Writing poetry requires inspiration plus imagination to reveal deep insights into life.  One way to exercise the imagination is to consider the world from different perspectives.  This column offers various techniques to see the world in alternative ways and to see yourself in a new light.

 

In the Eyes of the Child

 

Consider yourself as a child writing a poem.  What do children observe about the world that adults no longer notice?  Use all five of your senses to experience the child's observations.  Take a walk around the house and observe things from a child’s perspective. 

 

Room

Child’s Observation

Sense

1. Kitchen

the refrigerator seems so big

sight

2. Living room

the floor is very smooth

touch

3. Bedroom

 

 

4.

 

smell

5. Bathroom

 

 

6.

 

hearing

 

why? Why? WHY?

 

The next step is to observe and question things that adults take for granted.  For the child, these observations are new and original.  They really want to know “why?  Why?  WHY?”

 

Write several questions about the world.  First, answer them from your usual grown up point of view.  Second, imagine the child’s creative answer.  This helps you recognize your adult perspective and realize that your ideas may be automatic rather than creative.

 

Child’s Question

Adult’s Answer

Child’s Answer

What is there after space?

According to Einstein and other scientists, the universe is expanding at a steady rate into a vacuum.  As it expands…

There are giant pillows that look like clouds.  Everybody can jump on them all day and nobody complains.

 

Why do we have to go to school?

To prepare you academically and socially to succeed in a competitive world.  You need skills that you can use in the job market after you graduate.

Growing plants in the garden would be a better education for me.   Chasing butterflies in the park and swimming in the pond are a better school than some old building with dirty windows.

Why is fire hot?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where do the stars go during the day?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Children’s Sense

 

Children see things differently than adults.  Adults consider themselves more mature and developed.  On the other hand, children have unique senses that remain active as long as they can play and be happy.  Which of our senses are lost as we become adult?

 

For example, here is a description of the children’s sense of laughter: 

 

At birth we are given the gift

To sense the joy of funny and fun

The ability to laugh at anything, anywhere,

Even when everybody is watching

The sense of laughter is deeply aware

Of original humour in the universe

 

As we age, this sense becomes weak

We only laugh when we are allowed to laugh.

We get so serious with money and cars

We no longer laugh at anything

Least of all ourselves

 

Laughter is the key to youth

 

Imagine other senses that are unique to children such as the sense of big or the sense of play.  Describe their sense in a poem to reveal the world through the eyes of the child.

 

Thought Touched by Love

 

Attach a photograph of yourself as a child to a page in your poetry-writing journal.  Look deeply in the child's eyes and read the child's dreams.  What do they hope for? What do they fear?  How do they feel about the world? 

Look into your own eyes as a child and write your thoughts, feelings and perspectives in a poem. Maybe the child can give you some advice.  Afterwards, return to your adult perspective and respond to the child.