Tuesday, April 22, 2008

A Poem of Apology

Say You're Sorry: Write a Poem of Apology

Those of you who read my Interview with Joyce Sidman may remember that Joyce and I invited people to write poems of apology...just as Joyce did for her award-winning collection of poems This Is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness.

JOYCE SIDMAN

If you take up the challenge and write a poem of apology, please let me know by leaving a comment at this post or by emailing me your poem. I will write up a future post that includes all the poems of apology--or links to the poems--that people have written.

NOTE: You can read two poems of apology in my Interview with Joyce Sidman. One of the poems is from Joyce’s book; one is a poem that I wrote last year.



Here is another poem of apology that I wrote this morning:

My Excuse
By Elaine Magliaro

I am so sorry that I did not write
a poem of apology
for you.
My muse left town unexpectedly--
without a word of warning!
Now
I am no longer a master
of the lyrical line,
the poetic turn of phrase.
I can’t conduct my thoughts on paper,
can’t compose a simile that sings,
can’t write with rhythm or rhyme,
can’t alliterate,
can’t make a metaphor with meaning
AND music.

Please forgive me.
I have writer’s block.
I can’t seem to get past
the loss of my trusted inspiration.
I am bereaved,
bereft,
bothered,
and bewildered.
Please take pity on me
until my muse returns.

Prosaically yours,
Elaine

6 comments:

Greg Pincus said...

I am so sorry I told you
There was no more chocolate
When you asked
So sweetly.

There was one piece,
Dark and rich
Filled with chocolate creme.
Your favorite.
My favorite, too
With a cup of coffee and quiet.

I'm sorry I lied...
But it was delicious.

Elaine Magliaro said...

Gregory,

Thanks for contributing a poem of apology. Are you a chocoholic like me? I wrote one of my "sorry" poems about chocolate, too. I like the "cup of coffee and quiet."

Anonymous said...

Elaine, Here is my link in response to comments made about the lack of librarians at a recent book hearing:
http://maclibrary.edublogs.org/2008/04/18/a-poem-regarding-my-absence-at-a-book-challenge-hearing/

Jone said...

And I know that writer's blog! I have been trying to write a poem with ring, blanket, and drum in it and I get nothing.

Elaine Magliaro said...

Jone,

I tried to write a second ring/drum/blanket poem--but I hit a wall. I found I couldn't force it.

Anonymous said...
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