30 November -0001
A Community Poem
A large group today as we were in the main cafe, and so a writing exercise for everyone. Quick to do, easy to model.
I took a piece of A4 and folded it into quarters. In the first corner I wrote ‘wrapping’, in the second ‘opening’, in the third ‘what is it?’ and in the fourth ‘what do you do with it?’.
The group were instructed to think of a gift, either given, received, or imagined, and then to follow the headings and write about each part of the process.
The example I gave was my first bike. It was hidden behind the long curtains in the back room at my house (wrapping); I whipped the curtains back, and the bright sunlight made me squint (opening); I found a bright orange bike, a racer, and I could smell the oil on the chain (what is it?); I took it outside and rode it up and down the street all day long (what do you do with it?)
After a period of writing time each person had a short piece. We had a read around and chatted about the structure and how this could be turned into a poem. We listened for lines in each other’s work that stood out in some way, discussing why this might be, finding musicality or rhythm, originality and surprise.
We then blended everyone’s work together, discussing how we might unify the idea of a gift and using the four section structure, to write our community poem.
The Day is a Gift
wrapped in Mickey Mouse paper, pink stripes, Christmas tartan, pretty in pink and purple tissue, a massive bow, red and bright, glittering with silver and gold stars. The day is a loud rapping at the door, labelled with love.
Go outside, use a step ladder to reach the top, pick at the sellotape, careful and methodical, don't spoil the paper. Go outside, tear it up in excitement, open the box, lift the lid.
The day is a beautiful, black horse; a doll dressed up in a nappy; a crystal pendant; a dark blue satin evening dress; matching earrings; a red fluffy jumper; a battery charger; a puppy; spots of shiny powdered sugar; squidgy squares of delight.
Your mouth waters. Throw your arms around the day and say thank-you, wear it around your neck, try it on (it fits perfectly). What are you going to do with this day? The crowd of faces, the hugs, the kisses. Feel good in it, keep it and love it. Jump on its back and take the day for a ride through the forest.
Archive
Storytelling and Escalation or Rising Action
Junior Writers Club Acrostic Poem
Notes on Intention for MAST Collective - Year 3 - Facilitation Focus
Earthquakes & Dominoes - MAST Collective Blog #4
SUPER MARIO AND POP CULTURE POEMS
Receptionists & Inky Voids - MAST Collective Blog #3
Saying No and saying YES on National Poetry Day!
There's a Dragon in the Wardrobe...
House Warming Party (The Mortifying Ordeal of Being Known) - MAST Collective Blog #2
Intern Blog 5 - The Publishing Process
POEMS TO SOLVE THE CLIMATE CRISIS
On The Streets With Theresa Lola
Intern Blog 4 - The Internship Journey
NEW DIRECTIONS, STARTING SMALL - THE ORWELL YOUTH PRIZE
LIGHTHOUSES, HOPE AND METAPHORS
on workshop and transformations: frogs, lions, and the duck that becomes a larder...
Poetry Ambassadors - Interview with April Egan
Intern Blog 1 - Finding a Voice
World Poetry Day: Fluffypunk and the Invisible Women
On Being a Writer: A Conversation by Beth Phillips & Sam Morton
Poetry Ambassadors - Interview with Kaycee Hill
UNHEARD VOICES: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, AND STORIES OF CONFLICT
Our blogs
Regular news and insight from our many poets, writers, educators and facilitators
Find out moreResources