I've wanted, for a while now, to challenge you all to do a Where I'm From post. I found it first at Daysgoby. I was blown away by Jess' version. An amazing marriage of poetry and prose. I never really thought I could do anything like it. But. It's easier than it looks! There's a template [find it at Jess'] for the fainthearted, among whom I numbered. So I set to and was surprised by how much I liked the result. Birdy, that intrepid soul, dove right in and gave us her thoughtful offering. I nagged and badgered my unwilling sister until she too, finally, produced a dark and brooding version.
I had hoped you'd all fall over each other to do likewise, but I was wrong. The moment passed, other things came along and grabbed your attention. Then today I read this post by Kapuananiokalaniakea. She would do a wonderful job of it, I thought. I should challenge her. And I started thinking of all the other versions I'd like to read --- Tanya's, Heart's, Squirrel's, Chani's, Isabelle's,Fifi's, Meggie's, Stomper's,Tracey's, Ali's, Thimbleanna's,MJD's, My Float's, Kelli's, and my own Liz's. Easier to say "If you're in my links list I'd love to read yours!" I don't usually like to put people on the spot. I just think there's some great, almost-poetry out there, waiting for you all to put your unique shapes on it.{Not a reference to cottage loafs, Isabelle!]
So, ladies and gentlemen, you're under starter's orders! Let me know. I don't want to miss any. And please, please, please don't deafen me with silence!
Read more!To read the original poem by George Ella Lyons click on the link to Suse and follow her links! Thanks Suse...
I have made a list in my sidebar so you can read these any time you want to. If any one else does it let me know and I'll add your link!
Thanks to everyone who took the challenge so far. i really enjoyed getting to know you all better.
28 comments:
I did take the challenge, dear Molly. Although mine compares poorly to yours both in length and content, you are welcome to have a look at it here (http://lonegreysquirrel.blogspot.com/2007/11/poetry-by-numbers-where-im-from.html)
The missing section should read,
"-by-numbers-where-im-from.html"
or just go to my blog and look under poetry.
I found much food for thought in the ones you and Rise wrote. I am daunted, but complimented that you thought of me. I'll give it a try, although at the moment the first line that comes to me is "I am from grumpiness and dyspepsia and grudges that are not only nursed but dearly cherished." There's a cheerful thought, eh?
I read yours & Rise's & Jess's & was really impressed.
It is a little daunting to think of it, but I will give it a go.. just not sure when.
Love Tanya's comment!
Have you considered you might not like mine?
Hi again Molly. I have done your challenge. It took me a while- I found I rewrote it a few times, which is very unusual for me. I am a bit bull at a gate.
I deleted huge wads of it, & left them out. Felt a bit TMI.
Squirrel! I'm so sorry...how could I forget that you had done it already? I read it and loved it and have just now read it again.....thanks for the link!
Tanya---There's room there for grumpiness, grudges and dyspepsia! But we all know there's much more to you than that....
Meggie---We've all heard your wonderful stories! Here's your chance to distill them into a few succinct lines...
Lily darlin'! Welcome to my blog. Have you considered that I'm not from the Hallmark Cutsie Mafia? That I would not expect it to be all sweetness and light? Give me some credit please!
I love that you put out a challenge!
And I haven't found one yet that was horrible. Blogging for most of us is so in the present that learning about our memories gives you a whole new picture of the person.
What a good idea!
Molly,
Thank you for the challenge.
Here is my attempt: http://wakingupinportland.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-am-from.html
PS Didn't read yours until just now because I wanted to create without the bias of someone else's words.
Yours is just lovely!
It's funny that we both are from "because I said so".
Meggie---In Ireland you'd be called a "shanachie"--the storyteller who sat by the fire in times before television enthralling everyone with his/her stories! Thanks for rising to the challenge!
Jess---see what you started?! I'm glad you found that template. It's one of my favourite posts, and I love the glimpses into everyones' past that it gives...
Kapuanani--go to the head of the class! Goosebumps, shivers, a laugh of regognition, the aroma of exotic places...I'm thirsty for more!
Oh, challenge excepted! I'll have to work on this a wee-bit but love the idea of it!
ok, I shall set to and see what I can do.
Hmm, now.
Oh Molly! I remember when you wrote your original post and I ADORED it! It is so poetic and beautifully written. And I looked into it. I followed your links. I think I even downloaded the template. Then I got busy and thought I couldn't possibly do it the justice that you have. I'll give it another look though and thanks so much for bringing it back up. I really love the whole concept. Busy week ahead, so it may take a bit of time, but definitely on my list!
Molly, thanks for thinking of me. :) I gave it some thought and have decided to not try this. I am really invested in leaving the past behind.. more than I realized until I thought about this.
The entries were lovely though.. all of them!
~Chani
Molly, I didn't think I could do it but I did. Thank you for the prod.
Kelli, Fifi, Anna----waiting with bated breath!
Chani---I understand completely. Would not want you mulling over things, people and events you would rather forget. Eyes on the future.....since we cannot change the past.
Heart---I can't believe you just popped this out so quickly. I had to stew about mine for quite a while. Then I had to spend another while tweaking it and tinkering with it. But all you had to hear was "Do it!" and out came a masterpiece......
Molly - thanks for calling by - I would be honoured to have you add mine!
And now I have just read your incredible version and am glad I did not read it first as I would have been too intimidated to do my own. Meggie's was so beautiful too!
Ha, you left that comment on my post before you clicked on the links, didn't you?!
I did my poem many many months ago and by coincidence, linked to it in the very post you commented on!
It's under the about me question.
Or, for a shortcut, you can see it here:
http://peasoupoftheday.blogspot.com/2005/07/where-i-am-from.html
Dear Molly,
I have completed my task. Didnt realise there was a template so Its not quite like theothers.
thank you for inviting me to do it.
Mary----Thanks for letting me include yours on my list. Isn't it amazing how different some of our experiences are and yet how many similarities we all have?
Suse! You're right, I intended coming back when I could browse through all your links without rushing...Love your version. Thanks for all the info on the original poem and Fred's project. It was fascinating.
Fifi--Remember learning about your John in history class. How if they dared to rebel they were packed off to Van Diemien's land.I'd love to know more about the "tiny letters written in the juice of forbidden berries"!
Molly mine is pitiful...LOL but it is up:
http://everlastingmercy.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-am-from.html
Not pitiful at all! If America is one big melting pot of peoples, each one of us is also our own little melting pot of influences and ancestors and places and events that formed us....
Here it is, such as it is:
http://tanyatheartbutcher.blogspot.com/2008/02/where-im-from.html
Thanks for initiating the challenge which I found via Pixie and Kirsty. A very moving exercise. My attempt is here http://otherrants.blogspot.com/2008/02/i-am-from.html
You are most welcome to add my effort to the list and thanks for dropping by :)
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