Write a poem or a short prose piece that has been inspired by one of the literary texts that we have looked at in the last three weeks.
This short prose piece/creative story was inspired by William Wordsworth’s lyric poem ‘I Wondered as a lonely cloud’. I thoroughly enjoyed looking at this poem in class and took great inspiration from the simplicity yet powerful imagery of his writing. Often in romantic work I find the authors write in an overly pretentious manner or that the texts being studied can be very difficult to understand. Due to this, I identified allot with this poem and I also felt that it represents some key hallmarks of romantic writing, specifically an emphasis on an individuals emotional links to nature.
I wrote a creative piece that details a scenario in the life of a Christian man in Beirut, Lebanon. The character is sitting on the capitals waterfront pondering the natural beauty and elegance of his country. For me, It parallels Woodsworth’s Poem as there is that same underlying love and appreciation for nature. Furthermore, I found inspiration in the idea that an appreciation of natural beauty is linked with joy, solitude and pleasure.
Beirut, 1961.
The calm sea lapped at the weathered coastline. Rugged landscape was scattered beneath the cloudless blue sky. Snow capped mountains stood tall above endless fields of lush vegetation and groves of olives. Deep valleys lay home to unexplored caves, grottos, and enduring cedars. Marwan was intoxicated by the sheer beauty of the place. The cool spring breeze carried an indescribable sweetness; he couldn’t help but grin as the aromas raced through his nostrils. He gazed from his perch on the corniche bench, squinting wearily out across the sparkling blue vastness before him. Behind him, couples promenaded peacefully along the waterfront. “Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field”. The aged bible felt warm in his wrinkled hands, the passage resonated within him. This was the land of promise Marwan so eagerly hoped for, a land flowing with milk an honey. The scars of a season in the wilderness no longer haunting him, a lifetime of war now but a distant memory…
Jesse's Blog 
Jesse I really enjoyed your piece of creative prose! I feel the language you use and the style of your writing really does compliment eachother. The imagery you use resonates quite well and leaves a creative pallet of ideas brewing in my mind! The imaginative piece you have written is just marvelous. It really does make my mind wander greatly. Especially being to Lebanon myself and have seen many photos of videos from my father, I can really relate to your beautiful piece of writing. The vast amount of imagery you have included really does make me feel like I’m already there! Overall I really do think that your work is very good.
Keep up the good work, Josh.
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I love this prose poem that you have written about Lebanon- with such a fabulous photo to go with it. Well done. BUT:
*Please attend to editing your work carefully. Here is what I have picked up:
MAKE THESE CHANGES NOW JESSE! THEN YOUR WORK WILL BE READY FOR EVERYONE ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB !!!!!
*I Wondered as a lonely cloud= I Wandered as a lonely cloud [check wonder versus wander in the dictionary]
* allot = a lot…. please repair throughout!
* an individuals emotional link= an individual’s emotional link [the emotional links BELONG to the individual- that is why you need ‘s or s’ – Apostrophe- if there is a meaning of ownership ( the boy’s apple/ the boys’ apples) then you need an apostrophe. See http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/621/01/. But don’t use apostrophe s for normal plurals!!!
* the capitals waterfront = the capital’s waterfront [ditto- see previous note]
* For me, It parallels = For me, it parallels
* Woodsworth’s Poem= OUCH- HIS NAME IS Wordsworth
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