Response | January 29th


Ezra Pound:

The image is the poet's pigment.
The image is not an idea, it is a radiant node or cluster.
A vortex through which, and from which, and into which ideas are constantly rushing.
It is as true for painting and sculpture as it is for poetry.
First say how you determine where to break the lines in your poems, then read and respond to the Edward Hirsh handout (The Line) on how to know where to make line-breaks when creating a poem. 200 word minimum. Due Monday, Feb 5.

Personally I would break where it felt necessary to separate out my thoughts when writing.
Consistency makes it easy to keep in my rhythm and structure, so typically I aim for making a rule for myself. Being a designer makes me keen on seeking out this. Also, my background and inexperience in poetry also drive me to what feels comfortable–in this case, it's organization. I have yet to break past thinking 5 lines or more is acceptable for poetry. I always tell myself I must aim for under that for each stanza for my poem to look like a poem. This is something I need to work on in developing more freedom.

I think applying a story structure is interesting to use also. Breaking out the beats of a story into stanzas makes each stanza hold a significant moment within it. So in total, Context, Conflict, Action, Climax, and Resolution. Perhaps this is breaking the rules of poetry and following the traditional story too much. 

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