5/ Try to write either a William Carlos Williams, an Ezra Pound or an e.e.cummings poem using your own subject matter but sticking to their language and form. As a starting point you might try either “The Red Wheelbarrow”, or “In a Station of the Metro” or e.e.cummings “in Just-”
As per my previous blog post, (which can be accessed here), I spoke briefly about how I am not confident with poetry writing.
In spite of this I will attempt another!…practice makes perfect… right?
William Carlos Williams and Ezra Pound were modernists poetry writers who became consumed with creating new forms of writing in order to break with tradition. This era was characterised by exploring the boundaries of what could or couldn’t be considered art, music, dance or poetry which lead to numerous new movements being formed. The context surrounding the modernist era is very important as these movements were created in a rebellion against all previous traditional representations, as the beginning of World Wars and advancements in technology perpetuated the need for new forms of representation.
This is demonstrated by Ezra Pound who wrote poetry within the imagism movement. His aim was to make language sing by demonstrating how a natural object is always an adequate symbol, therefore there is no need for intense description.
This is similar for William Carlos Williams who used short stanzas to break with tradition and bring the reader back into the present, despite the chaos of a developing world around. I was drawn to William’s works as his contexts reflects the rapidity of contemporary society today. William’s concerned himself with universal experiences, rather than a recount of an individual experience within nature.
My poem is a combination of Williams and Pound and I hope this poem encapsulates the universal experience of feeling anxiety about the future due to climate change.
My feet press into the soft sand
Mossy grass, wet leaves and snow
I appreciate the mother land
Yet I wish the others wouldn’t let her go
Caitlin McCartney 
Hi Caitlin,
I found your blog this week to be really inspiring.
Despite the fact you struggle to write poetry, you put yourself out there and made yourself vulnerable. I believe every great writer whether it’s Pound, Eliot or Cummings has had to push themselves out of their comfort zone in order to produce something amazing.
I will start with your poem. Though not long in length, I still found your poem was effective in expressing its message. I can see your passion and concern for the environment seep through the words of your poem as well as your desire for others to share the same view as you, “yet I wish the others wouldn’t let her go.”
The image attached to your blog was also a great inclusion. It allows the reader to think and to be appreciative of all the things that the planet provides for us.
I also enjoyed reading about Williams and Pound and the era in which they existed. You explain the era as a time “characterised by exploring the boundaries of what could or couldn’t be considered art, music, dance or poetry which lead to numerous new movements being formed.”
Your knowledge of American Literature is evident in your blog this week, as well as your understanding of the different language techniques adopted by different writers.
Well done!
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Dear Caitlin
Such a beautiful and well-constructed blog. I am very fond of your choice to give background information and a description of the subject matter, accommodating to the readers who are not familiar with the topic. Through your analysis of both authors, pointing out their similarities and differences helps the reader develop the skills to distinguish between the two poetic styles, and understand their role in the overall intention and delivery of the poem.
Focusing on your poem, I appreciate the honesty and your understanding of your skill level. However, I commend you for stepping out of your comfort zone. I believe you should give yourself more credit; the simplicity of the poem is very attractive to a reader. The common theme and flow are visible. Your line “Mossy grass, wet leaves and snow” gives a hint on your topic, highlighting different elements and regions. This directly links the ‘motherland’ to its known term earth. A beautiful topic to cover, combining the styles of William Carlos Williams, and Ezra Pound and e.e. cummings form, with modern-day issues.
Your knowledge of American writing is evident throughout your blog; this is seen through your understanding of the different language techniques that are adopted by the writers.
Keep it up, and I look forward to seeing your progress in poetry writing
Rawan
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