Write a poem in which you create a world using the 5 senses and the following words: mend, light, time.
Post your poems on the Write Mag forum or send your poem to submissions @ writemag. net.
associated with most household pets actually beg for“ jumpy” language and meter. Alliteration and assonance would work well in this piece, provided that they aren’ t overdone. Likewise, let’ s assume that the poet takes a darker turn and decides instead to write about the death of that first childhood pet. This same topic, now altered slightly, forbids the use of those same devices – using alliteration or assonance here would be ill-fitting, if not disrespectful. Note how the topic drives the language choice: a poem about a party requires different sounds and structures than does, say, a poem about cancer.
By listening carefully to what our poems want to say, we are able to make clearer, more appropriate choices in regards to language and its devices. Just as we wouldn’ t use a crescent wrench to drive a nail, we shouldn’ t be using the wrong tools for the job in poetry, either. Alliteration and assonance are like the plastic cable ties in that figurative toolbox – when you need them, you REALLY need them, and when you don’ t, they are totally useless. Let’ s make sure we’ re applying the correct tools to the right circumstance. Poetry demands practicality in addition to artistry; those who can use both will become the rising stars of tomorrow.
Poetry Prompts
Write a poem in which you create a world using the 5 senses and the following words: mend, light, time.
Post your poems on the Write Mag forum or send your poem to submissions @ writemag. net.
Issue # 1 | January 2013 | writemag. net | Write Mag | 12