Reflect and Write
Thanks to the electronic revolution, graphic images surround us. No matter where you turn, a constant bombardment of posters, billboards, photographs, televised images, and more seems to assault your retinas. Seen from one point of view, this flood of images can easily overpower the senses. But from another point of view, the same images can be used to inspire writing both in and out of the classroom.
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A student of psychology, astronomy, and philosophy at Massbay College in Wellesley, Rose Scherlis has written "four published articles and one published poem for the Somerville News art section, which is a branch of the Boston Globe." Below are two other Scherlis poems that appeared in Reflect and Write: 300 Poems and Photographs to Inspire Writing.
Here's a powerful example of a poem-photo combination that can inspire unlimited possibilities for writing. In the poem "Skateboarding" colorful images swirl and converge until the world blurs and the skater's mind becomes receptive to new ideas. The swirling lines and shapes on the accompanying photo add to the effect.
This photo-poem combination suggests any number of writing possibilities. Some aspiring authors may want to describe
one of their own favorite activities. Others may develop compositions in which they discuss a "journey" similar to the
one Scherlis describes in her poem. Still others may choose to analyze the poem in terms of its colorful images,
structure, and theme.
First published in Reflect and Write, "Skateboarding" is accompanied by four keywords and a direct quotation designed to inspire writing. The keywords Motion, Action, Confusion, Forgetting, suggest additional writing possibilities. A direct quotation by Tony Hawk leads to even more writing opportunities for sports minded students. "These sports are just—you go do it, and you're doing it on your own. You don't have to answer to anyone."
Although the dog in this photo was painted on a door, it still conveys the positive characteristics for which dogs are known. Written by Rose Scherlis, the poem "The Dog With No Name" emphasizes these qualities and expresses feelingsthat all dog lovers experience.
Best known as one of the original cast members of the television show Saturday Night Live, comedienne and actress Gilda Radner once wrote: "I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." Together with the poem-photo combination included in this article, this quotation helps to provide inspiration for the creation of any number of written compositions.
But that's not all. Following class discussion of the photo, poem, quotation, and such keywords as dog, loyalty, friend, and dedication, students may select other images of animals from any source to use as inspiration for their own writing. Then they may find appropriate quotations and keywords to add to their work. Finally, they may compile a class anthology using their combinations of images, poems, keywords, and quotations. •
Next: Writers Find Inspiration in Paintings by Monet
"Skateboarding" and "The Dog With No Name" originally appeared in Reflect and Write: 300 Poems and Photographs to Inspire Writing by Hank Kellner and Elizabeth Guy (Prufrock Press, 2013). Photos by the author.
This feature is basedon Hank Kellner's Reflect and Write: 300 Poems and Photographs to Inspire Writing.
Metaphors Inspire Writing
Humor Inspires Writing
Rap as Poetry
Crossing Bridges
Where You're From
Nature's Dynamic Forms
Isolation and Education
The Power of the Visual
Black and White Images
Inspiration in Monet Paintings
Graphic Images Surround Us
People Respond to Images
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A veteran of the Korean War, Hank Kellner is a retired educator who has served as an English Department chairperson at the high school level and an adjunct Associate Professor of English at the community college level. More