The notion of what sparks an idea for activating the writing of a poem are many and varied. Mercurial in fact. The poet must always remain alert to possibility. Quite often the essential spark ignites when you are engaged in an activity that has no immediate conection to the act of writing. You must remain an active receiver!
I recently had cause to check an instruction manual to solve a small, yet irritating issue with a new electric oven. I quickly resolved the issue, but I also found myself pondering the unique language of the document I was reading. Instruction manuals are rather pedantic in style. There is no room for light and shade in their presentation. The reader is expected to faithfully follow the outlined instructions.
I then delved further into the sextensive library of operating manuals we have assembled across the years. Manuals related to household appliances, computer and technical gadgetry, cars, furniture, garden equipment, and the like. I'm sure everyone has a similar home library of manuals. I must say, we have quite a collection.
Never has such reading grabbed my attention in this way. Let me assure you, it is not part of my normal recreational reading.
I began to ponder the poetic possibilities. A spark had been ignited and it began to glow more brightly.
Here's what eventually emerged...
-After Bosch User Instructions
Congratulations on your fine choice of this appliance
It’s been meticulously tested
It’s been subject to strict quality control
and has never stayed out late
It has protective packaging
However,
don’t store it on,or against
any other articles
-Keep it separate at all times
Do not spray aerosols
in the vicinity of this appliance
Or set it alight for that matter
Please be aware-
if instructions aren’t followed exactly,
a fire or explosion
may result in
damage,
destruction
or death.
Overheated fat or oil can easily catch fire
So, set control knobs to minimum
And never remove the tap spindle
Never!
Refer to AS?NZS5601.1 for piping size details
Lastly, it is normal
to hear a slight whistling sound
while the burner is operating.
-It’s not the birds in your garden.
Alan j Wright
It is Poetry Friday and our host this week is Tricia from The Miss Rumphius Effect. Tricia's post focuses upon the notion of the emotion that surrounds moving on amd moving along.
That last line is such a shocking turn--I kind of gasped! Technical writing and poetry--who knew you could combine them?
ReplyDeleteThey say a poem should end strongly. It was me being quietly subversive, Laura. A bit of fun among all that serious intent.
DeleteHa! Did you wish it were birds whistling, Alan? Years ago one of my daughter's 1st jobs was to write tech manuals, this, in the early days of technology, old pcs, etc. She says it was one of the toughest jobs she's every had, to keep the creative world out. I so enjoyed reading your intro, that sidling into manuals as poetry. Love the 'damage, destruction, or death'!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how your daughter felt the constraints of the genre pushing back at her continually as she wrote. The damage, destruction death were all words I encountered -serious input! Glad you liked my intro, Linda. i felt it necessary to set the scene as it's quite a journey from instruction manual to poetry!
DeleteBwahahahahaha! That last line got me. I wasn't expecting it at all--and I was already "all in" on the poem. Well done.
DeleteAh, the last line, Linda. It did its vital work it seems. Thanks for the feedback.
DeleteOh my! I'm CRYING over appliances that stay out late! I want to live in this world of hilarity - and the idea that you crafted it from instruction manuals is pure genius... BTW -- I'm on mission to rid myself of all instruction manuals. I am very appliance-averse and if it does not work intuitively, it goes unused!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you enjoyed my subversive efforts, Patricia. I had fun undermining all that seriousness. Good luck creating your manual free zone.
DeleteHA! Way to find poetic inspiration wherever you look!
ReplyDeleteWell, Mary Lee, you know this space so well. You are so right about inspiration being in abundant supply all around us. It's there in profusion!
DeleteFunny! I laughed out loud even though I also twisted myself in knots trying to decide which lines were lifted from your manual, and which you made up. Guessing there was no mention of birds in the original :)
ReplyDeleteNo birds, Sally. Not a single mention- not a feather or a beak. I'm glad you pondered the original and the add ons. Most of the inclusions were true to the manuals. I just misbehaved where I felt like being a little bit naughty. What fun i had writing this one.
DeleteSo funny Alan! Yes, "Don't set it alight" is very good advice. It's a huge responsibility writing one of these manuals. Lives do actually depend on your words. But that can be true of poets sometimes, too.
ReplyDeleteA keen observation on your part. The writing of such manuals certainly comes with responsibility and the need for precision and accuracy with the language used in the document. Lives do hang on these words as they sometimes do with the words of poets. I must acknowledge your wise words.
DeleteWe are constantly embellishing (mocking? celebrating?) such technical manuals at our house, but I don't think I've ever written down our creative output. I must! :) I love what you did here, Alan.
ReplyDeleteKaren, you are not alone in seeking to derive some measure of pleasure and enjoyment from what is essentially a rather joy free zone. I would be most pleased to see your written response to such dry documentation. I'm glad you enjoyed my irreverant take on manuals.
DeleteAlan, I am catching up on posts I've missed. I am glad that I have the very early morning to read through your work. This poem is humorous. Manuals are often fraught with unclear directions. You captured interesting lines and added your humor that makes this poem worthy of multi-reads and smiles/laughs. and has never stayed out late--It’s not the birds in your garden.
ReplyDelete