Ruminating on Rooms
I am once more returning to poetry of place. But this time I am thinking of more specific places. This time my focus is on rooms. For the purposes of this exercise, you could take yourself into a room you know well, possibly a favourite room in your house, or a parents/grandparent’s house.
You might also consider a room from your past in which you spent some time. A room where a significant event took place might prove to be a worthy focus for your words.
Equally, it may be a room that clearly stands out in your memory for its unique qualities, even though you spent only a brief time there.
It is even possible to create a room from your imagination. The aim is to paint the scene in that room using words. Still life for the artist with a palette of different colours. Still life for the poet with a word palette.
It might prove helpful to sit still in the room of your choice and ponder its features and qualities. Be still, listen and observe.
Please come with me now to the room of my choosing. A room I only visited once, but significant, nonetheless.
Make room for your own ruminations…
We sat, my friend and I
in the over warm ante room
behind double-glazed windows
scanning the view
in search of some hint of imagination
-anywhere at all
we sat in gloomy, wavering light
waiting
for
the
host
to
return.
the air around us
shrouded in mustiness
the fabric of the armchairs
in which we sat, uncomfortably,
resentful of our disturbance of the peace.
a clock on the crowded mantelpiece
resounded with deep, measured ticking
and disproportionate loudness,
while the carpet and the wallpaper
competed for our attention
the hands of the clock
the only evidence
change had occurred
in this room, dedicated to stillness
for what appeared to be
some significant number of years
tick...
©Alan j Wright
It just happens to be Poetry Friday, and this week our host is Margaret Simon at Reflections On The Teche. Margaret is sharing her participation in a progressive poem as well as a fine list of literrary inspirations. Please visit tto discover more...
Alan, I never heard the title poetry of place but after reading your poem, I can see why it is called by that name. You carefully lured us into the place and took us on a mini-tour of the place of stillness. The last word in the poem was the only sound. Thank you for the experience.
ReplyDeletePoetry of Place is a term I started using a few years back to encompass poems to do with settings, Carol. I have looked at various geographical setting since that time. On this occasion, I have chosen a more specific location for the poem. You have prompted me to go back and look at the previous posts and maybe put together a collection of poems under that banner. I am glad you enjoy the reading experience.
DeleteOoh, I'm there. And I'm mighty uncomfortable!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're there, Laura - and not too surprised that you feel somewhat uncomfortable.
DeleteI've been in rooms like this, where the past accumulates and is meaningless and appears stodgy to visitors, especially young ones. I once took my son to a room like this for piano lessons years ago. Interesting to call this poetry of place. It's a good prompt, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteLove your turn of phrase, Janice. Rooms like that do accumulate the past. In fact, it often overwhelms the space. Glad you like the notion of 'Poetry of Place.' I have now posted quite a few poems under that heading, so for me, it is probably a thing.
DeleteTick.
ReplyDeleteVery clever. I was taken to this room by your artful rendering. Thank you Alan.
Thanks Sally. Have a look around, but don't linger too long. The stillness might prove stifling.
Deleteooooooh, the only evidence of movement...that clock. I want to know more. Wonderful study on place. You give me ideas.
ReplyDeleteIf my words spark ideas, then everything is fine, Linda. Your response is most gratifying.
Deletereally love "in this room, dedicated to stillness" and the echo back to your title
ReplyDeleteThank you Patricia. The stillness of the room was palpable. Thank you for noting this.
DeleteI was there in a great-grandmother's parlor, "while the carpet and the wallpaper/competed for our attention" and I was not allowed to touch one thing. Yes, I've been in a few rooms similar, Alan. You've lured us in to visit, thankfully for a brief time. But don't think I didn't love it!
ReplyDeleteLinda, it pleases me to learn of your strong, personal connection arising from reading my poem. As children, we were struck by the formality of these spaces, no doubt about it. So pleased my words prompted this recollection.
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