Episode 2- Writing Outside the Self

In Episode 2 of Poet Voice, I discuss The Montreal International Poetry Prize, Medrie Purdham’s shortlisted poem “In Front of Lucy, Our First Mother, My Son Has a Lavish Nosebleed,” and give prompts and ideas for writing outside the self!

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Click to listen:

Prompts:

1) Visit a museum or art gallery and write an ekphrastic poem describing your chosen art piece/artifact, or a short story inspired inside by it.

2) Practice defamiliarization by visiting a part of your city you’ve never visited before, or describing your hometown as if you’re an alien from another planet. What details stick out that you might normally take for granted?

3) Challenge yourself to write a palindrome poem, or a poem that can be read both forward and in reverse (taking liberties with word choice, as needed).

Mentioned on this week’s episode:

–The Montreal International Poetry Prize

-Medrie Purdham’s 2021 poetry collection, Little Housewolf

-Lucy, Australopithecus afarensis