# Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 078
Posted by Robert

Quick note: Four of my poems were recently posted in the most recent issue of Otoliths. One poem in particular from that bunch I had been trying to get published for more than a year. So, it just goes to show that persistence pays off in the end. Click here to read them.

*****

For today's prompt, I want you to write a backwards poem. I'll be interested to see what everyone writes (including myself here in a few minutes). Some ideas for writing backwards poems: Write your poem in reverse chronological order OR instead of writing from most important details to least, go least to most important OR flip the point of view of a poem (instead of writing about the good guys' perspective, write from the bad guys--or vice versa) OR take it in some other completely different direction (as long as that direction is somewhat backwards).

Here's my attempt:

"Ohio Geography"

Zanesville-place to stay the night when lost
Youngstown-pot holes big enough to swallow a car
Xenia-always worried a tornado will hit
Waynesville-antique capital of the midwest
Vandalia-place to visit as a child, forget as an adult
Upper Sandusky-actually south of actual Sandusky
Troy-eat strawberries along the river levee
Sharonville-has a nice park for running hills
Reynoldsburg-wrong side of Columbus
Quaker City-pretty much self-explanatory
Perrysburg-has a water tower south of Toledo
Oxford-attractive college campus and students
New Lebanon-nice town to drive through without stopping
Mansfield-largest all boys track relay meet in midwest
Lebanon-has a horse track and other stuff
Kettering-great place to raise a family
Jeffersonville-outlet shopping madness
Ireland-tucked away in corner no one ever visits
Hillsboro-place to escape after graduation
Greenville-weird circle in middle of town
Fairfield-caught between Cincinnati and Hamilton
Eaton-home of the Preble County Pork Festival
Dayton-birthplace of aviation and Paul Laurence Dunbar
Columbus-the heart of the heart of it all
Bowling Green-flat land with one big manmade hill
Ashtabula-Lake Effect Snow

*****

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*****

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Wednesday, February 03, 2010 2:57:30 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [139] 
# Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 077
Posted by Robert

Today (from 1-2 p.m. Cincinnati time) will be my last "live" session on the poets.org/forum. Be sure to visit, read the thread (which just happens to be the most active guest poet thread ever), and leave a question or two. Today, I'm going to be focusing on self-promotion/marketing tactics, but I'm up for talking about anything related to poetry. Click here to view my specific thread.

*****

Later this evening, President Obama will be making his first annual State of the Union address. I'm not going to get political one way or the other on this blog, but the event did inspire today's prompt, which is...

For this week's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "State of (blank)," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make that the title of your poem, and then, write a poem. Sure, you could title your poem "State of the Union" or "State of blank," but you could also come up with interesting titles like "State of the butterflies in Argentina," "State of my credit report," or even "State of Ohio" (what could be more interesting than credit reports and Ohio, right?).

Here's my attempt:

"State of the ampersand"

No skin in January. Fingers forced
into pockets and gloves. Some mittens

even. We avoid eye contact
as our breath makes like smoke.

February will only get worse. More
gray skies & hands held apart

even as we pray for March
& everything that follows after.

*****

Want to publish your poetry? Click here to learn more about the 2010 Poet's Market (edited by moi).

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Wednesday, January 27, 2010 1:48:22 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [120] 
# Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 076
Posted by Robert

Remember: I'll be discussing poetry (specifically publishing poetry) over at the Poets.org forum "live" from 1-2 p.m. this afternoon (Atlanta, GA time). If you can't make it for the "live" session, you can still post questions/comments any time during the month of January, since I'm the guest poet this month. Click here to view the very informational thread.

*****

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem that combines the best and worst part of 2010. Since the year is still so new, you should have a limited amount of material, which should make it easier to focus. Also, the details should still be very fresh in your mind.

Here's my attempt:

"Sleeping Over"

Only a house. Only a dirty house
without heat and filled with smoke
from cheap cigarettes. And animals

that use the carpet as a backyard
substitute. Only one or two seizures
on good days after a lifetime not

having any. The house is no longer
a place he has to stay, but her
seizures are something new and

terrifying for the boys. And worries
the boys' father. Only months
earlier, he was the one who quit

breathing. He knows what it is
to not trust his body to do what
it should. The house he no longer

has to visit felt alive when he
did. Maybe all the smoke. Maybe
the absence of any fresh air.

*****

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*****

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Wednesday, January 20, 2010 2:15:35 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [113] 
# Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 075
Posted by Robert

For anyone interested, I'll be talking about revision "live" over at the Poets.org forum today from 1-2 p.m. (Atlanta, Georgia, time). You can stop by any time this month, though, and leave a question or comment. Click here to check it out.

*****

For this week's prompt, write a poem covering something you think about all the time. Maybe it's the bills or your children or your parents or the dog that keeps barking in your neighbor's yard or the price of eggs in China or the weather. Only you know.

Here's my attempt:

"Not Writing"

He punches a hole in the wall,
which sets off an alarm. He
can't stand the beep and finds
the alarm box. When he enters
a code to disarm, the beeping
grows louder. He wishes he
never punched a hole; but now,
he unscrews the box from the wall
and pulls all the wires out. He
puts the box back on the wall
before fixing the hole he made
with his fist. He lays on his
bed (hands behind his head)
and thinks tomorrow maybe.

*****

If you don't already, you can follow me on Twitter @robertleebrewer

*****

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Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:53:32 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [139] 
# Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 074
Posted by Robert

First, here's a reminder that you can ask me questions on The Academy of American Poets discussion forum (www.poets.org/forum) "live" from 1 to 2 p.m. (Atlanta, Georgia, time) today.

If you miss that one-hour block, don't worry; you can send me questions throughout the month. Plus, I'll be doing the "live" chat in the forum on the next three Wednesdays as well.

Click here to view my thread as Guest Poet for the month of January.

*****

Second, the final tally on chapbook manuscripts submitted is more than 170. Congratulations to everyone who played along and put together a chapbook manuscript! I hope the process was fun and helpful. I'll announce the winning manuscript and probably a few honorable mentions on February 2. Groundhog Day.

*****

Now, let's get to the first Wednesday Poetry Prompt of 2010!

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a "take no prisoners" poem. You can take this in any creative direction you want, but I'm thinking of a poem that resembles those rallying songs by bands like Muse ("Uprising" or "Knights of Cydonia") and Queen ("We Are the Champions" or "We Will Rock You"). Write a poem of what will be and how no one will stand in your (or whoever's or whatever's) way.

Here's my attempt:

"Surrounded"

They found us where the river cuts mountains
in pieces before finding the ocean.

They asked us what we were doing alone,
but we were too busy to answer. We

cut birds out of branches to fly to our
allies. Their jaws clenched, our enemies asked

us why we wouldn't answer; they lit torches
and gathered around us like trees. They asked

us again and again and again, but
our mouths were granite. We cut more birds loose 

before burning everything standing.

*****

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*****

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Wednesday, January 06, 2010 1:58:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [118] 
# Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 073
Posted by Robert

This will most likely be the last post of 2009, but it's got a lot of ground to cover.

First, I've received well more than 50 chapbook manuscript submissions so far. Thank you to everyone who has submitted so far. Everyone else has until midnight (Atlanta time) on January 5 to make their submissions. Click here for a refresher on the rules.

*****

Second, I've got some very exciting news to share. I'm going to be the Guest Poet over at The Academy of American Poets' online discussion forum at www.poets.org during the month of January. You can create a free account to participate on the forums, which you can access by:

  1. Going to www.poets.org.
  2. Scroll over Poets & Poetry in the horizontal navigation bar.
  3. Click the Discussion Forums link.
  4. Click the Member of the Month & Guest Poet link.

I'm assuming that at some point during the beginning of January, the opening post will be made and should be near the top as a sticky thread. (For instance, the current sticky thread is with Shaindel Beers--October's guest poet.)

Usually, you can throw out commentary or questions throughout the month at any time (or after), and I'll casually check in and respond. But I'm going to make myself available for one hour each week (on Wednesdays from 1-2 p.m. ATL time) for a more intensive Q&A centered around specific topics. They will be:

Week 1 (1/6): Writing

Week 2 (1/13): Revising

Week 3 (1/20): Publishing

Week 4 (1/27): Marketing & Other Topics

It should be a lot of fun and informational for anyone who has questions about poetry.

*****

Third, we need to get to the final Wednesday Poetry Prompt of 2009; number 74 will pick right back up in 2010. Happy New Year, everyone!

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem inspired by a movie. The poem does not need to give the plot summary or even include the main characters. The poem can be inspired by any movie, any scene, any set, or whatever. It could even be a poem inspired by how a movie was made or rumors surrounding it.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"A middle-aged man seeing his son for the first time"

The last time I saw this man
he cut off my arm and legs--
this was after I killed my wife
(or so I was led to believe).
Years later, here we are again
waving our swords of light and
bantering like old times. Part
of me doesn't even want him
to die, but something draws his
attention. He smiles and lifts
his blade, lets me strike him down.
Then, I hear that voice, a long,
"No," before seeing him, his gun
drawn and aimed at me firing.

*****

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*****

Check out The Art of War for Writers, by James Scott Bell, by clicking here.

*****

p.s. I'll be interested to see if anyone can guess which movie inspired my poem for the week.


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Wednesday, December 30, 2009 11:41:35 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [104] 
# Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 072
Posted by Robert

Sorry for not getting around to today's prompt until a little after 10 pm (my time). Today is the first day of my vacation, and I kind of treated it that way by hanging out with Baby Will, wrapping Christmas presents, figuring out what food to cook on Christmas Day, and shopping for that food. I just finished watching To Have and Have Not with Tammy.

By the way, last week I mentioned being interviewed by Didi Menendez. Since then, I've been interviewed by Paul Grimsley (click here to read it). Also, Tammy was interviewed by Didi Menendez (click here to read her interview). But I'd better get around to this Wednesday Poetry Prompt before it turns into a Thursday Poetry Prompt.

For today's prompt, I actually want you to write a "getting around to something" poem. Maybe the poem itself is distracted and sidetracked. Maybe a character has to get around to something. Maybe, well, I'll let you figure out. (I've got a poem to write, don't I?)

Here's my attempt for this week:

"My trash can is not big enough"

I hate it when people tell me to go that way
instead of this way just because that way
is easier or faster. I mean, this way has a lot

more character and scenery; this way is
usually more fun, but it's always that way
this and that way that, so much that I get

sick of even thinking of this or that or which
ever route someone might invent, including--
but not limited to--the other way around.

*****

If you're on Twitter and not following me, you can follow me @robertleebrewer.

*****

By the way, what I've been trying to get around to saying is have a safe and happy holidays, and hopefully we'll meet again before 2010 begins!

 


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Thursday, December 24, 2009 3:28:22 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [100] 
# Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 071
Posted by Robert

Yesterday, I was interviewed by poet/artist/publisher Didi Menendez. Click here to check it out.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a juxtaposition poem. By juxtaposition poem, I mean that I want you to write some random thoughts, ideas, images, etc., throughout the day or week and then fit them together through the process of juxtaposition. This is a fun way to find interesting poems that we might not normally write when making natural leaps of logic.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Ready, set"

Every morning, Reese asks me to tell him
a scary story. Birds dart from one tree
to the next. Will wants a bottle and nap.
I trap a field name in a spreadsheet box
before saving. Squirrels leap and dance
around the trunks, from branches. We
leave to collect Reese from the bus stop.
A broken crayon, a neglected nut. How
the sun slants earlier in the evenings.
Will wanders with outstretched hands
the apartment as Reese asks me to sing
and dance. Outside, the trees sway.

*****

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Wednesday, December 16, 2009 2:33:46 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [13] 
# Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 070
Posted by Robert

Sorry for the silence since November. I've been busy burning the midnight oil on a database project for work. But at least we've still got our weekly prompts. (Also, I've been receiving quite a few manuscripts from the November PAD Challenge. Y'all have until January 5, but it's cool to see them trickling in already.)

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "(blank) Day," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then write your poem. Examples: "Groundhog Day," "Moon Day," "Holly Day," "Just Another Day," "Bird Day," "Pay Day," etc.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Blockhead Day"

He builds a dam to keep the water close. 
It puddles beneath his baseball cap, his
worried eyes. He loves good grief, self-
examination and attention. He talks
whether anyone is listening or not.

His dog is a fighter pilot; his dog is
a writer; his dog is everything he wishes
he could be. But still, there is hope 
disguised as a little red-head girl,

a football ready to be kicked, his kite
stuck in a tree waiting to be saved
by anyone who isn't a blockhead.

*****

Do you ever wish you could just get the words right? Well, click here to check out Getting The Words Right, by Theodore A. Rees Cheney.

 


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Wednesday, December 09, 2009 2:41:11 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [205] 
# Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 069
Posted by Robert

Back to our weekly schedule of prompts and poems. I have to admit: It felt a little weird to not write a poem yesterday morning. And, I'm sure a week break between prompts will feel even odder.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a climbing poem. As with most prompts, you can come at climbing from several different directions. There's the physical act of climbing, but a lot of things climb: people, animals, insects, vines, and even non-living things (for instance, magma climbs up the inside of a volcano before it erupts as lava). There's also the metaphor of climbing out of a bad situation or circumstances. And, I'm sure there are other ways to attack this week's prompt.

Here's my attempt:

"The Buckeye Tree"

They stand beneath it and throw sticks
into the branches trying to knock down
buckeyes. Three boys and two girls, all
looking for easy targets, though none
are tall enough to reach the bottom
branches and shake the buckeyes loose.

It doesn't take long before they tire
of throwing sticks into the tree. One
boy climbs onto the back of another
before both fall to the ground. Then,
the third boy lifts both girls, one after
the other, with his hands until they

grasp the bottom branch and pull
themselves up. Both girls look down
on the boys, who look up with their
hands framing their faces to block
the sun. The girls hold the tree trunk
tight and look up before climbing

as the boys shout from the bottom
to shake out the buckeyes. But both
girls have moved past shaking loose
those nuts; both girls now only want
to climb and keep climbing until there
is nowhere and nothing left to grab.

*****

Interested in how to format and submit your poetry? Click here to purchase a digital download from Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, by Chuck Sambuchino.


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Wednesday, December 02, 2009 4:11:18 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [147] 
# Monday, November 30, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 30
Posted by Robert

(Don't worry about posting comments to the prompts! The server that hosts WritersDigest.com and the other blogs has apparently been crashing repeatedly, and the programmers are literally in a position where they have to re-build everything while continuing to re-set the server. If you wish to share the poems, I invite you to do so at my personal blog until this storm passes. The url is http://robertleebrewer.blogspot.com. I'll set up a post for November PAD Chapbook Challenge poems and communication. Thanks and sorry, everyone!)

Today is the final day of the challenge! If you've made it this far, then congratulations! It's not been the smoothest month (technologically speaking), but you hung in there. Thanks so much!

Tomorrow, I'll share further rules and guidelines on how to submit chapbook manuscripts and such. Plus, I'm going to be providing chapbook tips throughout the month of December. So be sure to tune in for helpful hints and such.

Also, don't forget to participate in #poettues on Twitter on Tuesdays or our weekly writing prompts on Wednesdays on this here blog. Happy poeming!

*****

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about something that will stick with you (or someone/something else). The poem could be about an event, a moment, a song, words said, words unsaid, etc. It should be something memorable.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"The world will worry for you"

Forget speaking in code; forget
telling it slant; here is what happened:

I rose to answer the phone, and then,
lost consciousness. As I lay there,

my breathing grew labored before
stopping altogether. My skin turned

crayon blue; my eyes stayed open.
This is how I've always pictured

my Uncle James when he died alone
on his land in the middle of nowhere.

I still remember grandmother crying out,
"No, no, no," on Easter evening

when my grandfather called. I could
have been found this way, but

Tammy breathed in my mouth, spoke
to my unresponding face. She would not

quit even as I turned less and less
alive. Later that night, grandfather

told us how they found James laying
on his porch with his door open:

"He looked horrible. He looked like
he was in pain." And this is what I can

tell you: I did not feel any pain,
any worry, until I came back to life.

*****

Want to learn how to write poetry from the inside out? Click here to learn more about Writing Poetry From the Inside Out, by Sandford Lyne, as well as other writing reference books at WritersDigestShop.com

 


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Monday, November 30, 2009 2:30:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [138] 
# Sunday, November 29, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 29
Posted by Robert

O my gosh! Tomorrow is the final day of this year's November challenge, and yesterday's post seems to just be sucking comments into the poetic black hole of this blog. I'm not sure why, but every time I've been in Ohio this month, this blog has self-destructed. (For instance, I drove from my home in Georgia to Ohio and back--with a little Marion's Pizza and sleep mixed in--between the Day 28 and Day 29 prompts and poems.) Hopefully, now that I'm back in Georgia, the blog will work.

For today's prompt, I want you to pick a number, make that number the title of your poem, and write a poem. The number could be your favorite number, a lucky number, an unlucky number, a number with some significance (for instance, years jump to mind), or whatever.

Here's my attempt for the day (on less than 4 hours of sleep, no less):

"Huit"

"Burn like something burning, something yearning."
We throw our hands up and raise our voices
into the night sky, our hearts discerning,
"Burn like something burning, something yearning."
We watch the sun around which we're turning
and let our hands fall and feel our choices
burn. Like something burning, something yearning,
we throw our hands up and raise our voices,

"We won't apologize for our choices,
whether we were in the right or the wrong"
for our hearts beat without wild invoices.
We won't apologize for our choices;
instead, we raise our hands and our voices
in our loud chant that burns into a song:
"We won't apologize for our choices,
whether we were in the right or the wrong."

*****

The poem above is comprised of two triolets. If you're interested in learning about this or other poetic forms, click here to check some poetic forms out for free.


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Sunday, November 29, 2009 4:22:02 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [51] 
# Saturday, November 28, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 28
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "Through this (blank)," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Examples could be: "Through this door," "Through this spider," "Through this rope wrapped around this person trying to get free before the bomb stops ticking," "Through this garden," etc.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Through this black hole the universe expands"

Try to look as wicked as you can. Stand on your
hands. Demand an evil plan. I'm not saying you'll

get what you want, but most stars end up as white
dwarfs or neutron stars. They aren't big enough

to collapse and continue collapsing. Instead, they
become something entirely new, yet still burning.

Take this black hole, this massive dark future,
we could run for our lives, or we could take each

others' hands and bravely cross the event horizon
both of us looking eagerly for our happy ever after.

*****

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Saturday, November 28, 2009 1:00:23 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [57] 
# Friday, November 27, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 27
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem involving a shape (or multiple shapes). You can make the shape the title of your poem, or you can work the shapes into the actual poem in some way. There are two dimensional shapes, of course, like squares and circles, but don't forget some of the other shapes available out there: horseshoes, coffee cups, houses, etc. After all, some objects become so iconic that they actually are considered shapes unto themselves.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Crescent Moon"

What new slice of the sun might
we see reflected tonight through
spidery ghosts floating across
the atmosphere? We fear those
nights it disappears completely.

Complete me: Burn into me as if
I am some lonely, stranded satellite
watching a planet build and re-build
itself. You've always been the sun;
my only wish is to reflect your light.

*****

Do you want to write science fiction? Click here to learn more about the Essentials of Science Fiction Writing and other WritersOnlineWorkshops.com courses today.


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Friday, November 27, 2009 2:32:17 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [149] 
# Thursday, November 26, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 26
Posted by Robert

Well, now that the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade is over, I guess it's time to move on to other pressing matters, such as getting to today's prompt and poem. But first, let me thank every single person who participates in these challenges and reads the blog throughout the year. I am so thankful for you, especially those of you who go through the frustration of adding a comment 50 billion times before it takes. Today's prompt may come as no surprise, because...

For today's prompt, I want you to write a thankful poem.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Ode to fire"

They say it began with light, and I know
light began with flames. With that light
came heat, a soft burning warmth--enough
to start a planet spinning. Or, perhaps,
an explosion that never stops spreading
outward. Our gravity, our oxygen, our history
unraveling. Without the sun, without our
continuous sparking, none of us would exist.

*****

Trying to get published? Here's the ultimate reference for making it happen: Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, by Chuck Sambuchino. Click here to learn more about this and other Writer's Digest Books.


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Thursday, November 26, 2009 5:19:16 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [124] 
# Wednesday, November 25, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 25
Posted by Robert

Are we really only five days away from December? Is Thanksgiving really tomorrow morning? This week, my house has been filled with boys and noise and a lot of joy. I hope everyone's been enjoying this November PAD Chapbook Challenge. I'll post more details about what to do next on December 1. Until then, keep poeming and being thankful for the muse.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a temperature poem. Remember: Temperature can mean the heat outside, the heat of something (or someone), or even the temperament of someone.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"I am not a volcano"

But my blood feels like magma,
all heat and beneath the surface.

Give me permission to erupt;
give me clearance to explode.

This is what happens: We forget all
we really want is to dance and sing

and clap and clasp our hands
together and fall deeply in love.

*****

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Wednesday, November 25, 2009 2:26:27 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [152] 
# Tuesday, November 24, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 24
Posted by Robert

Here's the last "Two for Tuesday" prompt in November:

Prompt #1: Take the phrase "Everybody says (blank)," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make that the title of the poem, and write the poem.

Prompt #2: Take the phrase "Nobody says (blank)," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make that the title of the poem, and write the poem.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Everybody says not to do it again"

This funny little feeling I get at times
scares the crap out of me. I can't tell

if it's from the head or heart, and all
the specialists can't agree what's wrong

with me. They say, "Don't do it again,"
again and again as if I know the answer

they can't seem to find. My mind, my
fragile heartbeat. Take a magnifying

glass to my inside-out, outside-in; try
to piece me together again. Let's put

the magnifying glass between this sun
and this wood to start a fire again.

*****

Want a little help with the basic building blocks of writing? Click here to check out Elements of Effective Writing (and other courses) offered by WritersOnlineWorkshops.com.


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Tuesday, November 24, 2009 2:12:54 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [163] 
# Monday, November 23, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 23
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem filled with noise. Or, at least, it should involve noise. There's all manner of noise you could write about: traffic, celebration, panic, nature, etc. You could even write about the space between noises.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Not every picture needs a volcano"

In the forest,
a tree falls, and I hear it.
So the tree was
not alone, but now I am.
I am the pain
into which the world will drown:
the sound of flames
crossing a forest, the sound
of trees falling.
Burn, burn, burn. All of us burn
inside to find
ourselves falling so someone
can hear our sounds.

*****

Interested in starting your own freelance writing career? Then, click here to check out this digital download on how to do so from Writer's Digest community leader Jane Friedman.


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Monday, November 23, 2009 1:54:27 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [167] 
# Sunday, November 22, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 22
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, write an emergency poem. Everyone has their own idea of what constitutes an emergency, so these poems could be about anything from zombie attacks to running out of ketchup.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Houston, we have a problem"

An asteroid is flying free somewhere in the universe;
a black hole is stretching everything that crosses the horizon;

even the moon is on fire tonight. Besides, look at this tail
of light, this trail of fire burning across the atmosphere.

What new heartbeat is this? Maybe my pulse will tell
whether love exists or if hell is only a red flag never raised.

Take flight; embrace the night: We're never anything
if we're not completely engulfed in our flames.

*****

Want to workshop poems in an advanced format online? Then, click here to check out this Advanced Poetry Writing workshop offered by WritersOnlineWorkshops.com.


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Sunday, November 22, 2009 2:42:43 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [134] 
# Saturday, November 21, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 21
Posted by Robert

We're now 3 weeks into November. Only 1 week and a couple days left. Wow!

For today's prompt, I want you to write an invention poem. The poem can actually be about an invention or an inventor, or you can make the invention the title of your poem and go from there. Every poem is an invention of its own, and I can't wait to see what everyone invents today.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Magnifying Glass"

Start with a simple lens;
use it to read; use it to start
fires. Think of everything
you might see. Now, move the lens
against your skin. Imagine
what hides beneath the surface
before looking toward the stars;
the space between you and your
heart sometimes feels impossible,
but it doesn't stop you
from looking and hoping
there is something to discover:
a giant blue star, a fiery orb.


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Saturday, November 21, 2009 1:47:48 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [166] 
# Friday, November 20, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 20
Posted by Robert

Drove up from Georgia to Ohio last night, so I'm writing on 3 hours sleep this morning. Hopefully, I'll write something that makes at least a little sense. Then again, since yesterday's poem was titled "Dream," maybe it's better if I don't.

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "And then (blank)," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make that the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Some example titles could be: "And then Godzilla attacked Tokyo," "And then McDonald's opened a store on the moon," "And then nothing," "And then everything," "And then you probably have an even better idea for a poem title," etc.

Here's my attempt for today:

"And then he fell down"

A fog is another kind of ghost;
its breath presses the earth
and asks forgiveness before
the sun wishes it away. Our
dreams are clouds are ghosts
swimming across lakes we
imagined could drown us.

We find him French-kissing
under water; we find him
in love with our daughters;
we arrive with just enough
time to wave them off and
wonder if and wonder if
as if it could have been us.

