Friday, October 11, 2019

Wild Friday at Poets United

Have you ever read a poetry collection that makes you taste fire and storm? Have the words ever touched you so deeply you just had to voice your opinion? 

Welcome to the second Wild Friday at Poets United! The Autumn breeze outside my house carries fine drops of promise of the rain to come. The weather is perfect for sitting down to contemplate poetry and have a cuppa. 


Rupi Kaur’s first book, a collection titled Milk and Honey (stylized as milk and honey), was published on 4 November 2014. Her inspiration for the book's name came from a past poem which included a line about women surviving terrible times. She describes the change in the women as, "smooth as milk and as thick as honey." A collection of poetry, prose, and hand-drawn illustrations, the book is divided into four chapters, and each chapter depicts a different theme.

Following are a few poems from her poetry collection Milk and Honey:

(i)

You tell me to quiet down                                                          
cause my opinions make me less beautiful
but I was not made with a fire in my belly
so I could be put out
I was not made with a lightness on my tongue
so I could be easy to swallow
I was made heavy
half blade and half silk
difficult to forget
and not easy for the mind to follow.

(ii)

I’d be lying
if I said you make me speechless
the truth is
you make my tongue so weak it forgets
what language to speak in.

(iii)

did you think I was a city
big enough for a weekend getaway
I am the town surrounding it
the one you’ve never heard of but always pass through
there are no neon lights here
no skyscrapers or statues
but there is thunder for i make bridges tremble
I am not street meat i am homemade jam
thick enough to cut the sweetest thing your lips will touch
I am not police sirens
I am the crackle of a fireplace
I’d burn you and you still couldn’t take your eyes off me
cause I’d look so beautiful doing it
you’d blush
I am not a hotel room I am home
I am not the whiskey you want
I am the water you need
don’t come here with expectations
and try to make a vacation out of me.

(iv)
my heartbeat quickens at the thought
of birthing poems
which is why I will never stop opening myself up
to conceive them
the lovemaking to the words
is so erotic
I am either in love
or in lust with the writing
or both

Goodreads
"Milk and honey," reveals a far more significant purpose. Kaur adapts to the fluidity of the modern age whilst retaining a sense of heritage, culture, and power. This is not poetry to become half-remembered on a dusty shelf as a ‘modern classic’, but to be read out loud, written in texts to loved ones, and learnt by heart.

 So, for our second Wild Friday at Poets United, I invite you to write poetry and offer the following two options:

1) Write a poem inspired by one or all of the quoted pieces from Rupi Kaur's poetry collection, "Milk and Honey." Tell us how you feel and what comes to mind while reading these poems. 

2) Or, if your muse prefers something different, pick one poetry collection that has touched you deeply, and write a response poem. Feel free to address what affects you the most.
 

Add the direct link to your poem to Mr Linky. Remember to visit others and to comment on their work. I look forward to reading what you all come up with. Have fun!📕


16 comments:

  1. I love Rupi Kaur. Her work is stunning. Great selections you pulled from that title.

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    1. Thank you so much, Lori ❤️ so glad you liked it! Heading over to read you 😘

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  2. This is an interesting poet. A controversial one, as she writes for the instagram platform and some dont take her seriously. But her message to young women is a good one, and I am glad she has gained a big platform. Good choice, Sanaa.

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    1. Thank you so much, Sherry ❤️ I was inspired by some of her writings and chose to share it this week 😘

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  3. I enjoy Rupi’s style. She says so much in few words.

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    1. Thank you so much, Vivian ❤️ I am so glad you enjoyed it! Heading over to read you 😘

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  4. Thank you for the intro to this poet.I look forward to reading her anthology...I like her work...If I cannot borrow it from the library I will buy it...something I never do. Thanks for a great prompt.

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    1. Thank you so much, Rall ❤️ so glad you enjoyed the prompt! Heading over to read you 😘

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  5. I've been familiar with Rupi's poetry. I think you picked the most powerful ones!

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    1. Thank you so much, Susan! I am glad you liked the quoted pieces from Rupi Kaur's poetry collection.❤️

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  6. Good morning from Sunny Arizona. Sanaa- thank you for an inspiring prompt. Joining in this fine Saturday. Will be reading later in the day- it's positively lovely here!

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    1. Top of the morning to you too, Linda!❤️ Heading over to read you 😍😍

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  7. I'm late, but I'm here! I couldn't miss this lovely prompt. Also, I'm #13 (WoooHooo!).

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    1. It's never too late to link to Wild Friday!❤️ Loved your contribution, gorgeous 😍😍

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    2. Here's to a happy 13 that made my heart smile. Thank you for considering my book for this amazing and enticing prompt. One of the best gifts for me is to know my writing has resonated with the reader. Many thanks, Maga. Much appreciated!

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  8. Playing late - wow - I'm getting that book. Thank you. Will finish visiting and responding on Monday.

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