SunWE - Prose Poem Lesson Learned

Out and about on Saturday, learning lesson on global studies. My daughter has seen both the American and Canadian side of Niagara Falls. Yes, Niagara Falls is in the U.S. It is on the border. Every year they rebuild the steps for the Cave of the Winds all the way up to the hurricane deck. Please watch your step – slippery when wet. I have never been too chicken to ascend. Climbing ever higher, trepidation descends, leaving one to wonder: Is it out and about or out and aboot? Lessons learned on a Saturday.

parentingpics,niagara falls

The Prompt:

Poetry

Read the examples--not just the ones typed here. Follow the links to the additional examples as well.

Write a prose poem. Keep it to drabble length (~100 words.) Pay attention to the flow and the musicality of the language, using the devices of alliteration, internal rhyme, repetition, etc. Subject can be anything that strikes your fancy. Read the examples for inspiration.

Comments: 18

Veronica Hosking Sep 17, 2012, 2:30pm UTC

Rachael (daugher in jacket on right) and I spent this past Saturday together. She told me how they are learning about the great lakes region in global studies. The teacher asked if anyone had been to Canada. Rachael raised her hand. Then he asked if anyone had seen Niagara Falls. Rachael, again, raised her hand. Everyone else said, Of course you have. You've been in Canada. Rachael told her class the Falls is on the border visible on both the Canadian and US side.

Katryn D. Sep 17, 2012, 9:05pm UTC

so she's the class smarty pants ;P

granted, many people don't seem to travel much...so she is probably realizing that...think about how close we lived to the Falls and people that hadn't even seen them...

Veronica Hosking Sep 17, 2012, 9:58pm UTC

Her class now thinks she is Canadian, eh.

reply to this comment

Alison H. Sep 17, 2012, 3:03pm UTC

This seems very prosy. If you added a haiku, it could be a haibun. The haiku can't be a direct explanation of the prose...in that way it's a bit tricky.

Veronica Hosking Sep 17, 2012, 3:12pm UTC

True but then it would be a haibun and not a prose poem. I thought there was enough alliteration and internal rhyme to make this prose poetry. It is a difficult mix to get right. One reason I haven't attempted this form before.

Alison H. Sep 17, 2012, 3:18pm UTC

It's a wonderful description...

Veronica Hosking Sep 17, 2012, 3:21pm UTC

Stairs climbing higher
Ascend to hurricane deck
Water cascading

Alison H. Sep 18, 2012, 11:44pm UTC

Nicely done! I love the falls...haven't had the opportunity to check out the options, though. I'd love to get closer.

reply to this comment

Marie J. R. Sep 17, 2012, 6:00pm UTC

No matter,,, I thought it is super,,,Bless you all,,,

Veronica Hosking Sep 17, 2012, 6:16pm UTC

Thank you. Love the roses.

reply to this comment

Katryn D. Sep 17, 2012, 9:07pm UTC

isn't prose poem an oxymoron?

Veronica Hosking Sep 17, 2012, 9:57pm UTC

It was one of the forms I studied at the poetry workshop back in April 2011. But yes it is a strange beast.

reply to this comment

Veronica Hosking Sep 18, 2012, 9:35pm UTC

My girls and me on the cave of the winds tour - note it is NOT the hurricane deck.

reply to this comment

Connie C. Sep 19, 2012, 9:52am UTC

I miss seeing you in the Gather Writing Essential group. You don't seem to be writing much for it lately Is everything ok?

How is your daughter?

Veronica Hosking Sep 19, 2012, 10:57am UTC

Yes, everything is fine. Working on a poetry chapbook takes up a lot of time. Gretchen is doing well got straight As on her 1st quarter midterm :D. She is busy planning her minecraft exploits while she will be laid up in December as well.

reply to this comment

JOHN BECK Sep 19, 2012, 10:08am UTC

I read it as prose. You can certainly see that they're sisters!

Veronica Hosking Sep 19, 2012, 10:59am UTC

Thanks John. Yes they certainly are sisters.

reply to this comment

Sheila Deeth Sep 24, 2012, 6:34pm UTC

I like prose poetry, or else I like poetic prose, or whatever. I like this.

reply to this comment

SunWE - Prose Poem Lesson Learned

2 people recommend this post

Comments: 18

Join the Conversation