*****

Want to be a writing VIP? Click here to find out how. File this under Best Deal Ever.

 


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Friday, November 20, 2009 3:01:23 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [170] 
# Thursday, November 19, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 19
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to write an attachment poem. There are all kinds of attachments you could write about: physical, emotional, digital, etc. You could even write about your fear of attachment OR fear of no attachments OR fear of seeming to be afraid of attachment when really you're afraid of not being attached but you don't want other people to know that you know that...where was I?...oh yeah, write an attachment poem. Write it now.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Dream"

She walks into his room and starts talking
about how he's begun to float. "It's getting
a little out of hand," she says as she ties
some rope around his waist. He doesn't try
to stop her. In fact, he notices his feet
have left the ground completely. "See,"
she says, "Good thing I brought this rope."
He hopes it isn't serious as he floats
out the window. "I have you," she says,
"even if gravity doesn't." He wants to thank
her, but he can't remember how to talk.
He just rises higher as she continues to walk
beneath him, his legs and arms spread apart.
Below, she hides in the shadow of his heart.

*****

What do you get when you take a little poetry and a little dictionary and you mix them together? You get John Drury's Poetry Dictionary. It's filled with a load of poetic information. Click here to learn more about this and other writing titles today

 


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Thursday, November 19, 2009 2:48:15 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [163] 
# Wednesday, November 18, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 18
Posted by Robert

After today's poem, we'll be 60% of the way through November. I can't believe how fast this month is moving. I've been dropping in and reading poems in the comments, and I'm looking forward to reading your chapbook manuscripts after this challenge is over. (Also, thanks for the kind words about my prompts and poems this month. Much appreciated.)

For today's prompt, I want you to write a slow poem. (If you want you can re-read that sentence in your best "slow motion" voice.) I'll let you decide what a slow poem should be.

Here's my attempt for today:

"Let us not go then, you and I"

Maybe we can feel the world turn
or watch the universe burn. We
could find the star giving the most

light as our hot sun sets the moon
on fire tonight. Shooting stars are
just meteoroids burning up

in the mesosphere; so keep your
fire near, dear, and we'll just stay here--
both burning so bright and so clear.

*****

Learn from the instructors at the Vermont College MFA Program in Words Overflown by Stars, edited by David Jauss. Click here to read more about this and other writing titles.

 


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Wednesday, November 18, 2009 2:04:21 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [215] 
# Tuesday, November 17, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 17
Posted by Robert

Sigh. Tuesday morning, and we've already had connectivity issues and a Turkish hacker (going by the handle Cyb3rking). But poetry is a powerful force that keeps on keeping on despite wind, rain, sleet, junk mail, global warming, asteroids, infomercials, etc.

As mentioned above, today is Tuesday, which means we've got a "Two for Tuesday" offering. Remember: With "Two for Tuesday" prompts, you can write to either one or both (or none, if that's how you roll). Here are the two prompts:

1. Write an explosion poem.

2. Write an implosion poem.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Black holes"

How they happen: A giant star
explodes. The explosion is called
supernova, which scatters most
of the star across outerspace
and leaves behind a dead remnant.

How they work: Alive, nuclear
fusion a giant star creates
balances the inward pull caused
by the gravity of its mass.
A giant dead remnant creates
no counter balance. It just sucks
so hard that even light cannot
escape, though only if objects
pass a point of no return called
darkly the event horizon.

Why they matter: Black holes cannot
be observed from the outside, so
we can only know they exist
by how they consume the burning
light produced by other objects.

*****

Want to get metrical for less than $7? Click here to learn more about Writing Metrical Poetry, by William Baer.


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Tuesday, November 17, 2009 2:15:40 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [182] 
# Monday, November 16, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 16
Posted by Robert

Oh yeah! We're more than half-way to the finish line; kind of hard to believe, eh?

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "Clouds (blank)," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make that the title of your poem, and write the poem. Some examples: "Clouds float," "Clouds rain," "Clouds don't exist," "Clouds block my sunshine," "Clouds are cool," etc.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Clouds that don't bother to rain"

They hover over us and save
themselves for somewhere else.

We watch them pass like ghosts
searching for a better place to

haunt. We want nothing better
for our time than to see clouds

float to the horizon, followed
close by everything ever after.  

*****

Looking for poetic inspiration and instruction throughout the year? Look no further than Sage Cohen's Writing the Life Poetic. Click here to learn more about this and other writing titles today.

 


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# Sunday, November 15, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 15
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to write a hanging poem. There are a lot of things that can hang (some a bit more gruesome than others). You can hang clothes, pots and pans, pictures, and other inanimate objects; there's, of course, the kind of hangings that end lives; or you can even leave someone hanging (as Tammy pointed out to me). So, I'm not going to leave anyone hanging anymore today.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Hanging ghosts on trees"

All he needs is string, paper, and trashbags,
some branches to hold. If he reaches up,
he can tie them. In his dreams, paddle boats
are crossing the lake, and she swims across
to find him. They meet on the bridge that runs
over the stream where they would build a house
if they could. They come from both sides and meet
in the middle as the bridge lets loose. They
both, holding hands, fall and feel the cold rush
of water. And then, they see them hanging
from trees, blowing in the wind like autumn
leaves: 1,000 ghosts, trying to break free.

*****

For those interested in workshopping their poetry under the guidance of an instructor and with feedback from fellow poets, click here to learn about the Advanced Poetry Workshop offered by WritersOnlineWorkshops.com. Registration deadline is 12/24/09.

 


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# Saturday, November 14, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 14
Posted by Robert

Sorry for the late start this morning. I was enjoying a rare chance to wake up and have breakfast with the family unit. Weekends only come once a week, you know.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem involving lines. There are several possible lines you could write about: shopping lines, pick-up lines, lines from movies or songs, lines drawn in the sand, lines that should not be crossed (physically or emotionally), and so on. If all else fails, remember: All poems consist of lines.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Fire lines"

If only the fire burned slower;
if only we weren't surrounded;
if only we weren't all about
consuming and being consumed,

maybe then, baby, we'd gather
the earth around us and push back;
maybe then we'd try slowing down;
maybe then we would be content

to circle this fire, both arm's length
apart, and watch it fail to jump
the line, watch it with abandoned
abandon as it slowly died.

*****

Want to boost your creativity with helpful prompts and useful tips? Click here to check out The Pocket Muse, by Monica Wood.

 


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Saturday, November 14, 2009 3:28:36 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [160] 
# Friday, November 13, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 13
Posted by Robert

It's Friday the 13th! For whatever reason, weird stuff always seems to happen to me on these days; I hope today is an exception--unless, for once, it's a good weird thing.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a renewable poem. I suppose you could write about renewable energy or renewable books (from the library). But there are other ways to come at this, too. Vows are renewable, as are promises and oaths. In fact, if you think about it long enough, it's hard to think of things that aren't renewable. Now, get writing.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Phoenix"

She stands beside the fire with her
smile wired to the shadows licking
her face. He's not sure how to read
what she wants, so he doesn't try.

Instead, he walks over and pulls
her close. Enough with the guessing,
he thinks before leaning to kiss
those lips, cracking open with heat.

*****

Want to learn how to write better poetry in an online workshop environment? Click here to find out how.

 


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Friday, November 13, 2009 1:46:57 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [173] 
# Thursday, November 12, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 12
Posted by Robert

Quick Note: Please refrain from posting multiple previously written (old) poems in the comments. While I'm fine with 6 brand new poems, posting several old poems is kind of not in the spirit of creating. Of course, it is fine to post an older poem every so often, but let's avoid an avalanche of previously written material. Anyone with Internet access can start a personal blog for free and do that kind of thing there.

*****

So yeah, we're 12 days into the challenge, which means we're 40% of the way through it. Feels like we just started, but here we are with 12 (or more) poems.

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "If only (blank)," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make that the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Example titles might be "If only we remembered our umbrellas," "If only the train came on time," or "If only, if only." The possibilities are endless.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"If only we lived in Kansas"

Holes worn into the knees of her blue jeans,
she walks around with a buckeye-filled shoe
and, with her hair pulled back, says, "We come here
once a year to collect these and throw them
at my uncle." She hands me an empty
shoe and walks away bare-footed. I walk
around the buckeye tree, but there are no
nuts to be found. Then, a boy approaches
with a stick, which he throws into the leaves.
Down fall several buckeyes. The boy scoops
them up and runs off, leaving his stick, which
I throw into the leaves making buckeyes
fall. I throw the stick again and again
and again thinking of how proud she'll be
with a thousand buckeye-filled shoes, thinking
of how her uncle will really get it
this year, thinking this is love. When the ground
around the tree is completely covered,
I realize that I have buried her shoe.

 


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Thursday, November 12, 2009 12:47:10 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [153] 
# Wednesday, November 11, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 11
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to write a construction poem. When you think of construction, you may think of cranes and bulldozers and safety goggles, but there are many other forms of construction--both big and small (and not all are by humans).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"So we built a house"

In a forest. Beside a stream.
It had a front porch and windows
in the kitchen above the sink.
We surrounded the house with eight
birdhouses. We made a garden
and shared our food with the other
woodland creatures. And then, people
followed the stream to our home and
liked what they saw. So they cut roads
through the forest to build their own
remote houses. They brought children
and work with them. They brought phone and
electric companies, even
parking lots and landfills. And yes,
the Internet arrived a bit
late (as you would expect). As we
washed our dishes by hand we watched,
and eventually, we moved.

 


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# Tuesday, November 10, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 10
Posted by Robert

Over the weekend, I purchased a copy of The Best American Poetry 2009, edited by David Lehman and David Wagoner. This has turned into an annual tradition, because the anthology brings together 75 poems (usually by 75 poets) by new-to-me poets and some familiar favorites. The 2009 edition actually includes two poets who've been interviewed on Poetic Asides: Denise Duhamel for "How It Will End" and Martha Silano for "Love." (Click here to read the Duhamel interview; click here to read the Silano interview.)

*****

Today is Tuesday, so it's a Two for Tuesday prompt! Here are your two options:

  1. Write a love poem.
  2. Write an anti-love poem.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Front porch, windows for kitchen"

Something as simple as leaving the couch
to answer the phone. He feels his vision
closing, his body tightening. He sits
down in a pool of darkness, a shallow
dream. Everywhere, voices are searching.

Leaving the company of people is
disconcerting. She discerns a nothing
in his eyes, so she looks into them and
talks. She breathes her life into his mouth and 
knows this is the moment she always feared.

What would happen if they found their dream house,
but it was engulfed in flames? Would they try
to put it out? Would they ring all the bells
in town for help? Or would they hold their hands
together tight and watch the damn thing burn?

 


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Tuesday, November 10, 2009 2:24:45 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [217] 
# Monday, November 09, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 9
Posted by Robert

Remember: If you want an easy way to communicate about the November PAD Chapbook Challenge, you can join the #novpad discussion on Twitter. (And if you're not already, you can follow me @robertleebrewer.)

*****

For today's prompt, I want you to write a slippery poem. The subject can be about something slippery (snake, soap, etc.), or the poem itself can deal with a slippery subject (I'm thinking big concepts like that have words ending in -ism might fit the definition of a slippery subject). If in doubt, just write.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"notveryreadableforhumans"

Do not use the words crash or burn
at the airport. If I could, I would
make every kiss her kiss. On the clouds
below, a golden halo forms around
the shadow of our airplane. Our shadows
slide across the pavement. Our brains
are targets for marketing departments.

I'm not sure if she thinks about me
when I'm a mile above the earth
or wondering how long until we land.

Now, when my heart skips a beat,
I'm not sure if it's love or a signal
to call the doctor. Maybe the doctor
can tell me if it's love or something else.

Over by the buckeye tree, I watch
them all crash and burn. The teens
who live here slide in together. They
just don't know any better. I made
the same mistakes they will. Somewhere
below, a door creaks open. Somewhere
above, I slide through the stratosphere
and think about the way she kisses.

The heavy silence of early morning
when the sun rises whether I'm ready
or not. Anything new is a fear; we
are number one for take off. We
hope we won't crash and burn.

 


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Monday, November 09, 2009 3:02:51 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [162] 
# Sunday, November 08, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 8
Posted by Robert

Quick note: There seems to be some confusion over writing to a theme for the chapbook challenge. You do NOT need to write to a theme. If you do (as I've been trying to do throughout this month), then great. But it's not mandatory. Because while a theme may help enhance the success of a chapbook, what really matters is that it contain spectacular poems.

*****

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "Should (blank)," replace the blank with a word or phrase, make that the title of your poem, and write your poem. Examples could be "Should I Buy This Outfit," "Should You Leave Before I Buy This Outfit," or "Should This Outfit Be in the Title? You Don't Even Know What This Outfit Looks Like Anyway." The Clash even wrote a song to this prompt (okay, they didn't write a song to this prompt, but their song fits this prompt) called, "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Should She Burn Across the Atmosphere"

Here is the hand she held. Hers closed over mine
as if it were a trap. We stared across the field
and started walking to the forest. The deep, dark
forest. She may have nudged my foot. She may
have suggested the plan. We may have devised
the plan together. On second thought, we may
not have had a plan. But soon, the field turned
to fire, and we were both running. And laughing.
Because there was no escape. Because this is
exactly what we wanted: to run and to burn.

 


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# Saturday, November 07, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 7
Posted by Robert

After finishing today's poem, we'll be a full week through the challenge! Can you feel what I feel? That's right, it's progress!

For today's prompt, I want you to pick a plant (any plant), make that the title of your poem, and write a poem. Pretty simple. (Or is it?) Most people, including myself, immediately think of plants as organic creatures, but, of course, "plants" can also be places of employment or spies or...as you can see, there's always room for breaking outside the lines.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Dionaea Muscipula"

Or more commonly, Venus Flytrap,
named for the Roman goddess of love:

This small carnivorous plant catches
animal prey that trips the bulb-like

trap. Each plant has four to seven leaves;
if it appears to have more, this is

a colony formed by rosettes split
underground. Found in nitrogen-poor

environments, the Venus Flytrap
tolerates fire well. In fact, Venus

depends on periodic burning
for its very survival. And rest.

Without a period of winter
dormancy, Venus Flytraps weaken

and die. Plants that find favorable
living conditions will live twenty

to thirty years resting and burning.
 


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Saturday, November 07, 2009 2:12:51 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [185] 
# Friday, November 06, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 6
Posted by Robert

Wow! We're already 20% of the way through this here challenge. Those who are behind or just getting started still have plenty of time to catch up, and those who've been keeping up can feel pretty good about the progress they've already made. And it's Friday! Yay!

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem with (or about) someone (or something) covered. A person could be covered with a blanket or blanketed with darkness. Something could be covered by water or earth or anything you can think, I guess. Or you could write a poem about how you "have it covered," I suppose.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Running it into the ground"

Saying it doesn't mean you mean it,
but if you mean it, you should say it,
and say it like you mean it, even if
you're not sure what you should say
or how to say it so that she knows
you really mean it, because she will
either believe that you mean it when
you say it or she won't, or she won't
know how to let you know that she
believes you mean it when you say it
like you mean it, because she's not
used to having someone say it like
he means it and really means it, so do
not let intent (yours or hers) hold you
back from saying what you mean when
you really mean it, because you really
could be damned if you do and damned
if you don't, but you won't really know
where you stand unless you mean it.

*****

If you want to discuss this prompt or poem, or just want to communicate with other poets throughout the month of November, go to Twitter.com and search on the hashtag #novpad. (And be sure to follow my Tweets from my handle @robertleebrewer.)

*****

If you want a resource to help you publish your poems after the month of November is over, then you should check out the 2010 Poet's Market (also known as the best Poet's Market ever). Click here to learn more.

 


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Friday, November 06, 2009 1:59:09 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [167] 
# Thursday, November 05, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 5
Posted by Robert

Over on Twitter, @taunalen created a hashtag for everyone to communicate about the November PAD Chapbook Challenge easily. The hashtag is #novpad. Just use the search box on the right-hand side of the Twitter application and search for novpad and you can participate in an ongoing conversation that might even go into January (as everyone revises and organizes their actual chapbook manuscripts). Use the hashtag to share comments/critiques of posted poems, links to your November PAD Chapbook Challenge poems on your personal blogs, revision tips, and whatever else springs to mind. 

Also, if you're on Twitter and not following me yet, you can do so by finding me @robertleebrewer.

*****

For today's prompt, I want you to write a growth poem. This could be psychological or emotional growth, physical growth, or however you'd like to take it. Maybe your poem is about growing hair or growing hungry or growing impatient or...

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Don't grow old on me"

I was frightened to think I could
ever die, that I would die. Would
you look for me if I were lost? I'm
at the place where you got your
bike. Push throw to catch. Go back.
Two, one. It's in a building. And it's
somebody's. But you have to teach
it to fly. Look what I got. That's what
I have. In the middle of battle, they
can evolve. They can all evolve. But
it takes awhile. At the town right
before, you finally held my hand.

 


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Thursday, November 05, 2009 2:13:01 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [170] 
# Wednesday, November 04, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 4
Posted by Robert

Everyone's doing a great job so far! I'm already getting excited to see what kind of manuscripts will be trickling in during December and January.

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "Maybe (blank)," replace the (blank) with a word or phrase, and write a poem using that new phrase as your title. Some example titles: "Maybe we really did need a bigger boat," "Maybe next time you'll listen to me," "Maybe never," "Maybe baby," and so on.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Maybe my pulse"

A plane passes low
so that I wonder if
it will clear the trees.

Seriously, an asteroid
could be headed
for me right now.

The very next car
that runs a red light
may find me walking

across the street,
my feet heavy
with wondering how

and when I will go.
But it doesn't matter
as long as she is there

to lean over me, breathe
into me, and coax me
out of the darkness.

 


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Wednesday, November 04, 2009 1:52:12 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [208] 
# Tuesday, November 03, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 3
Posted by Robert

Well, I finally have Internet access again today. What a rough start to the challenge! On a positive note, I'm glad Brian was helping out, because he's the WritersDigest.com editor and was able to get everything working faster on Day 1 as a result. Just some super duper bad timing. Ugh!

*****

Today is a Tuesday, which means it's a "Two for Tuesday" prompt day. You can choose your favorite prompt; you can write one poem for each prompt; and/or you can blend the two prompts together. Your choice.

Prompt #1: Write a positive poem. Like how great writing a poem a day through November is.

Prompt #2: Write a negative poem. Like how un-great technological hiccups in November are.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Negative Option"

Beyond this stream is a tree
in which she hides, ringing her bell
softly and waiting for the man
who wears wings and who she
wishes to surrender herself, but

he wanders inside a cave, feeling
his way along the stone walls, praising
the echo of his own footsteps and
the scraping of his wings. Meanwhile,

she waits and waits and knows
that no one will ever die and stay
dead. Of this, she is positive.

*****

Want to talk poetry today? Every Tuesday, we have a poetic discussion on Twitter, using the hashtag #poettues. If you use Twitter, be sure to friend me @robertleebrewer and join the conversation (or follow along silently). See you there!

 


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Tuesday, November 03, 2009 2:16:41 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [179] 
# Friday, October 30, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge Rules & Stuff
Posted by Robert

First off, the November PAD Chapbook Challenge is all about the fun and poeming! During the month of November, don't worry so much about finished drafts; just get the rough drafts cranked out each day. After all, you've got December (and the rest of your life, for that matter) to edit.

That said, let's bring on the bulleted list:

  • You do NOT have to register anywhere to participate in the challenge. (Though if you want updates from the blog each day, you can sign up for an e-mail update or via RSS in the upper left-hand corner over there.)
  • The Challenge will begin sometime on the morning of November 1 (Eastern Time U.S.). The time can vary, but don't worry if your day is ending as this blog's is beginning, because...
  • The Challenge will continue until noon (Eastern Time U.S.) on December 1.
  • Beginning December 1, all participants will have the month of December to revise and organize their November poems into manuscripts of 10-20 pages (no more than one poem per page, though it's okay to have one poem that runs for multiple pages).
  • By midnight January 5, 2010, poets will need to e-mail their manuscripts (saved as either .doc or .txt) to me at robert.brewer@fwmedia.com with the subject line: My 2009 November PAD Chapbook MS
  • Poets do not have to post their poems to the blog to participate, BUT it's a lot more fun for everyone if you do. (And remember: This is all about fun and poeming, yo!)
  • I'll go through the manuscripts with the assistance of my wife, Tammy Foster Brewer (who's actually had two chapbooks published now, so she's kinda like an expert), and we'll announce a winner on Groundhog Day 2010.

There may be other rules, details, etc., which I've somehow overlooked, added later, but this gives a pretty good idea of what to expect. Can't wait to see everyone on Sunday morning!

 


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Friday, October 30, 2009 7:12:12 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [34] 
# Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 068
Posted by Robert

There will be no more Wednesday Poetry Prompts until December, because we're only days away from starting the 2nd annual November PAD Chapbook Challenge! That means a prompt and poem each day of November! So, I thought today might be good for a tune up or exorcism.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a bad poem. Take bad in any direction you want, but for me, I'm going to try to just write a horrible poem. (This where the hecklers can shout out, "Why try when it comes natural?") Anyway, let's get bad!

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Poem"

When I get really blue
or say "aaaaa-choo!"
or play the fool,
I think of you,

sweet, sweet linebreaking,
image making,
love forsaking

document.
What I meant
or what I want to vent
is not as important
as how the words are bent

or interpreted.
My heart beats red;
rhymes roll from my head;
I write what I should've said;
and I hope sweet poem you will never ever be dead.

 


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Wednesday, October 28, 2009 1:52:51 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [154] 
# Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 067
Posted by Robert

For this week's prompt, I want you to write an overextended poem. That is, I want you to write a poem about someone or something that is being stretched too thin. For instance, a co-worker with too much work to do, or a balloon that is being filled with air to the point it is about to pop.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Too many balls"

In the air. A wind,
a whistle. We found him
in the ditch along 73,
a smile on his face. No
telling if he swerved
for a deer or for himself.

Online, we tweet and
twitter like birds. Can we
exist in more than one
place at once? We can,
we must. Our smiles will
tell the stories we can't.

We found him and
that is the end. Or is it?
We scrape and scatter
theories off the road,
the grass. We rule out
everything we can't touch.

The sun is the wind
is the weather that covers
us in rain. We're having
an American party--
one with no reason,
one with no end.

*****

Advanced Poetry Writing workshop with Joyce Ferman Wells begins tomorrow (with registration open until 10/27/09). If you're interested, click here


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Wednesday, October 21, 2009 2:06:29 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [191] 
# Saturday, October 17, 2009
2009 November PAD Chapbook Challenge
Posted by Robert

That's right! We're still getting April sorted out, but the 2nd annual November PAD Chapbook Challenge is just around the corner. Every day in November, I'll post a prompt and poem. If you want, you can join in the fun, too.

At the end of November, each poet should have 30 (or more) poem rough drafts. During the month of December, you can edit, revise and organize a manuscript of 10-20 pages of poetry (no more than one poem per page) that you'll submit by January 2, 2010.

Then, Tammy and I will go through the manuscripts and select a winner, which will be announced on February 2--along with a handful of honorable mentions.

I'm not sure what the prizes involved with the challenge may or may not be, but it's more about the challenge of writing a poem a day in November and getting a chapbook manuscript together. I know I'm getting excited thinking about it.

More details will be on the way, but I just want everyone to start preparing and getting psyched up for the challenge now!


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Saturday, October 17, 2009 12:05:39 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [34] 
# Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 066
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "I think (blank)" and fill in the blank with a word or phrase. Make this the title of your poem for today. Then, write the poem.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"I think the world is a pin cushion"

There's a space between everyday matters
that makes someone feel every day matters,
a breath or sigh in the darkness. We surround
our time with excuses and distractions, bind
those we love with commitments when we
should be splashing in puddles while the rain
covers us in nothing more than what it is.

*****

Thanks to the Kind Over Matter blog, which has posted my attempt for the day on their weekly Wednesday poetry feature. Click here to check out the poem with an accompanying (and appropriate) image. (Thanks to Amanda Oaks at Verve Bath Press!)

*****

 

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Wednesday, October 14, 2009 1:49:08 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [167] 
# Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 065
Posted by Robert

We had a fun poetry discussion on Twitter yesterday. It went so well that I think we'll continue meeting on Tuesdays. If you want to find what was said, just go to Twitter and search for #poettues. Today's prompt was actually inspired during the conversation (thanks to @martinjason and @ronbaker).

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about finding something that doesn't belong where it is. The examples from the discussion were to find a collection of Pablo Neruda poetry in the children's section of a library with the counter-example of finding a children's book in the poetry section. Pure chaos! (By the way, I don't know if I belong on Twitter or not, but you can find me at @robertleebrewer).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Note found beneath the wiper blade"

This is your last chance. If you don't
come to me today and confess
you were wrong, I'm on the first plane
back to Hawaii. If you won't
have me, the volcano gods will.

