Compiling this top 10 Juniper first drafts list took a while. I only wanted to focus on the poems that have changed the most from start to finish. From that list, I then ranked my top 10 favorites. I don’t think I would have been able to rank the final drafts. That would be like choosing a favorite child (well, how I think it would feel). Comparing first drafts is a much easier thing to do. Some first drafts start with an advantage and are positioned closer to the finish line than others. I was excited to edit some of these poems, especially the higher-ranking ones.

10. “Growing Up Costs A Ruby”

This draft is at the bottom of this list because it feels like a mess to me. I didn’t even have a proper title for it when I wrote it. I was a little confused at times when I was rereading it, in order to make this blog post. That being said, I think the heart of the poem was preserved in the final version. The focus stays on the mother-daughter relationship dynamic.

9. “The Boy Was Candy”

This poem has no business being this long. I cut a lot out, and it made a huge difference. Still, I had fun writing the first draft, thanks to all the references to sweets.

8. “Desert Flame Daylily”

This draft has too much information. It improved so much when I had that realization and cut it to the point of being vague. There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of mystery. Well, sometimes.

7. “Two Seconds”

This draft was originally called “Semi-Precious Stone.” I was focused on the image of the ruby in the vat of tar. That image still feels important to me. I ended up scrapping it in this poem and including a ruby in “Growing Up Costs a Ruby,” which already appeared on this list. Maybe I’ll do something with that image in the future.

6. “Valarie: The Mustard Seed”

This one was originally called “V.W.”  I knew where the inspiration was coming from but I wasn’t sure where the poem was headed. But, the new title adds to the poem, especially the final draft version.

5. “Blood is Red”

This one was such a headache. I swear it was just stubborn and didn’t want to cooperate. The final draft isn’t that different from this version. That’s why I struggled so much. Something wasn’t quite right. Thankfully, the minor adjustments made a big difference in the end.

4. “Child of God”

I’ve realized that quite a few of my first drafts are written in second person. But, I don’t think any of my final drafts are written in second person. It feels natural to write in that way, but personally, I don’t like how it sounds. It works well in songs. I’m just not a fan of it in my poetry.  

3. “Snow Queen”

When I first believed I had a finished draft of this poem, I was mistaken. Something felt a little off, but I thought it would be fine. Thankfully, I changed the ending and made adjustments. The king doesn’t even exist in the final draft. I still like the idea I had with this first draft, even though I changed so much of it.

2. “Claustrophobic”

It’s almost hard to believe that the final draft evolved from this one. The two are so different, but the core of each one is the same and the vibes are similar. It was interesting to look at this version and envision how it could have been different.

1. “Robin-Breast Bones”

It probably isn’t such a surprise that this first draft is my favorite in this list. After all, it was the one that changed the least from start to finish.

Final Words

When I work on a poem, most of my time and energy is dedicated to editing. It feels foreign and embarrassing to share my first drafts. But, I’m hoping it encourages others to write. A messy first draft that is a disaster, can still have the potential to become a worthwhile poem.

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Also, if you’re interested in checking out my debut poetry collection Juniper, you can find it here.