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POETRY FRIDAY- 'Poembrew.' Alan j Wright


I have for many years encouraged teachers to not only share their writing, but also the process they undertook in safely landing those special words on the page. 

It is vitally important for inexperienced student writers and poets to be shown the tricks up the magician's sleeve, thus answering that enduring question- How did you do that?

The poem, 'Poembrew' hopefully shines a little light on my own particular process when writing poetry. You may see yourself doing a number of these things as well, as you prepare to go about your writing.

Our personal writing process is a unique undertaking. At the same time it may also involve some universal actions and thoughts that hold the potential to assist young poets to better navigate the writing terrain. 

So, let me take you to one of my worlds where I am reading aloud 'Poembrew'  -a poem from my most recent anthology, What The Poemster Found.'


















It is once again Poetry Friday and our host, the talented Bridget Magee brings some wonderful news regarding the publication of an exciting new Poetry Anthology a poetry project in which I am proud to be involved! Please visit Bridget to discover a lot more...






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  1. Elisabeth15 October 2021 at 19:44

    Alan, I love both the poem, and your reading of it! I agree that it's so important to give aspiring poets a glimpse of the poetic process, so that poetry feels accessible to all.

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    1. Alan j Wright16 October 2021 at 13:26

      Glad you liked the full package Elisabeth and so glad we are as one on the absolute need for poetic process to be visible and accessible to all.

      Delete
  2. Bridget Magee15 October 2021 at 23:02

    Brilliant, Alan! "Clang, collide, collude..." - love it. And your shirt - yes! :)

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    1. Alan j Wright16 October 2021 at 13:28

      Thanks Bridget. Glad you like my alliterative collection. The shirt -well I have a collection of those as well.

      Delete
  3. Linda16 October 2021 at 01:29

    You are so right about teachers sharing their writing. It's important for students to see their teacher writing and all the messiness in the process. Love your poem, AND your T-shirt!

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    1. Alan j Wright16 October 2021 at 13:30

      Process in all its messy detail is vital for inexperienced writers to see. You are so right Linda. Pleased you like the poem and the costume that accompanied it.

      Delete
  4. Janice Scully16 October 2021 at 01:34

    Alan you have earned the title "poemster." You have to be a good performer to make a successful video and you are. I enjoyed the wit in the poems, such as The Grammar Police, in Bridget's new anthology.

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    1. Alan j Wright16 October 2021 at 13:33

      Oh Janice, you are most kind. Videos are a challenge I embrace. All good fun with my production company of one! So pleased you liked 'The Grammar Police' in the anthology. I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my ordered copy, so I can read them all. It is good to be seen among fellow poetic people.

      Delete
  5. Linda B16 October 2021 at 02:29

    I love 'hearing' you speak of the process, Alan. Yes it is so important that everyone, especially those beginners like some students, know how it 'brews' before landing on the page.

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    1. Alan j Wright16 October 2021 at 13:35

      Thank you Linda. Your words are always valued here.

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  6. Denise Krebs17 October 2021 at 01:06

    Alan, how fun to get to hear you read your poem. It is important for teachers to be able to articulate the process, and your Poembrew makes it fun and powerful. Some of my favorite phrases are "clang, collide, and collude" and "jostling for position" and "shaped and massaged." Those aren't the complete thoughts I appreciated, but just a few of the words that are fun to hear and repeat. Well done, and congratulations on this collection.

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    1. Alan j Wright18 October 2021 at 11:18

      It is most re-assuring when a reader or a listener is able to pick up both deliberate and nuanced actions within a piece of writing Denise. Thank you for your acute response.

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  7. Linda Mitchell17 October 2021 at 22:32

    Gosh, hearing a poet read is the very best way to take in a poem. A wonderful poem, Alan. I'm a fan of putting words to process. So, this poem in particular delights me. Thank you!

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    1. Alan j Wright18 October 2021 at 11:20

      Thank you Linda. I appreciate your observations. We are both keen fans of making process visible.

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