Hello everyone, it's me with your weekly word list poetry prompt. This time our words are all taken from the volume "A Ted Hughes Bestiary", a collection of poems in which animals, birds, and even fish are used to illustrate our own human nature.
Hughes was married to the poet Sylvia Plath (featured here earlier) until her death in 1963. He served as Poet Laureate of England from 1984 until his own death.
Returning to our source book, these are no fluffy bunny poems. They are bloody, unsentimental, and some of them are hard to take. Hughes spares us nothing and shows us ourselves in a manner that is shockingly accurate but definitely uncomfortable.
What we do here is simple: use at least 3 of the 20 listed words in a new poem of any length or style. It need not have anything to do with animals--in fact I have deliberately included only one animal--the otter--on this list. Then link, visit, and enjoy. This list is "live' through Friday.
I didn't think this was necessary, but it seems that it is. Don't link to this prompt if you're not DOING the prompt. And please make sure your link works.
And now, your list:
abrupt
adopted
frayed
glitter
goblin
holiday
lexicon
madhouse
medical
needles
otter
ovens
pretense
razors
rubbish
sophistry
static
toys
vapor (or "vapour" as Hughes writes it)
zodiac
OK yeah, that guy who was married to Sylvia Plath! LOL. I confess to being a bit "lite" on my Ted Hughes reading. Will have to up my consumption...
ReplyDeleteAhoy, Qbit! I was late to the Hughes party myself. I'd been reading Plath since I was in high school, but only came to Hughes about a decade ago. There is a marvelous quote by Hughes on my side bar.
Deleteyou picked one of my favourite poets Shay but avoided re-reading Bestiary lest I tried too hard to emulate
ReplyDeleteHi Laura. I'm glad to have hit on a favorite of yours! Indeed, our aim here is not to copy but to create something of our own from each list. Happy writing!
DeleteI feign would try and copy but also did not want to hear his bellow above my own small voice of a poem
DeleteMornin’ Sunshine! Going to give it a go ~~ I haven’t read Mr. Hughes, but have noticed him on your sidebar and LOVE that quote! Cheers.
ReplyDeleteHello back, Helen! :-) So happy to see your face in the place!
DeleteI have never read his poetry before but am excited to check it out. I hope to be back by tomorrow. Thank you Shay for another wonderful list and fascinating poet!!
ReplyDeleteI went by Muse last night to read yours but the cupboard was bare and so this poor doggy had none. Maybe you wrote later? Anyway, always a pleasure to have you here at the word list!
DeleteThank you Shay. 😍 The cupboard was dry for me this week. I came up with diddly squat. LOL..I will be writing for the word list this week...it just won't be posted till tomorrow. I am really enjoying these poets and lists!!
DeleteThanks so much for this extremely inspiring list, Shay. I own a huge volume of Hughes' collected poems, which I seldom read because he is too dark even for me sometimes, and you have nailed him spot on. Truly a glittering talent, every bit as gifted as Plath and in my opinion, with a more varied and creative palette. I re-read some of his earlier poems this morning, and I am stewing over some sort of response. I will be back when it seems ready.
ReplyDeleteI am very much looking forward to yours, Joy. I appreciate all the care that you put into your poems for my prompt.
DeleteWell, I've used your words chosen from Hughes, but other than a slight affinity for crows, my poem is not very Hughes-ish. But I enjoyed, as always , writing to the challenge.
DeleteYou gave me my closing line. Thanks!
DeleteFor pity sake, Beverly Crawford, don't link to my word list prompt when you haven't even attempted to do the prompt.
ReplyDeleteGipsie, your link only led to a title page with no poem. I clicked on everything and it only led right back to the title page, so i have had to delete the link. If you have written for this pormpt, feel free to try again with a correct link.
ReplyDeleteok, hold the door, i'm coming, late as always...
ReplyDeleteConsider the door held, sir! And you have through Friday, so you aren't late. I look forward to what you will come up with!
DeleteOh Shay, I keep meaning to do one of your word prompts again and still haven't got round to it! Apologies. If I don't get a chance to do this one, I shall keep my eyes peeled for the next.
ReplyDeleteI confess to not having read much Hughes, and occasionally find him a bit difficult to get into. But he is a fine poet indeed and you've picked some juicy words there. I shall enjoy reading everyone's efforts! <3
Hi Sunra! There is always a spot for you here.
DeleteI have been reading Ted Hughes, and Irish literature in general, lately
ReplyDelete