In recent years, I have enjoyed exploring poetry. Through the magic of Zoom, I have learned about so many current poets and their poems. Reading poems has led to writing prompts and my own attempts at writing poems. I get a lot of pleasure in playing with words and forms.
One form, however, has intimidated me and I told myself a story that I couldn’t write a pantoum. Until today. I’m taking a 6-class series called “Poetry is Life” taught by Ann Quinn through Yellow Arrow Publishing in Maryland. We usually study three poems each session and practice writing from them. The form we visited today was, for me, the dreaded pantoum. It seemed impossible to think of a topic that could become a pantoum. I didn’t know where to start. I even considered not trying.
Carefully, Ann walked us through Natasha Trethewey’s poem, “Incident” and essentially mapped the lines into a code I could follow as I wrote my own poem. I also learned that pantoums often reveal a narrative with layers of meaning.
Here’s my first pantoum:
Fine
He says he’s fine
after blood drenched his tie
I’m good, he says
bright red spots down his white shirt.
After blood drenched his tie
a friend stopped to help
bright red spots down his white shirt
It will be okay.
A friend stopped to help
He didn’t have to
It will be okay
but she’s not sure she believes
He didn’t have to
speak soothing words and take slow steps
but she’s not sure she believes
and kindness sometimes lies
Speak soothing words and take slow steps
I’m good, he says
and kindness sometimes lies
He says he’s fine.
Isn’t it so interesting that we can change the stories we tell ourselves? Today, I’m happy that some of my fears of new forms were set aside. I learned that a pantoum is actually a fun word puzzle. I am grateful to have teachers and other poets to guide me.
Thank you to all who make this writing space
a place of safety, support, and beauty.
pelicansandprose 
YOU are so cool!!!!!
I love how oyu are such a learner. And so honest (I even considered not trying.)
I love your poem but even more, I love how you show me through your writing and your actions to be a life long learner!!! Thank you!!
I love how we learn together!
How inspiring, to conquer a writing fear, and to share your first attempt with us. I felt such a story in your pantoum (yes, I had to Google it!), each character joining and deepening the meaning. Thanks for modeling your writerly life!
This is pretty awesome! A learner just learns, regardless of age! I love the poem, the word play that goes on here. I’m glad you put your fears aside for us! 🙂
Thanks so much!
Marilyn, good for you! Your poem tells a story, and I want to learn more about the subject. The repetition is very effective. I’m so glad you wrote your first pantoum, and that you are taking a poetry writing class. That sounds wonderful, and you obviously are growing as a writer. I like to use this when I attempt a pantoum: http://henrycrawfordpoetry.com/Tools/Pantoum
It helps so I don’t have to worry about where to repeat the lines.
Thank you for the feedback and resource, Denise! I’m sure I’ll use it again and again. I realize that I need to work on revealing more of the story, but I have a start:)
This is the second pantoum I’ve encountered in the slicing community this time around and it’s only been 2 days! (See Amanda Pott’s slice today.) I had never heard of the form before. It is fascinating how this method layers the storytelling in new ways. Good on you for trying something new and succeeding!
I saw Amanda’s! She is a writer I truly admire!