Cooking With Words

[Star At Sunrise]

Okay, here we go! Write a poem about cooking your favorite meal! (It helps to write it while you cook it!)

---

Just kidding, but now that I look at it, it looks like a pretty good idea for a contest, but it probably has already been done many times.

What I really wanted to discuss is the Writing Process. I've seen it mentioned on other threads, and it's very interesting. I wrote a couple of new poems and the actual process is fascinating. It made me reflect on what writing poetry is really about. So it made me curious about all the poets here on Lit.

So, how do you do it? Carry around a pad and pencil? Write it on a laptop during dinner? Write it in the snow?

And here comes the cooking part! – How long do you "cook" them? Does your editing process change as you’re writing? Is your process the same for every poem?

On average, how long from when you get the idea for the poem to the point where you would consider it "done"?

Cool! Thanks!

 

[JUDO]

Zombie Time

Groggy, numb, off-balanced,
With jeans, tshirt and tennies.
A hat hides my hair -
Sunglasses over hangover.

Ten minutes is all it takes,
Dodging cars, trucks and vans.
Ten minutes to the corner -
Ten minutes of zombie time.

The smell assaults my rhythm.
The buzzing sounds like home.
Three bucks and I'll be living again
"Grande percent cap!" - a poem.

---------------------------------------------------
How? Usually, I have an idea right off and then it's just a matter of execution. The longest I have spent on something is about four hours. I like to get them done in one sitting, not visit them several times. Although, I have done that, I prefer to get it done while the iron's hot.


- Judo

 

[_Land]

I tend not to cook mine to long if i am satisfied with the image i have created. However I am learning that the image i think that i lay out clearly is not as clear to others as it is to me so more frequently I am getting feedback on The Lotus Bloom forum before I post. This lets me know if the reader can interpret my poem without interpretation guides..... I never thought of it from a readers standpoint before. When I write soemthing, I have such a clear image of what im portraying that I cant see whats missing(because i can fill in the blanks from experience).

As far as the writing process goes, the longer i wait to write something down the less chance i have of completing it. I do carry a notepad around, sometimes its a comment or something I hear that inspires my poetry.... and if i dont write it down i will forget.



Thanks for a good thread _Land

 

[Angeline]

Star you muh!

Hi!

This is a good thread, buddy! I am very interested in how people produce poems, too.

I usually think alot about what I want to write before I actually write. Except for the "memory" poems like "Space" or "Neal," which I just spit out really quickly sort of stream of consciousness, I spend time thinking about what it is I'm trying to say. I have a long commute to work (almost an hour one way), and it's one of the few pieces of the day I actually get to myself, so I think. Lol, it's so nice to be alone to think!

Usually snatches of words, phrases pop into my head. Sometimes I free associate out loud (they just love me on the New Jersey Turnpike, hehe). When it feels "cooked" I write--usually fast. It generally takes between 20 minutes and an hour for me to produce a poem. Oh and almost always at the computer.

The jazz poems about specific people or events are the hardest for me because I want to try to capture the mood of the music in the poem. I feel the rhythm of music keenly in poetry. I'll listen to an artist's music over and over--sometimes for weeks to try to "feel" the music, think of what words would best express the way it sounds. I like doing that.

The more I write, the more I see the need to edit one's work. I have come to think that it's better to never think of a poem as finished--you never know what will happen to make it even better!

Is this more than you wanted to know?

 

[_Land]

Re: Star you muh!

Hi!



I usually think alot about what I want to write before I actually write. Except for the "memory" poems like "Neal," which I just spit out really quickly

And I missed the whole thing damn, Im definatley in the wrong universe, LOL just kidding Angeline, just saw that and had a Wicked thought, where is that wicked when ya need her anyway

 

[Angeline]

Jeez _Land

Do I have to go back and edit my post because your mind is in the gutter? Or do you want me to talk about poems that I swallow? Or maybe I should just change the name of that poem!

LMAO

 

[_Land]

Re: Jeez _Land

Do I have to go back and edit my post because your mind is in the gutter? Or do you want me to talk about poems that I swallow? Or maybe I should just change the name of that poem!

LMAO

LOL, just trying to be light hearted tonight

 

[Star At Sunrise]

Thanks

Thanks for your replies, guys! I hope the other poets will share some of their insight too, because both of yours were very interesting. There's really so much to learn about the creative process; I guess that's the beauty of it.

And, no, Ang... you couldn't give me too much information on how you weave your magic!

As for me, I've done a combination of things and a few new things lately. I usually come up with ideas while driving or daydreaming too. one or two lines, or a general idea for a poem. Also experimenting and reading the poetry challenges on this discussion board is inspiring. I'm glad I participated in the "wedding" challenge, (where the poem had to be written without cliches,) because I came away with an okay poem, but on other threads, I feel I've forced poems that I've regretted posting.