*****

 

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Wednesday, October 07, 2009 7:58:30 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [208] 
# Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 064
Posted by Robert

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a discovery poem. You can go "old school" and write about a discovery that's already been made; you can go "sci-fi" and imagine discoveries yet to be made; you can go all "Bukowski" and share your own personal discoveries; or you can "discover" a direction completely different.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Standing on bridges"

The worst part is that the doctors make
no discoveries. Instead, they tell me never
to let myself fall and turn blue again. My boys
are taught how to dial 9-1-1 if I do. Part
of me prepares for every bridge I cross
to collapse. I know it's dangerous to think
that way. The rain is coming down hard.
Much of Atlanta has flooded or is flooding.

On the news, a man talks about watching
a car drive into a river: "The bridge was out.
I was on the other side waving my hands and
yelling. There was nothing I could do." Life
and death are like that. We can scream
to the heavens and wave our hands in the air,
but in the end, we make our own discoveries;
we stand up and hope that we won't fall.

*****

 

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Wednesday, September 30, 2009 1:51:41 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [237] 
# Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 063
Posted by Robert

As some of you may have heard, Atlanta was hit with some massive rain at the beginning of the week (after a lot of rain last week) that caused some record flooding throughout the area. Bridges washed out, Interstates more than 6 feet below water, and some fatalities. Luckily, our family is fine; Reese even got two days of no school.

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a disaster poem. It can be large or small in scope. It can be a natural disaster like the flooding or a man-made disaster--or even a disaster caused by aliens or something.

Here's my attempt:

"Mud Flood of Doom"

Reese stands on the window sill and
peers over the ledge. "I've never
seen a flood before," he tells me.

Somewhere between here and her work,
Tammy is merging to the left,
because the right lanes are flooded.

On the TV, the reporters
have never seen anything like
this before, say, hundred-year flood.

Will rocks in his swing and listens
to the rain pelt the windows, pound
the earth, searching for a river.

When I moved to Atlanta, they
were experiencing the worst
drought ever; now they'll feel the flood.

*****

 

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Wednesday, September 23, 2009 1:50:46 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [160] 
# Thursday, September 17, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 062
Posted by Robert

It was a dark and stormy night. Actually, it is a dark and stormy night. Earlier, it was a dark and stormy day. Stormy enough to knock out the electricity when I was half-way through typing up today's prompt. Believe me, I realize the irony of the situation. In a moment, I'm sure you'll recognize the irony, too.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about starting over. Think of a situation in which you could hit a re-start button involving yourself, some one (or thing) else, an idea, etc. As with all these prompts, I'm sure there are several different paths we can follow.

With my fingers crossed that the power won't go out again, here's my attempt for the day:

"Finding patterns"

In the year of the days, the monsters
are attacking themselves and everything
that crosses their paths. Those monsters
are blinded when the flashlights dance
into corners frequented by spiders. Poor
Stacy isn't sure what will happen next:

She's already been clubbed by a troll and
trampled by an army of zombies. Once, a car
ran her over while she crossed the street.
Reese includes her in his stories--with her
always by his side--but he denies he likes
her. Easier to throw Stacy under a bus.

*****

 

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Thursday, September 17, 2009 2:30:39 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [175] 
# Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 061
Posted by Robert

Wow! Today is 09/09/09. As someone who got married on 08/08/08 (at 8:08--in the p.m.--no less), I can totally appreciate the effect of numbers in the writing of others. After all, numbers and letters are basically the same thing: symbols representing something else.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem that incorporates numbers in some fashion. The title could be a number. The end word for each line could be a number (maybe even a counting sestina?). There are a number of ways you could come at this one.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Counting"

Reese is five years old;
Jonah is six. Benjamin
is eight, and Will is, too,
though he's still in months.

I turned 31 earlier
this year, but I have no
idea how old my grandmother
is. She may not even know.

We visited her and grandpa
today, and she asked me
six times if I had seen
dad's new house. His last

move was more than 10
years ago. She disappeared
into the house one minute
after grandpa got everyone

drinks before reappearing
with four pops. Grandpa
smiled and had her sit down
while he took them back inside.

Left alone with her, there
was little left for us to say.
The sun shining and a nice
breeze, we both just smiled.

*****

 

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Wednesday, September 09, 2009 9:04:20 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [238] 
# Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 060
Posted by Robert

For most of my life, I've encountered complete strangers who've taken the liberty of shortening my name from Robert to Bob or Rob or Bo or even Bill (click here if you're interested in reading me rant about the subject on my personal blog). Another common mistake is to mispronounce my last name as "Brower" instead of as "Brewer." I know most people encounter this phenomenon of mislabeling regularly, whether it's their name or something related to their work or hobbies, etc.

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem that deals with some form of mislabeling. The poem could deal with getting someone's name wrong, slight mistakes on signage, etc. I'm really interested in seeing how "out there" this prompt might get.

Here's my attempt:

"My Name Is Not Bob"

Or Rob or Bo or Robby
or Bobby. I don't go by Bill
or Bert. I won't answer to Mr. Brewer
or Lee, though those are better than Mr. Brower
or Leah. No, I really just prefer Robert
or Robert Lee or Robert Brewer
or Robert Lee Brewer.
Or "Hey, you."

*****

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Wednesday, September 02, 2009 5:53:36 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [244] 
# Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 059
Posted by Robert

(Sorry for the late prompt today. The day job has required a lot of my immediate attention--like 14 hours yesterday and another 9 already today--so I'll go out on a limb and predict that the Poetry Workshop will not happen tomorrow and possibly not even next week. However, I do have some great news: We received copies of Tammy's 2nd chapbook today, No Glass Allowed, published by Amanda Oaks at verve bath press.)

For today's poem, I want you to write a mistake poem. That is, I want you to write a poem about a mistake you've made, someone else has made, or even what can happen (or has happened) as a result of a mistake. How do mistakes affect people? The environment? Etc.? There are a lot of ways you can attack this prompt.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Albuquerque"

He should've taken a left he tells her,
and she smiles. She didn't expect to find
him or this coffee shop today. "I was
just following my feet," she says, "and they
led me here." "Where are they headed next,"

he asks. "That's a pretty personal question,
mister," she says. "I had a destination,"
he says, "but it's not important now. I'm
sure my friends will understand." She
smiles, he thinks, like a model. "Anyway,

I have no plans the rest of the day."
She says, "I guess that makes two of us."

*****

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Wednesday, August 26, 2009 10:47:29 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [244] 
# Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 058
Posted by Robert

(Quick note: If you're interested in following more than one blog authored--or bloggered--by myself, then feel free to check out my new personal blog at http://robertleebrewer.blogspot.com.)

*****

For this week's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "Better safe than (blank)," fill in the blank with a word or phrase, make that the title of your poem, and write a poem. Your title could be "Better safe than late for dinner," or "Better safe than exceptionally gifted," or you can go the "safe" route with "Better safe than sorry." Your poem, your choice.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Better safe than lost"

He watches the sun rise out of the trees
and stretches his legs. He listens to birds
sing and cars rush past headed to work
and school. He starts running against
the wind and toward the woods. A trail
he loves is in there that twists and turns,
works up and down. He listens to his shoes
on blacktop then grass then the dirt and
rocks of the trail. Even though he's run
this path every morning for more than five
years, he immediately misjudges a step
and twists his ankle. But he continues
running anyway. The pain makes him feel
more alive somehow. He runs up and down
hills, through spider webs. Soon he's running
across a wooden bridge over a wide creek.
Half-way across, he stops. A raccoon is
splashing around in the water unaware
of the man in running shoes. The raccoon
twists and turns with a wood box. He
stands there on the middle of the bridge
for what feels like forever just watching
the animal play in the cool of the creek,
wishing he could be down there with it--
completely unaware of the world. Then,
he and the raccoon tense, both startled
by the sound of an approaching runner.

*****

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009 3:30:53 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [274] 
# Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Fun writing exercise
Posted by Robert

I always keep pens with me. And usually paper, though I've been known to write on anything near me if needed: Post-It notes, receipts, envelopes, brochures, napkins, etc. Often, I'll write out a few lines, and those lines will either lead to more lines (and eventually--hopefully--a poem) or that's where the fun will stop: just a few lines. I copy all my lines into those marbled Composition notebooks whether they turn into poems or not. The reason?

Because every so often, I'll go through my notebooks and play a little game with the following rules:

  1. Gather up a lot of lines from different sources. The lines can be stand alone thoughts or good lines from abandoned poems.
  2. Try to make a poem out of these lines.

You can add new lines, too, if you want. But the fun of this game is trying to take a bunch of little nothings and turn it into a big (or little, I suppose) something.

Here are some random lines I've got together:

* sprawl la la la la

* I've been waiting all night

* Define yourself by what you like
   not by what you don't like

* situational ethics

* it's not the rain
   but the puddles
   that freak me out
   when I'm driving

* our toothbrushes lean into each other
   when we travel and when we forget one
   toothbrush we don't hesitate to share 

* All the ways you can hurt a man
   while tucking your hair behind your ears
   and squinting into the sun. Chewing gum
   with your mouth open, you pull
   your sunglasses over your eyes
   before leaving me alone beside the pool.

* Babies like to touch stuff

* these are the things we tell each other
   and the things we don't

* I've come for your taxes

* If I were born of the sea,
   I would carve your face
   upon a coral reef. My bottle
   would float its message
   for you to read. I would wait
   until the planet warmed...

* I got some kind of guilt

* let the old folks die
   let them wither and die

* Like this girl walking...

* I could tell you to prepare
   for the unexpected but we both
   know there's no point

* Blame it all on the girlfriend

* I can't figure your signals out anymore.

(That's a good starting point, I think.)

*****

"Situational ethics"

Blame it all on the girlfriend:
She's been waiting all night
for him to say, "I got some
kind of guilt." But he's a big
baby, and babies like to touch

stuff. Like this girl walking
while tucking hair behind
her ears and squinting into
the sun, she chews gum
with her mouth open and

leaves him alone beside
the pool to think, "If I were
born of the sea, I would
carve your face upon a coral
reef. My bottle would float

its message for you to read:
Let the old folks die; let
them wither and fade
as we sprawl la la la la
across the salty waves."

She points at the clock, says,
"I can't figure your signals
out anymore." He says, "I
could tell you to prepare
for the unexpected, but we

both know there's no point."
He defines himself by what
he likes, not by what he
doesn't like. So he shows
her their toothbrushes,

how they lean into each
other when they travel,
"And when we forget one
toothbrush, we don't hesitate
to share," he says. These

are the things they tell
each other and the things
they don't. "It's not the rain
but the puddles that freak
me out when I'm driving,"

she says. He pulls her close
and leans down to tell her,
"I've come for your taxes."

*****

Best poem? No.

Fun? Yes. And now, I've got a bonafide poem that I can try revising.

Try it out with your own lines.

*****

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Tuesday, August 18, 2009 3:34:09 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [32] 
# Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 057
Posted by Robert

Since my two oldest sons live in Ohio and I live in Georgia, I travel a lot so that I can still be involved in their lives. It means that I spend two weekends and the week between in Ohio each month, which also means I spend that same time away from my wife and other two boys. So I always feel like I'm returning to someone.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a return poem. The return element can play a small or large role in the poem. Someone can be returning; someone can be waiting for another's return; or you can get even more creative (y'all constantly surprise and amaze me). Heck, I guess it could even be a poem about returning a book to the library or returning a box of stuff to an ex-lover.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"In a Mood"

Every billboard and cross
along the side of the road
has a story to tell,

but she's a blank slate,
a carpe diem waiting to happen--
so she doesn't hold back

when she tells him,
"List every girl you ever
had a crush on, and then,

count the ways
I don't measure up."
He knows this is a trap,

but he drives on anyway
looking out for speed cops
in the median. A light flashes

CHECK ENGINE within
the first hour, so he pulls
into a gas station to check

the fluids, the gas cap.
"Do you know where
you are," she asks

when she returns with
a bag of boiled peanuts
and a Coke. "Listen,"

he says, motioning her
over to his side of the car,
"I just need one bed

and you, and I'm happy."
She rolls her eyes and
jumps in the passenger seat.

"We're never going to make it
on time," she says, "you
know that, don't you?"

He doesn't believe
in quitting and thinks,
Maybe if I ignore

the CHECK ENGINE light,
it'll go away. They pass
over the Tennessee mountains

and into Kentucky without
stopping. She closes her eyes,
puts her naked feet

on the dashboard, crossing
one foot over the other.
He notices every animal

laying dead along the side
of the Interstate. The sun
shines and then it doesn't

and then it does. He thinks,
How many Waffle House
locations can one man

see before the universe
splits in half and sucks
him under? She wakes up

screaming before glancing
over at him. "I can't ever
take back the things you did,"

she says, "in my dream
just now." He's had enough:
"But I was in the car

beside you this whole time."
She turns her back to him,
"But you weren't by my side

in my dream." Frustrated,
he wonders, How many bugs
can one windshield hit

before there's no visibility?
Then, it begins to rain.
"What in God's name

happened to the 'no chance
of rain' today," he asks.
"Your problem," she says,

"is that you're not realistic.
We're never going to make
it home in time. No matter

how early we leave or
whether or not there's rain
or if the CHECK ENGINE light

is on or off. Your father's
dead, and you missed
your chance. We're just

returning to an empty shell."
He thinks, Not every hilltop
has a cemetery, but

so many do. "I was in a mood
when I told you what I told you
in your dream," he says.

Just then, the CHECK ENGINE
light flickers off, the rain
moves on, and so do they.

*****

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Wednesday, August 12, 2009 2:26:37 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [280] 
# Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 056
Posted by Robert

Sorry for the late prompt. But I'm on vacation. And the good kind. Where I'm not on the computer the whole time. And one where I can spend time with all four of my boys (and even one of their cousins). And one where I can read literary journals. And collections of poetry. And even IKEA catalogs (actually haven't read that yet, but found it in the mail moments ago).

So anyway, I've been on vacation and soaking it up.

*****

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about something you've been through. For instance, you may have been through a divorce, a car wreck, bankruptcy, detention, or the flu. Please make the something you've been through the title of your poem and go from there.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Hydroplaning"

Rolling Stones play "Ruby Tuesday"
on New Year's Day through southern Kentucky
Ben and Jonah asleep in the backseat
as their mother falls in and out up front
rain beats on the windshield and blacktop
water pushes through the rocks
puddles along the edge of the Interstate
even at 50 miles-per-hour this car
moves faster than most and then I feel
the wheels turn in a direction I did not intend
and before I can stop myself I try to correct
our trajectory which only spins us faster
one.....two.....three times into the guard rail
their mother screaming "omygodomygodomygod"
as I hold the wheel steady and wait
for everything to stop and hope we aren't
blindsided by a truck that can't stop behind us
and then the car stops and we're facing
the railing and blocking the first lane
and Ben and Jonah and their mother are all
screaming and I'm thinking "is everyone okay?"

 


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Wednesday, August 05, 2009 10:26:19 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [264] 
# Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 055
Posted by Robert

I admit it; I'm one of those weird people who actually loves the 80's movie Ishtar that starred Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman as struggling musicians. In true 80's movie style, this movie has an incredible plot, but what I love the most is how the characters played by Beatty and Hoffman are always creating new songs--from "Hot fudge love, cherry ripple kisses" to the scenes with both working on a song with the line "telling the truth can be dangerous business" this movie is a must-see for all who haven't. But this is not a movie review.

For this week's prompt, I was inspired by that line "telling the truth can be dangerous business," and I want you to write a poem that deals with telling the truth--or even with telling a lie. It can be dangerous business, especially if the news is bad. I hope that this prompt is not as big a flop as Ishtar (again, go see it).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"The Review"

We appeared at the designated time
and place. We ate the hors d'oeuvres,
but we can't remember one painting
that will stick with us past this week.

*****

Looking for more poetry-related information?

 


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Wednesday, July 29, 2009 3:22:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [199] 
# Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 054
Posted by Robert

I always love this time of year because of the Tour de France. Lance Armstrong is back cycling, but it's obvious his teammate Alberto Contador (who I love watching race) is going to win this year unless something catastrophic happens. My love continually grows for the Tour because of the combination of ability and strategy that makes for great sport.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a competitive poem. That is, I want you to write a poem about a competition of some sort. Could be an athletic competition, academic competition, the age old competition of survival of the fittest, or even the competitive art of getting published.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Complementary"

She arrives home early from work
and begins cooking. He follows

minutes after with the children
who he helps finish their homework

before they all sit together
at the table to eat. Then, he

washes the dishes as she puts
the kids in the bath tub. They both

get the children dressed and ready
for bed--taking turns reading books

and telling stories. When the kids
finally fall asleep, both race

each other to get into bed.

 


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Wednesday, July 22, 2009 7:22:18 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [226] 
# Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 053
Posted by Robert

My oldest boy just turned eight last Friday, and I'm turning 31 on Saturday. (Oddly enough, my son turning eight is the number that makes me feel older out of the two events.) But the subject of birthday poems got me thinking about event poems--poems that mark an event.

For this week's prompt, I want you to write an event poem. Remember: Event poems can cover happy events like birthdays and weddings, but they can also mark funerals or divorces. If possible, try making the title of your poem the actual event.

Here's my attempt for this week:

"Movie Night"

Mom calls in the boys from outside
chasing lightning bugs as the sun
bends away from their neighborhood
street lights turning on and shining
against the houses filling up
with families. Father carries
popcorn into the living room
and clicks on the television.
The boys yell and swat each other
as mom and dad tell them to quit
or else. But when the movie starts
everyone hushes real quick.

 


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Wednesday, July 15, 2009 2:47:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [160] 
# Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 052
Posted by Robert

Wow! Two late prompts in a row. It's not intentional--just trying to put out some fires at work this morning/early afternoon. Fun times! Actually, that would make a great prompt.

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem about putting out fires (either literally or metaphorically). After I write my attempt, I'm going to get back to fighting mine.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Cutting back"

Water seeping through carpet
and strange noise rattling
through the wall like a tornado
trying to sound like a train
trying to sound like an automotive
assembly line. Birds still twitter
in the trees and thunderstorm
passes with its thunderclaps
and computer flickering
when they clap close enough.
"It never ends," says the man
who comes to check out the wet
spot in the carpet before leaving
without any word on whether
he plans on coming back to fix.
"I'll tell you it just never ends."

 


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Wednesday, July 08, 2009 7:05:55 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [248] 
# Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 051
Posted by Robert

Sorry for the late start this morning; I went for an early morning run, had a couple meetings, and yadda-yadda-yadda, here it is the early afternoon. Oh well, sometimes it's good to get off to a late start, right?

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem that has the title "Nobody's worth (blank)" in which you replace the (blank) with a word or phrase. For instance, you could have the following titles: "Nobody's worth a nickel;" "Nobody's worth that kind of headache;" or "Nobody's worth missing the Ohio State-Michigan game."

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Nobody's worth killing over"

I can get so angry sometimes
over the smallest things: a flat
tire, slow website, prerecorded
messages trying to sell me
random services and products.

Then, there's the big stuff: women and
children raped and murdered, people
exploited by the leaders of
countries and companies, long lines
when my boys need to go "potty."

While having breakfast this morning,
Reese said, "They should stop releasing
atomic bombs, because all these
monsters are getting loose." He meant
Godzilla, Mothra, and other

kaiju from Japanese monster
movies. He meant he's noticing
too many bad things happening
on this planet. It's time to quit
fighting and preparing to fight,

because nothing conflict begets
conflict. Releasing atomic
bombs creates a monster or wakes
one from its sleep. Then we all pay
whether interested or not.


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Wednesday, July 01, 2009 6:52:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [217] 
# Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 050
Posted by Robert

Since it's the first prompt of summer (at least in the Northern Hemisphere), let's write a summer poem. You can write about a summer activity, summer heat, summer flowers, or summer whatever.

Here is my attempt for the day:

"Summer Song"

The fireflies rise out of the grass
as the sun fades into the west
and the cars' headlights shine through glass

to ward off the threat of a crash.
Watch for wayward deer up ahead
where fireflies rise out of the grass

and other creatures sometimes pass
like wandering souls of the dead
as the cars' headlights float by fast.

If a witch, then a spell to cast
filling children with awesome dread
when fireflies rise out of the grass.

She tells the boy to hit the gas,
though the sign reads FLAGGER AHEAD.
As the cars' headlights float by fast

boy and girl feel alive at last.
Both disappear around the bend,
and fireflies rise out of the grass
as the cars' headlights float on past.


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Wednesday, June 24, 2009 1:46:49 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [253] 
# Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 049
Posted by Robert

What would you do if you happened to win $1,000,000 today (tax-free, no less)? Would you run out and buy a house? A car? Pay off debt? Throw the biggest party ever? I'm sure we'd all react differently, soooo...

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem related to getting a million dollars. You can focus on what you'd do with the money. Or you can focus on an object you'd buy with the money. Or you can focus on a related action. You could even write about the negative things that could happen if you were suddenly rich (think John Steinbeck's The Pearl).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Rich"

Bye-bye debt; hello house
in two states: Ohio
and Georgia.  I travel
by plane. Make stops in New
York with Tammy. Explore
the country. Keep working,
writing and spending time
with family. Maybe
open up a bookstore.

 


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Wednesday, June 17, 2009 2:08:02 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [223] 
# Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 048
Posted by Robert

Our house is filled with reading materials. Books, comic books, newspapers (old and new), our own writing (whether Tammy's, mine own, or the boys'), literary journals, and magazines. I feel strongly that the more you read the easier it is to write well. After all, everything I read is being enjoyed by me as a reader, but it's also being studied and analyzed by me as a writer. And, of course, reading can kickstart my own writing.

For today's prompt, I want you to take a headline from a magazine, newspaper, or website and make it the title of your poem. Then, write a poem. You can find your own (and please reference where you found it), or use one of the following (taken from magazines in our apartment):

  • Why You Eat More in Winter (Shape Magazine)
  • The Best Gifts for Runners (Runner's World)
  • Games to Grow By (Playing With Your Baby)
  • Simple Storage Solutions (Family Circle)
  • Tasty Ghoulish Goodies (Halloween)
  • A Perfect Wreck in the Tetons (Backpacker)
  • Out With the Other Woman (US Weekly)

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Why You Eat More in Winter"

There's a hunger for the sun
and then a fear of evening
gaining traction. You want
to forget you could cramp
in swimming pools. Of course,
holidays will have their way
with your waistline. Plus,
nobody leaves their homes
anymore. They sit and wait
for the cold wind. They pine
away for another heat wave.

 


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Wednesday, June 10, 2009 1:11:06 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [203] 
# Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 047
Posted by Robert

Looking back, I often feel like my father raised me almost entirely on adages and sayings like "early bird gets the worm" and "you snooze you lose." Another of his favorites was that we were always "burning daylight."

For this week's prompt, I want you to take an adage or popular saying and make that the title of your poem; then, of course, write the poem. There are so many possibilities: "Right as rain," "Better safe than sorry," "Penny earned is a penny saved," etc.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"You snooze you lose"

You booze you snooze;
you snooze you lose;

you lose you quit;
you quit you sit;

you sit you think;
you think you sink;

you sink you cry;
you cry you lie;

you lie you sin;
you sin you gin;

you gin you smoke;
you smoke you croak;

you croak you snooze;
you snooze you lose.

 


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Wednesday, June 03, 2009 3:20:21 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [297] 
# Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 046
Posted by Robert

There are so many things that seem obvious on the surface. But when you look beneath the surface, you may find surprises. Houses that are beautiful on the outside may be completely torn up on the inside; super athletes can be ticking timebombs for heart attacks; and even "happy" families have been known to eventually reveal dark secrets.

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem that looks beneath the surface. For extra effect, you could possibly title the poem after your subject. For instance, you could title the poem "Happy Birthday" and then look at how it's not happy; or you could title the poem "Self-made Man" and describe how that might not be such a good thing. There are lots of possibilities for this one.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Neighbors"

At first, I think these people don't know who
I am. But then I realize I don't know
who they are either. My hair needs cut and
my eyes need glasses if I ever want
to see. In the distance, I hear children
play their games in the dark. I walk
my dog and never see them. They surround
me with sound, and I wonder: Who are they?
Who will they become? Hopefully not just
another old man quietly walking
a dog in the rain and thinking these thoughts
while stepping on the moon in each puddle. 

 


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Wednesday, May 27, 2009 2:20:33 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [319] 
# Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 045
Posted by Robert

Sorry for the quiet on the blog over the past week and the lateness of the prompt today. I'm just glad to be able to deliver a prompt and poem today. On Saturday morning, I lost consciousness and quit breathing for a short period of time. Tammy and my (soon-to-be) sister-in-law called 911 and got me to safety. In fact, Tammy is the person who restored my breathing (apparently, I turned a bright shade of blue). I was hospitalized from Saturday morning until yesterday evening. In the process, I met several very nice doctors and specialists; had lots of blood drawn; was put through several tests; and ultimately am not sure exactly what my condition is or what caused my episode (though I have been given a prescription for Vitamin D, have more follow-up tests to do in the future, and am not allowed to drive for at least another week). I'm very thankful to be able to throw a prompt and poem up today and to have a wife who kept me alive and (by restoring my breathing) saved me from any brain damage. (I, of course, let her know how special she is to me, but I thought I'd share with y'all, too.)

