Another Fool’s Feathers

One of the best ways to learn about writing poetry is to respond to the poetry one reads. Talk back to the poet, his/her ideas, using ones own words, but always keeping in mind what has already been said. It is very much like carrying on a conversation with the poem, and the poet.

I started doing this when I was in college. But have continued to do it periodically ever since. The poem I am posting today is just such a writing. It is in response to Anne Sexton’s Ambition Bird. That poem can be found at
http://www.americanpoems.com/poets/annesexton/602

If you are interested in this sort of exercise, it is best to cite, either within the poem itself, or as a footnote, the poem and author you are responding to. This is also an excellent exercise to use in combating Writer’s Block.

Another Fool’s Feathers

Anne Sexton’s Ambition Bird
has perched atop my pen,
glistening dark feathers
ride long blue lines
across legal-sized
yellow notepaper. Fluttering
only at fitful stops and starts
of a more than willing heart
which doesn’t know quite
how to continue.

There are moments, months
even, when I firmly regret
having opened my window
to its incessant peck, peck, pecking.
Longer nights when I long
to pluck another fool’s feathers,
stuff them between two silk
scarves, sewing edges tight
with tiny elaborate stitches.

Sexton was right
about this overly zealous
fledgling, its erratic
almost hummingbird flight,
but she also knew
of that single word breaking true
at center of a warm
mamma night.

Elizabeth Crawford  3/10/09

Posted to United Poets Poetry Pantry: 3/3/13
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/