This column by Tom Radzienda, an instructor in poetry and culture at Srinakharinwirot University, aims to encourage your interest and develop your skill in creating poetry. Poetry is a combination of visualisation, observation, imagination and creative use of language. Discover your poetic side, too!

The mother of poems Mother’s Day has arrived once again in Thailand and you’re wondering what to do for your mum. Flowers? Dinner? Clean your room? What could possibly impress your mum after all these years? You could write her a lovely little poem that compares her to flowers, birds, honey or sugar but that would be very ordinary. Is there something that you could do that would express your unique existence as her child? Can you recognise your mother’s accomplishment in assuring that you didn’t grow up to be a terrorist? As in any poem, specific, authentic, genuine details make the poem more effective. Avoid the usual platitudes of how perfect and great your mother is. A poem that glorifies your mother might seem the best way to show your filial appreciation, but true description and honest feeling are higher poetic values. From memory to poetry True appreciation of mother comes in the form of actually remembering details that make her special, rather than just repeating the stereotype of the perfect mother. She’ll certainly see right through any sentimental verse that you compose, so you’d better stick to real events and observations, honestly embellished with your emotions. Complete the following chart with authentic details. Memories Description Describe her greatest success as a mother   What makes you proud of your mum?   Describe your mum’s smile   The most enjoyable meal your mum ever cooked   The most unique place your mum ever took you   The scariest moment of your childhood from which your mum rescued you   The craziest laugh you ever heard from your mum   Describe your mum’s hands   Now that you’ve recalled several real details of your mother’s character and value, your sense of appreciation should be more intense. Sentimentality Keep your poem as realistic and honest as possible. Look at the following lines, and select which ones are most appropriate in a poem. You are absolutely perfect in every way You are like a goddess on earth Your cookies are baked within the warmth of your heart Your simple smile welcomes me home from school You are sweet, kind, loving and patient with me You are the light of my life, guiding every moment I love you so much; you have sacrificed your life for me You teach me strength; I follow your honest path I dedicate my whole life to fulfilling my obligation to you Use as many specific details about your mother as possible. Avoid lines that could generally be applied to every mother in the world. Concentrate on those qualities that make your mother’s love, patience and effort absolutely unique to her. By showing specific awareness of her motherly qualities, reveal your true respect and appreciation of her dedication. Organisation There are several different ways to arrange your poem. One way is to arrange the details chronologically, from earliest childhood to the present. Another approach would be to focus on one particular aspect of your mother. For example, focus on one important event in which she demonstrated the full range of her motherly strength. Prepare your poem for your mother and present it to her on mother’s day. A flower will accompany the poem nicely. You can also share your poetry with readers of the Bangkok Post. Submit your completed poem along with your name, age and address to poet tree: c/o Learning Post Editorial Building Bangkok Post Building 136 Na Ranong Klongtoey 10110, Bangkok You can send your poem by email. Mark the subject line: Poet Tree and send to this address: learningpost@bangkokpost.co.th Visit Tom's poetry column at http://www.bangkokpost.com/poetry

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Last modified: August 11, 2003