Poetry Train Monday - 149 - This is a Photograph of Me

For this final post during National Poetry Month, I'd like to share one of my very favorite poems.




Margaret Atwood's This is a Photograph of Me really struck a chord when I first read it in grade 11. At the time I was still into making my poems flow in a beautiful rhythm. Her poem really set me on the path towards using free verse.

Enjoy.











Photo by George Whiteside


This is a Photograph of Me


It was taken some time ago
At first it seems to be
a smeared
print: blurred lines and grey flecks
blended with the paper;

then, as you scan
it, you can see something in the left-hand corner
a thing that is like a branch: part of a tree
(balsam or spruce) emerging
and, to the right, halfway up
what ought to be a gentle
slope, a small frame house.

In the background there is a lake,
and beyond that, some low hills.

(The photograph was taken
the day after I drowned.

I am in the lake, in the center
of the picture, just under the surface.

It is difficult to say where
precisely, or to say
how large or how small I am:
the effect of water
on light is a distortion.

but if you look long enough
eventually
you will see me.)

- Margaret Atwood

For more poetry, Ride the Poetry Train!

Gautami Tripathy says Thanks for sharing this. I like Atwoods' works.

Jennie Marsland says Wow! Quite a twist, isn't it?

Marinela says Just beautiful :)

Thursday Thirteen - 155 - 13 of My Poems - It's National Poetry Month!

In both Canada and the US, it's National Poetry Month. In honour of this celebration, here are thirteen of my poems which I've featured on my blog over the past three years:

1 - Where I'm From

2 - Awaiting the Unicorn

3 - Citadel

4 - Skewed Landscapes

5 - Falling With Abandon

6 - Celestial DNA

7 - Gold That Burns

8 - I Can't Be Your Captive If I Give Myself To You

9 - She Was Too Strong For Me

10 - In Medieval English Woods

11 - Take One More With Him

12 - Not After That Look

13 - Bluebird

For more details, check out the links below:

National Poetry Month in Canada

National Poetry Month in the US

To join in the fun on Mondays:

Monday Poetry Train Revisited

Tahereh says Holy cow! Amazing!

Jill Conyers says Wow. Amazing talent.

Brenda ND says Very cool. I'm going to send my poet friend your link. :D

Through the Opera Glasses - 55 - Blogosphere Event - National Poetry Month

And what do our opera glasses light upon today?

I do believe it's another wonderful Blogosphere event I've come across at several blogs I frequent.

Apparently, April is National Poetry Month all across North America. A few brave souls have taken up the challenge of writing poetry every day for the month of April, a National Poetry Writing Month marathon.

For more details, check out the links below:

National Poetry Month in Canada

National Poetry Month in the US

Read Write Poem, where the poetry marathon originates

For myself, I shall keep this event front and center in my mind for next April. Until then, I shall continue my bliss with my weekly poetry peeps at Monday Poetry Train Revisited.

For those of you not usually prone to poetics, why not switch hats this month and give a poem a spin?

Annette Gallant says I did not know that April was National Poetry Month. I always learn something when I read your blog, Julia. :)

Debby says I have seen it many times in blogland.

Travis says I don't know if I can write a poem every day, but I'll have to work on a few to post in honor of the month!