Let’s write another poem. Today we’re going to cut and paste.
Prompt #2: Cut and Paste
Review all your drafts and notes and scraps from the past several days. Circle or highlight anything you like or are drawn to, looking especially for the places that surprise you. Those prompts are here:
Find the parts that speak to you or surprise you the most. Type those up, or handwrite them over again on new paper or index cards. You’re rewriting as a way to re-enter your thinking about those images and ideas and phrases.
Shape those piece into your first poem. If you’re typing, print them out, cut out the pieces, and shape them into a poem. If you’re handwriting, you can do the same thing with your paper.
If a formal constraint helps you, three suggestions:
use one of your questions from April 7: frequently asked questions as your title.
write a poem in sections. Don’t worry about smoothing the transition from one section to the next.
pick a vowel sound and repeat it at least twice in every line.
As always, I’d love it if you would share what you’re writing or let me know how this practice is going for you.
goats, ducks, and the golden hour
An essay I wrote, about how some truly wild research on animal parenting (including a study where scientists sprayed cocaine inside the nostrils of goats who’d just given birth!) has shaped our expectations about bonding and how we expect the moments right after birth to feel, is up on Slate today. I’m so happy to be able to share it with you.
I Was Promised That the “Golden Hour” Would Make Me a Mom
I’d love to hear from you. You can always reply to this email, comment below, or find me on twitter (@nancy_reddy) and instagram (@nancy.o.reddy).