POETRY: MAKING MEANING
Mr. Bechtler
A Primer for Poets and Readers of Poetry, by Gregory Orr
ISBN-13: 978-0393253924
“A Primer for Poets and Readers of Poetry guides the young poet toward a deeper understanding of how poetry can function in his or her life, while also introducing the art in an exciting new way. Using such poems as Theodore Roethke’s ‘My Papa’s Waltz’ and Robert Hayden’s ‘Those Winter Sundays,’ the Primer encourages young writers to approach their ‘thresholds’―those places where disorder meets order, where shaping imagination can turn language into urgent and persuasive poems. It provides the poet with more than a dozen focused writing exercises and explains essential topics such as the personal and cultural threshold; the four forces that animate poetic language (naming, singing, saying, imagining); tactics of revision; ecstasy and engagement as motives for poetry; and how to locate and learn from our personal poetic forebears.” - Jacket copy
I. Read the Preface and Part One of the Primer (up to pp. 67). As you read, consider the following questions. You do not need to answer these questions over the summer, but you will need to be prepared to discuss them once school starts.
What is your experience with lyric poetry (including music)? What do you find compelling? What draws you to it? (Ch. 1)
What does Orr mean by “order” and “disorder”? What is your personal tolerance for order/disorder? What’s an example of each from your life?
Who are the “two gods” Orr describes? What are their roles? Which one do you most identify with? (Ch. 2)
What does Orr mean by “threshold”? Reflect on your own personal threshold(s): what defines it/them?
What is a “lyric invitation”? Think of a favorite poem or song: why do you accept its lyric invitation? (Ch. 3)
II. Try out some writing of your own! Respond to Orr’s “I Remember” exercise (29) and his “Threshold And You” exercise (56).
III. As you read, maintain a Daily Observation Journal. Poetry is an art of focus and generous attention! So, to serve your journey into poetry, keep a running journal of the things that command your attention. What catches your eye—a butterfly in a sunbeam? A broken hubcap leaning against a telephone pole? These moments of attention are fleeting, so try to catch yourself in the act! (They only need to be a sentence or two)
Record one observation per day for at least one week (7+ observations in total). These will get easier with consistent daily practice!
IV. Your notes, responses, and writing can be handwritten or typed, but do keep them all in one place. Your daily observations can be separate because you may choose to record them on your phone or in a small notebook throughout the day.