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Thursday, February 22, 2007

Poetry Thursday: The Body Knows

I suspect my body knows a lot. But my body and my brain don't always communicate very well. My brain is apt to make journeys which take it far from paying attention to what my body knows.

I felt this week's prompt at Poetry Thursday - "the body knows..." - demanded that I try and find different approaches to the writing of poetry than my usual brain-driven approach. So I decided to experiment a little. The results, therefore, are more in the nature of an ongoing experiment than a finished poem.

I've been wanting to try drawing myself naked for a while. I finally got around to it. After drawing for a while I wrote by free associating some of the images that came to mind from the drawing session. I'm not a very experienced artist! However one of the resulting drawings was slightly less clumsy looking than the others. I scanned it in to the computer, printed it out, typed out a selection of the words and phrases in a separate document, printed them over the scanned drawing, and then scanned it again. This is the result. To read the words better, click on the image for a larger version. (I thought about cropping the original scan to remove the spiral binding of the sketchbook, but I decided I liked the look and left it in).

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, you did it! I am clapping because I'm so happy to see the resulting poem ~ and its presentation is great. This poem is beautiful and hopeful and a little sad all at once. Very nice take on the prompt.

Deb R said...

Whoa, that's so cool, Catherine! I would've liked the poem anyway, but having it superimposed on the sketch like that makes it seem that much more...I don't know...immediate, maybe. Intimate. Great post!

Crafty Green Poet said...

That is so good! I like the details you've chosen to show what the body knows and I like the way you presented it too.

rel said...

Catherine,
Your diligence has paid off deliciously.
Every time I look in the mirror when I get out of the shower, I think; the mind lies, but the body knows.
Well told.
rel

Natalie said...

That's such an imaginative way to use the prompt idea. Really liked your drawing - you're far too modest. With the lines of poetry superimposed, this is art...

Anonymous said...

Beautiful drawing of the body and the poem fits perfectly in all the curves. Very brave, I am in awe of your courage.

Dennis said...

What an awesome collection of ideas all superimposed on the body itself – the artist! I particularly liked your use of the open space of the entire page. You’ve captured something here very natural and open. This was a joy to read. My favorite line – “the body knows how to overflow the page” and indeed you have.

gautami tripathy said...

I loved the words as well as the structure. One great post.

gautami
In-between state of consciousness

Kamsin said...

The presentation is lovely. I really like the line about the body knowing earth. Lovely post.

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

*APPLAUSE* This is wonderful! Every word--and so is the drawing!

Fragmentsinsight said...

Wow, this is wonderful. Beautiful drawing, beautiful poem.

twilightspider said...

Wow. This is fantastic. Poignant. Intimate. Gorgeous.

Regina said...

Whoa- that is awesome! How courageous of you! You really have shared so much of yourself here with all of us- thank you!

Unknown said...

I am so cranky! I wrote you this really long response about your piece and now it is gone! Where did it go?

Anyway, I will try to recreate:

I love the drawing, the poem, the execution - I love the black binding on the page - as a matter of fact, I think you should make a whole book of these - you've definitely found something great here. Keep mining!

Tammy Brierly said...

I can never reply to all these talented people but when I read this I was compelled. Beautiful, emotional, profound and brave! I did an SPC post that failed to do what you have done here...Bravo!

Jim Brock said...

Yesssssss! What a wonderful treat to come across today, and I'm taken with the repetition and that wonderful line near the end of the body knowing rivers.

Jim Brock said...

Yesssssss! What a wonderful treat to come across today, and I'm taken with the repetition and that wonderful line near the end of the body knowing rivers.

Unknown said...

How original!

paris parfait said...

So creative! Fabulous drawing and poem. I especially identify with the last line.

paris parfait said...

So creative! Fabulous drawing and poem. I especially identify with the last line.

Jessica said...

Love this poem and the presentation. I love the ways the poetry lines intersect with the layout of the line drawing. Brave and wonderful!

Unknown said...

Nice combination of drawing and poetry.

wendy said...

B R A V O!!!So impressive. Verrrry very good...Yeah for you!

Paul D. said...

Wonderful use of the spaces. Also you can read the poem in a number of ways from the upper left or right cascading down to that last line.

Becca said...

A very unique and creative take on this prompt. Well done!

Jon said...

I hope you feel that your experiment worked because, from a reader's perspective, I sure think it did. I have a tendency to be too "brain-driven" when I read poetry, but your poem invited me simply to experience it without trying to analyze it right away. What a great experience it was too!

Clockworkchris said...

I am just amazed. And you say you can't draw. This is a wonderful piece of work and I can tell you really put some time and thought into it. Brilliant is the word that comes to mind.

Stick it in your eyes said...

A lovely combination. A very special piece. I read it again and again.

jillypoet said...

This is so great! I love your drawing. Love it. And your poem superimposed on it works so well! What a great, creative idea!

Rethabile said...

It's awesome. Awesome. I find that my theme and yours are cousins, if not outright siblings. Stupid mind, ignoring the truth of the body, which indeed knows...

Tia said...

That is absolutely AMAZING Catherine! I love it! I LOVE it! I especially love the very last (?) line about the perfection of the imperfect body.

Just beautiful! Bravo!!

Anonymous said...

i love what you did with the prompt. amazing.

Endment said...

very creative!!! I for one am intrigued and impressed

Anonymous said...

Hello

I know I am late in commenting, but this was very lovely and great. Thank you so much for sharing it! I love how you took poetry and mixed in other media. I've been reading Kenneth Patchen lately, and I like how he does this in his books, too. This reminded me a little of that, but it was still your own thing.

Rachel said...

I really love this! Your drawing, and the words you found as you explored. The idea is a good one, too.

Thank you for sharing this,

Rachel
readwritedream.blogspot.com

Mary J. said...

omg! You just blew my mind! You are very talented! I've always loved poetry like this but have never really tried it myself.

Anonymous said...

wow, that is fantastic!