What Is the Name for a Group of Poets?

 

What Is the Name for a Group of Poets?

 

a poem by Alice Jane-Marie Massa

 

 

A colony of beavers

must know something

about colons and semicolons.

A sleuth of bears

hibernates to envision

the highs and lows of detective stories.

A kaleidoscope of butterflies

flutters around fictional fantasies.

But, what do we call

a group of poets?

 

A murder of crows

sounds appropriate for

a group of mystery writers.

A flight of doves

must develop

many creative ideas.

A convocation of eagles

must ease into

historical fiction.

A cast of falcons

must focus on

TV scripts and stage dramas.

A stand of pink flamingos

perches upright and ready

to present

behind any podium.

Perhaps, you can think of what to call

a group of poets.

 

A cackle of hyenas

have to turn to comedy.

A troop of kangaroos

can write military history.

A leap of leopards

jumps into a variety

of genres of literature.

A charm of magpies

channels their talents

into romance writing.

A watch of nightingales

knows when to write

bedtime stories for children.

Before the end of this night,

please tell me the name

for a group of poets.

 

A parliament of owls,

a pod of dolphins,

a pride of lions,

a company of parrots,

a kit of pigeons,

a litter of puppies–

all meet to ponder

the predicament of naming

a group of poets.

 

Near the Poetic License Branch,

a  chattering of squirrels

may reveal the choice.

A game of swans may select

the winning name.

A descent of woodpeckers

may tell us their pick.

A dazzle of zebras

strongly endorses:

“a passion of poets.”

 

However, I vote with

an exaltation of larks

and their proclamation of

“an exclamation of poets.”

 

We will write,

discuss, recite, and critique

poetry:

welcome, and come join my

Exclamation of Poets.

 

copyright 2018, ajm

 

* * *

 

When teachers gather together, what do they discuss?  Teaching techniques, ideas for lesson plans, and students.  When golfing buddies meet at a course, they play a round of golf.  When musicians congregate, a jam session may ensue.  When poets–an exclamation of poets–decide on a setting, they share and critique poetry.

 

Last evening, four writer friends and I met for our monthly critique session, at which time, my poem of this blog post was one of the five pieces critiqued.  Although we offered our compliments and suggestions on four poems and one piece of “flash fiction” on April 10, we are free to choose the genre of our own choice for posting via e-mail one week in advance of our meeting.  Nevertheless, all five of us do write and appreciate poetry:  we are poets, as well as writers who write poetry and other genres.

 

Since our July meeting will mark two years that our small-group critique session has met with the same five individuals (three women and two men), I know each person’s writing style and writer’s voice so well that even if names were not included in the compilation of pieces, I could easily identify the writer of each piece of prose or poetry.  However, I continue to be impressed with the versatility and creativity of my four fellow writers.  Our discussions of poetry and writing, in general, as well as our encouraging words have become a highlight of each month for me.  No, we do not agree on everything; but we do find moments to laugh and tease each other, as well as learn from each other, be inspired, and prompt each other to polish our poetry and prose.  Perhaps, amazingly, for the great majority of the time, we stay on topic:  we are a focused group that knows and respects our purpose for approximately 90 minutes each month.

 

I find that having one’s own critique group is very creatively satisfying, further disciplines my writing schedule, and helps me in reaching my writing goals.  When we began as one of the branches of Behind Our Eyes, a national organization of writers with disabilities, I really did not think about the same five writers still gathering together twenty-two months later for a monthly critique session.  Aren’t we an “exclamation” of poets?

 

One member of my critique group suggested that his favorite term for a group of poets is a “plurality” of poets.  What suggestion do you have for the name of a group of poets?  Please note your idea for the name of a group of poets in the comment section of this WORDWALK post.  Thanks!

 

During this past week of National Poetry Month, did you write a short poem, read at least one poem, or share a poem with someone?  I hope so, and I hope you will participate again during the upcoming week of National Poetry Month.

 

If you are someone who appreciates poetry or is trying to appreciate poetry, I hope you will find a group of like-minded people at your local library, senior-citizen center, or other real or virtual location to explore and enjoy the reading, writing, and sharing of poetry.

 

If you have read all of this WORDWALK post, you are an honorary member of my “Exclamation of Poets.”  Congratulations, and go forth celebrating National Poetry Month!

 

Enjoy a poetic week!

Alice and Leader Dog Willow

 

April 11, 2018, Wednesday

 

 

Advertisement