I am sitting here writing my own poem, consumed by my life. I open my inbox and read these amazing pieces, filling me with a soothing relief that I am no longer the only one I know who woke at 3am to write a poem.
I love fever-rare moments when one doesn't think but more like..has visions? I'm so tired of myself-I love dreaming and yes, I even prefer having fever, I probably wouldnt want to be delirious though, but I like that place in-between
beautiful poems, Anagha-and something about them reminded me of that book I love, I think underappreciated,-it's all written in white poetry. I re-read it minimum 5 times already. I wonder if you did. It's another take on those Salem Witch Trials, written from different points of view of the accusing girls.
What a poetic comment Chen! Probably one of the loveliest descriptions of a fever I have read, thank you. And what's the name of the book you've mentioned? It sounds fascinating.
Anaghaaaa, your imagery of the 'ribs of night' and the 'soundless, black thickets' feels like a poetic version of stumbling through a dark house looking for your glasses. And let's not forget the kettle that's cold and the tea that's yet to be madeāevery insomniac's dilemma summed up beautifully in verse. Here's to hoping your next poem comes to you at a more reasonable hour, perhaps over brunch!
Oh Mohika, I really appreciate this comment! And the image of stumbling through a dark house looking for one's glasses. Fingers crossed for a poem that arrives at brunch!
I really like the "almost nearly"-ness of the second poem. The use of not yet over and over is excellent. You are caught between the cracks. A missing moment.
Anagha, these are beautiful! They have your voice for sure, and I can perhaps detect a bit of your altered state of consciousness brought on by the sickness, lack of sleep, and so on. I wish you a speedy recovery, by the way!
I think Oates is definitely on to something. If you restrict your writing only to the times when you feel most rested, most inspired, most available, etc., I think you risk only conveying a sliver of your full potential. I think you also risk a kind of writer's block where you don't let yourself write unless circumstances are perfect (are they ever really perfect?).
Since you asked, I'll give you a few title ideas given what the poems spoke to me. I think titling poems can be a very intimate process. Often I use to the title to inject a little bit of extra context or meaning or spin that the body of the poem doesn't quite convey. Since I'm not in your mind, I can't really title your poems in the same way. With that said, here are a few ideas off the cuff:
1. "Body of Darkness"
"Quiet, Dark, and Empty"
2. "The In-between"
"Slice of Night"
3. "Liminal Laundry"
I feel like these are more like summaries, which aren't usually my favorite type of title. Very curious to see what you go with if you do end up titling any of these someday!
Get well soon, Anagha, and remember to take care of the poet too.
Mike! Thank you so much for these in-depth comments; I was waiting for a good moment to reply with something equally thoughtful.
I completely agree with you about not restricting our writing to certain times. Iām someone who waits for the āperfectā time to write and āperfectā piece to publish - a tendency Iām beginning to question. It was honestly interesting and refreshing to write from a very worn out place, without being mediated by day-time expectations.
Re: the titles. So many great suggestions! I love āBody of darkness,ā only a poet could have come up with it. It sounds mysterious and strange in the best way possible. And āLiminal laundryā offers such a fantastic contrast between the unfathomable and the everyday. And not to mention the alliteration - another lovely touch.
Using the first line as a title is a great idea too, Iāll strongly consider it. And thank you!! For lending your talent to titling my pieces. The pleasure is mine as well āŗļø
P.S. For some poems, I like the use the title as basically the first line of the poem itself. Some poets take this to an extreme where the first line of the body is a continuation of the sentence started by the title. With that in mind, one possible idea would be to make the titles "lonely hour," "3AM," and "sleepless again," moving them out of the body and into the title. It could work! Let me know what you think. (Honestly, getting to even taste a bit of this kind of workshopping with a poet of your talent is so fun!!)
I am sitting here writing my own poem, consumed by my life. I open my inbox and read these amazing pieces, filling me with a soothing relief that I am no longer the only one I know who woke at 3am to write a poem.
Iām so glad you found some relief in these pieces Harjyot šš thank you for reading
Ah, those restless hours I know them well. Love the image of the ribs of night.
Too kind Tamsin, thank you āŗļø and I hope that restful hours are arriving for us both
I love fever-rare moments when one doesn't think but more like..has visions? I'm so tired of myself-I love dreaming and yes, I even prefer having fever, I probably wouldnt want to be delirious though, but I like that place in-between
beautiful poems, Anagha-and something about them reminded me of that book I love, I think underappreciated,-it's all written in white poetry. I re-read it minimum 5 times already. I wonder if you did. It's another take on those Salem Witch Trials, written from different points of view of the accusing girls.