******

Anyway, I was trying to think of a good prompt that might tie in with my recent "adventure." Sooo, for this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem about the unexpected. It could be something along the lines of the completely unexpected episode I recently experienced. Or it could be an unexpected act of kindness, an unexpected visitor, an unexpected gift, etc. There are a lot of ways you can run with this one.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Waking in our hospital beds, we think"

We are born without heads
and build space shuttles
in our laboratories and public parks;
we dream of what worries us
while wearing our tubing and bracelets;
the lucky ones
are rolled around on their beds.

The nurses will wake us
and ask us questions;
the doctors will wake us
and ask us questions;
even our visitors--
they will ask questions, too.

No one will walk away satisfied
with our answers; they
will look at us
as if we are liars
or idiots.

They will order more tests
and blood drawn,
more questions asked
by more specialists.

Maybe this or that;
nothing confirmed
by blood or tests.

They will ask us questions
again. They will sigh.

They will tells us we're lucky.

  


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Wednesday, May 20, 2009 6:42:31 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [230] 
# Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 044
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "Don't you (blank)," fill in the blank with a word or words, and make that the title of your poem. Then, write a poem using that title. Example titles could be "Don't you forget to turn off the lights," "Don't you tell me what to do," and "Don't you laugh." There are many, many, many possibilities with this one.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Don't you burn no bridges"

Plant a seed in the earth. Dream
of Beau Bridges; dream of Jeff Bridges;
dream of Lloyd Bridges; dream of everyone
with that last name: Bridges. Wonder
what it means when you do. Should
you gather up mashed potatoes, sculpt
a bridge? Beau won two Golden Globes;
Jeff won only one, though he had four Oscar
nominations; and Lloyd won nothing.
You don't need to know their successes
and failures. They are a family. They are
the dust of the earth. They reach and
toil. They burn and boil. They want more
than just an image burned on a disc or
saved on a server; they, like anyone
(like everyone) just want to find something
hidden and unexpected. A light, perhaps,
or a moment. When a seed enters the earth,
there is nothing if not possibility.

 


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Wednesday, May 13, 2009 2:46:52 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [334] 
# Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 043
Posted by Robert

(Quick note: Our programmers are going to be working on our blogs starting tonight around 10 p.m. and going through to Friday morning. Please don't post any comments during this time, because they'll likely be wiped out. As always, I advise saving a copy of your poem in some other program to make sure you don't lose your only copy.)

*****

So we meet again. I'm just going to pick up where we left off on the Wednesday poetry prompts. Hope you're having a good May so far.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a spring-related poem. This will probably be easier for people (like myself) who live in the Northern Hemisphere, since spring is now in full swing in most places. When you're dealing with a subject as big as an entire season, it's probably best to focus in on something very specific and use spring as the background. But you do what you gotta do.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Doppler"

There aren't tornado sirens in Gwinnett
County, Georgia. Instead, they sell weather
radios at Kroger. Everyone
does not buy them. Those who don't, throw caution
to the wind. When their time comes, it comes fast
and furious. It comes without warning.

 


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Wednesday, May 06, 2009 2:51:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [240] 
# Thursday, April 30, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 30
Posted by Robert

Hard to believe, but we made it through the entire month of April. Go us!

Please check back tomorrow to learn the details of what to expect in the future as far as receiving notification of the April PAD completionists and those who make the Top 50 eBook. With more than 25,000 comments on prompt postings this month, it's going to be quite a challenge just to get through all of them. (Remember: You have until noon EST tomorrow, May 1, to get all your posting done.)

If you still want to keep the prompt-poem magic going throughout the rest of the year, I'll be continuing our Wednesday Poetry Prompts on...umm...Wednesday (5/6). 

If you need a break, tune back in here this November to take part in the November PAD Chapbook Challenge--when we write a poem-a-day with the goal of creating a 10-20 page chapbook at the end of the month. (Even though I don't want to make any promises or commitments until later this year, I have a feeling that we may be able to create an eBook for the winning manuscript.)

*****

For today's prompt, I want you to write a farewell poem. After all, we are saying farewell to another wonderful National Poetry Month. Say farewell to this month; say farewell to a vacation spot; say farewell to a bad relationship; say farewell to work; say farewell to school; say farewell to saying farewell even. Hopefully, I won't be saying farewell to you; please stay in touch and let me know of your successes as we keep poeming toward the horizon.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"In Season"

We began by the dock--

the fog and waves
warning us to stay ashore
(or so I thought)--

though soon you were motoring
across the lake
as I turned back toward my car

stopping to listen
to the fading whirr of your boat
parting the water

and geese honking overhead.


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Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:48:13 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [851] 
# Wednesday, April 29, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 29
Posted by Robert

Wow! More than 450 comments are already posted to the sestina prompt. You guys are tough to shake or rattle. I promise the last two prompts of this month will be softballs compared to yesterday.

For today's prompt, I want you to title your poems "Never (blank)" with you filling in the blank with a word or phrase. Then, write a poem based off your title, which could be "Never look both ways when crossing the street" or "Never blush in public" or "Never ever" or "Never write a poem with the word never in the title." You get the idea, right?

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Never let them find you in love"

Reason: There's no upside
when everyone starts
kite high in a branch-filled

forest. There's no reason
behind love anyway:
Either you do or don't

believe. No questioning
someone's faith, not upon
this topic we call Love.

We either snag or get
snagged. We can hide our eyes,
count, shout "Ready or not,"

and hope we can be found.


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Wednesday, April 29, 2009 12:49:25 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [787] 
# Tuesday, April 28, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 28
Posted by Robert

Apparently, Day 27's comments were wiped clean sometime last night. Please re-paste your poem in the comments for Day 27. (Click here to go to Day 27's prompt.) I apologize for the inconvenience, but luckily, we're only a few days from the finish line.

*****

After today, we'll have made it 4 weeks into the month. Only 2 days left! Of course, being so close to the end, I have to throw in a special challenge, right?

For today's prompt, I want you to write a sestina. (Click here to find out the rules for sestinas.) So start figuring out your 6 end words and get writing.

But wait! Today is Tuesday, so you have one other option. You can write a poem about the sestina (your love, hate, frustration with, etc.).

Whether you decide to write a sestina or write about sestinas, remember to have fun. We're almost done!

Here's my attempt for the day:

"The green cactus"

This morning, I found a cactus
beneath the desk lamp
on my desk. It's made of plastic,
the cactus. Somehow
these things just happen.
I have my usual suspects,

though I'm not sure they suspect
I know about the cactus,
not yet. My boys were happening
to hang around my lamp
just yesterday. This is how
boys lose toys made of plastic

then expect new ones. Whether by plastic
or cash. I stash the suspect
toy in a file cabinet. How
long will I hide the cactus?
Who knows? The heat of my lamp
could've melted it. I happen

to think that could happen,
though I'm not certain of plastic
and its melting point beneath desk lamps.
Maybe I'm guilty of suspecting
too much. It's only a cactus,
and I'm sure that's exactly how

I was as a boy. That's how
behavior passes, and they happen
to have a forgetful father with a cactus
made of cheap, green plastic.
My mind is as suspect
as anyone's held under a lamp

and analyzed. Read my palm
to suggest the what and how
of dealing with little male suspects
who love me and just happen
to leave their little plastic
toys as offerings. This little cactus,

sweet cactus, re-emerge beneath my lamp
in your skin of plastic. Show how
a father can return a love never suspect.


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Tuesday, April 28, 2009 12:51:25 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [817] 
# Monday, April 27, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 27
Posted by Robert

After today, we'll be just three days away from closing out this challenge. 3 days! We're so very, very close. I know we can do it.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem of longing. You or someone (or something) else should be pining for someone or something. Maybe a cat is longing to get outside the house. Maybe a teenager is longing to get away from his or her small town. And, of course, there's always the longing poem of love.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"The Librarian"

She stands beside a bookshelf over-
whelmed by so many exposed spines.
She creates stories she'd like to read
that haven't been written. Then, she
struggles to get the words right.
Maybe tomorrow will be better, she
thinks. But she knows, she knows.
She knows yesterday is a prediction
for tomorrow. The clever and cute
boy who doesn't let it get to his head
never appears beside her desk. Her
shirt forgets the body it's holding
until she disappears behind her glasses,
a sweater and flower-print skirt.


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Monday, April 27, 2009 2:30:34 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [757] 
# Sunday, April 26, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 26
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem involving miscommunication.  It can be miscommunication between two people or misinterpretation of some sort.  I will leave it up to you guys to deal with it however you want.

Here is my attempt for the day:

"If Shakespeare taught us anything, it's that it doesn't take much to flip a picture upside down"

"Can you smash the yellow jacket
for me," she asks. He says, "What's wrong
with your birthday present? 
I saved to buy it after you
said you wanted it." He pushes
her off him. Just seconds ago,
they were talking about the fools
who think they're rushing things. "Really?
You're an idiot," she says, "I 
was just asking a question." He 
clenches his fists and says, "And now
you're calling me names, too." "Listen:
I wasn't talking about my
yellow jacket but that bee which,
like our happy moment, has now
wandered off never to return." 


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Sunday, April 26, 2009 2:37:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [777] 
# Saturday, April 25, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 25
Posted by Robert

Only 5 more days left to go! 

For today's prompt, I want you to pick an event; make that event the title of your poem; and then write a poem. Think birthday. Think holiday. Think whatever.

Here is my attempt for the day (which will give you a pretty good idea about what I have planned for the day):

"NFL Draft Party"

Fans of every franchise watch
and hope the front office people
are as smart as them. They say, "Pass
on the flashy guy with red flags
and take the sure thing," all the while
admitting there's not a sure thing;
each pick is full of potential.

 


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Saturday, April 25, 2009 2:13:31 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [806] 
# Friday, April 24, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 24
Posted by Robert

Sorry for the late posting time this morning. Computer issues. In fact, I hope this attempt to post actually goes through before it crashes again. :)

For today's prompt, I want you to write a travel-related poem. It can be human travel, the migration of swallows, the trafficking of drugs, etc. Some sort of movement from point A to point B.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Should"

Fog fills the valley
so that he can't see
her little village. She
should be making her
way to him, but he
won't know until she
does. He imagines
her determined face,
body bent forward
and legs still moving.
Just then, a bird
lifts out of the fog
and on out of sight.

 


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Friday, April 24, 2009 2:43:40 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [854] 
# Thursday, April 23, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 23
Posted by Robert

After today's poem, we'll just be a week away from completion! Can you dig it? I don't know if you're the same as I am, but I've found doing this prompts actually encourages me to write more during the month. I've probably written at least 30-40 first draft poems and/or random lines for poems that aren't posted on the blog. It's like each morning's prompt and poem is a jumpstart to thinking for the rest of the day.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem of regret. Get creative with this one, but there should be some form of regret either expressed or hinted at (even if ever so slightly). You do NOT have to use the word "regret" in the poem, though it's fine if you do.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"The Stupid Things We Do"

Where to go from here:
Keys locked in the car
with her 2-year-old
strapped in his seat and
crying himself red
with her new cell phone
in center console,
she knows she cannot
enter her house with
out breaking windows
or abandoning
her little baby.

 


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Thursday, April 23, 2009 1:55:07 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Wednesday, April 22, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 22
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to write a work-related poem. Work doesn't have to be the main feature of the poem, but I want you to "work" it in somehow. And remember: There are different types of work. Of course, there are the activities that gain you fortune and fame (or not), but then, there's also housework, exercise, volunteering, etc. I'm sure you'll "work" it out.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Dream job"

In the dream, he can't open his eyes
or his e-mail messages. The dream
dictionary he bought at the thrift
store has no answers; but, in his dream,
he also almost won a prize, which
suggests he'll almost be successful
in his current endeavors. Maybe
more important: Why was he shopping
at a thrift store anyway? He could
blame the economy or the price
of healthcare, but he really enjoys
hunting for discarded treasures--he'd
still haunt these stores even if he won
the lottery. In fact, he would still
work the same job that gives him nightmares,
because these things are the things he loves.

 


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Wednesday, April 22, 2009 1:06:01 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [878] 
# Tuesday, April 21, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 21
Posted by Robert

We're now 3 weeks into April! And to celebrate, we get a 2-for-Tuesday prompt. Hurrah!

Here are the two prompts for the day (you only need to choose one, unless you're all about pushing yourself to the limit):

1. Write a haiku. The haiku is not just a form but a genre of poetry. (Click here to read more about the haiku.) People sometimes go into writing a haiku and end up with a senryu or a faux-ku, but it's all good (and all poetry).

2. Write about the haiku. I know there are some poets (in this very group even) who are anti-form. So, I'm giving them the option to write their anti-haiku manifestos. Of course, if you pay attention to this 2nd prompt, it doesn't need to be anti-haiku; your poem could be questioning or even praising the haiku. Or something.

Here's my attempt for the day:

Flower blossoms
covering the car hood;
hidden bird poop.

 


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Tuesday, April 21, 2009 1:09:16 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Monday, April 20, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 20
Posted by Robert

We're now 66.7% of the way through April (after finishing today's poem). Despite crazy technological snafus, I think we're going to make it. Only 10 days to go after today! Yay!

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem of rebirth. There are many different types of rebirth available, including the changing of the seasons, the beginning of the day, religious or spiritual rebirth, a reconfirmation of good in people, re-learning how to love, etc. So think on it a bit, and create a stellar rebirth poem.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"No one would know"

This countertop was covered
in potato peels, onions, and
celery scraps. Flour, spilled
tomato sauce. Every meal,
a new mess. His movements
are methodical, measurements
precise. He imagines he is
making up for Chemistry 101
when he adds a teaspoon
of oregano and basil. He's
already browned the beef,
set everything to slowly cook
as he scaped away ingredients
left over, washed measuring
spoons and cutting board
now ready for the next meal.

*****

Looking for more poetry information?

  • Check out our poetry titles (on sale in the month of April) HERE.
  • Read the most recent WritersDigest.com poetry-related articles HERE.
  • View several poetic forms HERE.
  • See where poetry is happening HERE.

 


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Monday, April 20, 2009 2:06:53 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [866] 
# Sunday, April 19, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 19
Posted by Robert

I apologize for the problem some people were having yesterday with posting their poems. I think it is fixed now, because I was just able to successfully leave a comment on Day 18.

Perhaps appropriately, today's prompt is to write an angry poem. That is, a poem about someone or something that gets angry. Could be a person, animal, or even them there angry clouds. As usual, I'm excited to see which unexpected directions y'all take with this prompt.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Stepson"

He is always angry when he returns
from his father's house. But I can't say why
or if it's just normal from taking turns.
He is always angry when he returns!
After a day, he loses his concerns
and is once again happy. Little guy,
he's always so angry when he returns
from his father's house, though I can't say why.

 


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Sunday, April 19, 2009 2:23:06 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [873] 
# Saturday, April 18, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 18
Posted by Robert

After today's poem, we'll be 60% of the way through this challenge. Woo-hoo!

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem with an interaction of some sort. The interaction does NOT have to be between people, though it can. For instance, you could write about the interaction between a bee and a flower; or an owl and a field mouse. Or just write about a traffic cop getting into an argument with a speeder. Just as long as there is some sort of interaction going on.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Only Gets Worse"

I watch the boys run around
the new playground. Another
father approaches me and
says, "Kids," chuckling to himself.
I don't know how to respond,
so I don't. "Yeah, my little
one--that girl in the green
dress--she's a handful for
sure." I never understand
why some people feel the need
to talk about nothing when
there's nothing to talk about.
He exhales a long sigh,
"Yeah, her mother's a bitch."
He waves gnats away from
his face with his hand. "How
long you been married?" He
apparently hasn't noticed I haven't
been communicating, and he obviously
doesn't care, because he says,
"It only gets worse," and
then adds, "It only gets worse."
He waves away some more gnats,
takes his leave of me, and
makes his way to a single mom
on the other side of the play
area. She watches him approach,
clutches at her purse, and
smiles nervously when he laughs.

 


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Saturday, April 18, 2009 1:37:14 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [868] 
# Friday, April 17, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 17
Posted by Robert

As with so many others who've been participating in this challenge, I am amazed not only by the quantity of poems submitted to Poetic Asides, but also the quality. And the creativity. You guys rock!

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem with the following title: "All I want is (blank)," where you fill in the blank with a word or phrase of your choosing. Some example titles, then, could be: "All I want is to eat fried chicken"; "All I want is world peace"; "All I want is for everyone to tell me I'm beautiful"; or "All I want is a handful of quarters."

Here's my attempt for the day:

"All I want is this moment"

Something as simple
as a father rolling
a groundball to his son
and showing him how
to pivot and throw.

*****

Looking for more poetry information?

  • Check out our poetry titles (on sale in the month of April) HERE.
  • Read the most recent WritersDigest.com poetry-related articles HERE.
  • View several poetic forms HERE.
  • See where poetry is happening HERE.

 


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Friday, April 17, 2009 1:12:28 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [881] 
# Thursday, April 16, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 16
Posted by Robert

If you feel up for it, be sure to share your favorite poem from the first 15 days of the challenge here.

*****

For today's prompt, I want you to pick a color, make that the title of your poem, and write a poem that is inspired by that color.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Blue"

Eyes in the morning
look for the moon
unsure of the time
they wake. An ache
for violence, dull
throbbing of wind
through trees. She
doesn't know how
things got to this;
she doesn't know
what will be next.

*****

Looking for more poetry information?

  • Check out our poetry titles (on sale in the month of April) HERE.
  • Read the most recent WritersDigest.com poetry-related articles HERE.
  • View several poetic forms HERE.
  • See where poetry is happening HERE.

 


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Thursday, April 16, 2009 1:41:56 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [889] 
# Wednesday, April 15, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 15
Posted by Robert

After today's poem, we'll be half-way there. 50% of the way. It's all downhill from here. And other half-way stuff. (For some reason, I've got Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer" song running through my head. "Ooooooo, we're half-way there; woooooo-oooo, living on a prayer; take my hand, we'll make it I swear..." Err, or something like that.) ;)

For today's prompt, I want you to take the title of a poem you especially like (by another poet) and change it. Then, with this new altered title, I want you to write a poem. An example would be to take William Carlos Williams' "The Red Wheelbarrow" and change it to "The Red Volkswagon." Or take Frank O'Hara's "Why I Am Not a Painter" and change it to "Why I Am Not a Penguin." You get the idea, right? (Note: Your altered poem does NOT have to follow the same style as the original poet, though you can try if you wish.)

Here's my attempt for the day:

"O Baby! My Baby!"

O Baby! My Baby! You bend me
and shake me like a ragdoll ghost
of a lover you once had. It ain't
bad, but I've noticed a hook or two
stuck in my heart leading to you.

O Baby! My Baby! Our bed must
hate us--the way we get crazy
one minute, then totally lazy. If
we had the time, it'd be working
all day. Even with nothing to say,

O Baby! My Baby! You're the Coca-
Cola of my mornings, the cheesecake
of my evenings. When I'm dreaming,
you're always right by my side, smiling
and happy to be along for the ride.

(Original title "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman)

*****

Looking for more poetry information?

  • Check out our poetry titles (on sale in the month of April) HERE.
  • Read the most recent WritersDigest.com poetry-related articles HERE.
  • View several poetic forms HERE.
  • See where poetry is happening HERE.

 


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Wednesday, April 15, 2009 1:48:13 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [886] 
# Tuesday, April 14, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 14
Posted by Robert

Important Note (please read): It appears most of the poems posted for Day 13's prompt have been wiped out of the system. There are currently only 49 comments. This means you'll need to re-paste your Day 13 poem into Day 13's prompt. It appears everything is fine with the first 12 days of the challenge however. I apologize for this happening, but this kind of scenario is also why I advised saving a copy before the challenge began.

*****

Today is Tuesday, which means two prompts.

First prompt: Write a love poem.

Second prompt: Write an anti-love poem.

Simple as that.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Both day and night"

I've been there once
or twice. Waiting
for water, our
hands clasp tightly.
The electric
flickers as we
make the bed sound
like a drum. You
don't realize how
normal you are
until you want,
or how special
until you get.


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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 1:42:07 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [2] 
# Monday, April 13, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 13
Posted by Robert

Wow! Yesterday was quite a workout. Not only did I go for a hard 5-mile run, but I think we did about a million Easter egg hunts (give or take a few hundred thousand). Anyway, I'm not sure if I'm "feeling it" today, in terms of writing a poem. But that's what makes a challenge a challenge is to get up and write regardless. Doing so puts me in a position to be ready to write when I am "feeling it."

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem that incorporates a hobby (either yours or someone else's). That's right: Now is the perfect opportunity to write about your comic collection or your scrapbooking activities. And for the purposes of this challenge, I also think activities such as fishing, running, bowling, photography, birding, and gardening count as hobbies.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"We wake up in the morning"

while the grass is still wet with dew,
and we all launch our drivers--
some ending up on the fairway,
others in the rough. Then, we pick
up our discs and throw again
and again. We aim for the chains
we want to rattle. We ramble
on about near misses and how we're
kicking butt or getting our butts kicked.
Eventually, we finish the first course

and drive on to the next. By now,
the morning is warming, and we're
hitting our targets. Eagle, Stingray,
Beast, Aviar--our brightly colored
discs fly through the air. Some of us
under par; others over. Finally, we stop
for lunch. We talk about the day, how
we need to do this more often. Then,

we drive on to the next course. Repeat
the cycle. And then the next course. And
finally, we get to the fifth and final
challenge of the day. We line up behind
the tee pad as the sun slants westward.
We squint, wind up, and let our discs fly.
Some of us wear out during this last course--
our discs not traveling as far, not hitting
their marks. But there's always one
who digs deeper, though just as tired,
and drives from basket to basket, trying
hard as possible to beat the evening.

 


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Monday, April 13, 2009 12:26:22 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [820] 
# Sunday, April 12, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 12
Posted by Robert

Yay! We're 40% of the way through the challenge (after finishing today's poem). That's right! We're almost to the half-way point. Woo-hoo!

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "So we decided to (blank)" and fill in the blank. Make that your title and write a poem. Some possibilities include "So we decided to plant a tree" or "So we decided to burn a hole in the sky."

Here's my attempt for the day:

"So we decided to keep writing"

Only a pen and outdated business cards,
but a Mexican clown (with face paint
and rhinestone vest) sang in Spanish
that made me feel he felt something
universal. Plus, I was waiting on Tammy
to bring back a pineapple smoothie,
so I took notes (red cap, black hair,
tip jar, food court, powdered sugar
all over my table and self). Maybe
I should learn a new language, wear
leather boots and cowboy hats, tint
the windows on my Kia Spectra, and
get Tammy to wear fake gold chains
and hoochie jeans. Maybe we should
check with the Pendergrass Flea Market
palm reader. Or maybe the point of
getting out of the apartment isn't
to change ourselves but to observe
others and write every detail down.

 


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Sunday, April 12, 2009 12:43:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [892] 
# Saturday, April 11, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 11
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about an object (or objects). Though you don't have to confine yourself to straight up description, I do want you to focus on object and/or make it a central piece of your poem. One of the more famous poems of contemporary literature does this wonderfully in William Carlos Williams' "The Red Wheelbarrow."

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Brainiac's 'Bonsai Superstar' CD"

"Whatcha gonna do 'bout me," asked
from the start. Let's be honest: I
wasn't so sure the first time I listened.
After all, it was kind of weird, this
little sliver of plastic that symbolized
Dayton, Ohio. Every local show was
an event: Part dance party, part
fashion expo. Broken drums sticks,
nonstop action, and always (always)
over before too early. "Well, look
at me now; I'm a wreck." I was
in college when I heard the news:
Timmy Taylor, the lead singer, died
in an accident. He was the one
who consigned copies of my fanzine/
lit journal--even propped a copy
up on stage. So on the cusp of
"making it" that MTV broke the news.
And that was it: The Breeders broke
up; Guided By Voices faded back
into the alleys and garages. Even
this morning, that disc asks, "Who
do you think you are? Some kind
of bonsai superstar?" And it sounds
cheesy, but for a while there, that's
exactly the way we all felt.


 


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Saturday, April 11, 2009 2:33:39 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [907] 
# Friday, April 10, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 10
Posted by Robert

In some circles, today is known as Good Friday. In other circles, every Friday is good (mostly because the weekend has begun). For the rest, Fridays aren't anything special.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about Friday. Do you like Fridays? Despise Fridays? Of course, you can also write about something that happened on a Friday--or write an ode to Fridays. Or, as you know, I'm all for seeing you attack this from an angle I haven't thought of yet.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Whoever invented hangovers"

Should be shot before being drug out
into the street. I remember my first
in high school, thinking I'd done the world
wrong, that it was collecting a debt
on my head. Still had to get up and
into work. But getting older, I don't
even need to drink to feel it in there.
This Friday done knocked me down
before I turned out of bed. Could be
I was up working too late. Could be
this durn Georgia pollen. Could be
the April thunder showers rumbling
outside and threatening to spin out
a twister. Anyway, I'm glad I'm alive,
and thank goodness for pain relievers.

