In my most recent rummaging through family history documents I came across a collection of letters my mother exchanged with family and friends in the 1960's and 70's.
Lifting them out and into the light of day, I found myself fascinated by the language of the letters. Snippets of detail and flourishing turns of phrase were lighting up my reading.
I was intriguied by the content of these letters. I began jotting down lines I loved and began to weave them into an arrangement that sounded like it had some flow, some connection.
This is Cento poetry, a derivative of found poetry. These old hand written letters have alerted me to an even broader range of possibility when it comes to the search for inspiration...
Jottings
-a clutch of old letters
At last I am writing a few lines
Having taken up the pen
-I have done it mentally
many times…
Just to let you know we
now have a Chihuahua puppy
We feed with an eye
dropper
She’s a real imp of
mischief.
Your most welcome letter to hand
Arrived a few days back
Doesn’t time go?
-Am enclosing a couple of snaps.
It’s winter with a
vengeance here
Have come to the end of
my ramblings
Best wishes
I’ll sign off now
From your sincere pal.
Alan j Wright
How cool! I have old letters that I love to use for inspiration. They don't contain all the emotion or opinions I wish for--but that's ok, I can make it up! These lines are great--hearkening back to a time of pen pals. Oh, the memories. Nicely done, Alan. I might just go pull out some old letters today.
ReplyDeleteHope you find some pearls among those old letters, Linda.
DeleteYou discovered a treasure! You wove your mother’s words into a beautiful cento. A couple of favorite phrases: imp of mischief and doesn’t time go…
ReplyDeleteDiane Anderson
Thank you, Diane. So pleased with the treasure I found.
DeleteVery cool, Alan!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tabatha. It was a treat to find this hidden treasure.
DeleteAlan, how serendipitous. I just found a large envelope with different love letters. I have not gone through them yet but your little project sparks my interest in those letters. "Having taken up the pen"-love this line. it is a great opener to your Cento poem. "Winter with a vengeance" reminds me of some wind-blasting snowstorms in NYS while I was growing up.
ReplyDeleteYes, Carol, serendipitous is the word. I recall those NYC snow storms too.
DeleteGosh, I recognize that nostalgic air mail patterned envelope and wax seals! The art of letter-writing, offering a reflective glimpse into one's week or summer, is just that...ART. What a gift to sift through handwritten thoughts and compile yet more art.
ReplyDeleteNostalgia pervades these words. It was certainly a gift to come across these words.Thanks Patricia/
DeleteAh Letter writings, I hope they don't become an entirely lost art… Fun that you've abstracted from that handsome collection of letters. Hope the mischievous Chihuahua got enough to eat, thanks Alan!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed my little venture into those special words locked in those letters, Michelle.
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