I’m not participating in NaPoWriMo, as it’s too busy with work and children’s holidays accumulating this month. But I continue to write poetry as often as I can, even if I don’t always feel inspired. One good way to get into the groove is to play around with words, as if I were doing Scrabble or crosswords. The result is no masterpiece, but a great way to loosen up and perhaps produce better work in the following hour. Here is an example, where each verse starts with a letter of the alphabet, and I allowed some of the recent news to take over my subconscious.
Alphanumerical Fancies
Aardvark primogeniture, he exudes all the confidence.
Barely born, he knows best,
Campaigns for privilege to remain untouched,
Dares others to get a word in edgeways.
Events all too graphic are kept from his gaze,
For ignorance is blissful,
Grovelling amiss, unless it is done well.
Hate-filled discourse seeps through filters
Into public space.
Jealous of those audience figures?
Know that it is not in vain, how easily
Like buttons are pressed
More substance and depth not required
No foodie picture is wasted
Old friends swoon in envy as we unleash
Perfect pouts
Quirky triumphs
Roiling we may be but
Surface is all, consumption
Trafficked widely, flung in our teeth,
Until one day, if ever,
Vaulting truths life’s misadventure
Wears out our curiosity about the world of others
X-rated, celebrated, maligned
Your small sequestered corner becomes precious
Zealot-free place.
Oh, now, that’s a terrific way to express your thoughts about current politics, Marina Sofia! It’s very clever, and I can see how you’d think the format is fun for playing around.
I never participate in the nanno nanno thingy as I find it contrived and tedious. But like you I write when the mood-time inspiration hits. I like your alphabetic take on politics! Well done.
Oh, this is wonerful. There are so many excellent lines in here that lit me up….”flung in our teeth,” “zealot-free place”…well done. I’m not doing NaPoWrMo, either (I forgot about it, though I did it last year). Like you, I write as often as I can. Hope you’re well.