Tag: poem

Found Poems

by Marika Stone, posted in women and climate

One of my favorite poetry assignments the summer I spent at Breadloaf School of English was found poetry. As it happened, someone had left a copy of Archeology on the porch and I rescued it from the elements. Chat GPT tells me “Treasures of Tutankhamum” was probably still on its U.S. Tour at the time, so I think the article that caught my eye probably had something to do with that. I read the article and lifted existing lines to create a new 12-line poem. I’m still looking for it among my archives. My teacher, Lawrence Raab liked it. He encouraged me to continue and gave me an A for the course. I left there, finished up course work for an MA in English, with a feeling that I could do this, moreover, that I had to.

These days, a found poem could be one of my own, written in Notes on my smart phone.

For example:

Walking to the Horses, Shapleigh, Maine

Facing traffic – trucks, boat trailers,
give-a-damn motorcycles — I give
thanks for my two legs, their four,
the possibility that at least one of them
would lift its handsome head to look my way.
This is all I wanted in the moment,
possibly all I ever want. Or need.
I make my slow climb to the ranch house
with the huge American flag, catch a breath,
turn back for another long glimpse
of the horses, their glossy backs
reflecting only light.

At Grassy Waters

Our steps along this section
of boardwalk lead us here
again.
We call it a chapel for the way
the Cypress trees make an arch
over a collection of their roots resembling
a nativity scene. A stretch, I know
but sometimes, I see Buddha
here too, I swear. It depends on the light.

Two rocking chairs are motionless
until they hold our bodies
or catch a strong breeze.

The thatch above us is fragrant,
Reeds bend to the wind.
We have added nothing
but our presence for a brief time.
When we are done rocking
it will be as if we’d never been
here. So too the earth before
and after humans.

I’d love to know what you think of these. Use the comment section. Please share.

How Rupi Kaur Does It

by Marika Stone, posted in Elders, poetry

Now that I have about 20 poems on a single theme — water — I’m considering self-publishing a chapbook. This is often an early career choice, especially for poets, whether or not they go the traditional route of submitting to a publisher or DIY.

In my case, it’s a late in life choice. My writing career does include a published self-help book, but I have little to show for the submissions of poetry, except that I did, and continue to, enjoy writing poetry whether it ever sees a bigger audience than the occasional open mic or family events. I love to create a personal chapbook/card for a special anniversary or birthdays. In a sense, this bears out the theory that no one reads poetry other than other poets, except when a poem is need for an inauguration, celebration of life, or milestone birthday. Is this true? Popular poets like Mary Oliver and Billy Collins would beg to differ. But even then, they had to teach and give readings to eat.

I discovered Rupi Kaur’s the sun and its flowers inadvertently. Someone had left it open on a bus. What a way to get one’s work around! I’d love to know the story behind this, but …well I have better things to do. I enjoyed the book, her plain-spoken poems got me. Come to learn that Rupi Kaur is the queen of self-published poetry, with millions in sales, book tours, and lately live show produced by Amazon. Beside her a series of self-published books, she has a clothing line, tattoos, music, fashion covers. A one-woman business with world-wide following. She began the way a lot of young people do these days, open mics, poetry festivals, social media, to build a loyal following. Then, and only then, did she decide to publish herself. Hers is a version of the author who sold all his unpublished books to women’s groups and book clubs, from his van. Eventually, he didn’t have to do that.

That self-help book I mentioned? My co-author (and spouse) knew a thing or two about publicity, marketing and sales. We had a website, we created a contest, we worked the press. And eventually, Penguin Plume (now PenguinRandomHouse) picked us up and we negotiated a very respectable contract. Today, a lot of books like ours are print-on-demand, so no, we didn’t have to load up our Honda with unsold books and hit the road. You can still get a copy of Too Young to Retire: 101 Ways to Start the Rest of Your Life. And we are happy that it did help some folks rethink their later years. But for a blockbuster success, here’s Rupi Kaur’s story.

I have some of my poems on this blog, if you’re curious. I am feeling excited and a bit apprehensive about taking on this project. For one thing, at 83, I’m unlikely to get out and do the legwork I once found fun. There is something satisfying about being an author, holding a book with your name on it, maybe even signing it for a fan. When this materializes, you’ll be the first — well, maybe second — to know.