16 October 2019 | Forgotten Fields

To my amazement, I have chosen a final variation for the last stanza of “Mist on the Mountain”, and the poem is complete! I shall now spend a few more days reviewing it—that is, reading, reciting and editing it where necessary—but I mark it on my list as a finished work. I should add that there is an alternative version of the poem which I keep as a personal indulgence rather than a possibility for the collection. It differs from the final draft in the first three stanzas where a few significant words are replaced, and in the fourth stanza where I use an anecdotal approach.

Poetry Publication Progress (2019-10-16)

A Poem by Any Other Title

10 October 2019 | Forgotten Fields

Still a developing poem (chiefly in its closing stanza for which I keep inventing new ideas and am yet to choose a direction) I have been indecisive about the working title of “Mist”. Recently shortened from “Mist from the Mountains” (one of ten possibilities that arose as the poem took shape), I have now returned to an altered version: “Mist on the Mountain”.

As I recite the stanza variations, it seems to me they do require a longer introduction—a line rather than a word, to best reflect their content. “Mist on the Mountain” is (at least for the time being) a more appropriate choice in its aspect and length—a better start to the poem. I am confident that it shall be the final title, but poesy is such that I cannot be certain.

Poetry Publication Progress (2019-10-10)

The Oddness of the New

7 October 2019 | Forgotten Fields

There are times when one must live a while with a new approach to a stanza—to become accustomed to it—especially after devoting weeks to the existing incarnation of that stanza.

As one recites the new version with the rest of the stanzas and continue to develop its variations, it begins to feel part of the poem—not quite so peculiar.

I am working through such a process now following recent developments in the final stanza of “Mist” before committing to any significant decision regarding its incorporation into the poem.