Crafting a Poem is Like
Piecing a Crazy Quilt
A flash/formula Poem Exercise
This labor to make our words matter
Is what any good quilter teaches.
A stitch in time, let's say.
A blind stitch
That clings to the edges
Of what's left, the ripped
Scraps and remnants, whatever
Won't stop taking shape even though the whole
Crazy quilt's falling to pieces.
An excerpt from "Mountain Time" by
Kathryn Stripling Byer
Introduction: Most people love to talk about themselves. We like to be asked our opinions, our favorite and least
favorite things, places, colors. Seldom do we get to enter into discourse about ourselves without seeming rude, so
enter this writing exercise--an exercise designed to get even the "non-writer" if such a thing exists putting their ideas
down on paper. A quilt can seem an overwhelming task, too. I can't sew, but I can make quilt blocks, that then
transform into a larger reality. You might not think you can write a poem, but you can answer a few simple
questions. In both processes, seemingly unrelated items in synergy make something new, themes and motifs arise,
background colors emerge, and art is crafted. The connections between images become seams in a crazy quilt. The
puncuation marks become stitches holding your creation together.
1. What is your favorite color?
2. Circle your favorite mark of puncuation:
Period (.) Comma (,) Dash (--) Exclamation Point (!) Question Mark (?)
3. If you were an animal, what animal would you be?
4. What is your favorite object in your house? For example: lamp, green chair, old table
5. Circle your favorite action from the following list: run, jump, leap, crawl, stumble, fly, walk, amble, meander,
flop,
step, climb, roll
6. What is your least favorite color?
7. What you most fear someone saying to you. Use a direct quotation. For example: "You are a bad girl" or "Did
you know your
fly
is unbuttoned?"
8. What is your favorite room at your current home?
9. A food you hate:
10. A food you love:
11. A smell you love:
12. Your favorite time of day:
13. Your most comfortable piece of clothing.
14. Circle your favorite action from the following list: crying, laughing, burping, screaming, whispering
15. Name the piece of furniture you see when you first come into your current home:
