Shared Observations

Write

Lists that link to the past

Respond to Simon Stranger’s text: Futile Attempts to Grasp the Inner Life of the Last Commander by writing a list poem, using this short extract as inspiration:

Did he sometimes stop on his way to the camp during the last spring of the war, lean his head backwards and watch the V-shaped flock of geese ploughing the morning sky? Did the sound of the calling birds bring back memories from his childhood, and the sight of migrating birds over the garden in Germany?

Write your list poem based on things that you have observed, which the camp commander of Falstad is also likely to have observed.

What is a list poem?

A list poem can be a list of single words, or it can be a list of sentences. These lists do not necessarily need rhythm or rhyme. What separates a list poem from a list is subtext. The items on your list should have a relationship to each other, tell a story or offer commentary.

Type your list poem into the text box on the submission form, if you would like to share your response.

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