Poetry Challenge #312-What You Read in the News
In case you need permission, today (Sept 6th) is National Read-A-Book Day! What better way to celebrate than with poetry, but not just any poetry, newsy poetry ala our poet of the day, Christine Rhein, because it’s her birthday and she has a nose for news!
Christine Rhein, the daughter of German immigrants, was born in Detroit and has always lived in southeastern Michigan.
She is a former auto engineer and notes that she approaches poetry in the same way she crafted cars:
“Each poem presents a puzzle, with its components and features needing to fit and operate.”
“Although such poems can’t change the tragic circumstances they address, I like to think that, in some small way, I am honoring an individual’s life, and inviting my readers to do the same.”
The poem below, "Sunflowers" is included in a new poetry anthology, Busy Griefs, Raw Towns. All proceeds from the sale of the anthology are forwarded to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to support continuing Ukraine relief efforts. More information about the anthology can be found by clicking here.
In an interview for ReadWritePoetry Blogspot, Nancy Chen Long noted how Rhein’s poetry collection, Wild Flight, contains several poems inspired by or based on the news.
Rhein’s poetry collection, Wild Flight, contains several poem based on news
When asked why she focuses on current events, Rhein’s said,
“Although such poems can’t change the tragic circumstances they address, I like to think that, in some small way, I am honoring an individual’s life, and inviting my readers to do the same.”-Christine Rhein
Here’s a selection from Wild Flight:
Poetry Challenge #312
What You Read in the News
Of her poems, Christine Rhein says, “When I write, I want a ride that’s not safe, smooth, or even steerable, but rather one that’s full of unexpected lunges, turns, and spins.”
For this prompt, choose something from the news as your subject. Use the headlines from that story as your title. It can either be the exact headline, or one you make up.
Write a poem inspired by or based on that story. Add twists and turns and unexpected lunges ala Rhein.
Set Your Timer for 7 Minutes
Start Writing!
Don’t Think About it, Write It!
Treat Yourself: Listen to Rhein read her poem “In Detroit, What Counts as Grace.”
And, when your poem is finished, reward yourself by READING A BOOK! Maybe mine and tell your friends to buy it, because THE HOUSE THAT RUTH BUILT is baseball!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 2600+ days ago. Now we take turns creating prompts to share with you. Our hope is that creatives—children & adults—will use our prompts as springboards to word play time. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
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All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
