An Ode is a celebration, a lyrical poem praising something. It can be something wondrous, or it may be something so-so that the poet can make wondrous through their words in praise of it. John Keats has a well known Ode – Ode to a Grecian Urn, and another titled Ode to a Nightingale. They are both fine Odes, but today we are going to look to more contemporary times with the odes we will write. When writing a ode, you have permission to go overboard with the imagery and metaphor!
And that’s it. With an Ode, you can rhyme or not, as you choose, you can be as silly or serious as you wish, it’s all up to you and your thoughts. The most important thing is to go beyond the obvious, and take your love of your chosen thing as far as you can, lauding it all the way to the sky and stars!
Ode to the Op Shop
Oh wondrous home to much –
glorious treasure trove
Of love and possibility
Staffed by precious volunteers
Those whose freely-given time benefits many –
Small-time hoarders like me,
Or those in the know who buy much
Then onsell to many
But a delight for those searching
Looking for their next fashionable fancy
And when finding such, our joy
Is met with smiles.
Named junk shops by some
Those who think a label
Rather than a look, is the fashionable thing
But limited new ‘range’ to choose from
Is just the so-called latest thing
Ignoring the clothes of yesteryear –
The best of their time, made best again,
At a bargain price, when payment gives back
To those who have little.
My wardrobe & drawers
Are filled with many found treasures
from within your worthy walls
And walls of other stores like you,
Clothes that have lived a life
Before they came to me,
That could tell such stories!
Each item willingly given up
To be worn again with pride and thanks
Is testament to the love shared
In one of these slices of community
And humanity, wonderful Op Shops,
Shared spaces, filled with memories of the past
And hopes for the future.
Op Shops, oh how I love you, Op Shops
Fine resting places for my unwanted items,
That I bring to an Op Shop such as you,
Knowing that when my need for them is over,
They will be with those who understand
The Op Shop’s fine and long tradition
And who realise the wonders to be found
In the taking up of clothes, both pre-worn and pre-loved,
Knowing the impermanence of such clothes
And relishing it. What has been with one,
Can be again with another, and once lived with
For a while, can move on again, via an Op Shop
And so it goes on, treasure donated by one
Found by another, one who in time,
May donate again, and so it goes,
Op Shops building community,
Community loving Op Shops,
All sharing the love, and the clothes.
We are many, those who share the love
of these wonderful Op Shops –
Treat them well, care for the treasures
found within, and share them with others
at an Op Shop when the proper time comes …
© 2017 Carolyn Cordon
You could choose to write an ode to your football team, your pet, a flower, anything, just as long as it’s something you love and have many thoughts about!
So think of the subject of your Ode, and start writing down thoughts about why you love it so much, then get working!
Carolyn
Carolyn Cordon, kittycordo@gmail.com
Carolyn Cordon - Creative 