As I mentioned in my last post, on Friday I was at a fundraiser where I offered Poetry on Demand. What is that? It is a fun, poem-making experience I’ve been doing for years…I have bowls of word cubes that people choose from…up to three words per person. Sometimes they choose randomly. Sometimes they look at the cubes and choose with intention. Sometimes they choose three cubes and roll them like dice (die?)…either way, I get three words. And sometimes, depending on the vibe, I ask for some word associations based on the three words…so I get up to six words max. And then I use those words in a one-of-a-kind, made-for-you poem that I handwrite on a specially branded piece of paper. I read aloud the poem aloud to the person, then give them the paper with the poem on it. 🙂 I love doing this. And I have visions of being a various events: weddings, showers, parties…sitting at my little table with my word cubes writing poems for people…Fundraisers are great spaces for this kind of creative output! So…if you’re planning an event and you’d like some poetry on demand….let me know!
In any case, because this day is quickly getting away from me, here’s one of the poems I wrote at the event…
Poem on Demand
For Henriette
Words: any, what, with, time, happens, you
Time happens with you.
In the tight corners,
you take my elbow
guide me into the light –
any you
any me
slip, slide in this wild
world of our love…
What next?
VANESSA SHIELDS 