 


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Friday, April 10, 2009 1:17:11 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [924] 
# Thursday, April 09, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 9
Posted by Robert

Sorry for the late post today. I've had family visiting from Ohio the last few days, and they were all leaving this morning. So, you know, us Brewers can take our time saying our good-byes and getting things together and everything. ;)

*****

For today's prompt, I want you write a poem about a memory. The memory can be good or bad. The memory can be a blend of several memories. I suppose it could even be a memory that you're not sure you remember correctly. Take your time finding a good one (or good ones).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Climbing Stone Mountain"

First, we found the park;
then, we found the parking lot.

Next, we caught the trail;
then, we caught our breath.

She was afraid to look in;
I was afraid to look out.

The wind was cold on top;
the sun was warm at the bottom.

 


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Thursday, April 09, 2009 2:22:52 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [990] 
# Wednesday, April 08, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 8
Posted by Robert

If you haven't done so yet, I just wanted to mention that you can sign up for a free monthly newsletter from Poet's Market (edited by yours truly) by going to www.poetsmarket.com and entering your e-mail address in the little field provided for e-mail updates. It's a good way to keep up with what's going on in Poet's Market, as well as this blog, and it's free!

*****

Also, I'm going to be interviewed tonight at 8 p.m. (Pacific) on J.P. Dancing Bear's "Out of Our Minds" poetry program on KKUP Cupertino. We'll be talking poetry and discussing the April PAD Challenge.

*****

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about either a specific routine or routines in general. Maybe something related to taking out the trash each week or washing the dishes every night--or something more bizarre (yet still a routine).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Routine"

Each morning, I wake up and weigh myself,
thinking that a prompt and poem won't come
today. I look at the books on my shelf,
but my brain still feels permanently numb

thinking that a prompt and poem won't come.
I search for poetic forms to assume,
but my brain still feels permanently numb.
It comes down to triolet or pantoum--

this search for poetic forms to assume.
Both offer rhymes and some repetition:
It comes down to triolet or pantoum.
I choose without hope or expectation.

Both offer rhymes and some repetition.
Today, I look at the books on my shelf
and choose without hope or expectation--
each morning, waking up to weigh myself.

 


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Wednesday, April 08, 2009 1:25:58 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [959] 
# Tuesday, April 07, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 7
Posted by Robert

After we finish today's poem, we'll be a full week into April. Go us!

Today is our first "Two for Tuesday" prompt of the month. On these days, I offer two prompts. Don't worry: You don't need to write a poem for each prompt (but you're more than welcome to if you feel up to the challenge).

Prompt #1: I want you to write a clean poem. Take this however you wish. Clean language, clean subject matter, or cleaning the dishes. Of course, some twisted few will automatically link "cleaning" with hired hitmen. That's okay, as long as your poem is somehow linked to clean.

Prompt #2: I want you to write a dirty poem. Take all that stuff I wrote in the first prompt and twist it upside down. The opposite of clean is dirty; so, do what ya gotta do to produce a dirty poem. (Gosh, I hope this challenge doesn't get too messy as a result.)

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Mornings"

They always start clean. Two
bodies side-by-side. Arm
draped over hip, voices
whispering about dreams
they did or did not have
the night before. And then,
things always seem to work
out in such a way that
the sheets are on the floor
and both need a shower.

 


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Tuesday, April 07, 2009 1:37:52 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1081] 
# Monday, April 06, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 6
Posted by Robert

All right, folks! After today, we'll be 20% of the way through this challenge! And you're all kicking some major booty, because I think y'all posted as many poems through the first 5 days as we did in all of April last year. Great job, and let's keep at it!

For today's poem, I want you to write a poem about something missing. It can be about an actual physical object or something you just can't put your finger on (like "love" or "the spirit of Christmas" or something).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"The Photographer"

She introduces herself and gathers
the whole party up before and after
the ceremony. She wears a nylon
sleeveless, patterned shirt and black
leggings with a little lace near her
ankles. Her dark brown hair is highlighted
blond and she straightens her back
as one pair after the other walks
down the aisle. Her fingers are covered
in rings, but she isn't married. Instead,
she chews gum and holds her camera
close to her face, ready to brighten
the church with her flash. She doesn't
smile or tear up, her face serious and
clinical. It's not until she's saying
goodbye to the woman in her white
dress that she allows herself to smile.

 


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Monday, April 06, 2009 1:33:48 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1047] 
# Sunday, April 05, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 5
Posted by Robert

Whew! I'm tired. Was up until 4-ish this morning (driving home to Georgia from Ohio); tried posting around then; but the site was acting all funky. Now, on 3 hours sleep, I'm hoping my spelling is okay. :)

It's Sunday! Yay! Five days in and still kicking!

 

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about a landmark. It can be a famous landmark (like Mount Rushmore or the Sphinx) or a little more subdued (like the town water tower or an interesting sign).

 

Here's my attempt for the day:

 

"Touchdown Jesus"

 

At first, I laughed—a giant Jesus

with both arms thrust to the sky—

because of its size and only the top

half showed. Also, there was

the location: same exit as two

flea markets, strip club, prison,

and Hustler store. So, why not,

I guess, is the correct question.

Over time, I've grown comfortable

with his consistency. Even awed

when the sun rises behind him

or fog lifts off the water in front.

But still, there are times,

especially when on the phone,

when I can't help driving by

and saying, "Touchdown!"

 

(To see a picture of my "landmark," go to http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/9786.)

 


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Sunday, April 05, 2009 12:38:52 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1049] 
# Saturday, April 04, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 4
Posted by Robert

Hope you're having a good weekend!

For today's prompt, I want you to pick an animal; make that animal the title of your poem; then, write a poem. You could be very general with your animal title ("Bees" or "Lion") or specific ("Flipper" or "Lassie"). You could even be very silly with something like "Tony, the Tiger," I guess (that tiger on the cereal box).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Whale"

Would you know my name
if found out of water? I hold
my breath for hours and sing
across the spaces where I dream.
Would you believe I was ever
vulnerable? I find the part
you love most is the monster
lurking in me, that unknown
quantity hiding beneath
the surface. If I could swallow
you whole and hold you within,
would you call out my name?


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Saturday, April 04, 2009 1:34:02 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1095] 
# Friday, April 03, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 3
Posted by Robert

The response has been so amazing that I now have all my blog comment notifications filtered into a folder in my Outlook. Isn't that great?!? Something else that is great is that once we finish today's poem, we'll have made it 10% through the challenge (that's right, I threw out a statistic on a poetry blog). With a long distance running background, I learned a long time ago the value of breaking up large tasks into smaller tasks to give the sense of movement and accomplishment. So yay! We're getting there--one poem at a time.

(Note: If you're not already, I'd suggest you sign up for the free updates--over on the top left-hand side of this page--either via email or RSS. If you're not sure what RSS is, then you probably want to go with the email option. Then, you'll be notified whenever I post a new prompt, interview, or rambling attempt at answering a poetry-related question on Poetic Asides.)

******

Today's prompt: Take the phrase "The problem with (blank)" and replace the "(blank)" with a word or phrase. Make this the title of your poem and then write a poem to fit with or juxtapose against that title. For instance, you could have poems with the titles of "The problem with government," "The problem with advanced mathematics," or "The problem with bipolar penguins." You know the drill: have fun, be creative. (You're all already doing such an amazing job that Tammy and I are trying to figure out logistical ways of getting the poems down to 5-a-day for the guest judges. Keep it up!)

Here's my attempt for the day:

"The problem with getting older"

Where to start? How about losing
my memory so that I can't
remember how bad things were
at twenty, fifteen, five?
Plus, there are expectations
never fully realized. Canceled
plans and Duran Duran sounding
worse with each new reunion.
New pains and allergies emerge
at the same time as I realize
odds are they'll only get worse.
I catch myself unconsciously
becoming suspicious of teens
and talking about politics.
I count calories and read
articles covering the best
diets for avoiding diabetes
and mental health issues.
When I'm not busy getting old,
I remember my youth (the new
version): racing around the track,
two laps in less than two minutes--
wind in my hair, legs burning, and
only the finish line in my way.


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Friday, April 03, 2009 12:49:33 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1176] 
# Thursday, April 02, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 2
Posted by Robert

Completely and utterly flabbergasted; that's right--flabbergasted! You're all so great. This challenge feels like it's gone from being a house party to a block party--for poets no less. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that y'all rock!

Today, I want you to write an outsider poem. You can be the outsider; someone else can be the outsider; or it can even be an animal or inanimate object that's the outsider. As usual, get creative with the prompt and don't be afraid to stretch the limits.

Here's my poem for the day:

“Atlanta”

 

My first trip down, I thought a road crew

had stripped all the pines along the highway.

Come to find that’s just how they grow

with little puffs of branches on top, nothing

down the sides. Was impressed by the war

monuments, though I missed Stone Mountain

and The Varsity. Rained the whole time

even as the whole area suffered a serious

drought. Not enough to kill the kudzu or

the humidity. Hiked up Kennesaw Mountain.

Walked around Helen. Ate my first hot

boiled peanuts. But mostly I remember

lurking in the fiction section of that one

Barnes & Noble waiting for you to find me.

 


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Thursday, April 02, 2009 12:30:06 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1218] 
# Wednesday, April 01, 2009
April PAD Challenge: Day 1
Posted by Robert

Wow! It looks like we've got even more International participation than last year, and even the North American participants are chomping at the bit. In realization that much of the world is essentially a day ahead of me, I'm going to extend the challenge deadline to May 1 at noon (EST), instead of April 30 at midnight (EST).

All right then! Let's get started!

For today's prompt, I want you to write an origin poem. It can be the origin of a word, person, plant, idea, etc. Have fun with it.

(Note: Through this challenge, please feel free to use the prompt as a springboard to being creative. There is no right or wrong way to interpret the prompts--so take them in any direction you want.)

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Superhero"

 

At an early age, His parents are killed

in a skiing accident. Luckily,

His adoptive parents (two lumberjacks

named Harry and Marty) are supportive

and home school Him on topics, such as math,

history, nuclear engineering,

martial arts, and ballroom dancing. When He

learns in His teens that the two lumberjacks

actually killed His parents, He runs

away from home to become a photo-

journalist at the big city paper.

While photographing the winner of Big

City’s high school science fair, the losing

student who thought He should've won dumps liquid

on Him while trying to hit the winner.

This is when He gains the ability

to fly and use X-ray vision. And so He

does what anyone else would do in His

position: Design a costume and start

busting bad guys. It doesn't take long for Him

to acquire an arch-villain, who appears

always to be in two places at once.

This villain is soon known as Lumberjack,

because all his crimes are committed with

a giant logging axe. After perhaps

too much time has elapsed, He realizes

the Lumberjack is really two people:

Harry and Marty, the same backwoodsmen

who murdered His parents. With a renewed

sense of purpose, He quickly finds his two

enemies in their Lumberjack costumes

in an abandoned warehouse down by

the river. He gets the jump on them, but

they quickly turn the tables on Him, since

He was obviously walking into

a trap designed to catch Him. This is when

it is revealed that the lumberjacks are

actually his mother and father,

who were also Harry and Marty, who

had decided when He was very young

that they would groom him to become a crime-

fighting vigilante. Just as they are

telling Him how much they love Him and how

they were sorry they misled Him about

their own deaths, the warehouse explodes from bombs

set by His new arch-villain, The Chemist,

who was, of course, the original guy

who gave Him all of His superpowers.

 

(Now get writing! Yay!)


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Wednesday, April 01, 2009 12:27:05 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1415] 
# Tuesday, March 31, 2009
April PAD Challenge 2009: Rules & Blah-blah-blah
Posted by Robert

I'm so excited (and I just can't hide it)--tomorrow is when April begins, which means tomorrow is when the Poetic Asides April PAD Challenge begins! (Oh yeah!)

Last night, I gathered some rules and answers to some frequently asked questions. Here they are:

The low down on the April PAD Challenge:

  • The Challenge starts with the Day 1 prompt on April 1, 2009, and ends at midnight (EST) on April 30, 2009.
  • To be eligible for the eBook, poems must be posted in the Comments for the correct prompt. (So, if you’re writing a poem for a prompt on rainy day poems, you need to paste your rainy day poem in the comments for that prompt.)
  • Each poem entered with the appropriate prompt will be eligible for the eBook; it doesn’t matter if you participate on one day, 10 days, or all 30 days. The eBook is completely separate of the completion certificate and badge.
  • You must post a poem for all 30 prompts to receive the completion certificate and badge.
  • Please do not email poems to me. This includes sending them to me through social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. It's not that I don't like hearing from you (because I love communicating with y'all), but poems that aren't posted directly to the blog won't count for the challenge or the eBook. I just know I won't have the time this April to sort them all out.
  • During the month of April, you can fall behind and catch up at any point for both the eBook and the completion certificate and badge; that is, until midnight (EST) on April 30, 2009.
  • To be eligible for the 2009 Poetic Asides Poet Laureate honor, you must participate throughout the month. (No payment for this post, but also no concrete responsibilities.)
  • I advise that you save a copy of your poem somewhere other than on the blog. While it doesn’t happen frequently, there have been times when the blog has dropped Comments; so please be safer than sorrier.
  • Participation is free.
  • No special registration is required; just show up and post a poem for the appropriate prompt. (I’ll go through and figure it out later on.)
  • Poets keep copyright to their work—even if selected for the eBook.
  • Poems should be previously unpublished and written during the month of April 2009; that’s kind of the point of the whole thing, you know.
  • There will be "Two for Tuesday" prompts on Tuesdays again this year. You only have to do one of the prompts, though I know some of you are overachievers and will write poems for both.
  • Unfortunately, I won't be able to highlight poems during the month of April (as I at least partially did last year), because I'm going to be super busy this month with getting Writer's Market and Poet's Market together.
  • However, I encourage everyone to give shout outs to fellow poets who write poems you particularly like. It not only helps that particular poet feel good, but I think it benefits everyone.

Judging for the eBook will work this way:

  • On May 1, I (and possibly my wife Tammy) will begin narrowing down the April poems to 5 finalists for each day.
  • Then sometime around the middle of May, we’ll give our list of Top 5’s to the guest judges.
  • Then, the guest judges will pick their favorite poem for their specific day.
  • Then, I’ll look at the remaining 120 poems and pick my favorite 20 of those.
  • This will result in 50 poems making it into the eBook, which will hopefully be ready for FREE distribution sometime during the summer.
  • Remember: Judging is very subjective and making it into the eBook is meant to be an extra bonus. Don't get upset or worry that you're not writing good stuff if your poems don't make it in the eBook.

How to add a poem to the Comments:

  • Click on the Comments link for the particular day’s post (you can practice with this post).
  • Scroll to bottom of the page and enter your name and email (so that I can contact you, if needed).
  • Paste your poem into the Comments box.
  • Enter the code shown.
  • Click Save Comment.

(Note: Always check to make sure your poem posted; sometimes, you need to enter the code a few times before your comment posts.)

 

Hopefully, this covers most of the bases. I'll add any revisions if I've forgotten to address a question or two.

 

I can't wait to see y'all tomorrow morning!


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Tuesday, March 31, 2009 12:38:48 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [333] 
# Monday, March 30, 2009
Interview With 2008 Poetic Asides Poet Laureate Sara Diane Doyle
Posted by Robert

Quick note: I plan on sharing the complete rules, how-to's, advice, etc., on the 2009 April PAD Challenge tomorrow right here on the blog. There's no special registration required--so just check back in tomorrow to get the full scoop on what's expected.

*****

Okay, so one of the cool things about the 2008 April PAD Challenge is that I was able to select a Poetic Asides Poet Laureate. It was a tough decision last year, but Sara Diane Doyle shared some truly great poems through the month. See the announcement (and read some of here April poems) by clicking here.

She even shared a new poetic form with the group after the challenge was over called The Roundabout. You can check out that poetic form by clicking here.

Anyway, she recently let me interview her to see what she's been up to and to share advice with poets new to the April PAD Challenge.

*****

What've you been up to since being named the 2008 April PAD Challenge Poet Laureate?

 

You mean besides enjoying life in Colorado?  Well, I've spent the last year mentoring teen writers, including challenging them with a 12-week poetry project last fall.  In November, I wrote a novel with National Novel Writing Month.  As of January, I've been focusing on submitting my work, both poetry and prose, to markets. 

 

Who (or what) have you been reading recently?

 

In 2008, I read 100 books, so I had the chance to read a lot of great writers, including: N.M. Kelby, C.S. Lewis, Alice Hoffman, Madeleine L'Engle, Jane Austen, Garth Nix, and Billy Collins. This year, I'm taking it easier.  My current favorites are Jim Butcher's Dresden Files, and my favorite poetry collection of the last few months is Billy Collins' Ballistics.  Much of my reading time goes to reading the writings of the teenagers on the forum where I mentor.

 

How did you manage to write so many good poems throughout the month of April last year?

 

I don't have a secret recipe, if that's what you're asking!  But I know that the more I'm thinking about poetry, the more I'm reading it and writing it, the better I seem to get.  So being able to read the poems others were posting helped--it kept spurring me on to better poetry! Also, having the prompts helped a lot.  Normally, I have one good poem every so often, largely because I wait to be hit with a great idea.  But having a starting point helped get those ideas going.  I also tried my hardest to find a different angle on the prompt each day.  For example, on day one, when the prompt was to write about "firsts," I saw many poems about first love, first kiss, first child, etc.  So I said to myself, "what is a first no one else has written about yet?"  That's how I came up with the idea to write about the first time I donated blood.  I love to find the tiny, hidden subjects.  And if it makes anyone feel better, I had some real clunkers last year--they STILL make me cringe when I read them.  So don't try to write 30 amazing poems, write 30 good poems and some of them will be amazing.

 

Any big plans or goals for 2009?

 

My goal this year is to get published.  So I'm sending out submissions of both poetry and short stories on a regular basis.  I'd also like to finish my current novel.  And maybe learn another language.  I like to have fun goals, and some that I know I can reach with a little effort.  Unreachable goals aren't helpful at all. 

 

What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? And by who?

 

There are two that vie for first place.  The first was "celebrate rejection."  My high school creative writing teacher, Mrs. Warner, made this a huge part of our class--she threw a party for the first rejection slip, and really taught me how to embrace the more negative part of the writing life.  Rejection is part of the writing business, and if you can't deal with it, or if you take it too personally, it's going to kill you.  So I celebrate every rejection I earn--earning a rejection means I'm putting my work out there, and that's how I will get published. 

 

The second is from one of my favorite authors, Jodi Picoult.  Her advice: "You can't edit a blank page."  That statement has gotten me writing more times than not.  A blank page can be intimidating, and I know how easy it is to give into the white space. Sometimes, we are afraid for writing crap, afraid of what will come out, afraid it will be true, etc.  But we can't do anything with that fear.  We can't edit it, we can't cut out the bad parts, we can't make it better.  But if we are willing to write, to fill the blank page, then we can move forward.  Most writers aren't brilliant in the first draft.  We all have to just get the words down.  Once we've done that, it's much easier to make things better!

 

Do you have any advice for the poets who are entering the 2009 April PAD Challenge?

 

Yes!  Get up and read the prompt early each day.  Get it into your head.  Then take some time to see it from all sides before you write.  Some days, an idea will jump out right away, but some days it might take until nine at night.  Don't be afraid to let the idea brew for a while!  Pull out all the old tools you were taught in grade school: alliteration, meter, imagery, similes, metaphors, symbolism.  Put them to good use.  Try some new forms, even if the prompt doesn't call for it.  I often use www.shadowpoetry.com as a resource, they list all sorts of poetic forms. 

 

Then, just write.  Get it out.  Remember, you can edit it later.

 

And most of all, have fun!  I had a blast last year, and I'm looking forward to this year's prompts.  Let your friends and family know what you are doing, let them read some of your work.  Be excited about poetry!


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Monday, March 30, 2009 3:21:27 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [5] 
# Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 042
Posted by Robert

This is the last Wednesday Poetry Prompt before the 2009 April PAD Challenge, which is when we'll be writing a poem every single day (oh yeah!). The Wednesday Poetry Prompts will resume in May.

For this prompt, I want you to write a character study poem. Think about people you know or complete strangers. Like an artist, study them and then write. Stick to the facts; or speculate. I suppose you could even write a character study of a fictional character (such as Wonder Woman or Darth Vader).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Little Marc"

The lights go out when he walks down the street.
No one wants to mess with him as he struts
over sidewalk chalk--this man who smiles at
a fight and knows every woman's name.
I've lived near him my whole life and never
once wanted to see him coming my way,
always relieved when our conversations
come to an end and no punches thrown. I'm
not sure how he got his name, and never
have heard it used in his presence. But once,
Johnny Andrews told me he saw Little
Marc so drunk that he'd stripped all his clothes down
to his tighty-whiteys. "He was going
on and on about how nobody knows
what it's like to be feared, how nobody's
ever got the guts to talk to him. So,
Darryl Pokerman--from southside--puts his
arms around him and says, 'It's okay, man.
Everything's gonna be okay.' But
Little Marc just pushed him off and called him
a fag," said Johnny. I didn't need Johnny
to go on, but he did anyway, "So,
of course, Little Marc busted a stick on
Darryl's head and kept kicking him until
some guys peeled him off, because you know how
he can get." And, of course, everyone
who knows Little Marc knows how he can get.

 


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Wednesday, March 25, 2009 2:59:17 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [77] 
# Monday, March 23, 2009
Skeltonic Poetry: Short, sweet and fun
Posted by Robert

Skeltonic verse is named after the poet John Skelton (1460-1529), who wrote short rhyming lines that just sort of go on from one rhyme to the next for however long you wish to take it. Most skeltonic poems average less than six words a line, but keeping the short rhymes moving down the page is the real key to this form.

Here's my attempt at one:

"My weekend with Tammy"

We perused
all the shoes
in Syracuse
and then cut my hair
until little was there,
and everyone stared,
though I didn't care--
more focused on wining
and elegant dining
with Tammy opining
she'd rather go mining
in the mountains for coal;
so we had a new goal,
but somebody stole
our beautiful car
delivered from Mars
(made from old stars
after the alien wars);
instead, we decided to sit
and not throw a fit
or pout or spit
(our plan already quit)
at the crowded park
where we waited 'til dark
for the invisible balloon
to carry us soon
to the crescent moon
where we'll live until June.

 


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Monday, March 23, 2009 2:36:29 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [23] 
# Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 041
Posted by Robert

I read this story off CNN this morning: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/03/18/bat.shuttle/index.html.

Talk about weird. For those who need a quick re-cap: A bat was seen hitching a ride into outer space on a space shuttle. So, a bat stowaway. Of course, part of me thought, what a poor bat. But then, this being Wednesday and all, another part thought, what a cool prompt!

Now before you get too excited (or outraged), the prompt is NOT to write a poem about a bat burning up in the atmosphere. No, I want you to write a poem about something that does not belong. Can be about a person, an animal, an inanimate object--whatever.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Recess"

He balances along the outline of the playground
trying not to tip too far to the left or right.

He talks to himself about Megatron and Star
Wars. Optimus Prime and Luke Skywalker team up

to defend the galaxy. Meanwhile, the other boys
and girls play tag and four-square. He barely notices

what's happening on Earth. After all, it's just one
of many inhabitable planets within

the universe. Anyway, when he's not in space,
he's digging away at the earth, searching for ants,

snakes, and other creepy crawlies. The other kids
continue their games without notice. Every

once in a while, one may make a comment. But that's
okay, because he's just searching for his own space.

 


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Wednesday, March 18, 2009 12:57:56 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [83] 
# Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 040
Posted by Robert

As you probably noticed in yesterday's prompt, it's time to start gearing up for the April PAD (Poem-A-Day) Challenge. Yesterday afternoon, I received confirmation on a very, very exciting new wrinkle for the challenge. I'll be sharing that announcement tomorrow. (Don't you love teasers?)

*****

For today's prompt, I want you to take the phrase "Why I Don't (blank)" and fill in the blank. Then, make that your title. From there, write a poem. Some possibilities include "Why I don't look both ways," "Why I don't tie my shoestrings," and "Why I don't watch the evening news." So many possibilities, so little time.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Why I don't ride roller coasters"

Two men walk into a bar, but one was
blind. He had an excuse; the other just
followed blindly. The lines stretch forever
at amusement parks, and I love to watch
the people as they wait and wander from
one ride to another. My brothers both
love them. But I can stand in line and think
of rusty bolts loosening, scattering
several screaming thrillseekers across
the earth. I'm not a thrillseeker. They would
have an excuse. I'm just that other guy.

 


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Wednesday, March 11, 2009 12:52:29 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [86] 
# Monday, March 09, 2009
Poets Helping Poets: Breaking through a writing slump
Posted by Robert

Last Friday, I tossed out a question to the members of the Poetic Asides group on Facebook: How do you break through a writing slump?

