Poems written in six minutes at a writer’s conference

The New Hampshire Writer's Project Day held March 22 in Manchester, NH, was an interesting day full of helpful tips from professional writers and folks in the industry. The best session was Andrew Merton's "Leaping Poetry: the Logic of the Surreal". Our small group read from a packet Merton had gathered containing poems from Vivian Marple through Jane Kenyon, Mark Strand, and others, culminating in Merton's own, charmingly quirky poems. His style is engaging with an edgy comic effect that is nearly snide but has an affection for the subjects that is extremely appealing. After discussing what "surreal" means, Merton gave us in- class assignments. The first was to take a line from any of the poems given, and write our own few lines. The second exercise was to personify an object, an idea, or anything that took our fancy. Below are my attempts. 

I.
         “Ukuleles, kazoos and accordions will inherit the earth.” [A. Merton]

      Not meekly
      But with all passion,
      Thirst, voice, breath
      And trembling hands--

      The Earth stops rotating
      Sits still, smiles,  and loves.


II.

       Oboe gives me
       over to the brass
       who send me to
       the flautist
       who trills between
       octaves just to be sure

      of me. Viols next --
      concertmaster looks a dagger
      back to oboe
     She fills her cheeks and
     there I am again,
     finally given to the soloist.

      Who nods, raises his
      epee and –
      I ring out into the vault.