#22 New Poetry Program

I took a poetry 'class' with the lifelong learning program at my alma mater, Abington Friends School. I both offered my perspective for which I got an 'isn't it interesting how people bring so much of their on experience into interpreting a poem.' (The polite way teachers in Quaker school tell you that you are way off base) That pretty much guarantees I will never offer my opinion on poetry again. I did it for the first time (not assigned in school) and that is what counts here. I also read a poem that I wrote. Now, I was intending to read a poem. However, I was planning on reading one that I had worked on for an hour or two. This class gave me 10 minutes to write something inspired by the poem we had analyzed, and then share it. If I had been given time to look before I leapt, I never would have done it. It is awful and not on a topic that I usually write poetry. So, not going to publish it here. I got some moderately positive feedback on it, which was more that I deserved. I still enjoyed the program and will go back for the next session.

{UPDATE}

I did go back to the second and last class. However, I opened my big mouth again and once again got the 'interesting life experience' award. I also made a complete fool of myself bawling over the begging of the formation of a poem I banged out in the 10 minute exercise. Fortunately, these are people who I will never see again. I think for a 10 minute drill it ism't bad so I will give you what I have so far.

Letter to my Daughter

Your passport arrived yesterday.

I remember receiving mine.

It gave me entry into an ancient world.

The one you are about to explore.

I carried mine with pride.

You will do so with apology.

Will they welcome you in the way that I was welcomed?

Will you feel connected or is that lost from our world?

I know you feel alone.

I know you feel abandoned.

I hope this passport leads you back to the beauty of a world

who's magic was stolen from you far too young.