I’m currently reading ‘The Trouble With White Women’, after devouring ‘White Tears/ Brown Scars’ and there’s a lot of Black women missing from this poem.
I really enjoy the form though and might try to write a counter-poem 😅 I’ll let you know how I get on, on Friday 🙏🏼❤️
Oh that’s interesting. And my own white bias meaning I didn’t know/notice that so thank you. And those books sound great too. Ooh yes. A counter poem 👏
Yes, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was racist too and they both historically opposed the 15th amendment that gave Black men the vote. They also wrote feminist texts which intentionally left out the words of Black women at the feminist rallies and conferences etc. which is largely why many of these important Black women have been largely forgotten.
It’s interesting to think about. Because in the context of the poem, both of those women did some great work. How do we hold that alongside their racism? Or do we cancel them completely? I’ve had a good Sunday morning thinking about it all, thank you Nelly 🙏🏼
I regularly share with my husband the prompt for the week, it looks like it might become a joint effort or I just steal his ideas. with permission of course. Belonging to poetry pals has increased my joy this year in writing poetry, in hearing poetry, in talking about poetry with you guys and my husband who is enjoying my joy. i love this community and how its making a better poet and also a my joyful and therefore more me and that leads me to being a better human.
Mamie I feel the same. I love that you are writing with your husband. I am so grateful for you being here. And you use the word “belonging”. This means a lot ❤️
I have actually written with alliteration before. It was one of those 3 AM word vomit trying to shut my mind up so I could get some sleep poems. I was half delirious and still don’t entirely believe in the quality of the product, but it feels much to sacred to edit. It’s almost like a landmark.
Because of my experience, I second your belief about alliteration. It is exciting to write this way, because it is like rhyming, only at the beginning of the word instead of the end. Such soundplay opens the door for even the most unrhythmic free verse to dance on the tongue. Truly, alliteration is not appreciated enough.
I love this poem. There's so much visceral imagery along with the alliteration. I think it really works to reinforce that these were flesh and blood people.
I think I have also sometimes over-used alliteration. I really love it as a poetic device.
Oh, the poem is so gorgeous. I thought it ended after the first image and I was still blown away. Then I saw that it continued and continued to love it :).
I’m currently reading ‘The Trouble With White Women’, after devouring ‘White Tears/ Brown Scars’ and there’s a lot of Black women missing from this poem.
I really enjoy the form though and might try to write a counter-poem 😅 I’ll let you know how I get on, on Friday 🙏🏼❤️
Oh that’s interesting. And my own white bias meaning I didn’t know/notice that so thank you. And those books sound great too. Ooh yes. A counter poem 👏
Yes, I’m just reading ‘Against White Feminism’ & Susan B. Anthony was racist - very against helping Black men get a vote before (white) women.
Yes, Elizabeth Cady Stanton was racist too and they both historically opposed the 15th amendment that gave Black men the vote. They also wrote feminist texts which intentionally left out the words of Black women at the feminist rallies and conferences etc. which is largely why many of these important Black women have been largely forgotten.
It’s interesting to think about. Because in the context of the poem, both of those women did some great work. How do we hold that alongside their racism? Or do we cancel them completely? I’ve had a good Sunday morning thinking about it all, thank you Nelly 🙏🏼
Thank you for sharing those titles! Going to look them up right now.
I regularly share with my husband the prompt for the week, it looks like it might become a joint effort or I just steal his ideas. with permission of course. Belonging to poetry pals has increased my joy this year in writing poetry, in hearing poetry, in talking about poetry with you guys and my husband who is enjoying my joy. i love this community and how its making a better poet and also a my joyful and therefore more me and that leads me to being a better human.
Mamie I feel the same. I love that you are writing with your husband. I am so grateful for you being here. And you use the word “belonging”. This means a lot ❤️
I have actually written with alliteration before. It was one of those 3 AM word vomit trying to shut my mind up so I could get some sleep poems. I was half delirious and still don’t entirely believe in the quality of the product, but it feels much to sacred to edit. It’s almost like a landmark.
Because of my experience, I second your belief about alliteration. It is exciting to write this way, because it is like rhyming, only at the beginning of the word instead of the end. Such soundplay opens the door for even the most unrhythmic free verse to dance on the tongue. Truly, alliteration is not appreciated enough.
Oo, alliteration and anaphora all in one. I often use alliteration I think. Both poems are lovely.
I love this poem. There's so much visceral imagery along with the alliteration. I think it really works to reinforce that these were flesh and blood people.
I think I have also sometimes over-used alliteration. I really love it as a poetic device.
I am also drawn massively to musicality and rhythm of putting words together… so I love this poem and prompt.
Love this Nelly, and love alliteration. I’ll try to get back on the poetry train and have a go x
I love alliteration too and use it as well. It can be quite powerful, I think.
Oh, the poem is so gorgeous. I thought it ended after the first image and I was still blown away. Then I saw that it continued and continued to love it :).
"Can it be too much?"
No, not necessarily, Nelly. I like a lovely little lot of alliteration.
🤣 🤣 we are kindred spirits Martin