Poets on the Roof Exercises
Group
Poets on the Roof
Poetry Exercises
Written by Donald R. Anderson, Elizabeth Parrish, Patricia Mayorga, Marie J. Ross, Gail Lee White, and Stephen M. Wilson
Untitled Collaborative Poem
The tumbleweed of memory blew across my consciousness,
but the rocks in the canyon caught the moment in unyielding repetition
because the wicked tide of reality had dwindled
past the tourmaline jewels glistening from lonely hope
beneath the stark starlit sky of dreams.
Then a sumptuous thought glimmered to the surface;
I remembered his kisses, sweeter than watermelon wine.
The heavenly mists of the mountain lair, a crucible of sanctuary
with the brilliance of celestial harmony enclosed
working its memory, gentle strokes against my lace
spilling the bottle of perfume
to scent the archway of my verdant meadow.
Group
Exercise Directions
- Step 1: Each person writes on two separate pieces of paper, a word each.
- Step 2: Place the pieces into a hat, bowl, etc. and pass around drawing two each.
- Step 3: If someone draws his or her own word or words, have them trade with another person in the group.
- Step 4: The person who drew first writes a line to a new group poem including one of the two words, then passes paper to the next person in the circle to have the next person write a line including one of their words, until the circle is complete.
- Step 5: Repeat around the circle with the second words drawn, the last line of the poem uses the last word.
- Step 6: Discuss grammar and punctuation to double check the poem is correct.
- Step 7: Discuss possible titles and come to a decision together on a title.
Written by Donald R. Anderson, Patricia Mayorga, Marie J. Ross, Gail Lee White, Stephen M. Wilson
The Hunter
His rogue bellow coruscated languidly in the mystic fog
where detested barbarian lurking within dewed branches
slumped against the bank - such foe
and the question of futility lingered within the moon's shadows.
From the magical flask, the barbarian took a vigorous swig.
He was mesmerized by the memories of the hunts from his youth,
the vixens and maidens reduced to prisms of mist
on the lathe of the past.
He took the stained edge of the fallen deer's antler,
probed his yellowed tooth and belched a pleased grunt.
And like a mannequin in animalistic form, he trudged into a field
of bitter herbs and ate futility's sprouts.
The moon's perpetual menacing grin took the air from him
for a moment, flashing its power before giving it back.
This would be his last hunt, the nebulous memory
of past glories dimmed as his life force ebbed.
