Tuesday, May 16, 2017

DMC: "Nasal Passages [to Writing]" by Diane Mayr




NASAL PASSAGES [TO WRITING]

There are times when
a steady drip, drip, drip
yields nothing of merit.
Other times a tickle leads
the writer to think that
soon to spring forth will
be metaphors and similes
and only the right words.
Sadly, a probing pinky
cannot detach them.
The best writing comes
as an unexpected sneeze.
In surprise is liberation.
Words fly with nothing
to hold them back.
Air passages cleared,
words are wiped up,
finally caught on paper.
The writer breathes. 


© 2017 Diane Mayr. All rights reserved.


Click HERE to read this month's interview with Melissa Manlove, Senior Editor at Chronicle Books. Her DMC challenge is to write a poem that explores how writing (or a book) is like something else.

Post your poem on our May 2017 padlet. While some contributions will be featured as daily ditties this month, all contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, May 26th. Two lucky participants will win a book published by Chronicle earlier this year: LOVING VS. VIRGINIA by Patricia Hruby Powell, illustrated by Shadra Strickland, or LOVE IS by Diane Adams, illustrated by Claire Keane.





7 comments:

  1. Oh, those unexpected sneezes....and me without a pen. Happens far too often. Wonderful poem. It's serious but not too serious. Love the last line. Yes, breathe.

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  2. Gesundheit! Good health, good writing, and good fun... I'm breathing it all in. Thanks, Diane!

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  3. Wonderful imagination, Diane. I believe you just "sneezed" a lovely one!

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  4. Ha! "Sadly, a probing pinky cannot detach them." The rest of us can pack up our metaphors and go home -- you win Most Unexpected Comparison!

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  5. My sinuses cleared just reading this poem, Diane! Too funny, yet poignantly true. "In surprise is liberation." =)

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  6. Jesse Anna BornemannMay 17, 2017 at 10:21 AM

    This is so clever! As the parent of a frequently stuffy toddler, I relate on multiple levels. Thanks, Diane!

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