- 1). As the trip progresses, note down impressions of what you see. For each scene that intrigues you, write down just a couple of words. The notes might look like this: "lots of yellow wildflowers, clear wide rivers, big logging trucks."
- 2
Note down some of the towns and cities that are turning points in the trip. For instance on the map of Alabama, the trip went from Dothan to Montgomery, to Tuscaloosa. Just note the names or highlight the route on a map for later reference. - 3
Take some photos through the window with the digital camera. Even though they'll probably be blurry, they'll refresh your memory while writing the poem. A few road sign photos help keep track of where the photos were taken. - 4). Later take the notes of your impressions and of the names of the places you passed through. Get out the photos. Start putting the phrases and place names into this format:
descriptive phrase, descriptive phrase
descriptive phrase or sentence,
place name, place name, place name
descriptive phrase, descriptive phrase
state (or country) name and time of year - 5). Look at the phrases and think of more poetic ways to say them. Instead of "lots of yellow wildflowers," it could become "yellow drifts of wildflowers." Instead of just putting "big logging trucks," try "logging trucks push past us." This brings back memories of feeling crowded on the road by the massive trucks.
- 6
Here's what one stanza of the poem might look like:
Yellow drifts of wildflowers, clear wide rivers
Logging trucks push past us
Dothan, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
Two-lane road edged with red dirt
Enticing pit BBQ shacks
Alabama in October
If you have more memories of that state, add another stanza for it:
Empty roadside stands with faded signs
BOILED PEANUTS, PEACHES, PLUMS
Plain country churches, white steepled
Mounding, creeping kudzu obscures the landscape
"The heart of Dixie" - Alabama - 7). For the next segment of the journey, follow the same pattern filling in with new scenes captured in your notes and photos. Continue using the pattern until the trip description reaches the final destination.
You can alternate the final line of each stanza. Give the name of the state and time of year in one line, then in the second stanza give the slogan for the state and then it's name. - 8
Print out the poem and put it in your scrapbook with the trip photos or post it online at sites like www.ourecho.com. - 9). To see a trip poem complete with photos, check out mine at http://www.ourecho.com/story-3142-Through-the-Windscreen.shtml
- 10
Read the poem you created aloud to see how it flows. Adjust some of the phrases and number of syllables in words to get good pacing. The goal is to have it roll along, giving the feel of a road trip.
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