I read an article today that made me smile. In it, several poets discusse strange places the muse drew her sword and cut them - strange places they wrote a poem: in an elevator, during a church sermon, etc.
Here's a link to the article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2009/jun/16/poets-strangest-places.
I once began a poem while feeding my son strained carrots. I also started to carve a poem while playing first base during a softball game.
How about you?
I'm working on a poem titled Perseus Holds the Gorgon's Head - a line from a Stafford poem. The poem's success is hinged to the reader's understanding/knowledge of Perseus and the Gorgon (Medusa). May a poet write a poem that relies on understanding a specific allusion? Can the poet expect his reader to know? Perhaps even do a bit of work to find out?
The birdhouse pictured above hangs from a cherry tree in my backyard - Vernon, NJ. The photo was taken in February of this year. It inspired a poem - something simple.
It’s Bound to Happen
The dog will leap her fence, chase a liberty
that zags like a startled rabbit under the skirts
of evergreens. Open windows will invite rain.
Water stains will blossom on the ceiling tiles,
expand above our heads like tarnished halos.
The birdhouse’s soft wood will absorb too
much afternoon, vex the string that bears
its weight. Eggs will crack, abort their hearts.
Sparrows will seek new twig and string.
I’ll forget my name, misplace my voice’s tenor.
Your hair will silver – mine will thin.
On a Sunday morning, you’ll drape my lap
with blue quilt, wheel me beneath the dogwood –
its pink petals slapping the hour like confetti.
You’ll hum a song and I’ll remember it.
