Prose poetry is written as prose, without the line breaks associated with poetry. Prose poetry often makes use of devices such as fragmentation, compression, repetition, rhyme, metaphor, and figures of speech. It can express the lyricism and emotion of poetry, and lends itself to exploring a variety of themes.
I noted its use in a number of anthologies in my personal library with some interesting variations in structure and presentation. I immediately felt compelled to rummage deeper. I have been experimenting with different formations and in coming weeks will share a few.
I willingly own up to enjoying the exploration of diverse poetry forms and it with this in mind I share this recently 'made' example of prose poetry. A satisfying process to polish and refine my intial raw words.
Close Your Eyes And Step Into The Unknown
At Essex Street subway interchange I am walking up the stairs when a small girl and her mother approach from the opposite direction. As they descend, I notice the girl has her eyes tightly closed. Her mother holds the girl’s right hand for support as they manage the steep steps. The child appears to be sleepwalking. Then it occurs to me- she has closed her eyes to experience the sensation of walking down the stairs unsighted. This is an experiment. This is curiosity in action, -exciting and dangerous. The confidence to take a step into the unknown has formed -growing from a realization she had her mother’s support. Sufficient support -to try something -something new and different- an action laced with uncertainty. Stepping forward she became a risk taker. Her actions a reminder of the immense responsibility teachers carry. Every day supporting curious learners to explore opportunities.
Alan j Wright
It is Poetry Friday and this week our host is Mary Lee Hahn at Another Year of Reading. Mary Lee writes with passion and purpose regarding the present day challenges confronting her homeland.
Alan, thank you for this dip into prose poetry. It’sa firm I have not experimented with but I do love reading it. I find the turns within in even more surprising… as in your simile of teachers, which I did not expect.
ReplyDeleteGlad my venture into prose poetry delivered some measure of surprise, Patricia. Glad you enjoyed the read.
DeleteThis is so cool. Your poem took me right back to being a kid when I would do things such as close my eyes to see what something would be like unsighted. There was a poem I heard yesterday on The Slowdown about how the poet was practicing for when she would become blind from the glaucoma that was "spaghetti-ing" her retina. It was extraordinary, and your prose poem reminds me of that. I have always struggled to know if any prose poem I write is poetic "enough." Who's to judge? But, this is a wonderful example. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. Your internal thoughts concerning prose poetry are probably quite commonly shared. i have certainly felt similar thoughts when constructing such poems.
DeleteI love the way you saw something, and then, instead of letting it go, you really SAW it...and showed it to the reader, along with a message for teachers (which I take as shorthand for everyone who supports learners)!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reflective comments, Mary Lee. As poets the art of observation is our good friend. I am indebted to more than 40 years of recording moments in my writer's notebooks. It allows me to rummage for buried treasure and this special moment was one such moment.
DeleteOh, I *was* that girl - always walking around with eyes closed or trying to balance hopping one-legged, or eating with my nose plugged to concentrate on texture. May we all indulge our inner children and experience the world so deeply. Thanks for seeing this girl and reminding us to look. -tanita
ReplyDeleteTanita, there is something quite affirming seeing ourselves in the words of others. Thank you for kind remarks.
DeleteYou've closed your eyes, too, Alan, and ventured into the unseen! I enjoyed the turning of the words into a new thought. I'm looking forward to more!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about it that way until I read your response, Linda. Thank you for helping me to see a little further into that experience. The swivel at the end helped to provide a tangible connection to a wider world ocnnection. Hopefully I can deliver some more prose poems with hidden treasure.
DeleteThank you, Alan. Always a pleasure to learn from you. Prose poetry is intriguing. I've only tried a version of it while experimenting with the haibun. I love how your thoughts just spilled out in bits, like line breaks.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I initially experimented with it in writing Haibun, Rose, but now I am going out on a limb. Thanks for noticing the use of fragments. it was an intentional craft move in the construction of the poem to give it a greater level of tautness.
DeletePerhaps the mother is a risk taker too, for allowing her child to try this experiment. I also first thought maybe the young girl was afraid and closing her eyes, though you didn't give us any indication that she was fearful of what she was doing, or that the mother was either. Interesting journey you take us on, I also liked the font changing in size as we approached the end, thanks Alan!
ReplyDeleteAh, I like your observations regarding the mother, Michelle. I must admit I was pretty much fixated by the actions of the girl at the time.
DeleteAlan, I like prose poetry and have tried writing a prose poem for the haibun format. Thanks for sharing the model prose poem.
ReplyDeleteHaibun is an excellent fit with prose a strong component, Carol. Hopefully you will get to explore this form going forward.
DeleteI love everything about this, especially the image of that little girl stepping out in trust, full of curiosity.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased when a reader connects with the words shared.
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