The Poetry Thursday prompt is to write prose poetry. As I've never written poetry in this form, nor read much prose poetry, this was a challenge. I felt a bit like this upside-down crosswalk sign seen in Passy today - confused and uncertain about which direction to take. Here's an initial attempt at prose poetry:
Making beautiful music requires countless hours of practice. But he didn't want to make the effort - like practicing scales, he considered it a waste of time. Instant gratification was his preference. He ran away at the first wrong note on a piano in need of tuning.
All the hurt he'd endured long before he met her caused his faith to crumble, when happiness was in plain sight. If he didn't believe in himself, how could he trust her open heart? So he set out to destroy the love that could save him.
Inviting her on a journey he was not prepared to take, he abandoned her in the middle of the road. She picked herself up, mapped her own course and found true love. He bought a new car, but remained mired in indecision. Years later, love still eludes him.
Don't know anything about prose poems...but this seems to be a good one! Good job!
Posted by: Marilyn | 25 February 2007 at 21:28
really enjoyed your prose...
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 19 February 2007 at 02:45
Lovely piece. I can relate to the part about the piano playing too...
Posted by: Crafty green Poet | 17 February 2007 at 16:41
Tara, you captured the plight of indecision so well. what a bittersweet piece.
Posted by: Jone | 17 February 2007 at 15:34
I think this is a lovely piece - so different from your usual Poetry Thursday contributions, but very poignant.
Posted by: Catherine | 17 February 2007 at 10:24
Great job, Tara. So much emotion encapsulated in this bit of prose poetry ... a compression of love lost.
Beautifully sad, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 16 February 2007 at 19:28
Perfect picture to accompany the prose poem, which conveys such a feeling of confusion and indecision. I'm glad the heroine "got it together" and decided to walk on with her life:)
Posted by: Becca | 16 February 2007 at 13:52
Blessings my darling friend.
You words move me always as do your photographs and you.
Love and smiles across the miles.
Love Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 16 February 2007 at 11:59
For someone who is unsure of their abilities, you never cease to amaze me. I've been so out of the blogloop - I need to check on that contest and see if you won. If not, I need to go attack someone.
Posted by: holli | 16 February 2007 at 09:39
The very idea that this was a challenge for you completely amazes me as it is written so beautifully. Writing is your art or at least one form of your art.... for me reading your blog is like wandering in a gallery of words.
XOXO
Posted by: Lisa Oceandreamer | 16 February 2007 at 02:54
Tara,
Prose? Poem? I care not. The story captivates with it's words and is message. So full of sadness,and regret for what could have been if for a few practice sessions. Call it what you will, I like it. ;-)
rel
Posted by: rel | 16 February 2007 at 00:33
CONGRATULATIONS on the well-deserved blog award. Love the cake it looked so yummy I could almost believe I could just pick it up off the screen and pop it into my mouth - I was practically drooling! Your prose poetry piece worked - it read like one long metaphor and a well-designed one at that. Crafted and compact.
Posted by: chiefbiscuit | 16 February 2007 at 00:14
What an intriguing work - wonderful! I'm so glad you tried your hand at this - yes, your prose IS so very poetic, Tara! Your words bring so many images to mind...
Thank you for sharing it with us! xo
Posted by: tinker | 15 February 2007 at 23:33
I like this! I truly do - you are such an inspiration Tara xox
ps- congrats on the blog award xo
Posted by: miss*R | 15 February 2007 at 22:23
I'm so with Colette - I had this exact same experience. You've described it so perfectly - but hopefully. I like that.
Posted by: twilightspider | 15 February 2007 at 21:46
I liked it but I'm still so confused as to what it is ;) I knew you could do it...bravo! XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 15 February 2007 at 21:42
"the first wrong note on a piano in need of tuning" this leads to so many possibilities. I think the word is tantalising. I want to see the illustrations that would accompany these. Heck, I want to create them. Compelling.
Posted by: Jemima von Schindelberg | 15 February 2007 at 21:02
Applause!!!
Great for a first attempt
Chamara
Posted by: Gypsy Purple--Chamara | 15 February 2007 at 20:26
Inviting her on a journey he was not prepared to take, he abandoned her in the middle of the road. She picked herself up, mapped her own course and found true love.
Very well-written Miss Parfait, tres jolie
Posted by: cathy | 15 February 2007 at 19:45
Tara, you gave me the chills.
You have described exactly, but exactly, my last relationship, though I have yet to find my true love.
I will bring you hot chocolate.
xoxo
Posted by: Colette | 15 February 2007 at 18:50
He's one of those kinds, is he? "Inviting her on a journey he was not prepared to take..."
Kind of like, "don't take me to the cliff then push me off the edge..."... excellent prose poetry, Tara- just excellent.
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 15 February 2007 at 18:38
I really liked the photo...and the poem too. This reminds me of my own piano lessons at the beginning and I like how he buys a car. Very nice.
Posted by: Emily | 15 February 2007 at 17:42
I think you did a FINE job for the first time at poetry prose! Love the topsy turvy sign!
Posted by: Pam Aries | 15 February 2007 at 16:43
Hi Tara. Great picture to go along with the poetry.
Posted by: Brian | 15 February 2007 at 15:50