"How astonishing it is that language can almost mean
and frightening that it does not quite. Love, we say, God, we say.
. . . we write and the words get it wrong. We say bread and it means according
to which nation. French has no word for home, and we have no word for strict pleasure."
- Jack Gilbert from the poem, "The Forgotten Dialect of the Heart."
"A poem should not mean
but be."
- Archibald Macleish
Write without pounding with meaning in a poem or story. Focus on staying in the action of the moment,
Paint an event in light and dark imagery. Let the reader discover its essence.
Show an emotion or state of mind avoiding the use of its word: frustration, joy, despair, satisfaction.
Observe the contrast of colors. Try for a rainbow's taste.
Respond to the music of leaves.
Jump into the middle of a situation and write yourself out of it.
Avoid judgment. Let the words shriek.
Notice empty spaces.
Fill them with words.
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