Poetry Challenge #41-Let's Get Physical!
There is “something” in the way we move. The way our muscles, tendons, bones, joints, skin . . . work together to create movement. Watching someone move is one thing, describing what that movement looks or feels like is another. People are sometimes likened to animals, machines, plants, geological formations. Likewise, machines, animals, plants, etc, are sometimes likened to people in songs, stories, and yes, poetry.
Poetry Challenge #41
Let’s Get Physical
Watch or imagine someone or something in motion. The motion might be a big whole body movement like dancing, jumping, swaying, diving, tumbling, or it might be a movement as tiny as the blink of an eye or twitch of a baby toe.
If you’re game, get physical! Try replicating the motion yourself (nothing too dangerous). While in motion, pay attention to each micro-movement of your body. How do you feel? What do you feel like? Does that movement remind you of something? An eel? A kangaroo? An oil pump?
Write a poem in which you describe that movement by likening it to something else.
Plant that movement in your mind.
Set Your Timer for 7 Minutes.
Ready. . . Set . . . Write!
Let's Get Physical Playlist:
- Something In The Way She Moves by James Taylor
- Something by The Beatles
- Let’s Get Physical sung by Olivia Newton John
*FYI: Contrary to popular belief, the Beatles song which begins with the line “Something in the way she moves . . .” is not titled that; it’s titled “Something.” Why? Because that title was already taken. The song "Something in the Way She Moves" —with very different lyrics—was written by James Taylor (on his 1968 debut album). While Sweet Baby Jame's song is lovely, and has been covered by other artists, including Tom Rush and Harry Belafonte, more significantly in terms of popularity, it inspired George Harrison to write the #1 Beatles' song "Something." Which goes to so, even the best of them beg, steal and borrow inspiration.
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge more than 800 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem. Scroll down and click on the comments.