Poems from Photos (exercise)

Photos by Cartier-Bresson

Sharon Olds' "I Go Back to May 1937" seems to be written while studying a photo (though there are no images accompanying it).
I see them standing at the formal gates of their colleges,
I see my father strolling out
under the ochre sandstone arch, the
red tiles glinting like bent
plates of blood behind his head, I                                          5
see my mother with a few light books at her hip
standing at the pillar made of tiny bricks with the
wrought-iron gate still open behind her, its
sword-tips black in the May air,
they are about to graduate, they are about to get married,     10
they are kids, they are dumb, all they know is they are
innocent, they would never hurt anybody.

Let's use images or photos to try writing a poem that begins with what we see and then shifts to the metaphorical or significance. You may use any photo from the internet, one of the images in our classroom, or any of these. When you have a draft, share the poem first (not the image at first) with one other person and get their feedback.
  When you have finished, email the poem (and a link to the image, if possible).

Unknown Photo Poetry

1.       Select any photo of unknown origin

PREPARE/BRAINSTORM

2.       Study the images carefully, make notes

3.       Describe what you see with words that are accurate

4.       Jot down words of ideas and metaphors and speculation

5.       Compose a free form poem, or a tightly controlled poem, or even a prose poem.

6.       Keep looking back at the photograph.

7.       Move from what you actually see to poetry, speculation, uncertainty.

8.       Bring your poem full circle by the end or ask a question.

9.       No length or time requirements.

10.   Share your poem with one other person.