If you are a poetry enthusiast looking to explore new forms of expression, you might want to try your hand at writing a golden shovel poem. This unique poetic form, inspired by a line from a well-known poem, offers a creative challenge that can lead to powerful and thought-provoking verses. In this article, we will guide you through the process of crafting a golden shovel poem, from selecting the quote to creating your own lines.
A golden shovel poem takes its name from the idea that you “shovel” a line of text into your own poem, using each word as the end word of your own lines. The concept was developed by Terrance Hayes based on the poem “We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks. This form allows you to pay homage to a favorite poem or poet while putting your own unique interpretation on the words.
To write a golden shovel poem, the first step is to choose a line that resonates with you. It can be from a poem that you admire or simply a line that sparks your creativity. Once you have your line, create a new poem with each word of the line serving as the final word of each line in your own poem.
As you write your golden shovel poem, you can experiment with wordplay, imagery, and metaphor to bring your poem to life. This form encourages you to delve deep into the original line and discover new meanings and connections within the words. By the end of your poem, you will have created a piece that not only pays tribute to the original source but also stands as its own unique work of art.
What is a Golden Shovel Poem?
A Golden Shovel poem is a poetic form that was created by Terrance Hayes in 2010, inspired by the poem “We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks. In a Golden Shovel poem, the poet takes a short, existing poem and uses each word from that poem as the end word of each line in their new poem.
The name “Golden Shovel” comes from the use of the words from the original poem, which are often considered ‘golden’ because they hold the essence of the original work. The ‘shovel’ represents the act of digging deep into the original poem and using its words to build a new piece.
The structure of a Golden Shovel poem is relatively simple. The poet often takes a line or a few lines from the original poem and places each word of that line as the end word of each line of their new poem. The new poem can be any length, but it must maintain the order of the words from the original poem.
Example:
To illustrate the concept, let’s take the first line of Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem:
“We Real Cool”
A Golden Shovel poet might take this line and write a new poem using each word as the end word of each line, like this:
We real cool
We left school
We late jewel
We die pool
We strike cruel
In this example, each word from the original poem is used as the end word of each line in the new poem. This creates a new piece that both pays homage to the original work and stands on its own as a unique composition.
Meaning and Definition
A golden shovel poem is a form of poetry that was created by Terrance Hayes, an American poet, in 2010. It takes its name from the phrase “golden shovel,” which comes from the poem “We Real Cool” by Gwendolyn Brooks.
In a golden shovel poem, the poet takes a line or lines from an existing poem and uses each word in that line as the last word of each line in their own poem. The poet can then expand on those words and create a new poem that is connected to the original poem in some way.
This form of poetry can be seen as a tribute to the original poem and poet, as well as a way for the poet to explore new ideas and express themselves creatively. It requires the poet to carefully choose words and craft their lines in a way that maintains the meaning and flow of the original poem while also creating something new and unique.
The golden shovel form allows poets to play with language, form, and meaning. It can be a challenging form to work with, as the poet must find a way to incorporate the words from the original poem in a way that fits with their own poetic vision.
Golden shovel poems can be both a homage to the original poem and a way for the poet to explore their own thoughts and emotions. They can provide a new perspective on a well-known poem and create a bridge between the old and the new.
In conclusion, a golden shovel poem is a unique form of poetry that pays homage to an existing poem while also creating something new and original. It allows poets to play with language and meaning, and it can be a challenging but rewarding form to work with.
How to Write a Golden Shovel Poem: Step-by-Step Guide
Writing a golden shovel poem can be a fun and creative way to express your thoughts and emotions. The structure of a golden shovel poem involves taking a line or lines from an existing poem and using each word as the last word in each line of your new poem. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to write a golden shovel poem:
- Select an Existing Poem: Choose a poem that resonates with you and has lines that you would like to use for your golden shovel poem. Take your time to read and understand the poem before moving on to the next step.
- Choose Your Words: Identify the line or lines from the existing poem that you want to use for your golden shovel poem. Select words that have meaning to you and that you can build your poem around.
- Create Your Poem: Now, it’s time to write your golden shovel poem. Start by writing your own poem, using the words you have selected from the existing poem. Each word from the selected line(s) should be the last word in each line of your new poem. Be creative and let your words flow.
- Edit and Revise: Once you have finished writing your golden shovel poem, take some time to read it out loud and make any necessary edits or revisions. Pay attention to the flow and rhythm of your poem, and make sure it effectively conveys the message or emotions you intended.
- Share Your Poem: Share your golden shovel poem with others, whether it’s with friends, family, or through a poetry community. You can also consider submitting your poem to literary magazines or online platforms to showcase your work and receive feedback.
Remember, writing a golden shovel poem is a creative process, and there are no strict rules. The key is to experiment and have fun with your words. Use this step-by-step guide as a starting point, but feel free to make adjustments and find your own unique style. Happy writing!
Tips and Techniques for Writing a Golden Shovel Poem
A Golden Shovel poem is a unique form of poetry that was created by Terrance Hayes. It takes a line or lines from an existing poem and uses each word as the end word of each line in the new poem. The end result is a poem that not only pays homage to the original work, but also stands on its own as a new piece of art.
Here are some tips and techniques to help you write your own Golden Shovel poem:
- Selecting the Source Poem: Choose a poem that resonates with you and that has a strong connection or theme that you want to explore.
- Identifying the Key Line: Find a line or lines from the source poem that you want to use. This line should be meaningful and have enough words to create the structure for your new poem.
- Breaking Down the Key Line: Break down the key line into individual words. Write each word on a new line, ensuring that the order of the words is maintained.
- Creating Your New Poem: Write your new poem, using the words from the key line as the end words of each line. It’s important to maintain the order and structure of the words, but feel free to add your own words and phrases to create depth and meaning.
- Exploring Themes and Connections: As you write your Golden Shovel poem, consider how the original poem informs and influences your own words. Look for themes, connections, and contrasts that arise between the original poem and your new creation.
- Editing and Refining: Once you’ve completed your Golden Shovel poem, take the time to revise and refine your work. Pay attention to the flow, rhythm, and tone of the poem, and make any necessary revisions to ensure that it feels cohesive and complete.
Remember, a Golden Shovel poem is a creative and interpretive form of expression. Don’t be afraid to experiment and let your own voice shine through. Have fun exploring the possibilities and enjoy the process of writing your own Golden Shovel poem!
Examples of Golden Shovel Poems
Here are some examples of Golden Shovel poems:
- 1. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
- 2. “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
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