Writing Prompts: In Memoriam

mykuworld in memoriam board

Michael Jackson

From the outside, peering
through the veil, there
seemed a blend of deep
sadness & great joys.

In Memoriam

Your death means much to
one who never touched your
white gloved hand caressing
hearts with heady song.

Farah Fawcett

Farah Fawcett portrayed
women who struggled;
imprisoned by sexism,
she set them & us free.

Tapping memories can lead to poetry or prose. You can use them to write about what was real to you, and you can turn your memories into memories of your characters in fiction. This week, three very famous performers died. Ed McMahon's and Farah Fawcett's deaths were anticipated, Michael Jackson's was sudden and surprising. All three contributed to our world through the media.

Today, I am most struck by Farah Fawcett's life, and her dying time. As one of Charlie's Angels, she chose to act in the role of a strong woman who worked, and had men and women in her life as close friends. It was very unusual- a feminist role in many ways. Her film career also included complex female roles. She used her fame to fight for women's safety. She also publicized her fight with cancer, helping uncounted others to face their illnesses, and supporting research. She lived well.

If Farah Fawcett's story resonates with you, go read the blogs and comments from her fans. Take notes about how people feel, read her bio and film history on IMDB, and listen to people talk about her. Start a list of what you know and of questions you would like answered - the things you can't find. See if that leads you to a poem. Some poems are lists, sometimes the list is enhanced with adjectives and adverbs, sometimes, the story takes a longer, larger poetic form.

Michael Jackson's story is so complex it may seem hard to begin to write, but do the same thing. Explore how others feel and take note of the words they use to express those feelings. Listen to his music on pandora or youtube. Make those lists again. You may need to write several poems that touch on different aspects of who he was. One long poem may be way to complex. One way to tell if you need a different poem or a different verse is when you can't make a statement in your poem work - just doesn't go together right. This usually means you are trying to say too much in one sentence or one poem. Simplify.

Today, what you write may be to honor the dead, and to connect to others who also feel the loss. One day, you might use the knowledge and work to create fictional characters who may either be like those you memorialize, or may share your memories.

mykuworld In Memoriam

Katherine A Minden ©2009