Whether it's been days, weeks, months, or even years, we've all been through dry spots. Well, as I learned from the response, most of us have anyway.

In my own case, I find that reading new (to me) voices is what helps the most. Though listening to the news or going for a run, both usually work as well.

The response was so massive that I had to be selective with the answers, but here's what some of the poets wrote:

*****

For some reason, I find if I have a few even modest successes, sometimes that spooks me and makes it hard for me to believe I'll ever write anything worthwhile again. After a number of false starts, I find myself going back to some old reliable pump primers, as I've come to think of them.

 

Actually, someone on the Poetic Asides site led me to the Poet's Companion, by Kim Addonizio and Dorianne Laux, and I've found the exercises in there invaluable. I also love Natalie Goldberg's, Writing Down the Bones and this year she released The Essential Writer's Notebook--another gem of inspirational prompts to kick my rear-end.

 

For me, your prompts are also a great source of creative energy--a way for me to know I'm committed to writing poetry at least once a week, without having to dream up a topic.

 

And last, but not least, I try to take at least one writing course a year, just to make my mind travel along different tracks.

 

S.E. Ingraham

 

*****

 

Here are two strategies that work for me:

 

1. Go to a reading--any kind of reading, poetry or prose. The minute a reading begins, I feel that I'm being drawn "into the zone," into a community of writers that helps me reconnect with my own creativity. It's as if my writer's mind steps into line, comes into focus, re-invents and re-establishes itself.

 

2. Go for a long hike--in a natural setting, away from the house, the computer, the daily grind. As I walk, and gradually relax, the rhythm of unrestricted movement enables me to reconnect with the natural cadence of my poetic sensibility.

 

Ruth Nolan

 

*****

 

It works for me when I have people around me. Therefore, I am longing for the spring so that I can go out and sit in a nice park, with trees and flowers and hear people walking by.

 

Staffan in Sweden

 

*****

 

I used to believe in writing slumps and writer's blocks. But I don't anymore, because if you can challenge yourself to the simple task of writing something every day, say at least 500-600 characters (but more is better) or 125-175 words minimum (again, more is better). You could further challenge and commit yourself to either send it to a friend or friends every day for a minimum of 3 months, no matter how bad or terrible you think it is. A little exercise like this will prove that you CAN write whenever you like, and that on some level you are choosing not to. It's an important thing to realize that your talents and skills are yours and not on loan or borrowed or given to you by something else--there is no fickle muse that comes to or abandons you.

 

J.P. Dancing Bear

 

*****

 

I write book reviews for various online and print mags, so finding time to write my own stuff is hard. When I try to balance reviewing, family, my money jobs and my own pieces, I find that writer's block doesn't exist for me anymore. Because the reviews are on a deadline and I want to continue to be paid, I have to force myself to be a professional and write even when I don't feel like writing. Normally, when I am 5-10 minutes into the piece it starts to flow.

 

The reviewing and journalism has put my own writing in perspective and has made me realize, that if you're a writer, you write. Because my time is limited, I take the time that I'm given to work on my own stuff as a gift. If I have an hour or so, I apply Cory Doctorow's 20-minute method. For example, I know realistically that I do not have large chunks of time to write my novel. I give myself 25-30 minutes to write a chunk. I literally set my PDA alarm to go off in 20 minutes. The time goes by so fast, and when the alarm goes off I am usually in a white hot writing frenzy and I stop in the middle and I cannot wait to go back to it the next day.

 

I apply this technique to all my writing: play-writing, short stories, and even poetry. When you have finite time to write, you learn to inspire yourself. The book reviewing also teaches me to have more perspective about my own stuff. I discover quickly what works and what does not work.

 

My advice: Write like there is no tomorrow, because there isn't. Don't worry too much about revision or research, that's later. Get that intial draft down and write your butt off.

 

Lee Gooden

 

*****

 

I generally make it a practice to write some random line on a blank page. Even something that may be picked up from the newspaper lying beside me or an ad.

 

Then I just write around that line. Something fitting or even something equally random...

 

Poddar Kushal

 

*****

 

1) If it's a long slump, I remind myself, "This is input time." I actually believe this to be true, as I have noticed that's the way of it. You think nothing's happening, but when writing does return, it's made some kind of quantum leap to a new level. In a long slump, I usually have to wait for it to return spontaneously in its own good time.

 

2) It's strange, but (in a briefer slump) what works for me is to start playing with form, rather than seeking ideas.

 

Rosemary Nissen-Wade

 

*****

 

My top tip: Just write for ten minutes without pausing, editing, crossing-out. Write 'I don't know what to write' and keep writing... Write 'I feel stuck' and keep writing. After ten minutes stop and circle five random words in your piece of writing--or even better, ask someone to circle them for you. Take these words and use them to begin writing for five minutes. Then circle four words and write, then three... and so on.. until you have just one word...

 

Very often it is our focus on the product of writing--Is it good enough? What will it be like as a finished piece?--that stops us from writing. By learning to enjoy writing as a process, you can keep writing and writing.

 

Sophie Nicholls

 

*****

 

I have a job that can be pretty high-pressure and involve long hours. During these busy cycles at work, I find myself feeling completely drained during my non-work times, which I usually reserve for writing. I feel like I have nothing left over; that all of the emotion, imagination and passion has been sapped out of me. In short, I feel like a walking drone. Last summer, I went on "real vacation" for the first time in years, and I came back incredibly stimulated, refreshed and inspired. But I can't do that very often. So I've developed some ways to help keep me going during the down times, when there is no vacation in sight:

 

1. I wait to write until I know I have several hours at a stretch to sit down and sink into "the zone." This helps keep the pressure off. I simply give myself permission not to start something new on weeknights, after I've worked a ten or twelve hour day. If I do anything, I just do minor revisions on works in progress. Or, I just crash in front of the TV and forget about it. I've actually gotten incredible inspiration from little snippets of things I've seen while zoned out in front of the tube. Vampire squids, for example.

 

2. During my several-hour writing stretch, I take a journal and I "speed-write" one poem on each page. I give myself permission to be absolutely awful in every way. I heap on the cliches. I write whatever comes into my head. I don't revise. I number the poems and consider them complete. Then I go back through in an hour or two and "mine" for a line, a thought, an idea, or image that I want to work with, and I begin writing the "real poem" from that. I choose one or two at time to work on and give myself a week to complete each one. The completion timeline keeps me accountable and helps make me feel like I'm being productive.

 

3. I have also started trying to practice what I call, "Poets' Eyes." This is a way of going through my day in an observant, open manner. It's almost like bringing a veil down over my "normal" eyes in order to open up more awareness. As much as possible, I try listening to everything and see everything as a potential poem; it's a way of being open; of being willing to extract beauty or meaning from the banal, the annoying, the stressful, the just plain stupid. If I can even do this for five minutes at a time a few times a day, I can usually find something interesting to add to my "treasure box" of ideas I want to work with.

 

Kristen McHenry

 

*****

 

When I can't write, I read, read, read, and read some more; sometimes I reread novels or short stories. Sometimes I read song lyrics hoping one word or phrase will spark something.

 

Melissa McEwen

 

*****

 

I really do feel a daily exercise loosens my brains, and if I get five poems out of thirty that can be worked into something interesting, I'll be pleased.

 

Shann Palmer

 

*****

 

I'm much more conscientious about my writing when I'm NOT writing than when I am, so I usually try to shift my focus away from that internal, absent impetus into something different, enjoyable, or productive. This usually means a new haircut, delightfully awful genre fiction, and editing. If that doesn't work, I create projects for myself, like painting, developing a mix tape, or creating a little Great(ness) anthology of my favorite poems from my favorite poets. When you're stuck in a writing slump, it's easy to focus on that missing creativity energy within you without realizing it's an entirely false paradigm. It's more likely that energy’s still in you, it's just moved somewhere else in you. Find it again and reign it in, or just go with it for a while, it might be leading you somewhere unexpected.

 

Todd Dillard

 

*****

 

I go for a walk out in nature to unblock when stumped on a scene or dried up. Walking along a trail means no noises other than those of the birds, nothing to cloud the mind. That quiet lends to thinking and all I have to do is let the scene play through my mind while walking. Usually, I get better ideas than the ones I already had.

 

The unfortunate part is that frequently I don't remember when I get home! As a help, I started carrying a pen and some folded papers in a pocket then would stop to jot things down. Oddly, the more I jotted down, the more it flowed in my head.

 

Not only does walking help with the writing, it feeds more oxygen to the brain. Good no matter what...

 

Lynn Steen

 

*****

 

I recently accompanied my husband to a doctor's appointment, where I picked up National Geographic to scan so I could avoid watching Regis & Kelly. I normally don't read that magazine, but I found a totally huge amount of inspiration in the pages. I wrote notes for an hour and came away with probably 10-15 poem ideas from that experience alone. I was so excited. In the past, I've told my writing group to do that (pick up a magazine or art book you normally wouldn't look at), but I guess I should have been taking my own advice.

 

Kimberlee Titus Gerstmann

 

*****

 

Keep a small stack of poetry books in the bathroom, then when you are in there giving the kids a bath (or doing other things!), you can read, and be filled with inspiration to write as soon as they are in bed.

 

Caili Wilk

 

*****

 

It's hard to believe I used to write two or three poems a day. Now it's more like a dozen a year. Perhaps I've grown more discriminating. I'm sure a lot of those earlier poems suck!

 

A couple of ideas for breaking through. You've got to read a lot, broad and deep. Find a poet you enjoy and let them inspire you.

 

If you are absolutely stuck, try a copy change poem. Take a poem you love and put the idea into your own words.

 

Or try a found poem. Take lines from the paper, magazine, or lines you've overheard, and make a poem out of them. It's a start. Sometimes the result is damn good!

 

David Blaine

 

*****

 

Whenever I find myself in a slump with my writing, I do three things: read, ponder, riff. It's really that simple. The hard part to know is that a writer must, when shaking off that dust, read only the very kinds of literature that made him or her want to write in the first place. There are certain "go to" writers I use that will always create new work for me. But I have to read that which causes a visceral jolt in my psyche. And enjoy that reading. It's only through the enjoyment and experiencing of that reading that I start to feel my love for literature eat through the layers of despondency or boredom or responsibility. Sometimes, I'll read work by them that's new to me and read until I hit a particularly evocative line or idea, drop the book, and go write a poem or story. 

 

When I write, then, I don't stay in the fear envelope; I give myself complete permission to write over and past it. I once heard a girl in a creative writing workshop make a comment about a piece of someone's work that had to do with whether it could be assessed as "good enough" to be canon--my response: Bullshit! That fear and expectation has to go. Writing is a muscle best kept warm. You don't have to write every piece with the idea (lofty, over-extending) that you want your every penned effort to be canon-worthy. You write because you love it, often because you have to, and because it lights you up, your brain, your idealism, your goals or agendas regarding humanity. So, that's my solution. Read, ponder, riff. It's a lucky charm. For me, it works every time.

 

Heather Fowler

 

*****

 

Play.

 

Amy Cunningham

*****

If you have your own ideas on this subject, please share them in the comments below.


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Monday, March 09, 2009 9:51:22 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [16] 
# Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 039
Posted by Robert

This being the 39th Wednesday Poetry Prompt, I really should make this prompt to write a sestina, which, of course, is comprised of 39 lines, but...I'm feeling nice. (Those who want a challenge can write a sestina related to this week's prompt, though. Don't let me hold you back.)

The actual prompt for this week is to write a poem that deals with the idea of correspondence. Here's a link to a definition of the word correspondence from TheFreeDictionary.com: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/correspondence.

For those who can't be bothered to click on links, here's the definition given:

correspondence n. 1. the act, fact, or state of agreeing or conforming. 2. similarity or analogy. 3. a. communication by exchange of letters. b. the letters written or received.

Sometimes the best way to start a poem is to look at a word--especially one with several meanings--and use that as an entryway into writing.

Here's my attempt:

"Dear You"

I woke up in another state today
but dreamed of you anyway. We
did our best to listen and obey
some loud mouth who never seemed
able to leave and stay gone. Not
sure why he was always looking
over his shoulder, but he never got
what he wanted. I was thinking
he didn't know. Most dream bullies
don't plan ahead. It's a definite
problem. Maybe there should be
a social network to address it.
But I didn't really care about this,
because I just wanted your kiss.


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Wednesday, March 04, 2009 1:52:16 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [71] 
# Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 038
Posted by Robert

It's not usual that I go a whole week without a post between the Wednesday Poetry Prompts, but that's what happened this week. On one hand, I've been very, very busy with database and website work. On the other hand, I really didn't have much to talk about anyway this past week (wrote a little, submitted some).

For the last couple weeks I've been on a diet, and I've lost some real poundage (trying to get down to a decent running weight). So for this week's prompt, I'd like you to write a poem about dieting and/or diets. It can be pro-diet, anti-diet, or use dieting as an aside for the rest of the poem.

Here's my attempt:

"23.4"

Instant oatmeal, vegetable soup, dill pickles--
he counts the calories on carrots and wonders
if he's using enough self-restraint. When he
was young, he'd eat double quarter-pounders
(with cheese) and large fries; he'd eat three
large plates of spaghetti; he'd wash it down
with pop; he couldn't gain weight. Now, he
can't make the weight go away. He can't trick
it off his body. So he looks in the mirror; he
steps on the scale; and what does he see?  

 


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Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:15:54 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [46] 
# Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 037
Posted by Robert

As my stepson commented this morning, today is a messy day (at least, in the Atlanta area). Lots of rain, a little thunder and lightning, and even a little chill in the air. Since I've been coughing and battling a cold the past few days, this messy morning only feels that much messier. But I'm not too concerned, because I know that soon the mornings will get less messy and my cold will pass.

This is why for this week's prompt, I want everyone to write an ode. If you're not sure what an ode is, check out this link: http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides/Odes+Praise+Poetry.aspx.

As you can see, odes can be formalized or irregular. The main point is to praise someone or something. You can praise a folk hero, a politician, a species of animal, an association, or even a pair of sweaty gym socks (though I'm not sure where I'd start on that one--Peeee-eeew!).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"An Ode to Poetry Collections"

They're always so thin
you worry about their health.
They don't make any money,
and they're never to be found
at the bookstore unless penned
by someone dead, famous, or
associated with MTV (remember
when MTV played music?).
Still, you can find them
in the seediest of locations--
coffee shops, college bookstores,
and author websites. Those
who sell them to you will not
look you in the eye as money
changes hands. However,
when you get home and crack
open these slim volumes, you
will feel part of a conspiracy
trying to shake meaning
down to its basest roots;
you will see someone working
hard at craft for the sake
of communication; you will see
a slice of humanity reaching out
until you feel the need to pick
up your pen and reach out, too.


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Wednesday, February 18, 2009 1:53:17 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [54] 
# Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 036
Posted by Robert

Been back in Atlanta since Sunday evening, and--wow!--it's so much warmer. Last week in Ohio: 6-8 inches of snow and negative degrees (before the wind chill). This week in Georgia: sunny skies and 60s & 70s for the temps. It's amazing what a difference an 8-hour drive can make on my perspective concerning the weather.

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem about a neighborhood. It could be about your current neighborhood, a previous neighborhood, a neighborhood you've visited, or just one you've imagined.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Florence Avenue"

I drove through the old neighborhood last week,
surprised at how small the houses were, how
fast the houses passed by my car. When I
was a boy, kids played outside from morning
until evening. Now, the street might as
well have tumbleweed blowing from one end
to the other. When I was a boy, this
neighborhood felt safe, but now, I see cracked
windows, beaten up cars, broken fences.

I drove through the old neighborhood last week
thinking I might stop at my old house and
survey my childhood. Remember the fire
hydrant that used to shoot water into
the gutters where we'd splash around under
a hot summer sun. Remember the bend
in the road where we'd start all our races.
Remember how all the kids would play and
chase and call out each others' names. But when

I drove through the old neighborhood last week,
my car kept driving. The houses in which
we lived had moved on to new lives, the same
as we had. I realized I could not stop
to admire my history here, because
my past life no longer lives on Florence
Avenue. My history left town
when I did, still as a young kid, full of
the stuff that makes someone want to look back.

 


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Wednesday, February 11, 2009 3:19:27 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [47] 
# Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 035
Posted by Robert

Sorry for the late prompt today. I'm up in Ohio this week, and Cincinnati got hit with an unexpected 6-8 inches of snow yesterday afternoon that led to my commute taking singificantly longer than usual last night and this morning. I was secretly hoping moving to Georgia would help me miss such fun commutes. Oh well.

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem that describes a view. The view could be from a window, a rooftop, a desk, a satellite, whatever.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Under the bridge"

He can't see as much as he hears. The difference
between a car and semi, the sound of voices walking
over. But he can read messages scrawled to no one.
Lisa Sucks in red over You Suck in blue. Something
written about someone's mother. Several foul words.
And it smells like cat piss and car exhaust. It feels
like the end of the world. Every so often, a train
clatters by--also covered in spray painted messages,
the world slowly being overrun by graffiti. The rails
are left alone. He can't see as much as he thinks.
The difference in going somewhere and nowhere.

 


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Wednesday, February 04, 2009 4:58:13 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [88] 
# Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 034
Posted by Robert

It's that time again. Time to write a poem. Though I haven't had the time to participate myself, I notice a few poets have started writing a collaborative poem together on last week's prompt. Very, very cool.

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a travel poem. The poem must somehow involve travel, whether to exotic lands or to the grocery store, whether by land or by sea (or whatever), whether in a boat or in a recliner (watching the Travel channel).

Here's my attempt:

"Between"

The rivers have names like Oostanaula, Hiwassee,
and Etowah. Reasons to find a mouth or call home
or both. When the sun sets, I think the mountains
know. They settle and wait. Reasons to wander
across. I forget their names. Only know they are
there and ready to be crossed. A ridge overlooking
several peaks. A ridge without a remembered name.
A spot on the map. I've been there more than once.

 


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Wednesday, January 28, 2009 7:28:14 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [108] 
# Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompt: 033
Posted by Robert

Like many people, I tried to catch as much of the United States presidential inauguration yesterday as possible. From watching commentary on Mrs. Obama's dresses to hearing Elizabeth Alexander's inauguration poem, I found the whole event interesting and hopeful (if only for a day).

Anyway, today's prompt is inspired by the coverage CNN provided of the event. While watching the commentators comment, I heard an interesting line from Alex Castellanos: "Nothing unites the people of Earth like a threat from Mars." For today's prompt, I want you to use this line as inspiration for your poem.

You don't have to write about Martians attacking Earth, though that may be fun. In fact, you don't even have to mention either planet. You can focus on the idea of people uniting, or you can write about facing a threat--alien or terrestrial. The nice thing about using quotes as a platform is that you can jump off in any direction that makes sense for you.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"X-ray glasses and hearing aides"

We spent our mornings searching
for odd jobs and loose change,
money to buy comics. We would
read them to know whether Joker
really bested Batman, to know if
The Flash really died this time. But
we also read comics for the ads,
like people watching the Super Bowl
for the commercials. X-ray glasses
and whoopie cushions. Gags and
business opportunities. Our parents
would tell us to quit wasting time
and energy on reading about
people in tights and capes, to quit
bugging them about spending
their hard-earned money on offers
found between their covers. But
we could never see their points
or hear where they came from.

 


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Wednesday, January 21, 2009 7:26:49 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [95] 
# Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 032
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem that somehow incorporates signs, whether in an abstract sense or actual signage in buildings or along roads or wherever. (Here's an example of a poem I wrote last Valentine's Day that incorporated many signs.)

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Signs like them ain't no friends of mine"

When three birds of two different colors congregate
on your front porch, your day will turn out exactly
opposite of how you expect. A dead squirrel
indicates someone close to you dreams of dairy
products, which means, of course, something bad
is in the air--like smog or men's cologne from
the dollar store. One lone owl perched in a tree
at night is harmless, but four owls hooting upon four
STOP signs at one intersection under the full moon
as a frog croaks Iron Butterfly's "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"
never leads to a happy night's sleep. Seriously.
When a man removes his hat and reaches for a gun
concealed in his long coat, don't wait to see
if your prediction is right--just run, run, run!

 


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Wednesday, January 14, 2009 3:17:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [81] 
# Friday, January 09, 2009
Poetry Exercise: Using Random Lines
Posted by Robert

If you want something fun to try this weekend, here's a poetry exercise that I often employ myself in creating drafts of poems.

First, write a line or two. Don't worry about writing any further than that. The line can be a random thought that pops into your head, or something interesting that you hear someone say. Remember: Don't worry about any larger meaning when writing this line, and don't spend more than a few minutes--at the most--completing this task.

Then, in a hour or so, write another line or two without taking into consideration the earlier line you wrote. Again, don't worry about any larger meaning. Just write the line and move on with your daily routine.

Repeat this process every hour or so throughout the day or over a few days.

Then, collect all the random lines and try to make a poem out of them.

The beauty of this exercise is that it forces you to get creative with connections and juxtapositions of ideas and images. While this exercise may or may not produce a poem you like, it helps exercise your poetic muscles in a way that you can use this same technique to help with poem revisions later on down the road.

Since I like to provide examples, here are random lines I've produced over the past week:

* Don't even change your face.
* You'll never take me alive.
* What's between here and there.
* I still write love poems.
* Plane tickets and video games.
* Here she comes again.
* I'll take you wherever I want.
* Not everybody is a good guy.

Here's my attempt with these lines:

"What's between"

Not everybody is a good guy,
and I still write love poems. Here she
comes again, saying, "Don't even change
your face. You'll never take me alive."
Plane tickets and video games
in her purse, she tries being sincere,
but we're the only ones here who care
about what's between here and there.
I grab her wrist and tell her,
"I'll take you wherever I want."

*****

As you can see, I took several lines that were unrelated and made something out of them. It's definitely a first draft, but I think it's a good example of how you can employ this technique. None of the random lines were written with this poem in mind. In fact, half the lines were things I overheard others say that I found interesting.

Anyway, here's my little poetry exercise for the weekend.

  


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Friday, January 09, 2009 2:24:15 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [22] 
# Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 031
Posted by Robert

Well, after taking last week off, here we are again ready to write poems, right? I hope that you've been able to hit the ground running in 2009 by writing, revising, and maybe even submitting your poems. I've been able to do some writing and revising so far, but I need to submit some poems somewhere today to be able to keep that 2009 resolution alive.

Anyway, now that we're in a new year, I think it makes sense to make this week's prompt to write a poem that deals with something new. You can decide what that new thing is. You could write about the new year, a new item (many people just received gifts during the holidays last month), a new relationship, or even the lack of anything new.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Will"

She drove through the mountains
at night and in a fog to find me
waiting for her. It was still early
in spring. She was a little scared,
but she came. Then, we wandered
around, found ourselves in church
beside a receding lake. She drove
through the mountains, because
she believed in something new.

 


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Wednesday, January 07, 2009 2:18:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [71] 
# Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 030
Posted by Robert

I did not forget today was Wednesday. Things have just been a bit busy. Now I need to get to sleep here soon before Santa shows up with his sleigh, but let's do our Wednesday prompt first. Baby Will is laying across my lap and looking around--probably wondering what all the clicking-clacking noises of my keyboard are. In the living room, I can hear A Christmas Story streaming in across TBS. They just covered the part where Ralphie decodes the message: Be sure to drink your Ovaltine.

That sparked my idea for this week's prompt. I want you to write an acrostic poem. An acrostic takes the first letter of each line and spells out a message (or word); or it takes the last letter of each line and spells out a message (or word); or a double acrostic takes both the first and last letters of each line. Anyway, I was thinking of Ralphie with his secret message and thought maybe we could write secret messages of our own.

Here's my attempt:

"For Real"

Some people don't believe,
and some people do.
Not that it matters to me,
though not believing seems
appropriate for those
clowns who think angels
lash out against demons

and punish everyone
under heaven who isn't
saved today. Forgiveness
is a limited time offer for
some people. But Santa
Claus still rides his sleigh
over the cornfields and

mountains, over the tropical
islands and the frigid
nations. Santa Claus is
going to do what he can
to make good children happy,
or give coal to the bad.
The last thing a person

offers should be their hard
won good behavior. They
never think anything exists.

 


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Thursday, December 25, 2008 4:33:24 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [83] 
# Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 029
Posted by Robert

Sorry for the silence on the blog recently (and the late post time today). As many of you know, I've had a pretty full plate for a while--and now is when a lot of due dates are hitting. For instance, I'm supposed to give my official and final sign off on our big Market Books database on the 19th, which is also the same day my son William James will be born, and on the 21st, we're relaunching WritersMarket.com! It's exciting times, but these times are also pretty time consuming (oh yeah, and there's them pesky holidays going on now, too).

But really, I'm sure many people are feeling a bit of a time pinch this time of the year. For this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem that involves time. You can write about how you don't have any time, or you can write about how you have all the time in the world. You could even write a time travel piece, something about watches (or clocks), etc. Whatever your slant, just be sure to give yourself enough time to write.

