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| The Museum of Art, Kochi, Japan, via Wikimedia Commons |
Last Friday, I was inspired by B. J. Lee's mask poem. A mask, or persona, poem allows the voice of your chosen subject to speak its own thoughts and feelings, and B. J.'s poem is a wonderful example of how a writer can give life to an inanimate object through this form. Having decided to give it a go myself, today's little ditty is about the skylight pictured above.
Sky Calling
Caught in the place
between here and beyond,
I show you vast worlds
of dream and possibility
which I, myself, cannot inhabit,
for I must stand strong
until I am shattered
and imagine what it might be like
to spread my wings and soar,
yearning for more,
while you stare right through me
as if I wasn’t even there.
© 2013 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. All
rights reserved.
I Think in Poems is our beacon for today's Poetry Friday celebration. Many thanks to Betsy for hosting the round up!
But before you go...
Anastasia Suen visited Today's Little Ditty earlier this week with a haiku for the Haiku Garden. You can view that post here.
Also, I finally created a professional writer's page for myself on Facebook here. If you're on Facebook too, how about liking me? (I really am a nice person, I promise.)
Good going, Michelle! I love your mask poem, especially the last line which forces the reader to think of the structure that allows them to gaze into the vast 'blue window' of sky.
ReplyDeleteThanks Teach, does that mean I get an 'A'?
DeleteMask poems are such fun. Never thought of a skylight that way before. Off to like your FB page!! :)
ReplyDeleteJama! Welcome back! Missed ya, don'cha know.
DeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting "my home" Judi. You and your encouragement are welcome anytime! :)
DeleteThe end is so sad.
ReplyDeleteI thought so too, Liz. Made me teary when I wrote it. And yet when my husband read the poem last night, he got strength and pride out of it more than yearning and regret. Poetry's magic amazes me... it really all comes down to each reader's unique interpretation.
DeleteHi, Michelle. Your photo and poem remind me of a photo my daughter took at Hershey Park last week, looking up at the large ferris wheel as we were riding it. I love how this poem is spoken in the voice of the window.
ReplyDeleteHey! I've been on that ferris wheel too! (My folks live in PA.) I can definitely imagine the similarities. Might there be a mask poem in the words of a ferris wheel in your future? Hope so. :)
DeleteThis made me think of those rare people who point others toward truth and never seem to feel a need to take credit. It could be a poem about a teacher. Great job!
ReplyDeleteAnd a great observation, Ruth! Thanks for stopping by tonight.
DeleteWhat an interesting exercise, to write what a window is feeling or even thinking. I love that idea of "here and beyond". One cannot say that about ordinary windows really, and a skylight holds more possibilities! Thanks Ruth!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Linda. I started with the idea of writing about a window, but then when I saw this photo there was no turning back. I guess you could say it spoke to me. ;)
DeleteLove the match between the photograph and the poetry, so striking. Loved the title too. Great exercise! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words, Myra.
DeleteJust back from liking your FB page -- good on ya!
ReplyDeleteLove your mask poem! I think I'll give myself that challenge for my writing this week!
Thanks, Mary Lee! I so look forward to reading your mask poem next week. :)
DeleteThanks for giving a voice to something I've often taken for granted. I agree with Ruth that there's another level there, too. I thought of two movie/theater references, "Mr. Cellophane" from "Chicago" and Eponine from "Les Mis." Or someone trapped between life and death, or a ghost. Note to self: investigate mask poems! Thanks, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteI do like all your references/ideas, Keri! The ghost idea is particularly appealing to me for some reason... maybe because I read The Graveyard Book not too long ago and I think Neil Gaiman would approve. :) Would LOVE to see a mask poem from you... make it happen!
DeleteI liked you! Even before I could "like" you on Facebook. :) Love the mask poem.
ReplyDeleteThanks Betsy. I like you too! :)
DeleteOoh, I like Ruth's idea about how the poem could be about a teacher. Mask poems are such fun, and you did this one well. Poor skylight! :)
ReplyDeleteI think mask poems really appeal to the theater major in me. Yes, definitely fun! Thanks for stopping by, Renee.
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