Deciding what parts to keep and what to throw away, and to see where certain lines should be placed to balance the poem, is also part of the process. If you move lines around too much, does it upset the original flow? Some poems are like zen ink drawings, they come out in their own way and are what they are, beautiful even in their imperfection (maybe beautiful BECAUSE of it) while others need care and drafting, because, like Land said, the author can fill in blanks that they might not even notice are there. Finding the ground between is the special art.

And watching the editing process sometimes used on these threads is helpful in trying to develop an "inner critic." Though one has to be careful not to dillute the original idea that inspired the poem, I think.

Anyways, as for actual writing, I've written song lyrics longhand for years, and only started writing poetry very recently, but it's still easier to write it out longhand when an image strikes. The computer is much better for stream of thoughts and story writing and editing of any sort.

And as for cooking, I guess I can tell when I stop feeling the need for changes after reading and re-reading a poem. But I never know if tomorrow a great image will strike me that would have been perfect for my "finished" poem.

Thanks land & ang for posting on this thread!

Anyone else?

 

[lickmyboot]

SAS--

What a great thread! I also write when driving. I have a fairly long commute and I find that it passes the time. I've been known to chicken scratch a phrase, or the jist of a poem on the back of a receipt, napkin, just about anything I can get my hands on. (I do not recommend anyone writing while driving, I am a bad girl!) I now keep a mini notebook and pen in my purse at all times (and I try to write things down at stoplights).

Inspiration comes at odd times--those fevered seconds between drifting off to sleep at night and being fully awake are always powerful. I sometimes scribble in the dark so not to wake my hubby. Waking from a dream is also a great time for me. I wrote a poem called "Death is a Bird" immediately from waking up from a dream. (It's on my website if you want to peek--be patient, it's on a slide show so It'll come back around http://www.bodypoet.com/soles.html)

When I am bored, stuck waiting, I'll often pull out my notebook and write off the top of my head. I usually start with a phrase, let it rattle around a few days in my head and then "poof!" a poem is born. I have to marinate my poems. Some poetic phrases rattle around for years before they turn into poems.

Sometimes I'm happy with the first pass, sometimes I work it till it bleeds. It depends on if I'm getting the imagery/message across or not. Sometimes I'm not too pleased with the results, but post it anyway just to get feedback. OT's my greatest critic thus far.

It helps to be in practice, like the exercises we do on the boards. I think lit's best poets are great at offering suggestions and disection. I've learned a lot from just reading the posts.

Way too much information. Sorry--I have a cold, am lonely, and heavily medicated.



lickmyboot

 

[beths-virtue]

all i have to say to this is , 2 years writing and 600 pages... into a cookbook, now someone suggests to add poetry to it ,,, ahhhh youre killing me folks ...

actually i do have a "food" poem,, but ... its not quite what youre aiming for here... but, never being one to stay within the rigid confines of a subject here it is ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Hunter Gatherer

*********
Buffets are hunting,
the wise buffet go-er,
Looks carefully,
Observing the kills of other participants,
Evaluating the offerings.

Finally when ready, going on the hunt,
A plate, a fork, perhaps, if their polite,
A few napkins.

Then.
Sauntering casually,
Lest the food suspect,
diving in,
Plunging fork into a delicious morsel

Saliva flowing in your mouth,
As you casually ignore this success,
Stalk around to find more

Looking carefully, through the selections,
Finally you spot, what you're hunting down!
Sneak in,
snatch and grab,

Another hot roll for your plate.
Then walk away and find a seat,
The important thing is not to over load.

One or two foods is best,
Sitting down, never finish it,
Get up again, and resume the hunt
Leaving behind stacks of dirty dishes,
Proof of your buffet prowess

its still in the un finished folder, so be gentle to it

 

[Star At Sunrise]

good poem!

Hey Beth!

Thanks for the poem! I thought that this would be a nice idea for a poetry contest, but I'm not sure how one goes about posting a contest. I hope it's not just a case of posting the contest on your own; then I would feel dumb.

Your poem has some great images, but somehow it doesn't make me hungry! Theres a primal competitve sprirt in it, and it's a cool way of spreading the meaning.

Lickmyboot~

Your post was awesome! That's exactly what I was looking for. Poetry seems to be such a magical process that illuminates places inside yourself that you've never seen, and reading how other people relate to this process of writing is endlessly interesting! I've enjoyed your poems and it's just amazing to get insight into the creation of poetry, even if it's the nuts and bolts!

Thanks to all who have posted! Let's hear some more! I know there's a few of you out there (that means YOU!)