Here's my attempt for the day (just in time--o, how the bad jokes roll out):

"The curse of being an editor"

There's never any downtime. For instance,
when I read restaurant menus, I find
every misspelled word and want to break
out my red pen. Or I read a certain
word, such as "tires," and I start compiling
other combinations (rites, tries, and tiers).

When I read conservation, I think of
conversation. Reese says work is over
and that I shouldn't work eight hours a day.

"You should work six hours," he says. Then, he points
to a construction crane and tells me how
it's not a bird crane. These are the games played
by a stepfather and stepson: "Is that
yellow jacket on your yellow jacket?"

We cast lots for lost cats; whether we are
united or untied, we kill our time.

 


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Wednesday, December 17, 2008 5:00:21 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [74] 
# Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 028
Posted by Robert

Recently, I was looking up poems that had to do with gardening and thought, Hey, why not make that a prompt for the Poetic Asides group? So, that's our prompt for this week: I want you to write a poem that is somehow connected to gardening, whether we're talking a flower garden, a veggie garden, or a garden consisting entirely of rhubarb. Or focus on a single plant from within your poetic garden.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"You will have to do better than that"

She said, "You will have to do better
than that," when he brought her daisies
after the first season. He knew flowers
were what made her world go 'round,
so he learned how to grow her favorites.

She said, "I don't want these daisies."
"You don't," he asked. "Yes," she said,
"I don't." So he spent the first winter
with his nose in a book again, learning
how to grow her favorite vegetables.

After the harvest, he carried them to her
from the valley up and the winding path
to her house on the hill. She said, "You
are no closer this year than last," and
shut the door in his crestfallen face.

During that next winter, he did not know
what to do. He was stuck. So in the spring,
he walked up the winding path to her house
and knocked on the door with his gardening
tools and asked, "Would you like to join me?"

She smiled and said, "Of course, I would."

  


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Wednesday, December 10, 2008 3:59:36 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [71] 
# Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 027
Posted by Robert

Figure we'll just start up where we left off on the ol' Wednesday Poetry Prompts. If you like your poetry prompts on Wednesday, then you're visiting the right blog.

This week's prompt is to write a night poem. You must incorporate the night in some way. (Of course, those with a sense of humor are already thinking, "A knight poem?") The evening doesn't have to play a major role in the poem, but you must work it into the poem one way or another.

Here's my attempt:

"Overthrowing the fat princess"

"No one likes a fat princess."
-Collin Kelley

They came at midnight
beneath the full moon's light
with their torches burning,
their pitchforks raised
like their voices shouting,
"She weighs a ton;
her rule is done."
But there was a problem
with the villagers' complaint,
because contained in an ancient text
written in the blood of the creatures
that lurk in the night
is a passage that reads,
"Once mankind is ruled by beauty alone,
evil will ascend to the highest throne."
Which is why literacy
is as important in a monarchy
as it is in a democracy.

 


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Wednesday, December 03, 2008 4:17:36 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [44] 
# Sunday, November 30, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 30
Posted by Robert

I'm so excited about Day 30 of our November PAD Chapbook Challenge that I'm going to go ahead and post now, instead of waiting until later this morning. It's November 30th in the ATL, so here we go.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a resolution (or lack of resolution) poem. This is the poem that puts THE END on your collection. Maybe you can wrap it up with a pretty bow, or maybe it's open-ended. But today is definitely Day 30 of the challenge--and your last poem of November. Great job!

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Missing"

His body is always missing,
whether we burn him in a house
or throw him under a train;

when we check for his remains,
all that remains is a mystery--
no blood, no head, nothing

but a vacuum sucking
the edges of our rib cages,
leaving behind nothing

but fear.

 


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Sunday, November 30, 2008 5:51:48 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [77] 
# Saturday, November 29, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 29
Posted by Robert

Wow! I can't believe tomorrow is actually the last day of this challenge. Isn't that crazy?!? I haven't even really been keeping too close of an eye on the poems I've been crafting each day, so I'll be really interested in seeing what I have during December.

For today's prompt, I want you to write an outsider poem. That is, write a poem from the perspective of someone or something outside of your theme looking in. For instance, if you're writing a bunch of punk rock poems, have a country western fan look in on punk rock. If you're writing a series of vegan poems, have a big game hunter interact with veganism. You get the idea, right?

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Parents"

We always seem to be gone for the weekend
when these things happen. A man in a mask
with a sharp knife or a meathook terrorizing
the quiet town where nothing ever happens
until we leave. On our cruise, we shuffle along
the shuffleboard; we buy souvenirs when we
make port. Our lives are so perfect that coming
back sometimes leaves our minds, but we always
do, and that's when we learn what happens
when we leave: The world quickly falls apart.
Five dead, one traumatized--killer still at large.

 


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Saturday, November 29, 2008 3:57:43 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [65] 
# Friday, November 28, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 28
Posted by Robert

Okay, with 3 days left, it's time to write a top-of-the-world or celebration poem. Even if your overall collection is a downer, try to find something related to your theme to celebrate. After all, you have 2 more days to get back to your overall mood.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"He's dead"

The monster is dead,
we chopped off his head;

the vampire is gone,
sun burned him at dawn;

the mummy's kaput,
unwrapped head to foot;

the werewolf done died,
and nobody cried.

 


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Friday, November 28, 2008 4:14:03 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [71] 
# Thursday, November 27, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 27
Posted by Robert

We're almost there. Time to crack our knuckles, roll up our sleeves, loosen our ties and get to work. What am I talking about? Today (at least in the U.S.) is Thanksgiving, which means it's time to watch parades, graze the veggie trays, loosen our belts, and fall asleep--after writing your poem for today, of course. Oh yeah, it's on.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem that could be the climax of your collection. This is the take-no-prisoners poem you've been working toward all month. You get to decide how you're going to approach this poem, but keep it focused on your theme--and make it climactic.

Imagine that if people read the poem you're about to write that their faces would melt off from the brilliance of it--and that they'll all get together (at least the ones who are still alive) and sing praises to your poetic brilliance. No pressure.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Witching Hour"

She hears him breathing,
but she can't see anything--
just darkness. Her skin shivers
beneath the autumn breeze,
no moon. She hears him
breathing and moving around
as if he knows where he's headed,
and maybe he does she thinks.

She grips the knife in her hand
tighter, thinks about how she
will do it, how she will stab him,
which direction she'll run to get
away. She hears him breahing
and moving closer; she feels
as if she reached out that
she could touch or cut him.

She hears him breathing before
she hears him leaving.

 


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Thursday, November 27, 2008 2:37:56 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [56] 
# Wednesday, November 26, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 26
Posted by Robert

Okay, after today's poem, there are only four days left for the November challenge. We're sooooo close. And, yes, for those of us living in the States, there's that little turkey-themed holiday tomorrow and the biggest shopping-sale day of the year follows directly on its heels. I guess that's why this is called a challenge, huh? My recommendation for tomorrow: Write the poem first, then dig into the turkey (and take that Thanksgiving Day nap).

For today's poem, I want you to write a call-to-action piece that is related to your theme. Your call-to-action can be stated directly in the poem, or a more powerful way to attack this poem is to do it indirectly. Think of how The Jungle led to the establishment of the FDA and Bambi led to an interest in animal rights.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Mommy, Daddy"

I heard a shuffling sound in the closet
things getting knocked around
and I can't get to sleep
unless you check it out
or let me sleep with you
and don't you tell me that it has to do
with all them monster movies
you let me watch
because them monster movies are not
about things hiding in an 8-year-old's closet
are they?

 


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# Tuesday, November 25, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 25
Posted by Robert

I've noticed that a person or two has asked what I've got planned for after November. And here's what I'm thinking: After November is over, y'all can have December to revise and organize and select poems for your chapbooks. If needed, you can even add a new poem to fill a hole or two. Then, I want you to submit your 10-20 page manuscript (only one poem per page) by January 5, 2009. Tammy and I will go through the entries and choose the first official November PAD Chapbook Challenge champion! I'm not sure what being the champion will mean, yet, besides bragging rights, but I bet I'll come up with something between now and then (the winner will be announced on February 2--Groundhog Day).

Stay tuned for more specific submission details in the beginning of December.

So, anyway, that's the post-November plans for this challenge. On to today's prompt.

*****

Today, I want you to write a something-overlooked poem. Think about something that is often overlooked--as it relates to your theme--and then shine some light on it.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Nessie"

Maybe because I'm from Scotland
and hang in Loch Ness. Maybe because
I don't breathe fire as I smash up Tokyo
or beat my chest on top of the Empire
State Building in Manhattan. Maybe
because I'm camera shy, sure. But then,
Bigfoot is, too. Of course, he's got more
fur--so he's cuter and cuddlier, of course.
Anyway, I'm not complaining, but maybe,
just maybe, I've been playing hard to get.

 


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Tuesday, November 25, 2008 3:10:45 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [71] 
# Monday, November 24, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 24
Posted by Robert

Today starts our final week of this challenge. So, appropriately, I want you to write a hopeless or blues poem. We’re almost there, which is reason to celebrate, as well as reason to get the blues.

 

Here’s my attempt for the day:

 

Tokyo insurance blues”

 

Got a brand new home

stepped on by Godzilla
only to find that my home
insurance policy only covers
damage caused by Mothra

and Gigan. Also, my new car
was crushed by Godzilla’s tail,

which is covered, but only

on Thursdays, and it goes

without saying, that the damage

was done on a Wednesday

when I was working from

home. Of course, the office

building wasn’t touched,

so much for telecommuting.


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Monday, November 24, 2008 2:07:44 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [81] 
# Sunday, November 23, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 23
Posted by Robert

Today’s prompt is to write a poem that I’m calling the “Been Everywhere” poem. If you’re doing locations, it would be a poem that gives a shout out to all the places you’ve been. This can be made metaphorical, though.

 

For instance, if you’re writing poems about cancer, you could write a poem about cancer cells that have traveled through different parts of the body. If you’re writing cooking poems, you could write from the perspective of a cook who talks about all the meals he or she has cooked. Definitely keep doing what you’ve been doing and get creative with it and bend the rules to your theme.

 

Here’s my attempt for the day:

 

“Pub”

 

Around midnight, he entered the little pub and set down a bag of wood stakes
before ordering a shot of whiskey. Three other men were still hanging around,
and they all shot nervous glances in the stranger’s direction. Everyone in town
had heard the stories, had heard the screams and howls in the night. Everyone
knew and talked about it, but they talked about it in the same way they talked
of the afterlife—something everyone believes in and fears but impossible to
imagine. Yet, he entered the pub with wood stakes. So one of the men asked,
“Are you a hunter?” “I am.” And the pub again filled with a fog of silence
before the second man asked, “Have you ever killed a vampire?” “I have.”
Then, the third man asked, “Where?” The stranger took a drink of whiskey
and looked up at all three men, who quickly looked down at their shoestrings.

“I’ve killed werewolves in Istanbul, zombies in Pittsburgh, and witches
in Vancouver. I’ve hunted vampires in Louisiana, warlocks in Greenland,

and ghosts in Taiwan. There is little I have hunted; there is little I haven’t

killed. And that includes people who ask too many questions about what I do
and how I do it.” Then, the stranger downed the rest of his drink,

placed some money on the counter, and walked outside and into the night.


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Sunday, November 23, 2008 1:51:36 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [78] 
# Saturday, November 22, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 22
Posted by Robert

For a collection (whether poetry, music, or whatever), I really like it when the individual pieces communicate with each other. So, for today’s poem, I want you to pick one of your earlier poems from this month and write a poem that is a response to that earlier poem.

 

To make it very immediate, you could write a response to yesterday’s confessional poem. Or you could reach back to Day 17’s Love Poem, Day 7’s Myth Poem, etc. I’m sure those reading along would love it if you include to which day’s poem you are responding, too.

 

For my part, I think I’ll respond to my Day 20 poem, which is also the longer version of Day 3’s refrain poem. Talk about some interconnectedness.

 

Here’s my attempt for the day:

 

“I am the woman standing inside my house”

 

wondering if you are watching me through my open windows;

I left all my doors unlocked and tried watching television;

my fingers play with the remote, and I listen intently;

when you make a noise, I will investigate;

if the lights are off, I will not turn them on;

I will not hesitate to walk into the darkness,

so that I can’t see who or what is coming my way.


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Saturday, November 22, 2008 2:12:39 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [61] 
# Friday, November 21, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 21
Posted by Robert

Three weeks! I can't believe how fast this month is moving. Wow!

Today, I want you to write a confessional poem. And then, get to enjoying your weekend.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Kong in the Congo"

And that's why I never climb trees anymore.

I mean, after you fake your death once, you realize
you may not get too many more chances to stay
anonymous. But I gotta tell you, that fall from
the Empire State Building was murder--and a few
of those pilots grazed me on purpose, I'm sure of it.

Yeah, I didn't get the girl in the end, but women
will only kill you if you keep 'em around too long,
and that's the honest to goodness truth. Besides,
she was always screaming and crying and being
a bad sport. She never actually cared 'til I was "dead."

And believe me, Kong will dead; I really will.


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# Thursday, November 20, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 20
Posted by Robert

So today is when we try to complete an experiment in poetry collection writing. On Day 3, I asked you to write a refrain poem that would be a shorter version of the poem you would write on Day 20. Well, it's Day 20, so let's see if this works.

Of course, it has occured during this month that it would probably make more sense to write the longer poem first and then cut the refrain out of that, instead of building upon the refrain to make the longer one. Yeah, that's what would make more sense, but I guess that's why we experiment, right?

Anyway, here's a link to Day 3, so that you can easily find your effort from that day and see how I went about doing this. Feel free to take it in a completely different direction than I have.

http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides/November+PAD+Chapbook+Challenge+Day+3.aspx

Okay, here's my attempt for the day:

"I am the man standing outside your house"

who knows that you leave the door unlocked
every night with your curtains open to the naked night
hidden from the reflections of the lights. How you've grown
accustomed to having your power turned on at all times! I am the man
standing outside your house who knows you only have a landline, who knows
you always investigate the noises that come from the blackness, a slight
quiver in your voice asking, "Hello?" I am the man standing outside
your house who knows how to shut your power off, cut your line,
and turn the unlocked knob on your front door. I will not answer
when you call out, when you say, "This isn't funny." I know
that this is not. Still, I will come for you,
and when you scream out, no one
will come to your rescue,
because I am the man standing
outside your house who knows the others
will only hide. This is between me and you, and you
have no idea how long I've been standing outside your house,
how long I've been looking inside.

 


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# Wednesday, November 19, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 19
Posted by Robert

A week ago, I had you write a poem focused on a tiny detail. Today, I want you to write a poem that shows the big picture. You can still get very specific, but I want you to try incorporating a big picture concept related to your theme. For instance, if you're writing war poems, you could write a poem focused on the leader of one of the armies and through his specific concerns cover the full scope of what's happening.

So, for today, back up and soak in the big picture.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"house"

He runs outside--barefoot--to grab the morning paper,
cursing the cold weather. When he gets inside, he grabs
his coffee and reads the headline: Godzilla Attacks Tokyo!

Again, he thinks before flipping to the East Europe section,
filled with stories on zombie uprisings, witch hunts, and
werewolf sightings. A vampire is suspected in Romania,
though there are no confirmed biting deaths on record.

He puts the paper down and eats his bacon-egg breakfast,
thinks about trying to leave the house, knowing he can't.

So much going on in the world, he thinks, and I'm part
of it, but still... It's the waiting that kills him, waiting
for someone to venture into his neck of the woods,
stumble upon his deserted house, have curiosity tempt
that person inside, when he can finally have his fun, too.

 


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# Tuesday, November 18, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 18
Posted by Robert

So after today's poem, we'll be three-fifths of the way through this November challenge. That's pretty impressive. And, as has been noted by several of you, it's not just the quantity of writing that's been amazing about November; it's also the quality. Oh yeah!

For today's prompt, I want you to write a point-of-view poem. Write from the perspective from someone or something obvious (or not so obvious) related to your theme. If you're writing a series of accounting poems, then today is the day you can write a poem from the perspective of your spreadsheet. If you're writing a bunch of baker poems, time to share the voice of your dough (or even your apron). If you're writing a series of poems from the perspective of an accountant for a bakery, then, well, I guess you have some options.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Silver Bullet"

I'm the only sure way to kill a werewolf,
the only way to make sure a werewolf stays dead.

If you blow them up,
their body pieces will find a way back to each other.

Regular bullets just slow them down,
and wooden stakes only kill vampires.

Cages can confine,
but only I kill.

After all, guns don't kill werewolves,
I do.

 


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Tuesday, November 18, 2008 1:33:31 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [80] 
# Monday, November 17, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 17
Posted by Robert

Wow! Are we really 17 days into this challenge? It just doesn't seem possible that time would be moving so fast, but I guess it's been so much fun that the time has been flying. Again, wow.

Today's prompt is to write a love poem. This may or may not gel with some poets' themes, though I'm sure if you bend the rules enough, anything is possible. Your poem can be pro-love, anti-love, confused-love, love-it-or-leave-it, etc. Your poem, your rules.

(Btw, I think it's so appropriate that today just happens to be the love poem prompt, because I totally love my awesome wife, who posted my prompts for me the past two days while I was without Internet access, not to mention setting my fantasy football lineup as well. So, Tammy, you da bomb!)

Here's my monster-themed attempt for the day:

"M.M. loves L.S."

She stops by my house,
so I follow her to school,
watch her walk around town,
but when we're alone,
I freeze up,
can't talk,
only stare,
which usually freaks her out,
of course,
and then,
at night,
I get so confused,
so,
of course,
I kill her friends,
to help set the mood,
but she's not into that,
apparently,
and she stabs me in the face,
so I play dead,
then,
I come back,
get shot out of a window,
and disappear,
hope for a sequel.

 


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Monday, November 17, 2008 1:42:48 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [81] 
# Sunday, November 16, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 16
Posted by Robert

Every once in a while, I like to offer these title prompts where you fill in the blanks on a title. For instance, I want you to write a poem today with a title that is: “If It (blank), It (blank)”

So an example title might be: “If It (Hangs From the Ceiling), It (Smells Like Flowers)”

And to give you some flexibility, I’ll even let you replace the “It” words with a specific noun. So, to take my earlier example, the title could be: “If a Basket Hangs From the Ceiling, It Smells Like Flowers”

Here’s my attempt for the day:

“If the door goes unlocked, it could easily open”

she forgets to lock the front door
frequently
but doesn’t stress the details

not like anyone is waiting outside
wanting to get in

right

she forgets to lock the back door
the bathroom door
closes her eyes when she rinses her hair
so that she doesn’t know
when someone is there


 


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Sunday, November 16, 2008 3:32:24 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [60] 
# Saturday, November 15, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 15
Posted by Robert

Did you sleep well last night? That’s too bad, because I want you to write a nightmare poem today. You could write an actual nightmare, or present a nightmare scenario related to your theme.

Here’s my attempt for the day:

“The closet”

He wakes up screaming, “Mommy, mommy!
They’re coming for me again. The aliens
were scratching at my closet door. I could
hear them. I could hear them scratching.”


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# Friday, November 14, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 14
Posted by Robert

Good morning! I'm hitting the road this morning, so the prompt is super early.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a warning poem. Offer some kind of caution or warning related to your theme. Like, maybe, watch out for bad traffic. (Did I mention my trip starts off with driving through Atlanta? O, geez!)

Here is my attempt for the day:

"Monster Alert System"

Warning! There is a giant gorilla
beating its chest and terrorizing
the southside of Manhattan.

Please use extreme caution when
in the vicinity of this giant beast.

Do not stand in its path or try
to distract its attention. It is
believed the monster will just
seek out the blond who traveled
over with the beast, and that
once she is found, the gorilla
will head for a skyscraper, where
we will have people in airplanes
shoot him down. In the process,
the blond will fall for her captor.

 


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Friday, November 14, 2008 12:22:57 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [70] 
# Thursday, November 13, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 13
Posted by Robert

Wow! As many of you have noted, I've been super pleased with the quality of the poems written so far. Y'all're swinging for the fences with your efforts this month. Very, very cool!

For today's prompt, I want you to write a "By the Numbers" poem. That is, I want you to write a poem that somehow incorporates numbers. Sure, this might've made more sense on 11/11 when a few of us got talking about math and numbers and such--but, hey, who says poetry has to make sense? (Or numbers for that matter?)

Make numbers a large part of the poem or small part, but make sure they get factored in somehow. With this group, I'm sure some really cool stuff will emerge.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Japan"

There are four oceans,
seven continents,
and hundreds of islands on this planet,
but I always return to you with my atomic breath,
my swinging tail lined with plates.

For just as there is only one Godzilla,
there is also only one Japan.

 


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Thursday, November 13, 2008 3:16:43 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [73] 
# Wednesday, November 12, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 12
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem that focuses on or discusses a tiny detail. It could be a tiny detail that is often overlooked, and you'd like to call attention to it. The detail could be one that if overlooked can cause good or bad things to happen.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Shirts"

Not all werewolves wear shirts,
and those that do don't always rip them,
though sometimes they do.

And the same goes for their pants,
with some wearing 'em and others not.

Of course, it's a minor detail, but that's why
I always kind of preferred the Wolf Man,
because he had a nice buttoned-up shirt
tucked into his pants. A gentle, though feral,
man who had a penchant for strangulation.

As the full moon peaks from behind dark clouds,
the gentleman grows hair, claws and sharp teeth--
his clenched fists open and search for a victim.

 


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Wednesday, November 12, 2008 5:13:25 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [71] 
# Tuesday, November 11, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 11
Posted by Robert

Today is 11/11. What a mathematical day! (As some of you know, Tammy and I were married on 08/08/08 at 8:08--so I don't take numbers for granted.)

I also don't take these prompts for granted. For instance, today's prompt is to write a deep thought or observational poem related to your theme. The poem can be long and persuasive--or short and profound. Think about your theme. And then, think about your theme some more. And some more--until you find some deep thought or make an observation that others may or may not have considered.

"Where did all the monsters go?"

In the movies, the monsters, whether King Kong or
the Phantom, always chase after the pretty girls,
which makes me wonder if loneliness is really
so strong as to turn both man and beast against the
happiness and beauty of this world forever.

 


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Tuesday, November 11, 2008 4:32:23 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [72] 
# Monday, November 10, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 10
Posted by Robert

Hooray! Once you finish your poem today, you will be one-third of the way to completion. Isn't that awesome? And isn't this month speeding by so fast? Possibly even, too fast?

Well, it's not over yet. Today, I want you to write a "survival of the fittest" poem. Try to come up with a poem relating to your theme that plays around with the idea of the survival of the fittest. If you think about it long enough, you may be surprised with what you discover.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Michael"

You can be good in school,
but I'll still follow you home;

you can lock your doors,
but I'll still force my way inside;

you can hide in your closet,
but I'll still find you right away;

you can stab me in the face,
but I'll still rise up again;

you can shoot me out a window,
but you can never find my body;

you can go to sleep at night,
but you can't forget my name,

or my William Shatner mask.

 


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Monday, November 10, 2008 3:37:19 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [82] 
# Sunday, November 09, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 9
Posted by Robert

My stepson's fifth birthday extravaganza soldiers on today, which means my time is limited for the intro to the prompt. By 2pm, I need to have a cake baked, a meatloaf loafed, and chili simmered. I think I can do it.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a dream poem--or dream-like poem. This may or may not work with certain themes, so remember: You don't have to follow every prompt if it doesn't jive with your theme. In the meantime, I think I just heard the stove beep that it's at 350 degrees. Gotta run.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"He comes"

He comes when the night is silent;
he comes as a wisp of fog;
he comes as a giant bat;
he comes when no one else is near;
he comes to my side;
he comes with his beautiful teeth;
he comes with his ancient eyes;
he comes to take me as his bride.

 


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Sunday, November 09, 2008 2:52:31 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [95] 
# Saturday, November 08, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 8
Posted by Robert

Good morning! I've been hanging out with my stepson all morning (he just turned five yesterday!), and he's being kind enough to let me throw up a prompt real quick while he sings the Transformers theme song (guess what he got for his birthday last night?). Soooooo, I'm going to make this one pretty quick and easy.

Know how we had a prompt yesterday for a myth poem? Today, I'd like you to write a fact poem. Research a fact (or facts) about your theme and create a poem. Or make up a fact. Or spin a myth into a fact. Or, well, you get the idea.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Werewolves"

--"London calling to the zombies of death..." -The Clash

We do exist,
though only from full moon to full moon,
our howls shaking the night
into fantastic madness.

We do exist,
though we spread from village to village,
only to be killed by villagers
and swept under a rug of superstition.

We do exist,
though we spread from person to person,
our howls haunting the night
as people hide in fear.

 


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Saturday, November 08, 2008 3:51:05 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [84] 
# Friday, November 07, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 7
Posted by Robert

Once you finish today's prompt, you'll officially be a week in to the challenge. Woo-hoo! Yay! Fantastique!

Okay, so today's prompt is to write a myth poem. Investigate a well-known myth associated with your theme. Or make up a brand new myth. Be literal, or get surreal. Whatever you do, finish today's prompt and do a one-week celebration dance!

