Thursday, March 06, 2008

Totally Optional Prompts: Different Voices



Central Otago, February 2008

I planned to write in the voice of another poet this week, honest, but it seems my own voice was stronger.

Speaking Out
I have no other voice.
There is no Walt Whitman
in me today nor will I be
a Bronte tomorrow.
It is not lack of imagination,
this singularity of voice.
It is the imperative of
an urge to be heard, a
message forged within,
a high-pitched tone.
I will not counterfeit
the currency of someone
else’s song, their turn of
phrase, their pentameter.
You may know me by
these words I speak, and
greet me with your own.
 
Poets actually following the prompt here.

10 comments:

Stan Ski said...

It takes such hard work to find your own voice you just want to keep it; but what a compliment if someone else 'samples' it

Crafty Green Poet said...

I enjoyed this, I don't like to conterfeit another poet either.

anthonynorth said...

Well I've been totally unnatural in mine. You, on the other hand, have been honest.

gautami tripathy said...

No wonder, I resorted using my mother's voice.

I like the honesty in yours.

mom is the word

Anonymous said...

I like this poem a lot, because I also struggled with the prompt. I think I'm going to keep struggling because I keep wondering if one of the truths I have to tell would be more effective with different inflection - a tone other than my normal one.

paisley said...

i for one respect your clarity of voice.. i believe there is nothing more distractive than a forced persona... i loved your poem...

Tumblewords: said...

Smart and true - that's why we have our own voices...I tried only to change the 'tenor' of my own - Nicely done!

Dale said...

Brava!

:->

Andy Sewina said...

Nice one Pip, love the number plate too...

Kate said...

This is the first of your poetry posts I've had to comment on (though I always read and think). Very eloquently honest.