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:
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.
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!
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.
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
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...
Beautiful drawing of the body and the poem fits perfectly in all the curves. Very brave, I am in awe of your courage.
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.
I loved the words as well as the structure. One great post.
gautami
In-between state of consciousness
The presentation is lovely. I really like the line about the body knowing earth. Lovely post.
*APPLAUSE* This is wonderful! Every word--and so is the drawing!
Wow, this is wonderful. Beautiful drawing, beautiful poem.
Wow. This is fantastic. Poignant. Intimate. Gorgeous.
Whoa- that is awesome! How courageous of you! You really have shared so much of yourself here with all of us- thank you!
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!
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!
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.
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.
How original!
So creative! Fabulous drawing and poem. I especially identify with the last line.
So creative! Fabulous drawing and poem. I especially identify with the last line.
Love this poem and the presentation. I love the ways the poetry lines intersect with the layout of the line drawing. Brave and wonderful!
Nice combination of drawing and poetry.
B R A V O!!!So impressive. Verrrry very good...Yeah for you!
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.
A very unique and creative take on this prompt. Well done!
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!
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.
A lovely combination. A very special piece. I read it again and again.
This is so great! I love your drawing. Love it. And your poem superimposed on it works so well! What a great, creative idea!
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...
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!!
i love what you did with the prompt. amazing.
very creative!!! I for one am intrigued and impressed
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.
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
omg! You just blew my mind! You are very talented! I've always loved poetry like this but have never really tried it myself.
wow, that is fantastic!
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