tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16608180.post4303856799749569739..comments2023-04-10T14:29:56.153+01:00Comments on Raw Light: poetry & opinion since 2005: Always start with the second stanza, he saidUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16608180.post-74646460492924227352008-08-19T12:02:00.000+01:002008-08-19T12:02:00.000+01:00I think Ian McMillan is the kind of bloke who woul...I think Ian McMillan is the kind of bloke who would accept the kiss in the right spirit. I think you should surprise him on 'Late Review' or something.<BR/><BR/>I'm looking for a word other than 'lovely' to describe this post but not finding one. It is lovely.Rachel Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11803852725693518924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16608180.post-15929422439278119952008-08-19T09:47:00.000+01:002008-08-19T09:47:00.000+01:00Brave move, Jane, ditching Chap 1. I'm glad it pai...Brave move, Jane, ditching Chap 1. I'm glad it paid off.<BR/><BR/>I find it easier to see in students' poems that they could start further down. Not always as easy to see in my own, though...Group 8https://www.blogger.com/profile/07924947352624027079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16608180.post-21634657531704614832008-08-17T21:14:00.000+01:002008-08-17T21:14:00.000+01:00Actually, I've also found that you can reverse the...Actually, I've also found that you can reverse the stanzas - if there are two - to good effect. Or put the one you wrote first at the end.<BR/><BR/>Alas, don;t have the Donkey one but you are inspiring me - the one obout the continuity girl sounds great.Ms Baroquehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01836227454899083962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16608180.post-78573600204398911042008-08-16T11:59:00.000+01:002008-08-16T11:59:00.000+01:00That's one of those key tests of a first draft isn...That's one of those key tests of a first draft isn't it. I've benefited from that on many occasions - either deleting that first stanza entirely or just finding a more appropriate knit for it elsewhere in the texture of the poem.<BR/><BR/>Cutting to the 2nd stanza often helps to 'start your poem at 10,00 feet' to quote Henri Cole. Although he was referring to using epigraphs in that context.Padhraig Nolanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11010869074911253314noreply@blogger.com