As I get ready to embark on my Lenten Poetry Journey, I thought some words of wisdom from Ferlinghetti’s Poetry As Insurgent Art would be the perfect thing to start me on my journey!
Be a songbird, not a parrot.
Be a canary in the coal mine. (A dead canary is not just an ornithological problem.)
Be also a rooster, waking up the world.
Write short poems in the voice of birds.
Birdsong is not made by machine. Give your poem wings to fly to the treetops.
Compared to last week, it’s been a slow making week. One sleeve finished, one sleeve begun, but I still have miles to go before I bind off. But, I am closer than I was last week… and so I knit on!
Looks impressive from this angle…
Until you see how far I have yet to go…sigh.
I cast on a pair of socks for Steve with some Miss Babs 2-ply Yummy, color way… Coffee Break. I am a bit concerned about how it’s pooling but I am knitting on. It’s a bit of a “make it up as you go pattern” top down, with a long-tail tubular cast on, a reinforced heel, and then I am hoping for a toe that is better fitting for Steve’s foot. Stay tuned!
It was a slower reading week as well with just two finishes (and one was super short!)
Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was pure fun. Lots of reminiscing…music, movies, games. The story picks up somewhat seamlessly from Player One’s close and there it takes you on an unexpected journey. Player One was so brilliant, it was a hard act to follow. I liked Player Two quite a bit, but I think the first book was just ever so better. The ending in Player Two though… crazy. And it leaves you with so much to think about! I highly recommend this book!
Poetry as Insurgent Art by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Life lived with poetry in mind is itself an art.
Just 90 pages long, but wow is this little book jam-packed with wisdom! I have read through it several times and am thankful that my library had this book! I first learned of Ferlinghetti several weeks ago on an episode of The Writer’s Almanac and it was even better than I anticipated!
There are three kinds of poetry:
Supine poetry accepts the status quo. Sitting poetry written by the sitting establishment has a bottom line dictated by its day job. Standing poetry is the poetry of commitment, sometimes great, sometimes dreadful.
Ferlinghetti encourages one to release their inner poet in the most amazing way! I highly recommend this book!
What about you? What has inspired you this week? Or are you like me knitting in slow motion?
As always, if you wrote a post to share please leave your link below and thank you!
I am absolutely knitting in slow motion! But your sleeve is almost finished – you’re doing great! And the second picture you showed of your sweater makes it look like that yellow yarn is sitting in a bird’s nest – so cute!!
I’m glad you read some great books this week. I’m anxious to follow your Lenten journey! I was going to try to read the Gospels again this year, but I don’t think I’ll be able to do that.
Enjoy your Wednesday!
Hi
Wonderful. Knitting unraveled wednesday.
what a pretty cardigan! I love the yarn’s halo 🙂 I’ll be writing now two haikus a day instead of one, maybe I can use the prompt word in my first haiku…we will see, I am loving stretching my creative spirit and putting a song in my heart during the middle of winter.
Knitting in slow motion may be my norm, but all knitting is lovely no matter the speed it is knit. I think your sweater and Steve’s sock both look impressive, and will be completed all in good time. I’m excited to join you in your poetry journey, and will definitely be looking for Ferlinghetti’s book. Thank you!
The “coffee break” yarn for Steve’s sock is really pretty. And your sweater looks great Kat. Slow knitting can be meditative which is a good thing. Enjoy the journey! I am in slow-mo for both knitting and reading, but I’m ok with that.
Love that ‘coffee break’ color way. Steve’s sock will be beautiful and definite reinforce the heel, Mis Babbs sock yarn pills/and felts on heels, something I learned the hard way;-[
Your sweater is lovely as well, I am in good company on sleeve island.
The cardigan is so stunning! You say you have so far to go, but I see it as not much left to go in the grand scheme of things! It’s going to be so cozy when it’s done.
Glad to hear your reading has been so good this week.
Such a beautiful sweater. The halo is lovely. I love the words about poetry at the beginning of your post. I had not heard of this book so I am off to investigate.
The cardigan is stunning, I love the halo on the yarn. Even if you have a ways to go, it’ll be worth it all once you’re done.
I love the poem you shared — timely reminder for all of us. I hope this Lenten season is what you need it to be.
I am truly plodding along on the shawl I am knitting–I love the colors and the pattern but it’s slowly happening. Good thing I’m a process knitter!
The cardigan looks impressive from any angle, Kat. You’re much further along than it feels; almost done! 🙂
That cardigan is gorgeous and oh so close! I can’t wait to see a modeled shot! 🙂