The functionality of melons in the writing of poetry

[PrinceMyshkin]

1) Get yourself a melon, casaba, cantaloupe, honey dew, or any other kind you fancy. Tap the end to test it for ripeness. (If it sounds hollow, it’s ripe enough.) Put it on your desk not too far from you.

2) Now reflect on some recent phrase you overheard or that popped up from your subconscious: something that sounds nonsensical or has a bit of music to it or an appealing lie or self-contradiction, barely concealed. Follow the illogic of it. If your logical or conscious brain tries to get in on the act give yourself a smack on the side of the head.

3) Respect the irrationality of what comes out, the grandiosity, even the meanness. Remember, the devil invented poetry, but God invented editing!

4) Now read it over when you’ve written as much as you think you can. Cut out any unnecessary words. Cut out anything that’s just too damned clever. Do not explain!

5) Now cut yourself a slice of the melon. You’ve earned it!

[firefangled]

I see where you are going with this. But since a good poem is its own reward, get a bowl full of all the fruits and melons and taste each one and see what it reminds you of, rub it on you skin and see what it feels like, smells like...

I say eat first...ask questions later. :nod:

[PrinceMyshkin]

I see where you are going with this. But since a good poem is its own reward, get a bowl full of all the fruits and melons and taste each one and see what it reminds you of, rub it on you skin and see what it feels like, smells like...

I say eat first...ask questions later. :nod:

I suppose this applies to the effort to write a good poem about heartbreak. Taste the fruit first, find it far less appealing than it looked...

[Pendragon]

True about cut out the unessacessary words. Even in my villanelles which do take a bit of thinking, I have learned to slice and dice. They serve up better. Make your point without a runaway thought... Paint the picture, but focus... And do not explain! I want to feel your poem for myself... The deeper meaning of your poem may be in the reader, not in the writer per se... It hurts nothing...

[firefangled]

I suppose this applies to the effort to write a good poem about heartbreak. Taste the fruit first, find it far less appealing than it looked...

I have never met anyone who deeply loves, who has not cut or been cut for the sweet first. The sweeter, the more broken afterward.

Passion is the devil's familiar. Love is editing...the light left on, the towel on the floor, the bad cooking...

Interesting that you chose melons...short lived with seeds so fertile and lasting, we need only get through passion and wait for love in the Spring. Love returns where passion withers.

[PrinceMyshkin]

I have never met anyone who deeply loves, who has not cut or been cut for the sweet first. The sweeter, the more broken afterward.

Passion is the devil's familiar. Love is editing...the light left on, the towel on the floor, the bad cooking...

Interesting that you chose melons...short lived with seeds so fertile and lasting, we need only get through passion and wait for love in the Spring. Love returns where passion withers.

What are you, like, a freaking poet?!

[firefangled]

What are you, like, a freaking poet?!

Likewise, my friend. You inspire the thinking around here with your poetry quite consistently.

[symphony]

My dad just brought a watermelon for us today. And the second i saw the title of this, i exclaimed "Hey!". :D It was worth digging in to see this.


3) Respect the irrationality of what comes out, the grandiosity, even the meanness. Remember, the devil invented poetry, but God invented editing!
:lol:
Personally i dont like editing my poems much. Not to a great extent, may be just a word or two. The loss of originality leaves a frown for me afterwards. I'm smitten enough by imperfections, perfection can be boring at times. Devil has me! :D

And of course i like no. 5 best. :D