Poetry Friday, Week 42: A Found Poem

10/20/2022

Graphic by Amber Fleek

Bridget at wee words for wee ones is celebrating the first anniversary of her poetry collection, 10.10 Poetry Anthology: Celebrating 10 in 10 Different Ways.

As part of the recent Georgia Heard's and Rebecca Kai Dotlich's class, we were encouraged to write a "found" poem, using Georgia's book, The Arrow Finds Its Mark: A Book of Found Poems, as a mentor text. What I love about this book, is the poetry isn't just from other poems.

I went in search of texts to find a found poem. I had a lot of choices and my head was swirling with possibilities. I settled on Breath Prayer: an ancient practice for the Everyday Sacred by Christine Valters Paintner. Painter is someone I have been reading since returning from my trip to Ireland and I have there's a lot to explore at Abbey of the Arts.

The passage I selected was from her chapter, "Morning Coffee or Tea."

Starting the morning with tea (usually green) is very much my daily routine. I am doing a deep dive into found poetry. How do you make it your own with borrowed lines? Can you mix found lines with borrowed lines? so many questions.

NEXT WEEK: I AM HOSTING POETRY FRIDAY.
PLEASE JOIN ME.

April Wayland link

10/20/2022 10:50:40 pm

To comforting poem, Jone. Lovely.

Bridget Magee link

10/20/2022 11:26:27 pm

You found just the right amount of positivi-tea in Painter's mentor text, Jone.
I'm a green tea gal as well. :)

Linda Mitchell

10/21/2022 03:02:26 am

How beautiful...the reading, finding and crafting of something new. You inspire me regularly.

janice scully link

10/21/2022 05:02:34 am

As a person who rushes way too much, this poem celebrates slowing down. I love your whimsical tea cup and background. Lovely.

Heidi Mordhorst link

10/21/2022 05:11:46 am

That's very enticing marker work, Jone, and I share your questions about found poems. I think I usually proceed with the idea that I don't get to add words; my poet's work is to find or to select and format to get the new meaning across. I enjoy that constraint, that challenge. Janice is right--this poem is a powerful slow-down!

Linda link

10/21/2022 05:15:58 am

Your poem is lovely, Jone. It is calming and makes me want to savor a cup of tea right now!

Irene Latham

10/21/2022 05:21:40 am

So lovely, Jone! Thank you! xo

LInda Baie link

10/21/2022 05:21:56 am

It's wonderful the way you took us through that first sip and taste, first smell, Jone, I'm glad it's my waking up poem this morning. Have a lovely Friday!

Carol Labuzzetta link

10/21/2022 10:17:14 am

Hi, Jone! I also start my morning with tea and for that reason I like the poem you shared very much. The line that resonates with me is the feel of the warm cup bringing comfort. When I can't sleep or anxious, a cup of decaffeinated tea in the middle of the night brings me peace. It's something about the warm cup in my hands. I've very nearly fallen asleep holding it! Thanks for sharing your quest for found poems!

Carol Varsalona link

10/21/2022 12:46:53 pm

Jone, thank you for presenting your inhale exhale poem. Inhalation rises like prayer-love this. Morning tea and prayer-sounds like a perfect combination for a slow-down morning. I invite you to add one of your brilliant photos, artwork, and poem to the Finding Fall 2022 Padlet (https://padlet.com/cvarsalona/awz68cfim4nac1rp).

PATRICIA J FRANZ link

10/21/2022 08:32:15 pm

Mmmm...I've been thinking about found poems, too, Jone- and wondering what it means to find someone's words and connect to them deeply. I love how you have taken the words to another level, as it were, with such reverence. Thank you.

Margaret Simon link

10/22/2022 04:27:33 am

Jone, Lovely post with the scent of tea. I'm a coffee drinker which is, in its own way, comforting. To me found poetry is like a puzzle. The words are all there, but you have to puzzle the poetry out of it. Harder than it looks. I love your peaceful visit with a cup o' tea.

jama link

10/22/2022 08:11:52 am

Morning tea is also my ritual so I really enjoyed your poem, Jone.

Marilyn R Garcia link

10/22/2022 11:40:44 am

Jone, I think you captured the perfect words here. I can see this poem and graphic hanging on a kitchen wall or in a tea room and many peaceful tea drinkers owing down for a sip.

Mary Lee

10/23/2022 01:20:13 am

Ahh...I found myself reading and rereading so I could experience the inhale and the exhale gain and again. Your lines are perfectly timed and tuned in to both the experience of drinking tea and the breath of gratitude. Thank you for this gift.

Laura Purdie Salas link

10/23/2022 06:03:31 am

Lovely, Jone! I especially like the way you structured the 3rd-6th stanzas. Lke a mediation...

Carol Varsalona link

10/28/2022 06:10:14 am

I am sorry that I missed this blog post last week, Jone. I enjoy found poetry so I carefully read each line of the poem you shared. "Steam ascends like prayer" -great line. Enjoy your class with Georgia and Rebecca.

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