Poets coming together at Tiwu Kumangka.
Coloratura or clarinet?
Our poetry group is named after the Coloratura sounds made by magpies. Or are they imitating the clarinet in its fluid mellow continuity? Whichever one it is, the warbles have inspired local poets. We have decided to come together above the Blackwood library in the building called Tiwu Kumangka. Kumangka means coming together. (Tiwu refers to a black cockatoo which is coming back to Blackwood, presently.)
Choose a poet!
We are a group of poets of all different levels of skill, and a pocket of poetic techniques to try out. We will be learning from established poets, choosing one of their techniques to try out in our own writing. There will be a different poet every month with a little said about their life and character as well as reading from their work. Poets will come from many different backgrounds such as gender, sexuality, religion or not and their ideas.
Style of writing.
Some poems may rhyme, others will not. Some may have a definite metre or rhythm, others may not. Some poems will meander all over the page, others will not. Some humorous, some poignant, some tragically sad, some exulting in joyous celebration. Some poems will be devotional, like Rumi, the Sufi, or Gerard Manley Hopkins. Others will be romantic like Walt Whitman. Some poets will be historic figures like Sappho and Virginia Wolfe ( poetic prose). Others will be contemporary, like Margaret Atwood and Mary Oliver. Some light and breezy, like haikus, others heavy, like Sharon Olds.
Participation
Members of Poetry Warblers will be encouraged to bring a sample of their own writing to the group, to read to others if they feel comfortable about that. If the poet would like some feedback on their work, we will always be positive. This should encourage more writing. More about how to set up and run a poetry group, can be found in my novel, entitled “Sappho”. Poets often ask for inspiration for their writing, and that is one thing which this group will undertake to provide. Concise writing, cut, cut, cut, go for a walk with a notebook, be inspired by another writer, or random lines put together in whatever order, or ekphrastic writing. All can be explored if the members so desire.
Achievement
At the end of the day, one can expect a quiet joy at recognising one’s own creativity. As well as that, members of the group become friends. Matters discussed may be intimate, confessional or semi-private. so what is discussed within the group, stays in the group. Everbody’s privacy is protected.
The possibility of publication, is always there, once we have accumulated enough poems, once we are all individually happy with the quality of the poems. Publication can be in the form of a small book, or can be online, say as part of a website. There’s nothing like seeing your name in print, with a photo and a short bio. This is something for us to aim for.
0 Comments