What a poetic comment Chen! Probably one of the loveliest descriptions of a fever I have read, thank you. And what's the name of the book you've mentioned? It sounds fascinating.
Thank you, Anagha!-and the book is called "Wicked Girls: A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials"
thanks for the mention šš
šš
Every one of these pieces is excellent, Anagha, but #3, I think, captures perfectly how night interacts with our restlessness. Thank you!
Means a lot Paul, thank you thank you!
'the ribs of the night' ā„ļø
šš
Getting up early can be fun but then again I'm an early bird. Beautiful poems thanks
Thanks for reading Dave!!
I will give the Joyce Carol Oates tip a try! Instead of telling myself, I canāt write at certain times, Iāll just try and see how it goes. Thanks!
I was pleasantly surprised by it! If you end up writing anything using that technique then do tag me āŗļø
The challenge is on š
These poems are fantastic! Thanks for sharing these intimate, quiet moments with us, Anagha!
Thank you so much for reading Mo! Your words mean a lot <3
Anaghaaaa, your imagery of the 'ribs of night' and the 'soundless, black thickets' feels like a poetic version of stumbling through a dark house looking for your glasses. And let's not forget the kettle that's cold and the tea that's yet to be madeāevery insomniac's dilemma summed up beautifully in verse. Here's to hoping your next poem comes to you at a more reasonable hour, perhaps over brunch!
Oh Mohika, I really appreciate this comment! And the image of stumbling through a dark house looking for one's glasses. Fingers crossed for a poem that arrives at brunch!
A day that has been wrung out
beaten on flat stone
and squeezed dry
Wow, Anagha, what a strong image! Love it. Hopw you're better soon.
Thank you Karen! I'm so glad that image stood out to you <3
Wow, these are so gorgeous. Too many good parts to highlight just one.
Too kind Margaret, thank you so so much <3
I really like the "almost nearly"-ness of the second poem. The use of not yet over and over is excellent. You are caught between the cracks. A missing moment.
Caught between the cracks! Thatās exactly it. Thank you for reading David š
I love these! Such lovely imagery.
I appreciate it Kim! Thank you for dropping a comment āŗļøāŗļø
Anagha, these are beautiful! They have your voice for sure, and I can perhaps detect a bit of your altered state of consciousness brought on by the sickness, lack of sleep, and so on. I wish you a speedy recovery, by the way!
I think Oates is definitely on to something. If you restrict your writing only to the times when you feel most rested, most inspired, most available, etc., I think you risk only conveying a sliver of your full potential. I think you also risk a kind of writer's block where you don't let yourself write unless circumstances are perfect (are they ever really perfect?).
Since you asked, I'll give you a few title ideas given what the poems spoke to me. I think titling poems can be a very intimate process. Often I use to the title to inject a little bit of extra context or meaning or spin that the body of the poem doesn't quite convey. Since I'm not in your mind, I can't really title your poems in the same way. With that said, here are a few ideas off the cuff:
1. "Body of Darkness"
"Quiet, Dark, and Empty"
2. "The In-between"
"Slice of Night"
3. "Liminal Laundry"
I feel like these are more like summaries, which aren't usually my favorite type of title. Very curious to see what you go with if you do end up titling any of these someday!
Get well soon, Anagha, and remember to take care of the poet too.
Mike! Thank you so much for these in-depth comments; I was waiting for a good moment to reply with something equally thoughtful.
I completely agree with you about not restricting our writing to certain times. Iām someone who waits for the āperfectā time to write and āperfectā piece to publish - a tendency Iām beginning to question. It was honestly interesting and refreshing to write from a very worn out place, without being mediated by day-time expectations.
Re: the titles. So many great suggestions! I love āBody of darkness,ā only a poet could have come up with it. It sounds mysterious and strange in the best way possible. And āLiminal laundryā offers such a fantastic contrast between the unfathomable and the everyday. And not to mention the alliteration - another lovely touch.
Using the first line as a title is a great idea too, Iāll strongly consider it. And thank you!! For lending your talent to titling my pieces. The pleasure is mine as well āŗļø
P.S. For some poems, I like the use the title as basically the first line of the poem itself. Some poets take this to an extreme where the first line of the body is a continuation of the sentence started by the title. With that in mind, one possible idea would be to make the titles "lonely hour," "3AM," and "sleepless again," moving them out of the body and into the title. It could work! Let me know what you think. (Honestly, getting to even taste a bit of this kind of workshopping with a poet of your talent is so fun!!)
Ahhh thank you for the feature! And I really enjoyed reading this :D
Thank you Alex! Hope to see more of your writing