The ones you couldn't write.

[Stew21]

Are there topics or ideas you have wanted to write about and not been able to? A personal experience that is too raw to touch, or perhaps a metaphor that doesn't seem to complete the idea you are trying to get to?

I'm working on a poem now. I've written about 5 drafts of it, none of them worth posting, none worth submitting. It isn't right and it isn't done.
It is morphing into something different each time as I see what may be lacking and try to include it, or tweak the metaphor to suit it, change the POV, change the place and time of it. Still no luck. I just *know* it isn't the right one.

If (when) this happens to you, how do you overcome it? pocket the poem until another day when inspiration might strike? Keep hammering at it? Post it and request feedback?

When you want to write a poem and you know what it's about but it isn't ready yet, how do you handle it? Approach again and again or put it away and move on for a time?

[dclary]

Just like story ideas, sometimes a poem just doesn't work. Save the best pieces of it for another work, and shelve it.

[ddgryphon]

Or lose it--like I invariably do. I have that somewhere. . . is a recurring phrase in my life.

Generally I'll dog something until it reaches a stopping point and it will remain or vanish depending on its value to me.

[Stew21]

I'm on draft #7. Still the wrong POV. Perhaps the wrong voice entirely.

here's what i have so far, it's WAY off. but may be this would be an interesting progress piece.


ancient memory rises up
in the newly born
unaware of the knowledge
hidden as instinct
wisdom masked by lack of words
old spirits whispered a cool breeze
into your breath,
ancient tongues told you secrets
about Earth,
and shifted


(then I stalled)

this attempt is nothing like the previous 6 and it's still WAY off course.

[Meerkat]

The poem that is the first page of an entire novel built around this theme, would be my take on it! This triple-intendre alone:

ancient tongues told you secrets
about Earth,
and shifted

probably has everyone who just read it RIVETTED. (And that would be 'the good kind of rivetted,' Davids....)

[Stew21]

Hey, Kat. Interesting take. Perhaps I didn't realize it was a novel attempting to peek out at me. I had the idea and started to write a poem about it yesterday, and this is it, or well, the seventh failed attempt of it, anyway. It is based on an idea about a child who can communicate with old souls/spirits, and who has a bear for a spirit guide.

[Meerkat]

Sounds like a novel approach to me!

[davids]

I've been trying to write this one about my spirit guide-it is a bottle of Glen Livet-so you think I am kidding do you?

[Stew21]

I do believe glen livet will guide a spirit, Davids, so I don't doubt you one eensy bit.

[davids]

Well Trish I did it but changed it a bit-the spirit guide was or is still spirit but like me the guide has sunk to cheap hooch for a pooch!!!! I also changed the name to protect the innocent-ME!!!!

[Stew21]

I always change the names to protect the innocent-ME!

[JRH]

Stew,

I think the concept of a this being a novel is a bit much, but I do see it as a large complex poem (5 to 8 pages) about racial memory which may have room for all of your versions to fit in, (and if you give up on it, let me know I might appropriate it - at least the concept)

In the meantime, my solution to partials that don't work is to set up a file for Fragments on my computer and visiting them from time to time. I've got 7 or 8 starts in various stages of completion on there, now, (2 or 3 which have been growing slowly for over 2 years and may go on much longer than that because they are extremely ambitious poems which could easily go 7 - 10 pages).

Try it...You might like it.

Jim Hoye, (JRH)

[Stew21]

I see your point, Jim, not enough meat for the concept to flesh out to a full novel. a short story quite possibly though, or as you suggest, a large complex poem. I'll have to save the various drafts and see what I can make of it.
Thanks, Jim!