matrices

[novapsyche]

At Thirteen Blackbirds, we did a creative exercise. We did a word matrix, a 4 x 4 group of words that must be used in each line, first across, then down. The lines must make as much sense as possible. Our example was a matrix that I did a couple of years ago. Our assignment was to come up with our own matrix and write a poem from that.

Here is the example matrix that we all tried:

hear day know think
case charges forget sweating
look cool speak what
back game taught love

Here are the two poems I generated, one from 8/3/03 and one from 8/22/05:

Hear the day break. Know, don't think
in case false charges make you forget something. Sweating
dreams cause you to look into the cool dawn. Speak what
gave you back. What game taught you to love?

They'll hear your case against God if you don't look back
like Lot. That day, charges will be brought. You, cool as a gaming
hen, know that to make them forget, you'll have to speak what you've been taught.
Thinking produces bullets of sweat: what simple signs of love!


I hear the day break. I know that you think
some case might press charges. But forget that. It's no sweat.
Look. Everything's cool. Speak what
made you look back. It's all a game, one we taught of love.

Hear me out. Just in case, you can look back
and see how the day changes. The charges in the sky cool. The game
is knowing how to forget, knowing what to speak, and finally what is taught.
Think about sweat. Think about what produces love.

(I obviously like the idea of day breaking.)

Can you do the matrix? If you try it, post your results. :)