Two-Word-Title Poems
Sorry, no woodcraft--this is a space for wordcraft. A few years ago I began writing poetry again (I also did it in my youth) as a creative practice. One key to creativity is the combining of unforseen elements. I do this by randomly selecting two words for a title before beginning. I just open a book or magazine, close my eyes, and poke a pencil on the page to select first one word, then the second. While keeping an awareness of my title, I jot down the first phrase that pops into my head. Then, free-associating, I put down the next phrase, then another, and another, and continue until I loose steam. I'm usually good for about ten minutes. It works the same way as one word association (I say "blue," you respond "sky," I say "seagull", you respond "beach"--but instead of word to word, it is phrase to phrase. Nothing is pre-conceived. When I get to the end, I discover that there is a poem.
Here is a good one to start
Probably Channel
But wait, I just have to say that it is appropriate to our times. You'll see what I mean.
Did you see the fish swim in the probably channel?
Did he maybe flash and flicker?
Do you know where he travels?
He glides through the word
Liquid and fluid
Perhaps he knows
Or perchance, just feels
But wherever he's going
He's competing with eels
For this bit of streem
Or that slot of creek
If you could just hear him
I fear you would shriek
For the channel he travels
Flows straight to your brain
In your ears
In your eyes
Again
and Again
He lives in the liquid
The pulse pressure push
To express, to suggest
What you probably feel
The fluid flow to forget
What is most likely real
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