I’ve been head down working on a verse novel, having set myself a goal of finishing the current draft by the end of the month. I love the feeling of knowing it’s almost there after a lot of struggle to bring together three different voices to highlight a little piece of history I feel is important.
This week, though, I found time to browse in my local bookshop and felt compelled to pick up a little red book called 500 Beautiful Words You Should Know.
I guess it’s no surprise that I was attracted to a book about words, but it surprised me how much I straight away wanted to read the book, cover to cover. It’s clever. each word is accompanied by a paragraph or two with a definition, discussion of its origins and examples of usage. this could be quite dry and dull, but it’s done in a way I find entertaining. And the words themselves are delightful, thought provoking and/or amusing ranging from quite common words to ones less known.
At home I was inspired to see if I could work some of these words into my poetry but, when my notebook came out, I found myself instead challenged to use the words as titles. Could I write poems each using one of these words as the title, and the poem itself inspired by its meaning? I’m trying not to simply define the words, but to think a little outside the box. I’m not sure I’ll write 500 of these little poetic snippets, but I’m having fun with the prompt and the challenge, dipping in to the book until I find a word that inspires me and then writing a short response. Here’s my first three.
Accost
How could you? I ask
How dare you?
But the person
in the mirror
does not reply.
How can I?
(Sally Murphy, 2022)
Imprimatur
Mwah!
Sloppy toddler kiss
gives approval
for Granny’s baking.
(Sally Murphy, 2022)
And lastly, this one, inspired by my recent desire to write about jellyfish. The video that follows (which I have shared here before) might help explain the poem.
Bagatelle
Drifting
above sandy floors
and rocky shallows
at first you seem
just a blob of jelly
but then you twist
and tiny party lights
show your hidden talents.
(Sally Murphy, 2022)
I’m off to get that novel draft finished, but there’ll be some more writing inspired by 500 Beautiful Words in my near future. I’m also ready to check out the Poetry Friday Roundup. You’ll find it here.
Love the image of the party lights on your jellyfish friend, Sally. And what a super find in that book! Will try to track it down. Good to have something to nudge us down untrod paths. Cheers!
Wonderful prompt you created from this new found treasure book Sally. I like where you’ve taken the poems–good challenge! All the best with your novel and thanks for Jelly’s return…
Thanks Michelle. I’m having fun with it.
Love these poems and the book that inspired them, Sally! Adding “tiny party lights” to your jelly poem is ‘brilliant’ – and a ‘no-brainer’ for the jelly fish. 😉
Thank you Bridget. When I first saw those party lights for real I thought I was imagining things. Nature is amazing!
What a great find and a nice way to have a little poem writing break from the heavier stuff of finishing your novel. I love the idea of a jellyfish party, lit!
Thanks for dropping by Linda.
Sally, your goal is commendable. keep up with your verse novel and let us know how far you are next week. Your poems this week are fun to read but I do love Mwah and how it rolls out in this poem about your baking exploits.
Thanks Carol. I have a confession. My grandies don’t get near enough of my baking – but they do get plenty of treats.
Love that response and the word grandies, Sally.
May I add your Bagatelle Poem and link to You Tube for my Poetryliscious Gallery for NPM 2022?
Hi Carol. Thanks for your comment and yes, of course you may use it 🙂
Congratulations on being close to finishing your novel! I think your 500 words project will be a nice thing to work on and might spark ideas for your next book.
Thanks Janice. And yes, sometimes whole new books come out of very simple prompts.
Love this idea of a poem-a-word! You go, girl! And “ACCOST” – I could hear her voice! “Moi?”
Thanks Patricia. Moi indeed!
I love how you have challenged yourself. I am partial to the sloppy toddler kisses.
Oh me too Margaret. Especially from the grandlings 🙂
Ooh. I might have to buy this one. Love your accost poem–such an ending!
Thanks Laura.
“Tiny party lights” – these are delightful, Sally! Thank you for sharing this book and these poems with us. Such a cool idea, and once again I shop based on your advice. All best with finishing up the verse novel, and happy end of April too! xo
Thanks Amy. Poetry Friday can be an expensive exercise with all the book recommendations. I find so many good reads this way!
Hooray! How nice to hear you are closing in on a finish for your verse novel. That’s wonderful! And, this book is a perfect distraction. No plot to follow or characters to consider…just words, beautiful words. I think I might need this book! Thanks for the tip. And, jellyfish with party lights? Yes, please!
Thanks Linda. Yes, the book is excellent. And these comb jellies are one of my favourite ocean finds.