I think the personification of a culturally significant voice is most effective when relationship between the speaker and the personified icon is clear. Same as the persona object, it all about emotional connection.

Here’s some dopeness to get you thinking.

Saint Catherine of Siena to Mary-Kate Olsen- Marty McConnell

Saint Agatha to Pamela Anderson- Marty McConnell

The Virgin Mary Speaks- Lucy Anderton

Waiting for Icarus- Muriel Rukeyser

Ophelia’s Technicolor G-String: An Urban Mythology- Susan B. Anthony Somers-Willett

Helen of Troy does countertop dancing.- Margaret Atwood

Medusa- Patricia Smith

Odysseus Responds to Calypso – Jack McCarthy

What Lot’s Wife Would Have Said (If She Weren’t a Pillar of Salt)-  Karen Finneyfrock

Slut- Daphne Gottlieb

So step 1 is obviously choosing a mythological figure/ historical figure/ famous type person, but this is easier said then done. First think about what figures you are reflexively drawn to, but then really think about what it is about them you relate to. Why do you like this person you don’t know? What about them resonates with you?

Next, write down 3 of the most significant aspects of said person. What would you tell someone who has never heard of your subject to make them understand who this is?

Now hop on the wikipedia/imdb/google and find 3 little known things about your subject.

Now answer these questions in the voice of your subject-

I’m from a place where___

My theme song is____(note, this need not actually be a song)

To look at me now, you would never know____

All I ever wanted is ______

So here is my prayer_______

Now on a clean sheet or word doc, do your best to talk through the mask you have chosen. How do you feel about the world you occupy? How would you react to this world? What don’t I as the person who is familiar with your mythos need to understand?
If I don’t know your myth, what am I missing?

As always, please feel free to forward this prompt and tag me in any drafts.

Jeanann Verlee- The Session.

Victoria Lynee Mccoy- On the day it became legal to rape your wife.

Emily Kagan Trenchard- This is the part of the story I’d rather not tell.

and in case your not emotionally worn enough

Immortal Technique -Dance with the Devil

Now I want you to write a one sentence summery of an anecdote you often tell. The kind of thing that you would tell at a bar or party. Something that would give people a sense of who you are, but not reveal anything too harsh.

3 words that describe a light source that was present.

3 words that describe a type of ground or floor that was present.

A person that was there in spirit, but not in flesh.

A person that was there in flesh, but not spirit.

A regret you had at the time of the anecdote that you still have today.

Finish these sentences

“I ____ like I’d kill for it”

“I no longer ______ to god”

Now write the anecdote as you normally tell it, but at some point, really change the game. Tell me something you are afraid to say. Something that gets left out of the radio friendly version of the story. Also, happy shifts are ok too. If there is something so beautiful about the situation that you carry, let it shine now.

First, read 50 Years in the Career of an Aspiring Thug by Suzanne Wise

http://www.fishousepoems.org/archives/suzanne_wise/50_years_in_the_career_of_an_aspiring_thug.shtml

Now write the first person that comes to your mind. Name three things they have loved, three things they have destroyed, and three activities they enjoy. Set a timer to go off every thirty seconds. Begin writing as many specific details about this person or their life as you can, enumerating each. When the timer goes off, begin another number, even if you are mid sentence or word.

As always, please feel free to forward these workshops and let me know how it works out for you.

A few things I love about this poem. The images are great. Opening so specifically with the six volt and the bunch of wires. But then the plot thickens mid stanza! Oh fuck! He killed the cat! And then the question of

can anything be held
that doesn’t cut through what asks
to hold it?

Fuck your whole couch Mr. Hicok. The whole brilliant thing.

So here’s the prompt.

Think of something you regret doing as a child.

List 3 items that were a part of said action.

List 3 questions that you have now about that action.

Finish the following sentence: “God, on the other hand…”

Finish the following sentence: “I think of myself as a (blank) person”

Next week, 50 years in the life of a thug.
 

Check out “The cows on killing day” by Less Murry.

What I love about this poem is the idea of a collective first person voice. So first, choose a group that thinks or acts like a single entity. It can be a group of inanimate object or animals, but just not cows.

What are 3 objects that would be a part of this group’s worst day?

Describe these items, using verbs. slashing thing, bang stick

Who would be the enemy of this group? Describe them in verbs.

Who would be a friend of this group? Describe them in verbs.

Lead us through a narrative of this groups worst day. Describe it as it happens.

All of us are sitting at our desks. All of us are in the cook line.

As always, please feel free to pass these workshops along and post if you feel so inclined.

First, listen to Jeff McDaniel, “Day 4305”

Now buy his book when you have a second.

Now listen to Brother Ali’s “Walking Away”.

Now write down the name of someone or something you would like to not have in your life. This can be a behavior you intact or another person.

Write the last time you saw this person or experienced this behavior.

Write two lessons that you have learned from the person or behavior. These can be a skill or knowledge as well as an insight to a larger understanding.

Compare this person or behavior to an animal, and then place this animal somewhere in your body.
This octopus expanding in the belly.

Write one sentence as plainly as you can as to why you maintained contact with this person or thing.

I wanted someone to need me more then a friendship.

List 3 ways that would elevate this feeling or person that are unrealistic, or truly helpful.

A swimming pool overflowing with vodka? Crack rocks the size of softballs?

What kindness would you wish to this person or thing?

Finish this sentence “I am the miracle. I am…”

Now on a new sheet of paper or word .doc, address this person or thing as if they were sitting next to you.