Your Voice Was Never Lost
7 Days in the Orange Verse #38
Hello Zesties,
Sorry there was no newsletter last week. You may have noticed I was getting a bit frazzled over the past few weeks and I needed to take some time off.
In fact, I took the entire week off work and got lots done. I did a mahoosive Orange Verse planning session - so watch this space for fun things to follow.
My boyfriend and I also celebrated our 3rd anniversary with a walk up Bickerton Hill and a stay at the Cholmondeley (pronounced Chumley) Arms. Would recommend.
We’ve also done a load of jobs in the house and took a trip to Ikea. So it’s been productive but I’m still gagging for a week off just to sit and read. Ah well.
This week’s newsletter is all about finding your poetic voice. Enjoy.
1 Your Voice Was Never Lost
I loved this thoughtful meditation on the poetic voice by Tallulah Howarth. She comes to the conclusion that a poet must first discover their poetic mind, after which, the writer can find poetry in the mundane, simple things.
2 Artistic Tradition on Show
This week I discovered Spanish DJ duo, Mestiza, and I’m obsessed. They combine flamenco and house music and incorporate live dancing, singing and guitar in their sets. I love the aesthetic, I love the music, I love that they’ve put their artistic heritage front and centre, showcasing the tradition from which their voice and point of view arises.
3 Use Imagery from Your Own Life
In a recent workshop with Hollie McNish, the most interesting thing you can do is use imagery that’s utterly personal to you. She used the example of describing something like the colour of a pot noodle packet.
4 Write What Only You Know
Laurie Bolger has a great poem about her sister. In it, she lists all the things that only Laurie knows about her. It’s hilarious and heartwarming and nostalgic in all the right ways. See below to watch Laurie read the poem (it’s from a longer podcast with Harry Baker that you should absolutely watch/listen to in its entirety).
5 Poem
Gem
~ Laurie Bolger
6 Quote
“Your poetry finds voice, maybe, when your mind has an active engagement with the sense that there is a vibrancy or life to all objects. This elusive voice can’t be found on demand, but it will follow your sense of self, and your rooted place in the world.”
~ Tallulah Howarth
7 Prompt
Pick an object/activity that you love that’s a bit weird and very personal to you (think a pot noodle packet, or threading sewing needles through the top layer of skin on your finger tips).
Why do you love it? Get deep. What does it remind you of? How does it make you feel? How does it soothe you?
Happy creating you gorgeous lot!
Lots of love
Lorna 🍊