I went for a walk last week, and was reflecting on how wonderful exercise is for prompting new writing ideas, or for solving an issue. And right on cue, my brain starting working out how to put what I was thinking about into poetry.
At home, I wrote down those first few lines, and left the paper on my kitchen bench. Later, another stanza came, and later still, a third. I love the way that the barn works like this sometimes. And the poem? Here it is:
You Might Think
You might think I’m walking the dog
or, perhaps, he’s walking me
but in my head, while my legs pace,
I’m writing poetry.
You might think I’m in the shower
singing loud, off-key
but as I soap and warble
I’m writing poetry.
You might think I’m working hard
when at my desk I sit
but often times I simply scribe
the words my head has writ.
(© Sally Murphy, 2015)
Do you have a favourite non-writing activity that leaves you inspired to write?
Have a great Friday – and if you’d like to see more posts about poetry, pop over to A Teaching Life and check out the Poetry Friday round-up.
I’m forever “writing” when I am not writing. Two activities that inspire my writing often are washing the dishes and vacuuming. Neither are “fun”, but they do allow my brain to wander. Great poem, Sally! =)
I think the ‘not fun’ thing is WHY we find ideas when doing mundane things – our minds wander somewhere nicer.
Nice one! Walking the dog and riding public transport both poetry triggers.
Thanks Pat. Public transport is also great for finding characters, dialogue and more.
Sally, What a great poem! And yes! I walk, I breathe, I write poetry. Even when I don’t write it down, it’s written on my soul. Pleased to meet you. I’m glad you liked my haiku. Warmly, Brenda
Oh yes, written on the soul! Sometimes poetry doesn’t need to be written down to be. Glad to meet you too, Brenda.