a mallet for what passes
as a kneecap to my psyche.
The second is for holding,
passing it from hand to hand
to check for knubs and hollows.
(I might take some time here,
maybe take it into the shower
and see if it can handle water
or drag it out for a walk
to learn what it does in the sunshine).
The third is the beginning
of what it could grow up to be.
It's much less feral than the other two,
no hissing or biting,
unless it absolutely feels like it.
Photo by Ante Hamersmit on Unsplash
Liner Notes for This Groove: This poem was created for the Friday Writings Prompt at Poets and Storytellers United, Three.
Oh, you tease! How delightfully enigmatic. Your children? (But I know you have two, not three.) Kittens? (But I know you have a dog.) New poems coming to life? Or perhaps, just as you tell us, a succession of thoughts about whatever topic. A habitual process of thinking, even. I love the language and the images created, in any case.
ReplyDeleteI love that you saw all those possibilities in it! I did start off with the idea of simply mapping out my thoughts and played with it a bit until I got it to look presentable. LOL, I finished it up and thought maybe it's about writing too (except I go way past three when working on drafts). But either way it was fun to play with
DeleteSometimes we all need to hiss and bite.
ReplyDeleteRegularly hissing is good for the soul
DeleteFrom reaction to rationalization to actual actionable thoughts... love the images... we perhaps, all test our thoughts in some ways, but you describe the process so well!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rajani. I really like the images that showed up here too. I was in a playful mood when I wrote it, and I think it helped.
DeleteFun way to tickle for ideas, Rommy! Certainly a delightful way of writing and skillful too!
ReplyDeleteHank
Thanks!
DeleteFun! I think maybe...manuscripts? A rough draft that needs to see some sunshine or taken into the shower? But three are never enough. Oh, and lest I forget, the opening blow to the kneecap jarred me awake!
ReplyDeleteIt didn't start out being about manuscripts, but I think it ended up that way. LOL, it makes sense considering my WIP has been eating up a big portion of my brain lately
DeleteI want to play on your playground. The interpretations here are many and fun to contemplate. Brava.
ReplyDeleteI like that there are a lot of ways to take it. I definitely liked working with something more playful too.
DeleteA lovely response to the prompt. I'm now so curious about the "It" in your intriguing poem; so many interpretations. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to leave that open to the interpretation of the reader. :)
DeleteI was thinking, is it a book?
ReplyDeleteThe first is pure reaction : i want to write it , i must write it!
the second is the tough part, the actual writing, the checking, the doubts setting in
and finally, the third part, the finished manuscript, the relief.
Awesome writing! :)
It does have that feel doesn't it? If only it were just three steps! :D
DeleteWhat fun following your process of cultivating yet never quite taming your writing process, I'm guessing. Three strikes and you're not out.
ReplyDeleteAh, I love that last sentence of yours. Yes, exactly.
DeleteI love the freedom of your thinking process. I must allow mine come out to hiss and jump and laugh and mope and charge forward in joy, yipppieee. See, you brought it out of me, thank you. ery mich!
ReplyDeleteVery much! I meant to write. iPad keyboard and my cramped fingers are battling today. :-)
DeleteI hope your fingers are feeling as limber as your playful spirit today
DeleteI reads like the storytelling process. Or, perhaps, the story birthing. The first stanza loads a striking bit of imagery--pun totally intended.
ReplyDeleteBirthing feels closer to it. Darn thing still needs to grow up a bit LOL
DeleteHow mysterious! A story not quite told.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to let the reader treat it as a choose your own ending. :)
Delete