To Write Powerful Poetry, Take Away Someone's Power

Who is in control of the narrative, and who is simply along for the ride? In this episode of Fine Print, we are diving deep into "Spoons and Leaves" by Samantha R. Sharp to explore the critical role of agency in poetry.We often talk about what a poem says, but today we’re looking at how it moves. By tracking who holds the power and who lacks it within the text, we can uncover how tension is built and how a story truly begins to unfold.In this livestream, we’ll analyze:Identifying Agency: How to spot which characters (or objects) are driving the action.The Power Balance: Examining the "who is in control" vs. "who lacks power" dynamic to find the emotional core.Tracking Tension: Using shifts in agency to create narrative momentum and stakes.Building Story: How these micro-moments of control translate into a larger poetic arc.Whether you're looking to strengthen your own writing or just love a good technical breakdown, join us as we get into the fine print of this evocative piece.New to Fine Print? Every Wednesday at 11AM New York, we take a close look at a single poem to learn more about the craft of poetryCheck out another Fine Print episode where we focus on the importance of word choice on emotion: https://youtube.com/live/Sflbi0kNDe400:00 - Introduction: Tracking character agency and control00:27 - Welcome to Fine Print: Introduction of the poem and guest Charlene Fix01:07 - Analyzing the first lines: "From the kitchen I heard heels crushing"03:45 - Discussion on word choice: "Lifting a chime from the floorboards"06:50 - Imagery and acoustics: Why the poet chose a spoon08:08 - The neighbor arrives: Similes and interiority ("Like a rat to gnaw")12:00 - Building tension through spacing and proximity14:46 - "I cut the power": Analyzing the speaker's act of agency19:50 - Flashlight through the frosted glass: Plausibility in world-building22:50 - The "Sublime Glare": Puzzling over the speaker's perspective27:52 - "Wait like a roach": Paradoxes and animal associations30:15 - "He knocks because he knows I listen": The intimacy of fear32:50 - Unwillingness to act: Removing agency from the self35:40 - What makes it a poem? Heightened language and emotional resonance38:00 - Creative Writing Prompt: Writing about hiding or not answering the door40:15 - Analyzing the title: "Spoons and Leaves" vs. plural "Spoons"42:15 - Closing remarks and how to suggest future poemsGet a free audio/mp3/podcast version at https://open.spotify.com/show/4vAdMbaunOPziRoovm0K5PWrite with us at the Substation: www.diversespoetry.com/aboutsubstation#diverses #fineprint #poetry