Waiting 4 the Bus

Waiting 4 the Bus
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Monday, April 21, 2014

Poem 21

Number 21

Balloons. Bubbles. Planets. Cheerios. Rings. Merry-go-rounds. Hula Hoops. Superballs. Bowls. Oranges. M & Ms. Skittles. Lifesavers. Life preservers. Frisbees. Clocks. Drums. Cupcakes. Donuts. Wheels. Tires. Bracelets.

Round things rule. And circles are also symbols of connection, of cycles, of continuing. So today we will use this simple shape to inspire a poem in one of four ways.

1. Make a list of round things (or use the one above.) Choose two or three of the items that come from different “categories” – for instance, I would consider balloons, bubbles, hula hoops and Frisbees all part of a “childhood” category. Write a poem that features these images.

2. Write a poem about a cycle: the water cycle, circadian rhythms, crop rotation, animal migration, lunar phases…you get the idea.

3. Write a poem that circles back on itself, either in language or in ideas. For instance, start and end a poem with the same line. Or start with an idea and follow it through free association until you can get back to the original thought, perhaps slightly altered. (Here is a sample of one type of circle poem, written by a teenager.)

4. Get inspired by Joni Mitchell’s “The Circle Game.”
Round red
Ciar burning flesh
Red balloon
And I'm floating
Floating on the ocean
Floating on the esrth
Floating in space
and tones 
and bell
And suns
And burns 
And cigars
I'm sitting here
But not crying
I have 37  perfectly round burns
In varied shades of red
I have 37 perfect balloons
I will float
Float over the ocean
And you'll never touch me again

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