"Sestina" : a Hex Presse Poetry Puzzle inspired by Elizabeth Bishop

~*~ SPECIMEN JAR POETRY PUZZLES ~*~
for sale at the Hex Presse Shop

The letters of six words from a single poem are gathered and stored in glass specimen jars. "Sestina" comes in a triangular jar and contains brightly-colored letter beads which allow the player/puzzler to experience the letters synesthetically. Because the letters are also impressed on the beads, once can "feel" the letters, thus allowing for the experience of "feeling" and "seeing" as simultaneous acts of "reading." The puzzle jars can be emptied and their letter contents "solved" to spell the words from the poem. The letters can be used to make anagrams and new words also. In addition to letters, other materials are harvested and added to the jar for further delight and stimulation. These additional materials are carefully selected and are -- to a certain degree -- intended to conjure sensory details related to the poem which inspired the puzzle. Something for each of the *six* senses is contained in each Hex Presse Specimen Jar Poetry Puzzle. This "syntax of tangibles" can be used to create poems, to conjure new ideas, and to amuse, delight, and inspire. For students of poetry, Hex Presse Specimen Jar Poetry Puzzles enhance understanding and enjoyment of the poetry. Like Cleromancy games, Hex Presse Specimen Jar Poetry Puzzles are an exciting, surprising, and unique way to engage with poetry.

ABOUT "SESTINA"

This puzzle was inspired by Elizabeth Bishop's Poem "Sestina."

CONTENTS:

*The letters of six words from the poem. Since this poem is a sestina, it seemed appropriate to use the six end words: house, grandmother, child, stove, almanac, tears. The letters appear on brightly-colored plastic beads.

*six morning glory seeds ("time to plant tears")

*a bundle of tea tied with silver "rain" (ribbon)

*a bird-shaped lampwork glass bead

*a flower-shaped lampwork glass bead

*a tiny spool of thread

*six plastic buttons

*six plastic flowers

*six hexagon-shaped zinc nuts (to turn)

*one dried bloom from a Persian Silk Tree (albizia julibrissin)

*3 multi-colored glass beads, one oval, one rectangular, and one spherical.

*tiny silver key charm on a white string

*one tiny sprig of fresh mint

*one valerian capsule

*one white plastic dove

*tear-shaped multi-colored sequins

*a hook and eye

*robin's eggs made of plastic

*tiny silver bells

*one "White Rabbit" milk candy

*tiny pinecones

*one small round mirror

*three white feathers

*star-shaped bark from a Laurel tree

*one match


x-posted to hex presse blog