Poetry is a different form of writing. In the context of a broad oversimplification, of the three basic forms of writing (there are more than three), that is, non-fiction, fiction, and poetry, each form can operate within its own unique modality. In general, non-fiction writing exists within a fact-based or research-based narrative structure, while fiction is a modal arc of explication or of storytelling, and finally poetry is an ephemeral snapshot of an idea or a person or a place or some compelling condition.

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A spontaneous or unexpected element can inspire any form of writing but it seems to be more essential to the modality of poetry. Specifically, the anatomy of a poem can include grammar and some creative narrative structure but an inspirational spark does help to propel the ultimate tonal quality; a tonal quality can connote an emotional mood, a psychological state, an environmental ambiance (urban or natural) or a sense of place, cultural textures, and other qualities.

In a recent poem (see below) the spark was the grip of a sudden desire to get away (literally and figuratively) from the unceasing daily gray routine of urbanity in the Northwest. And about the poem: the grammar and formatting are non-standard while the narrative structure is deliberately off-beat.

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.. a drizzled entreaty in routine city newsprint, a few arbitrary words .. because of this, we might think to consider the mountains .. mostly sunny, shifting barometries, with a trivial percentage of snow showers & ranging highs of 40 to 45 –  after the noon, a caprice .. the blue southern blue mountains in the central highlands, an east wind up towards 5 mph slanting to the north or the northwest ..  although .. more than that we could agree to ponder the coast .. partly sunny, uneven atmospherics, temperatures with a high near to 51˚- before the evening, an elegy .. the bay at north bend, a regular wind ranging around between about 8 to 19 miles tilting to the south, the southeast ..

(outlier: poems 2015-2017 .. © 2018)

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Check out the audio recording of the poem: