Inspiration:
In her work, Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within, Natalie Goldberg reminds writers that "sometimes a simple idea, such as the idea of leaving, can inspire profound writing" (p. 27). Let's try tackling the emotion that can bubble up from the idea of leaving.
Process:
Think of something that has emotion for you,
use your words to paint the picture,
and allow your reader to experience the same emotions you felt.
Try on a modified poem for two voices.
Crisp mid-west winds
And unbearable Chicago traffic
Are witness to my anxiety:
nails shredded by my teeth
and a thud, thud, thud, thud from my leg
bouncing against the truck door
There's a lump in my throat that feels
as though a piece of coal is stuck
and on fire
My eyes are stinging as I swallow against the lump
I am unable to breathe properly.
My lungs, unable to rise.
I look through the door at my mother and know I have to say goodbye.
"We're at the right gate" I manage to blurt
And she offers to help me get my luggage
From the back of the truck,
But I want her to park the truck in a garage;
not in the drop-off zone.
I want her to walk me into the airport,
and I want her to hold my hand.
Though I am a newly-minted twenty-three.
I want to watch her wave and smile
As I walk between the security ropes
off to my next big adventure.
But I'm brought back to reality when she appears at my side,
no longer in the truck but
opening the back door.
My hands are shaking and she pulls my suitcase from the back seat where
the cigarette scented grey leather squeaks in response.
I look at her
My brown eyes a mirror reflection of hers
An inch or two the difference in our heights
"I love you baby"
And her smell envelops me
Her strong arms wrapping me up
And I respond in kind by burying my face in her neck
inhaling her uniquely "mom" scent
of Xtra laundry detergent, Tresemme shampoo.
and faintly tobacco mixed with coffee
"I'll see you soon" I reply
letting go and grabbing my luggage handles
shifting my backpack farther up on my shoulders
I want to look back
but I don't
because I know if I do
I might turn around
afraid of being left
at "the right gate."