Friday, August 22, 2008

Finishing Kubla Khan in 5 days

Well, that's what the latest Guardian Poetry Workshop is advocating as an exercise. I always like to read these challenges put forward each month by a different poet.

This month's poet is Fred D'Aguiar who proposes finishing off Coleridge's unfinished exercise in writing under the influence. Most of us do know the first line: 'In Xanadu did Kubla Khan / a stately pleasure dome decree.'

Two things: does that mean that for a real authentic piece one should resort to Laudanum, as Coleridge is alleged to have used; and should one arrange for a parson to call at some unknown time across the day of composure to add that extra authenticity?

So, that's my weekend's activities all sorted out now, how about yours? Closing date for this one is next Weds, 27th August. Wouldn't want to be an all-weekender party then ;(

5 comments:

riverwillow said...

Somehow I don't think you'll need a parson to call as I'm sure a small voice, ot six, will loudly yell 'Mammy' at the appropriate moment :o)).

As for my weekend activities I'm starting on my story (as its now called) and my mission for the weekend is to come up with a name for my city...

Unknown said...

Oh, you know me so well, RW! And really not much chance of imbibing load of laudanum either - someone's got to be responsible...

Starting on your story - and a name for the city... I'm on tenticled hooks :)

Unknown said...

Use the laudanum.

riverwillow said...

For the kids?

Unknown said...

I don't need my life to be any more crazy than it is right now... but the laudanum is calling...