Descriptive Implication and Form: From Sight to Insight

Creative Writing Lesson 2

Poem of the Day

• “Love Poem With Toast” – Miller Williams» http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/052.html

• What does the last stanza of the poem make you think of? How does Williams use imagery?

Journal Entry #2

• 1. Rant. Rant about anything in your life that “should be different.” Nothing is sacred here. Rant for at least 250 words.

• 2. If God were to whisper one thing in your ear, and your ear only, what would you want him to say? Why? Be specific.

Discussion

• What do you think the words “descriptive implication” mean?

• What is “insight?”• How effective can a

pause be in conversation?

Element Three: Descriptive Implication

• Poets are infamous for addressing their “true” subjects through descriptions of objects

• Imagery that is suggestive carries a psychological or dramatic undercurrent

• “First Death in Nova Scotia” – Elizabeth Bishop– Who’s point of view is it from?– Are we ever told what the main character

thinks or feels about the situation?– Images and descriptions and what they

suggest

Assignment Two

• Discover one poem from three of the following authors:– Stephen Dunn– Billy Collins – John Ashbery– Frank O’Hara– Joy Harjo– Dean Young– Gary Snyder– Mary Oliver– Sharon Olds

• Identify pieces of imagery, felicitous phrasing, and descriptive implicaiton that you thought “made” the poem

Assignment Two (Con’t)

• Look at the comments on your poem from assignment one and revise the poem to tighten it up.

• Where did you use the three elements we have studied so far in your revised poem?