I’m in a bit of a writing slump, so thank goodness for Audrey Gidman’s Poetry Prompt Calendars! Here is the prompt for 3/11, which was the ninth anniversary of our mom’s death. Today, 3/12, is the 32-year anniversary of our dad’s death.
Write two short, separate, unrelated poems, 4-5 lines each. One describing a body of water you’re standing beside. One about a relative—a parent, a sibling, a child, or another relative (alternately, a person very dear to you—a lover, chosen family etc.) Once complete, stack the poems so the first line of one of the poems is first on the page, then the first line of the second poem is next. Weave them together in this way until you have one poem that contains two poems. You may consider weaving the poems again, so the second begins first. Notice what happens. Adjust as needed. It’s okay if the poem isn’t a success, it’s not about that, but you might be surprised by what “success” looks like.
Here are my two short, separate, unrelated poems:
Here is how the wove together, with a few necessary adjustments:
Linda has this week’s Poetry Friday roundup at TeacherDance.
A(nother) Year of Reading 
Nicely done, May Lee. The memory of your mother takes on a new life in the combined poem. I may have to try this exercise sometime.
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I remember when your dear mother died, Mary Lee. Wow, nine years already! The poems connected feel more like a wider memory of your mother, an effective change. It is unique idea for revising a poem! It’s good you found a way to keep going with the writing!
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Oh my goodness. Hugs on anniversaries, and what lovely heartfelt lines you’ve woven together. xo
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Your interweaving works very well, along with the adjustments. This reminds me of your sewing and embroidery, that finds it’s home on different cloths, at different times. Sending warm thoughts and hugs for memories of your mom and dad.
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Those anniversaries can be tough. Thinking of you! And I love the weaving! Brava! xo
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Using Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow works so well to weave together your memories, so visual and so touching.
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Anniversaries of memories of those we love can be bittersweet. Sometimes the overlapping of dates seems uncanny. My parents passed away the same week in August, 25 years apart; my husband’s parents both passed away in December, 22 years apart. Nice weaving of your lines! Thanks for sharing the prompt.
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Mary Lee, your weaving is wonderful. The interconnection of the two poems has worked a treat and adjustments. If you have felt a slump of late, this is evidence of your resolve to resist.
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What an interesting prompt. Well done. Your woven poem heightened the poignancy of a sad memory, yet it shifted in favor of gratitude in retrospect.
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Oh, Mary Lee, this is so touching. The first poem about your mother was already poignant, but the way you wove it into other piece was so beautiful and ultimately uplifting in its embrace of memory.
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And thank you for the prompt source!
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A weaver extraordinaire! Wow. I am fascinated by this. They stand well alone and mesh together remarkably. Well done!
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Mary Lee, I am stopping back to your post since I remembered that I never added my comment. Weaving the poems together is a creative way to write. In fact, I am thinking of trying that. Your mother must be smiling in the heavenly sky about your new poem.
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This is so beautiful, Mary Lee. I love the way you wove the two poems together.
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Ooh… I love how haunting the two poems become when they are woven together. Thanks for sharing this “form.” Now I want to try it.
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Mary Lee, this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing the process.
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