Monday, April 10, 2006

Poetry Ballot

"Mango and I used to ask questions of one another and write them down. This was similar to the question memes that are quite prevalent on many of the blogs today. Mango and I called them "ballots" and we did them every month." Dec 3, 2005

Here is a ballot for the poets. If you want to participate, either leave your answers in the comment section or answer on your own blog, but let me know.

1.Where do your poems start? What causes you to sit down and write a poem? Is it a certain emotion?

My poems usually start with an overwhelming emotion that I am experiencing, such as sorrow or even happiness, lately.

2.
Do you have different stages to your poetry? Can you see how you've matured or changed over the years through your poetry?

As a child, see last poem, the poems had to rhymne. They were observations of the adult world around me.
As a young adult, the poems were asking to understand the what I was experiencing.
Today, I still start with a personal need then work towards the answer.

3.
Do you have a favorite poem that you have written? What do you like about it? What does it say about you that you like?

My favorite poem is one I wrote after my Mother died called " I was Blind but Now I See".
I like it because it expressed a moment that brought comfort to me over the months that followed.
It was my awakening to her.

4. Do you have a favorite that someone else has written? What does it do for you? Does it give you an answer or cause you to think a certain way? Does it motivate you?

Daffodils are in bloom and they remind me of my first favorite poem by William Wordsworth. I felt not alone in the need to be comforted. It reminds me of Philippians 4:8.

5. Do you only write poetry or is it a part of a vast array of writing methods that you use to express your self or your thoughts?

As you can tell by my blog, I do not write a lot of poetry. I use whatever method helps me express my various feelings, interests and thoughts each day.


These are the poets that participated in the Poetry Ballot April:
  1. Aurora Antonovic
  2. Barbara's answers are in the comment section
  3. Steve
  4. Artpuppy94
  5. See Pearl's answers in the comment section
  6. Polona
  7. Colleen
  8. Kami
  9. Sarah's answers are in the comment section
  10. Saz's answers are in the comment section, too

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Carol, I answered these questions on my blog:

http://thelongestwoooing.blogspot.com/2006/04/carol-has-little-poetry-questionnaire.html

and would like to cross-post this on Magnapoets for other poets' feedback, if that's all right with you.

Carol said...

Yes, that would be great, Aurora. I would like to know the answers from others.

Unknown said...

1.Where do your poems start? What causes you to sit down and write a poem? Is it a certain emotion?

I am not a prolific poet, but usually a poem is the result of some out of the ordinary or notable experience in my life. Sometimes I write them after a period of reflection. Mostly I want to share things I've learned the hard way with others, to make their path easier.

2.Do you have different stages to your poetry? Can you see how you've matured or changed over the years through your poetry?

I wrote many limericks as a child, I found those particularly easy. I'm more concerned now with infusing my poem with a feeling than the form the poem takes, although I do enjoy writing a haiku occasionally.

3. Do you have a favorite poem that you have written? What do you like about it? What does it say about you that you like?

Most of my poetry was written on a sheet of paper and then lost. I can't really say I have a favorite.

4. Do you have a favorite that someone else has written? What does it do for you? Does it give you an answer or cause you to think a certain way? Does it motivate you?

J. Andrew Lockhart wrote a poem inspired by one of my posts, I especially liked that one. I really enjoy his poetry, I visit his site almost every day. I also enjoy poems about friendship. I took a Walt Whitman course in college, I really enjoyed the course and still have an appreciation for his poetry.

I appreciate the beauty of poetry, the craftsmanship, the eloquence, the mastery over words.

I find poetry more inspirational than motivational.

5. Do you only write poetry or is it a part of a vast array of writing methods that you use to express your self or your thoughts?

I mostly blog now, very little poetry. Before email I used to write a lot of letters to friends and family, and I've also kept journals.

Carol said...

Barbara,
I am glad to know now that you write poetry. Thank you for answering the ballot.

steve said...

Carol, thanks for putting these questions up - did these after work and before dinner (saw the note on Magnapoets) - responses posted at:

http://slog2live.blogspot.com/2006/04/few-simple-questions.html

Carol said...

Steve,
Thanks for the great answers!

You have only been writing poetry for a few months?

FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

If ever I do write a poem, letter or any article, I write best when I'm sad or angry. All my emotions then are pouring.

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

ok Carol, I'm late but I'm going to do it! I've been really busy lately, but when I get the time I'll put it out!
JAL

Carol said...

Thanks Friday's Child. I know you feel that need to write,too.

That's great, Andrew. I am interested to hear your answers.

Anonymous said...

I think the first one was January 7. But I like trying something and learning each day. Thanks for putting together the questions, I like reading other people's answers to these.

Anonymous said...

