For some time, Ian McMillan has recorded his early morning stroll to the shops. This one is an example of beautifully unique descriptions. What does it inspire in you? Do you feel like giving it a go?
EARLY STROLL
A popup rain river flows down the street. A removal van waits to take darkness away. Last night drips down this morning’s window.
My dad’s ghost waves from the front gate of the house we used to live in; he is wearing his gardening tie.
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What is the current crisis inspiring in you, writing-wise? The Poet, Ian McMillan insists that one day it will all be fodder for writers - and he's started already! Have a look. I have put the rhyme scheme and the syllable counts beside them, but the ideas are the thing in this exercise.
My generation's idea of self-isolation, was sitting in your bedroom all day, with no gadgets or TV, watching the rain on the window, or staring out the window in the hope that someone would walk past and relieve the monotony.
McMillan has gone a little Philip Larkin with this first poem -
They self-isolate, your mum and dad a 9
They like to tell you that they do b 8
Because the air around is bad a 8
Breathed in and out by folks like you. b 8
But they were isolated years ago c 10
By silences in chilly rooms d 8
So always let the talking flow: c 8
Life gleams when conversation blooms. d 8
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In long decades hence we’ll look back at this time a 11
And try to record it in rhythm and rhyme a 11
And novels and dramas and sculptures and art b 11
So here are some lines that might do for a start: b 11
In self isolation remember, my friend c 11
The world turns and all this will come to an end. c 11
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