Seven Steps to Writing a Poem

Posted on 2020-01-07 by Bartholomew Barker

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Seven Steps to Writing a Poem

Wait one hour after the sun sets.

Light two candles, left and right.

If your three muses are hanging around
send them home. They’ve done their job,
now they’re just a distraction.

Four mood, put on some music—
instrumental, no lyrics,
at least not in any tongue
you recognize.

Pour yourself a nice glass
of five wine, preferably red.
Contemplate each flame
reflected and refracted.

Think about six,
pour another glass.

Seven— Get to work.

 

(Inspired by / stolen from Dorianne Laux‘s Ten Tips for Poets: A Prose Poem from The Practicing Poet— Writing Beyond the Basics edited by Diane Lockward.)

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About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina where he has hosted a monthly feedback workshop for more than decade. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in and about strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food inspired poetry was served in 2017. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he lives and writes poetry.
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14 Responses to Seven Steps to Writing a Poem

  1. Cassa Bassa's avatar Cassa Bassa says:
    2020-01-07 at 16:47

    Lol i will give that a go

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld's avatar Lisa Tomey says:
    2020-01-07 at 17:40

    8 – push ups from the rug
    Fun poem!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. In mind and out's avatar In mind and out says:
    2020-01-07 at 19:53

    A wonderful recipe!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Kim Whysall-Hammond's avatar The Cheesesellers Wife says:
    2020-01-09 at 06:46

    Trouble is, I’d get stuck on choosing the music. And then I dance (badly) to any music….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Eugi's avatar -Eugenia says:
    2020-01-27 at 17:37

    I love this! I pouring that glass of red wine right now.

    Like

    Reply

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