful poems. I especially love the sly humor in the first one.

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    1. Thank you Laura for your enthusiastic response. Love your analogy.

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  7. McGough's and Thomas' first lines are so different. The first involve people, the second images from nature. In the last poem you've managed to find an interesting plot that made me wonder in the end what was in Harrison's desk. Thank you for an interesting idea for a prompt.

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    1. Thank you Janice for your considered response. Glad you see potential in this idea.

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  8. What fun! These remind me of creating book spine poems. That last one made me laugh, and the frst one made me wonder.

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    1. Kay your remarks are a reminder of the potential of these lists to elicit a range of poetic responses. The structure of the poems definitely bear a relationship to spine poetry.

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  9. Your first lines poems are featured in my National Poetry Month post today! https://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com/2021/04/npm-spring-cleaning-day-3-first-lines.html

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  10. Alan, this format is interesting but I imagine more difficult than you made it seem. The end of the 2nd poem is filled with joy: Come, sing me a song of the succulent spring/Now understand a state of being heaven. I will have to try this forat.

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    1. You're quite correct Carol, this format does indeed present a challenge, but for me, it is one worth grappling with. I wish you every success, should you delve further into this poetry form.

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