THE WHALE OF A LIE LIKE WE KNEW IT WAS

The title is a reference to a Bowie song, and also to the writing practice of adopting a persona.

In his poem The Work, Niall Campbell writes, "If I have to, then let me be the whaler poet". He goes on to suggest how a whaler's skills might be useful in poetry. "Portioning off the pink cut, salt trim and fat, tipping the larger waste off the side of the boat."

Then he talks about the poet-nurse, the oil-driller-poet, the waiter-poet, and so on... A wonderful concept!

Want to give it a try?

Pick a profession, or a way of life, and tell me (in verse, if you like) how they would craft a poem.