I am grateful to fellow poet, Laura Purdie Salas for alerting me to the work of J Patrick Lewis last week. In my quest to discover more, I uncovered the fact that as a poet, J Patrick Lewis invented a light verse form he called, 'Careerhymes.'
When writing this form, you need to be aware that the occupation must appear in the first line. It is, as the name implies, a rhyming form.
Here is an example of Careerhyme
Computer Geek: A square, a nerd
A rather anti-social bird
Who keeps a mouse; a devotee
Of virtual reality.
J Patrick Lewis
I found myself rising to the challenge. I love new forms of poetry and the chance to explore new possibilities, so I went for it. I urge you to focus on a new career...
Grave Digger: Earth mover for a burial plot
Who digs the final resting spot
Six feet down they dig that shaft
Practicing an ancient craft.
Alan j Wright
Painter: Surface performer, colours galore
Inside, outside, ceiling, walls and floor
Coats of paint, freshly applied
Brushes, rollers, smoothly glide.
Alan j Wright
It is once again Poetry Friday!
This week our host is Laura Shovan. This week Laura is writing about families- found and adopted. She also highlights Laura Purdie Salas's new book, Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons — the true story of a mallard duckling adopted by a loon pair. The story is told in spare, poetic free verse filled with sound-play and the calls of lake creatures. Please be curious...
Thanks for sharing your exploration into JPL fun form, Alan. Your Grave Digger poem is spot on - I see no grave mistakes. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Bridget. Love the punny response.
DeleteI enjoy J. Patrick Lewis's poems, and I wasn't familiar with this form--thanks for passing it on! I'm also playing around with humorous verse. Yours are nicely concise while including plenty of specific details--and fun!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure JoAnn. I shall come and see your humourous verse.
DeleteI know J. Patrick Lewis's work but don't remember these, Alan. Your 'new' ones make me smile, and now want the challenge. Yes! to be curious!
ReplyDeleteGlad you want to take up the challenge, Linda. I feel pleased to have presented something new.
DeleteAlan, I have met and emailed J. Patrick Lewis. He is a charming man with a good humor. I have never seen his careerhymes so thanks for sharing them and creating your own. The grave digger poem is a great example of terse verse. For my PF blog, I wrote a poem using a tline from your poem, "Wish You Were Here". Thanks for your lovely line.
ReplyDeleteYou are well versed on J Patrick Lewis, Carol. Glad you appreciated the Grave Digger poem. I look forward to seeing your post..
DeleteI'm delighted you're enjoying Pat's work! Love your careerhymes--especiallly your gravedigger one. And that made me think of Last Laughs, by Pat and Jane Yolen. I think that's what it's called. A picture book collaboration of all epitaphs. I think there are two collections, in fact.
ReplyDeleteI made this discovery on the basis of your alert Laura, so I am most grateful. Glad you liked the Gravedigger poem. Will check out your 'Last Laughs' alert as well. I certainly know Jane Yolen and have several of her books. Thank you yet again.
DeleteSuch fun! I'm a big Lewis fan and have been gobbling up many of his books. Such a master! Really love your Painter -- especially "surface peformer".
ReplyDeleteThank you Patricia. Glad you had some fun while reading these poems. Glad also that you picked on the intentional wordplay of 'surface performer.' J Patricck Lewis is certainly prolific in his publishing of poetry.
ReplyDeleteThis is a form that is new to me. It looks like fun. Now what career do I want to consider?
ReplyDeleteThe world awaits your words! Have fun with this new poetry format.
DeleteMy mom has been a painter my whole life, Alan. I'm going to share your clever careerhyme with her.
ReplyDeleteHope your mother enjoys my short little poem.
DeleteSusan T. here. These are fun, Alan. I'm going to have to try out these Careerhymes, too. You've got the knack!
ReplyDelete