Friday, July 16, 2010

Writing Exercise--The Music of Language

Language has a cadence and rhythm that can draw in the reader or put the reader off. Think about the pieces of writing that are compelling, that stay with us: Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech which uses repetition as a backbeat to underscore the importance of the words. Hamlet's Soliloquy that features words with and up and down cadence that is mimics his indecisive state. Or Lewis Carroll's Walrus & The Carpenter, that has a jaunty lilt to the language that enhances the frivolity and oddity of the topic.

I'd like you to write the essence of you pieces as a two stanza poem, or sonnet, or limerick or haiku as a way of extending and reaching your use of language.

Here is an example:

In my house, Bread Beloved
Was my brother's greatest joy
Golden brown and highly leavened
Father's treat for a little boy

Who savored his slices and saved a cake
One day behind his bed
Until the odor was too great to take
Alas the loaf was dead

Now YOU try.


1 comment:

  1. I met my true love years ago.
    But it was not perfect you know.
    Golden fried or swimming in butter,
    he made my heart all a flutter.

    We're still together, him and me
    But we both look quite differently.
    He's steamed and tossed in salad greens,
    and I am wearing skinny jeans.

    ReplyDelete

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