Poetic Writing: Lead with Your Heart

"I signal to Danny to take the first (cab) since he is in the greater hurry. After he tosses his bag in, he cups my neck with his free hand, pulls me to him, and kisses my cheek."

"In a matter of seconds, Danny is gone."

Wall Street Journal reporter Danny Pearl was kidnapped then murdered by terrorists in Karachi, Pakistan, in February 2002. The person he kissed was his wife Mariane Pearl, co-author (with Sarah Crichton) of the memoir A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life And Death Of My Husband Danny Pearl (Scribner, 2003).

I’d call this writing pure poetry.

"There might be dozens of reasons for Danny to turn off his cell phone, but he doesn’t usually. 'Your correspondent cannot be reached at this moment. Please try again later,' says the cheerily robotic, feminine voice…I will come to detest that voice."

This is Mariane-as-narrator’s first intimation something’s wrong. As a reader, I know Danny’s been kidnapped and soon will be beheaded, but her words "I will come to detest that voice" grabs my gut and shakes away that knowing. Maybe he’ll be okay? Maybe the news was wrong?

Mariane relates this beautifully poetic truth: "I call and call Danny’s phone; it is never answered," and still I find myself turning the page, hoping Danny picks up.

How does she get me to do this? By leading with her heart. My heart has to follow hers.

Do you lead readers/listeners with your heart? With your excitement, fear, pain, joy? I encourage you to do so . . . and read A Mighty Heart to get a glimpse of how it’s done.

Faye Quam Heimerl, © 2009

Faye Quam Heimerl of Quam Editorial is a poet as well as an editor. She’ll help your writing sing poetically but, more importantly, help it to clearly state your message. Contact Faye at Faye@QuamEditorial.com or call 303.505.3530.