I have featured Docupoetry poems in previous posts. They combine primary source material with poetry writing. A number of sources may be accessed to inspire docupoetry. Sources include:
letters
photographs
diaries, journals
court transcripts
medical records
public records
non-fiction texts
reports
Poets can therefore access a wide range of documents brimming with poetic potential in the pursuit of such writing.
When writing docupoetry, the poet may arrange lines or phrases from the source texts to create poems, convey their interpretation of the documents through original poetry, or write poems that fall on somewhere between these various objectives. I find this form of poetry instantly appealing.
Yesterday in a debriefing session with a group of teacher at a nearby school, I mentioned the subject of docupoetry and they expressed interest and curiosity in this poetry form as an alternative way of conveying information. So, here's another docupoem charting Roger Bannister's breakthrough mile way back in the 1954.
Run Roger, Run
At Iffley Road
Young Roger Bannister strode
He wasn’t running late for dinner
He wasn’t running to meet someone
Roger hadn’t jumped the gun
Round and round the track ran Roger
With a bold athletic stride
Roger was a man possessed
Such a wild ride – (or more precisely a run)
A fast time would be a sensation
Under four minutes
Would make him the pride of the nation
He finished the mile
In record time
Pushing through the four minute barrier
With boldness, power and beauty
Roger had run for his life
Creating an enduring moment
-Never been done before
Under four minutes what’s more
0.6 shaved off the record
Less than a second
and the honour belonged to Roger
I wonder if he ran home to tell his family?
Alan j Wright
It is Poetry Friday and our host this time is Laura Purdie Salas who shares a post about her new book, 'Oskar's Voyage' and the process of changing the text from prose to rhyming verse.
Very interesting ideas for docupoetry! You offer sources that I hadn't even considered. I love the last line of your poem. Very humorous!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracey. Glad you liked my closer...
DeleteThe Nevermores enjoyed your previous docupoetry prompt and it continues to inspire in me an occasional daily writing exercise when my morning muse is still asleep. :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear this poetry form has been of service to you, Patricia. Must admit, it keeps calling to me as well.
DeleteThis poem is so fun! So...are docupoems the same as found poems? Are all the phrases from a single source? Poeming minds want to know!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laura. Docupoetry does have some resemblance to found poetry. You might call it a relative. My sources ranged from a book I have on the quest to break the four minute mile, to an on line biographical article. Many of the phrases are mine. They are woven around the facts.
DeleteThank you for celebrating this awesome poetry form today! I love your list of source ideas. Happy Poetry Friday!
ReplyDeleteSarah, the list will hopefully serve to support others considering this poetic form.
DeleteVery amusing poem, Alan. You have inspired in me a will to give docupoetry a try. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt is always pleasing to hear another poet write of their desire to try out a new form.
DeleteI love the humor in the last line ☺️ Charming poem and handsome tribute to this record breaking athlete, thanks for sharing it Alan!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. Glad you enjoyed the last line humour.
DeleteI love this term "docupoetry" which I sort of did with students when we researched topics and then wrote poems. I am currently digitizing my Great-grandfather's Civil war letters.
ReplyDeleteDocupoetry is full of potential, Jone. Those Civil War letters sound so loaded with potential too. The role of research is central to this poetry form.
DeleteFrom Carol Varsalona-Alan, I am intrigued with docupoetry. Can you please lead me to your other posts on this format. I like the humorous touch you added to this poem. Also, do you thr resources to the bottom of a new docupoem?
ReplyDeleteHere are the links to my previous postings on Doccupoetry, Carol.
Deletehttps://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2021/02/docupoetry-what-is-it.html
https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2023/08/docupoetry-and-historical-events.html
https://alanjwrightpoetrypizzazz.blogspot.com/2021/02/more-docupoetry-cotton-mill-kids.html
Hope you find these of value...
This is the first I am hearing of a "docupoetry" - how brilliant. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteationMy pleasure. You will note from my previous reply to Carol, that there are numerous links to previous posts concerning docupoetry. Hope this stimulates more investigation.
DeleteVast potential with docupoetry! Thanks for this, Alan. (And as the wife of a runner, I'm going to venture a guess that Roger *walked* home to tell his family, lol!)
ReplyDeletePotential indeed, Karen. I too assume Roger walked home after his historic effort.
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