Serendipity Of A Poet

Story has it

That a soul trapped in the mundane hustle

Cannot find solace in anything material.

In solitude; however,

A perfect pen finds it way

To the poet’s hands.

And then a romantic’s heart disbands,

From the demanding reality

And dives head-straight

Into a pool of words that gather

And a perfect trait

Kicks in and then begins …

On a piece of paper on my wooden desk,

Poetry -

Thriving on courage once lost,

Flourishing on reason now found.

This Spring (2017) I am committing to handwritten snippets of poetry wherever I can find the space to write. Letters and Pieces (2017) is a 30 poem collection written impromptu (according to prompts given by NaPoWriMo.net) throughout the month of April (2017) for National Poetry Writing Month. As days go by, the Index for Letters and Pieces will grow.

Day 07: Today's poem is  prompted by NaPoWriMo.net "Our prompt for the day (optional as always) comes to us from Elizabeth Boquet of Oaks to Acorns. In keeping with the fact that it’s the seventh day of NaPoWriMo/GloPoWriMo, Elizabeth and I challenge you to write a poem about luck and fortuitousness. For inspiration, take a look at Charles Simic’s “The Betrothal” and Stephen Dunn’s “The Arm”. Need something more? Perhaps these instructions from Elizabeth will get you going!

Create the following lists:

1. List 1 – 3 random objects. (Smaller tends to be better.)

2. List 1 – 3 random but specific locations. (Think in the cookie jar, or under my seat…)

3. List 1 – 2 objects you’ve lost and a few notes on their back-story.

4. List 1- 2 objects you’ve found and few notes on their back-story.

Now, choosing an object from List 1, a location from List 2, and connect them in a poem with ideas from Lists 3 & 4 and Voilà! A fortuitous poem! As an example of a finished “fortuitous” poem, here is Elizabeth’s own “State of Grace”."

So I made the lists as follows:

1. Pen, wooden clip, masquerade mask

2. My wooden desk, in my car, in my garden

3. Courage

4. Reason

Serendipity is a story about how a poem comes to be - by happenstance.