Hi Carol,
I'll answer it here.

1.Where do your poems start? What causes you to sit down and write a poem? Is it a certain emotion?

Sometimes it is pent up jumble. Sometimes it is a rhythm, or a phrase, or a concept or metaphor that sparks. Mostly choosing to take the time is what causes me to sit down and write a poem.

2.Do you have different stages to your poetry? Can you see how you've matured or changed over the years through your poetry?

My poems were much simpler and nature- and holy-based. Now they are more complex, having more developed imagery and sharper detail. They are less linear than they were as well.

3. Do you have a favorite poem that you have written? What do you like about it? What does it say about you that you like?

My newest baby is most often my favorite.

4. Do you have a favorite that someone else has written? What does it do for you? Does it give you an answer or cause you to think a certain way? Does it motivate you?

Like a theme-song poem that I return to again and again, getting something each time? I have had a poem or two that spoke to me like that, but for the last few years there's none that have been It, touchstone, centering spot, or inspiration, save Desiderata, which is more for the lyrics than the music. Many poems have lines that float to me when they fit.

5. Do you only write poetry or is it a part of a vast array of writing methods that you use to express your self or your thoughts?

I write in many ways and styles, fiction, non-fiction, short and long, personal and public.

Anonymous said...

I would love to do this...I hope to post my answers on Friday. Thanks for the chance to dig into it.

Carol said...

Steve,
You are doing really well; keep on learning. Thanks again for doing my ballot.

Thanks Pearl, for the intriguing answers. Love your word chains.

Colleen,
I'll put a link to your site when you're ready.

This is great!

polona said...

hi carol,
you can find my answers to your ballot on my blog:

http://polonahaiku.blogspot.com/2006/04/carols-poetry-ballot.html

Carol said...

Nice to meet you, Polona and thanks.

Anonymous said...

I posted my answers today. Thanks for the opportunity to talk about poetry. http://looseleafnotes.com.

baseball gods said...

Here are my answers:

http://kamihaiku.blogspot.com/2006/04/poetry-ballot.html

I found the questions on Aurora's blog, and wanted to thank you for the opportunity to think about my poetry in a different way, and share it with my readers.

kami

Carol said...

Thanks Kami!

Sarah Beth said...

Hi Carol. I love the daffodils poem, too. It always brings me comfort. Here are my answers:

1.Where do your poems start? What causes you to sit down and write a poem? Is it a certain emotion?

As a teenager, they started with anger, mostly to do with love. Today, they span a variety of topics and are motivated by various emotions.

2.Do you have different stages to your poetry? Can you see how you've matured or changed over the years through your poetry?

My poetry has stayed simplistic throughout the years, but the subject matter has definitely evolved. Oddly, I still approach the world the same way as I did when I was 16, now I just use bigger words. :)

3. Do you have a favorite poem that you have written? What do you like about it? What does it say about you that you like?

I don't have a favorite. I'm very self-conscious about my poetry.

4. Do you have a favorite that someone else has written? What does it do for you? Does it give you an answer or cause you to think a certain way? Does it motivate you?

Ode on Intimations on Immortality by Wordsworth. Most recently, a work a poet friend did on his farming days.

5. Do you only write poetry or is it a part of a vast array of writing methods that you use to express your self or your thoughts?

I also blog, write short stories and have written a novel

Zimmy said...

1.Where do your poems start? What causes you to sit down and write a poem? Is it a certain emotion?

For me it can be one of several things, just wanting too. Being suddenly struck with two lines, wanting to wright about a spacific situation or work through it, explore it. Or even as a way of interpreting something.

2.Do you have different stages to your poetry? Can you see how you've matured or changed over the years through your poetry?

My poetry is definately still developing Im only 16 : ) . It has changed, It now has more purpose? I still like experimenting with diffrnet styles.

3. Do you have a favorite poem that you have written? What do you like about it? What does it say about you that you like?

Im not shore I have a favorite, but I prefer those that have a deaper menaing, Mabye "Just a friend" (see my blog) because its more about a real situation, but can be interpreted diffrnetly depending on the reader.

4. Do you have a favorite that someone else has written? What does it do for you? Does it give you an answer or cause you to think a certain way? Does it motivate you?

Again Im not shore I have a favorite but one I am fond of is Robert Frost's The road Not Taken. I love the idea, I hate leaving a path. My churiosoty draws me down many but ther is alwase some you cannot take. Yes, this is probably my favorite.

5. Do you only write poetry or is it a part of a vast array of writing methods that you use to express your self or your thoughts?

I wright Poems, Stories, Journals (which are great to spill your guts to!), not to mention my blog which is a variety! Thanks for the Q's and Keep Wrighting!

Carol said...

Thanks Sarah and Saz!