Monday 24 October 2011

Through a Letterbox

I like taking photographs and sometimes the pictures inspire a poem. What I select from the photo - how I frame it - can influence my poem. I recently photographed a butterfly with a torn wing. It's late in the year to see Red Admirals still flying around and, in strong winds, no wonder s/he was a little the worse for wear. When I trimmed my picture it was the shape of a letter box. So then that shape became my 'virtual letter box' through which I imagined looking at the world - and the butterfly - going by. Here's my poem - followed by a writing challenge for you.

I'm looking at life through a letterbox.
It's safe behind closed doors:
No wasp to sting, no sudden shocks,
No threats, no debts, no broken laws.
No fears, no foes, no trampled toes,
No gossipers who mutter by,
But, look! – one lonely butterfly,
Still pretty with a wing that tore.
Poor thing. It has no letterbox.
Poor thing. It has no door.


What I'd like you to try is writing your own poem 'Through a ...' whatever it is you are looking through. It might be a letterbox, too. Or it might be through your fingers, through a telescope; binoculars - held back-to-front; a toilet roll; sunglasses; a glass tank (perhaps you are a goldfish?) Have a go!

by Celia Warren

Poem © Celia Warren 2011

7 comments:

  1. lovely poem. Great idea. Am off to do one!

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  2. Nice piece Celia and nice poem too. Here's an attempt at something along the lines you've suggested. It's probably nowhere near finished but...

    Forgotten Moments

    I’m looking through a boxful
    of mostly family photos
    some now so old
    I can no longer remember
    where we were when they were taken
    or, except for those obviously weddings
    or christenings, or Christmas celebrations,
    the nature of the special occasion.

    And I’m thinking,
    wouldn’t it be wonderful
    if there was some way
    to thaw and release the thoughts
    frozen in those fleeting
    happy instants.

    Wouldn’t it be wonderful
    to inhale the vapours
    from the whisper-thin slices
    of photographic emulsion
    and be able to live those precious
    but forgotten moments
    with our loved ones once again?

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  3. Dear Celia,

    I'm looking through my letterbox.
    I've been crouching here for hours
    So at least I can say I've tried.
    The lights are on
    But there's nobody home -
    I think I might go back inside.

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  4. Love the poem Celia, I will be back when I've finished my story, due in Friday, brill idea I feel ahole in the wall comentary from a spider coming on. PS I moderated the latter of your two comments Phil as I think the first must have been when you tried first time. Shall I delete the other? Or do you want both x

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  5. Wonderful to read your comments and poems. Isn't it great how the same springboard can produce such diverse moods and memories. I could relate to Phil's, and Trevor's made me laugh. I could just picture him peeping through his own letterbox from his doorstep! What fun. Looking forward to yours, Sue - sounds a great idea.

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  6. Here's one on this theme. You'll need to wait till the last line for it to all fall into place :)

    Cheers,

    Richard Leach



    What is the Moon?

    They once said it was made of cheese
    A silly notion, if you please.
    “It’s made of rock and powdery dust,”
    Say scientists we know and trust.

    But now I’ve found they’ve made a mistake
    It’s made of giant hills of cake
    With chocolate clouds and a river too
    Of what looks like a toffee goo.

    And a giant creature is having a drink
    From the toffee river, I’m on the brink
    Of a major discovery for humankind
    There’s life in space! A major find!

    I run inside to tell my dad
    How he has such a clever lad
    But he just smiles and says, “You dope.”
    Then cleans the lens of my telescope.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What is the Moon?

    They once said it was made of cheese
    A silly notion, if you please.
    “It’s made of rock and powdery dust,”
    Say scientists we know and trust.

    But now I’ve found they’ve made a mistake
    It’s made of giant hills of cake
    With chocolate clouds and a river too
    Of what looks like a toffee goo.

    And a giant creature is having a drink
    From the toffee river, I’m on the brink
    Of a major discovery for humankind
    There’s life in space! A major find!

    I run inside to tell my dad
    How he has such a clever lad
    But he just smiles and says, “You dope.”|
    Then cleans the lens of my telescope


    by Richard Leach :)

    ReplyDelete