IMITATE YOUR FAVORITE POEM « April Halprin Wayland

Eli at the dog park 4-11 (c) 2011 April Halprin Wayland, all rights reserved

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Who’s coming in the dog park gate?!?!?!

Okay…first read this poem:

THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE

by William Butler Yeats

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,

And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;

Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,

And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,

Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;

There midnight’s all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,

And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day

I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;

While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,

I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

Here’s my poem for today:

THE DOG PARK OF REDONDO BEACH

by April Halprin Wayland

I will arise and go now, and go to Redondo Beach,

To the dog park gang there—my pup can hardly wait;

Nine owners I will know there, my mutt will romp unleashed,

As soon as I unlock the gate.

And I shall have some peace then, for peace comes when he’s tired,

Dropping to the rug and sleeping—I’ll rhyme while he does doze;

Then I can focus, think now, and this pooch won’t be wired,

Won’t poke my thigh with his questioning nose.

I will arise and go now, for when my dog is young,

I can’t get any work done until he’s tuckered out;

I’m grateful for all dog parks, give thanks for panting tongues,

The story behind the poem:

My friend, Alison McGhee emails a poem of the week. I love this. Just enough to read. Just enough to absorb.
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Today she sent THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE. I’ve read it many times before but today I decided to take it apart and see how it was made. I suppose my process is like a seamstress who takes apart a dress so she can see how to make one like it.

I worked out the rhyming pattern. I analyzed the rhythm of each line. I read it aloud to my dog, Eli. Then I chose my topic and sewed my own dress from Yeat’s pattern.

It’s your turn. Choose a favorite poem. Take it apart. Write your own. And for heaven’s sake, enjoy!
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Gizmo, Murphy, Eli & Butter--the husky-- at the dog park 2-6-11

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All tuckered out…