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Nothing works"

Silver bullets don't kill werewolves;
Frankenstein's Monster fears no fire;
witches never cackle over
bubbling cauldrons; and The Mummy
is not under an ancient curse.

Sunlight, wood stakes, holy water,
garlic and crosses--they can't slow
the fast approaching Dracula.

Because not one of them exist.

 


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Friday, November 07, 2008 2:15:37 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [85] 
# Thursday, November 06, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 6
Posted by Robert

Good morning, y'all. Saw there was some back and forth yesterday about focusing on a whole chapbook for the month. I understand how looking at a huge project can get very intimidating, which is why I suggest just taking things one poem at a time. My feeling with the PAD Challenge (whether in April or November) is that it should be about inspiration and fun.

*****

Now for the inspiration and fun!

Today's prompt is to write a praise poem. Celebrate or praise something related to your theme (or if you're themeless, pick something random to praise). I would love to praise all the PAD Challenge participants, but as you know, my theme is monsters (and I'm pretty sure there are no zombies or warlocks participating this month).

So, here's my attempt for the day:

"The Sun"

No werewolves without the full moon,
no vampires while you shine,
thank you for shedding light on the darkness
and always returning each morning.

 


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Thursday, November 06, 2008 1:42:37 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [90] 
# Wednesday, November 05, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 5
Posted by Robert

As requested, I'm getting today's prompt out a little earlier in the morning than usual. Hopefully, everyone didn't stay up too late watching the election coverage last night (if you were watching the election coverage, that is). I know I'm still a little sleepy-eyed (though that may have more to do with these spreadsheets I've been working on for WritersMarket.com).

Today, I'd like you to write a poem that sets a scene. In other words, one that pays attention to the details of the scenery and uses those details to heighten the effect and meaning of the poem. For instance, if you were to write a poem about the election results last night, don't drown it in abstractions and ideas. Instead, focus on the setting of a rally and let the details describe whether the particular candidate won or lost.

Personally, though, my attempt for the day is going to continue on with my monsters theme: 

"Autumn Poem"

He loves the way leaves fall from trees
and collect on the ground. He loves
raking them into little mounds
next to the street. And as more leaves
fall, his mounds grow ever larger
until they're the right size for him
to climb inside and wait for kids
biking along the gutter to
venture close enough to jump up
and scare. The reason why no kids
trick-or-treat his end of the street.


 


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Wednesday, November 05, 2008 2:38:02 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [95] 
# Tuesday, November 04, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 4
Posted by Robert

I've heard the pleas from the Poetic Asides commonwealth asking that I post the November PAD prompts earlier in the day. I've been on Main Street and seen Joe Poet and Jane Poet working to put food on the table and still write a poem-a-day. I've visited schools, hospitals, and random fast-food restaurants and hear the same stories of "earlier prompts" in every large city and small town. From the corporate CEO to the amateur hockey mom, all poets seem to want the prompts earlier in the day.

And I agree, which is why I will make an attempt to post earlier in the day for the rest of the month. The beginning of this month was a little rough because of a database project related to WritersMarket.com, but that's no excuse for getting the prompts out later in the day. So be prepared for earlier prompts. Be very prepared.

I am Robert Lee Brewer, and I endorse this message.

*****

Whew! I am sooooooo glad the political ads will come to a halt today. At least for a little while anyway (since the political season is now almost a year-round phenomenon). As many of you know (even if you're living outside the U.S.), today is election day in the United States of America. Hooray for voting and having a voice! (Even if I do usually back the losing candidate.)

For today's prompt, I want you to write a "soap box" poem on your theme. If your theme is food, have an asparagus campaign for less discrimination against veggies. If your subject is parenting, maybe make a case for having one hour or less of TV each night in favor of playing board games or doing a family activity. Regardless of your theme, today is the day you can pull out that soap box, dust it off, stand on it, and take a stance on an issue (or several issues--heck, this could turn into someone's theme).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Monster Rights"

-speech delivered by The Mummy

You all know me; I've been around for centuries
just hanging out in my tomb. Some people come and
wake me up, and then they get mad at me when I'm
a little grumpy. I mean, have you ever been
woken after a very long sleep? You're grumpy,
simple as that. Just ask my friend Godzilla, who
has had more than his fair share of interruptions
to long sleeps. And that's exactly what I'm trying
to get at. We are not the problem; people are.

Dracula, you need blood to stay alive, correct?
But when, my friend, have people stopped to consider
your needs as a living, breathing, undead creature?
Never! They just try killing you like a common
mosquito, walking around with their wooden stakes,
mirrors, crosses, holy water, and attitudes.

Frankenstein's Monster, did you ask to be created?
And who, may I ask, created you? A man! Only
to be hunted and chased around the countryside
by men, even though you, too, were once one of them.

From werewolves to witches, I've seen the appalling way
mankind has treated those of us who just happen
to be a little, um, different. Some of us,
like the vampires, have special needs, sure; and a few
of us, like the homicidal killers (a la
Freddy K. and the Phantom of the Opera),
indulge, perhaps, a little too much in our arts,
but I say, the time for monster oppression has
passed. The time for monster equality is now!

 


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Tuesday, November 04, 2008 8:57:51 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [70] 
# Monday, November 03, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 3
Posted by Robert

Okay, this prompt may be a little out there, but it's inspired by a few albums I've listened to (and loved) over the years. They'll have kind of a foreshadowing or refrain piece that shares a snippet of a song to come later on the album. And I want you to write a foreshadowing piece for a poem that you will fully compose later this month (Day 20, to be precise).

This piece should be short, sweet, and hint at some bigger picture that ties into your theme and the poem that you'll be writing on Day 20. You should think of it almost as a puzzle piece that doesn't become 100% clear until the accompanying poem is read later on in the collection.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"I am the man"

Leave the door unlocked,
curtains open, and power on.

Only have a landline;
investigate that noise.

When you scream out...


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Monday, November 03, 2008 7:11:33 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [87] 
# Sunday, November 02, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 2
Posted by Robert

Okay, we've made it through the first day. We've got our first poems and our themes established. Now, let's get to the second prompt, which is to write a declaration poem: that is, a poem that makes a statement about your theme. A good way to attack this poem may be to write it in the voice of an imagined person or a real person who is not yourself.

For instance, if your theme is food poems, you could write a poem in the voice of Rachel Ray, who makes a declaration about the importance of food. Or if your theme is dysfunctional families, write a poem in the voice of Jerry Springer or Dr. Phil. Or, well, you get the idea.

(And remember, if you're not feeling a particular prompt, don't be afraid to steer yourself in a different direction. After all, our main goal is to have 30 poems at the end of the month.)

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Abraham Van Helsing"

Let me tell you of monsters:
Monsters is monsters, and they
will always be monsters. And
people is people, and they
can be monsters, sometimes as
terrifying as vampyres,
but people have a conscience.
People, when they are monsters,
can feel regret. Not so with
Dracula, not with a cold-
blooded vampyre. He will suck
his victim's blood, and even
turn his victim into a
soulless bloodsucker like him-
self. Monsters is monsters, and
they will always be. People
can be monsters, but they are
always people; they always
have room to learn from mistakes.

 


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Sunday, November 02, 2008 7:57:53 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [86] 
# Saturday, November 01, 2008
November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 1
Posted by Robert

Good morning. Here we are. Another PAD challenge. Feels like it was just a few weeks ago we were doing one, but I guess it hasn't been since April. This time around I'm going to be throwing out a prompt (and my attempt at a poem) each day, but we're going to do it with a focus on having a chapbook's worth of poems at the end of the month.

So, with that said, I'm going to give a little more room than normal on following the prompts--and the prompts themselves may at times feel a little spacious. This is to give you the ability to write a collection of poems around a particular theme, which means, yes, I want you to give a little thought to the theme you'd like to explore through the month of November. For instance, your theme could be political poems, poems about motherhood, nature poems, food poems, animal poems, poems about your life, poems about a particular medical condition, poems about whatever, etc.

You probably don't want to make your theme too specific, but having some sort of focus will be helpful, I think. My theme will be to write poems having to do with monsters. I'm not sure if it will be just horror movie monsters or if I'll mix in real life monsters as well, but that's the theme I'm choosing for myself.

So before moving on, think a little about what theme you'd like to write about. You can include it with your poem today--or leave it a mystery for other writers to guess at. Totally your call. Here, I'll wait while you think of a theme.

*****

Okay, you've got your theme (even if that theme is just to write a bunch of disjointed poems). At the end of the month, I may be asking you to collect your poems together from this challenge and send me your chapbooks so that I can try to pick a Best Chapbook Award. If I do this, the winner probably won't be announced until Groundhog Day. But I'll give more information on this idea as the month unfolds.

Let's get into today's prompt. For today's prompt, I want you to look at your theme and write a "hook" poem. This is a poem intended to hook your reader on your theme. Think about the beginning of poems like "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" and "Howl." This poem gets right into the meat of your theme, and pulls the reader along. Think of a dramatic situation involving your theme and start there (in medias res). Totally.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"The Hook"

She screamed as she closed the door,
so that the annoyed boy could not ignore.

He walked over to her side of the car,
only to realize he'd tried going too far

earlier in their Lovers Lane evening spat
when she grew so anxious to leave that

she made him curse her under his breath--
now realizing how close he was to death.

 


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Saturday, November 01, 2008 3:19:56 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [104] 
# Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 026 (On Thursday)
Posted by Robert

As I was in the middle of typing up the Wednesday Poetry Prompt yesterday, my Internet service went down. Apparently, some construction crew cut through a cable that disabled all their operations in Georgia. Anyway, I finally got my service around 9:15 this morning. So, here is the prompt I wrote yesterday.

*****

This'll be the last of the Wednesday Poetry Prompts until December, because we'll have a PAD (poem-a-day) Challenge through the month of November. I'm excited to kick off the challenge on Saturday and hope that if you usually come here once a week for inspiration that you'll visit more frequently in November--and, of course, write some poems!

Today's prompt is to write a good-bye or farewell poem. Write about leaving for a business trip, vacation, or even a trip to the grocery. Write about where you're leaving or where you're headed. Write it in 1st person, 3rd person--or even 2nd person.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Until we meet again"

He shrugs when she asks him, Are you
coming back? She should know by now
that he won't share his plans, he thinks,

but she still persists. Will you miss
me? Will you call? Do you even
think about me at all? She balls

her fists and lays her face against
his chest until he pries her loose.
Then he kisses her and walks out

of the house without saying what
she wants to hear, but on lonely
nights, she will imagine he did.


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Thursday, October 30, 2008 1:47:49 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [44] 
# Friday, October 24, 2008
NaNoWriMo for Poets? PAD Challenge for November?
Posted by Robert

Okay, we're getting closer to November, which for some writers of fiction means it's getting closer to NaNoWriMo time. (Btw, NaNoWriMo translates into National Novel Writing Month.) There are would be novelists lining up to attempt writing 50,000 words or more during the month of November. There's even a NaNoWriMo website you can visit to check out this phenomenon at www.nanowrimo.org.

Anyway, that's all fine and good for those who write fiction. But what are the poets who don't write fiction supposed to do during November? After all, their fiction writing pals are all busy cramming 50,000 words into their laptops and hard drives.

I'm thinking it might be a neat idea to try writing a poem a day in November with the view of trying to have the makings of a chapbook heading into December. If there's enough interest, I would challenge myself and others to write a poem-a-day (as we did in April). I'll provide a prompt-a-day as well to try and help get the poetic juices flowing each day, but you can decide to follow or ignore the prompt as you see fit. After all, our main goal would be to have 30ish poems at the end of the month that you can then try turning into a chapbook submission (or heck, I guess you could self-publish, if that's the route you want to take).

I can tell you now that I won't have the time to highlight poems (as I did in April). But if there's enough interest, I will definitely work to do the prompt and poem each day. So, if you're interested in taking part in such a challenge with me, please let me know in the comments below this post.


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Friday, October 24, 2008 5:22:10 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [67] 
# Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 025
Posted by Robert

Often, poets write with an eye to timeless subjects, such as love, loss, war, death, etc. In college, I was often warned against being too timely in my writing for fear that my fiction and poetry would eventually need a thousand footnotes to explain it. I understand that point of view, but I think there's a danger in ignoring the culture and world in which you live.

So for today's prompt, I want you to pick something from our current events and write about it. You can write a poem from the perspective of Darth Vader or an ode to the Internet (maybe even an elegy for typewriters). Anyway, make it current--and, as always, have fun with it.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Jason Vorhees"

Technology will not keep you safe:
Your cell phones have dead zones,
and I will never die and stay dead
for I am as timeless as Lazarus or
the water in Crystal Lake. You can
drown me, chop off my head, bury
me deep in the ground, shoot me
into outer space on a rocket, but
I will return. As long as there are
teenagers unafraid of death, I will
return. Someday, you will learn.

 


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Wednesday, October 22, 2008 4:10:58 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [49] 
# Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 024
Posted by Robert

Recently, I've been receiving an excessive amount of spam in my e-mail inbox. It's a problem I've had to confront, and I admit it's a problem that's been driving me a bit batty. But this daily confrontation (me vs. my excessive spam) is a minor example of conflicts that go on every day in every part of the planet. Whether it's getting your boys to brush their teeth in the morning (been there) or trying to wrap your head around a mathematical problem (been there, too), confrontations and conflict make for good reading, whether you're writing poetry, fiction or nonfiction.

So for today's prompt, I want you to write a confrontation poem. The narrative voice can be 1st, 2nd or 3rd person; that's unimportant. The main thing is that you set up some kind of confrontation between one person or thing and another. You can provide a resolution, or leave the ending open-ended.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"As I wander the empty streets"

I hear an owl hoot; I see it
descend to a STOP sign. We watch
each other at the witching hour
beneath a full moon: predator
and editor. And as neither
of us dare move, I think of you.

 


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Wednesday, October 15, 2008 5:21:54 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [75] 
# Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 023
Posted by Robert

Oddly enough, it's raining outside. While that would be completely normal in my home state of Ohio, rain doesn't happen very often in Atlanta. With the wind blowing leaves off trees, clouds covering the sun, and rain covering everything else, it almost feels like October in the Buckeye State.

So for today's prompt, I'm asking y'all to write a rainy day poem. You can interpret what a "rainy day poem" means however you like--even if that means wishing for a rainy day, I suppose--or it could indicate a rainy mood even. 

Here's my attempt for the day:

"S & R"

They found you in the forest,
far from the nearest path,
hidden beneath some wet
leaves and unable to speak.

Even those with experience
never expected to find you
in the way that they did.

It was like a miracle or
an accident, this losing you
and finding you again.

 


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Wednesday, October 08, 2008 7:37:57 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [67] 
# Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 022
Posted by Robert

Today is the first day of October. We're also more than a week into my favorite season of the year--Autumn!

For today's prompt, I'd like you to try writing an Autumn Poem. That is, write a poem that evokes autumn for you. For different poets, this will mean different things.

Here's what it means for me:

"Ohio Autumns"

Homecoming queens and kings parade
through the city streets as the cross
country runners splash through the mud.

Quarterbacks play action pass their
way to the hearts of every
available cute cheerleader

without a date on Saturday
evening. The Drum Majors lead
their bands to cohesiveness so

the audience can applaud one
more successful halftime--one more
getting from here to there, and red

cards fly at the soccer games. Those
cross country runners follow white
lines to find the place to finish.

 


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Wednesday, October 01, 2008 6:53:44 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [56] 
# Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 021
Posted by Robert

On Monday, I'm going to be making the "big move" down to Atlanta to live with my wife and stepson. Luckily, F+W has been really supportive of allowing me to telecommute from my new home office. Still, it is a big move and will create a huge change in my typical routine.

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem about a big change in your routine. Everyone experiences them. For instance, big changes could be getting a job, having a child, surviving a traumatic event, first day of school, making a friend, etc. If you want, you could even write about a series of big changes that are kicked off by a small change.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Ohio"

I've always thought about you, the way you
greet people with an "O" and "o," as if
you're at first impressed and then deflated.

I know the feeling. We all do with our
buckeye necklaces and assembly line
hangovers, our empty factories where
our mothers and fathers used to march, signs
clenched in their hands, firm lines across their mouths.

If it seems that I am leaving you, please
don't think I'll use an "o" to explain you
to others. For me, you're always an "O."

 


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Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:03:08 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [61] 
# Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 020
Posted by Robert

As mentioned in an earlier post, Southwest Ohio was beat up by a wind storm that had hurricane force winds. Earlier in the weekend, I assured my sons that Ohio never experiences hurricanes (we just have twisters to contend with usually), but by Sunday evening daddy was proved wrong (once again).

Anyway, for this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem about something that would make you happy. For me, that would be getting electricity at home again (been without since early Sunday afternoon). For someone else, that may be a trip to Paris or a visit from a loved one or a teleportation machine (with the gas prices these days, it would sure come in handy).

Here's my silly attempt for the week:

"Electricity"

Without you, I'm propping a flashlight's glare
into the corner above the shower
to clean myself in almost warm water
before charging my cell phone in the car
on my way into work. I am sorry
I took you for granted. Please come back soon.

 


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Wednesday, September 17, 2008 3:55:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [41] 
# Thursday, September 11, 2008
Having Fun With Bad Poetry
Posted by Robert

Brian Klems (of Writer's Digest fame) brought the following thread to my attention from the WD.com forums: http://forum.writersdigest.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=19564&start=1

First post:
"I have this gift you see
to write very bad poetry
Try as I might
It's something I just can't fight
So I write stuff you wouldn't read to a tree"

-wondo

Starting up in July, this thread is still going strong (with more than 500 responses to date). While other random forms have entered into the chain, the thread seems to rely mostly on limericks. So if you want to play around with a group of other writers, here's your chance.

*****

Also, Amy Barlow Liberatore proposed on my Facebook page that we all try writing "bad haiku." (She mentioned that Iain Douglas Kemp was partially responsible for inspiring her.) So if you want to start writing bad haiku, feel free to post in the comments below.

 


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Thursday, September 11, 2008 8:24:01 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [31] 
# Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 019
Posted by Robert

One of my favorite prompts way back in April during the PAD Challenge was when I asked people to write a poem where they slip into the skin of someone or something else. With that prompt in mind, I think I've come up with another fun one that is somewhat similar.

For this week's prompt, I want you to first come up with a title that is: "(Blank) is (Blank)".

So, possible titles could be:

"Darth Vader is a sith lord"
"Santa Claus is real"
"Rocks are not scissors"
"Godzilla is a ballerina"

After you come up with a great "Blank is blank" title, write a poem that corresponds with that title.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Your name is astronaut"

When you were born, the fishermen
released their fish back into the sea;
the politicians quit giving speeches;
the editors set down their red pens;
the lead singers dropped their mics;
pundits squabbled no more; critics
patted each other on their backs;
parents let their children stay up
late and watch television; children
listened to their parents; hawks
stopped hunting field mice; and
everyone gave each other high-fives
and sang songs of hope for a planet
where everyone can be different
without stepping on each others' toes.


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Wednesday, September 10, 2008 3:26:47 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [86] 
# Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 018
Posted by Robert

I don't know. Maybe it's the diet I've recently put myself on. Maybe it's the approach of autumn festivals and the thought of funnel cakes and soft pretzels. Or maybe it's just the poets I've been reading. Regardless, it feels as if I've been reading a lot of poems recently dealing with food-food-food (yummy, yummy food!).

So with that kind of introduction, it should come as little surprise that this week's prompt is to write a poem that involves food in some way. You can make food the main protagonist or give food a cameo. Perhaps, you could even make food the antagonist. Hmm...

Anyway, here's my attempt for the day:

"Food Sestina"

Though I like apples, I love pears
and have always fancied peaches,
especially with cottage cheese.
In the summer, I crave bell peppers
mixed with some light pasta--
maybe a glass of apple juice,

though I'd also drink the juice
left in my bowl of sliced pears,
because what better with pasta?
Mmm... and for dessert, some hot peach
cobbler, though not like the hot peppers
at the spice shop; those require cheese

to cool the mouth. But maybe cheese
would go well with grape juice,
yes, and some jalapeno peppers--
juicy in their own way. After, a pair
of freshly picked peaches
would hit the spot. Not pasta,

or maybe yes to pasta
after all. Some ricotta cheese
on the sauce. On the side, peaches
halved and a bit of cranberry juice.
Of course, my favored pears
and some sweet, sweet peppers.

But then I start thinking, pepperoni
pizza? Hmm... the thought of pasta
sauce slapped on dough, then pare
back an abundance of melty cheese
along with some of that blue juice
drink I had as a kid--or even peach-

flavored pop. That would be peachy.
But if I want to salt and pepper
my food, I should not think such juicy
thoughts. Instead, I should forget pasta,
and focus on some breaded cheese
sticks. Then, and only then, can I spare

myself the pears and peaches.
I will be all cheesed and peppered,
ready to juice my pasta.

 


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Wednesday, September 03, 2008 3:50:09 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [68] 
# Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 017
Posted by Robert

For today's poetry prompt, let's write a poem about finding something. You can find an old award, photograph, or sense of humor. You can make it something funny, sad, or angry. In the process of finding something, I hope we all find ourselves with another poem.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Goggles"

He discovered them half-covered by a bush
as he walked his dog in the morning. They were

lined with blue and looked brand new. But
no owner in sight. No sign of why they might

end up beneath a bush. His dog immediately
tried peeing on them, but he said, "No, Kilgore,"

and picked them up. Attached to the rubbery
strap was a note that read, "The man who picks

up these goggles will today meet the woman
of his dreams." "These goggles are not meant

for me, Kilgore," he said, "I'm not meeting any
one today." But he still carried the goggles back

to his apartment and laid them on his kitchen
countertop. Then, he got to work by writing

copy for his garden gnome stock photography
business. As he waited for a mail merge to finish,

he heard a knock on his door. Thinking it may
actually be the woman of his dreams, he grabbed

the goggles and opened the door. In fell a woman
who he'd dreamed about multiple times, a woman

he had never actually met until now. She was
struggling to breathe. "I looked for you at the bush,

but you weren't there," she said. "But I had work,"
he said, "I had spreadsheets and mail merges

to complete." "I don't want your excuses," she
said, "I want you to save me." So he did what

was needed. He put on the goggles, held her
close to him, and swam them both to safety.

 


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Wednesday, August 27, 2008 2:52:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [60] 
# Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 016
Posted by Robert

Sometimes, it's healthy to have a nice long rant about something. Ranting can become painful for those around you if it's all you ever do. But taken in moderation, it's a nice way to let off your own steam--and it can also open a window for others to let off their own steam (if they've experienced a similar situation). So why not apply the rant to poetry?

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a "rant" poem. You can discuss politics, religion, global events, weather patterns, that guy who cut you off on your way into work (not speaking from experience, mind you), or whatever.

Important note: I expect everyone to act like civilized human beings in the comments below and not attack each other over what they decide to rant about. If you wish to point out a spelling error or line break suggestion, that's one thing; but please, don't attack someone's political or religious views. On this blog, we are all poets.

With that said, here is my attempt for this prompt:

"It never fails"

It never fails: Always around eleven--
in the evening, mind you--there is a new
mother ushering her young children into
the laundromat, telling them to quit whining
and running around. Never fails, always a
different mother, around eleven. Now
I'm not one to stand on a pedestal or
pick up a nice stone for casting, but come on,
where are these mothers coming from, and where are
their husbands? But we all know the contents of
that Pandora's Box, don't we? Dad done run off
and left momma with the baby and mortgage
payment. Dad done run off and wash his greasy
hands. Always around eleven, a new mom
walks in and eyes me, wonders if I'm some Prince
Charming who's good with kids--after all, I fold
my own clothes and even Dad could not do that.
But it never fails: By the time that mother
labors into the laundromat, I'm folding
my clothes and trying my best to just get out.

 


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Wednesday, August 20, 2008 4:50:58 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [91] 
# Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 015
Posted by Robert

Good morning! Did you have any crazy dreams last night? If so, you should consider turning them into a poem. Many poets keep dream journals, which they can refer to in times of writer's block. And often, a dream sequence can be a poem in and of itself.

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a dream poem. If you can't remember any recent dreams, then try making a conscious effort to do so during the next week and turn the results into a poem.

Here's my attempt for the week:

"Babies"

While at my desk, I hear a baby crying,
so I get up and look for the little guy
until I realize that the whole south side
of our office building is littered with tents
filled with babies--some crying, some sleeping--
where there should be cubicles and co-
workers, and then, I notice all my best friends
from elementary school to college crowded
around the dance floor and talking about
the availability of databases and hot
chicks without mentioning once the fact
that there are babies crying and sleeping
all over the place, but then, I realize all
of the babies are gone as well as my friends
and I'm back at my desk and on the phone
talking to George Lucas about the original
Star Wars trilogy and how he was a fool
to make a pre-quel and to digitally remaster
episodes four through six and that everyone
knows he's washed up before putting him
on hold to take a call from one of my best
friends who knows where all the babies went,
but he can't tell me the exact location until
I get him a date with Carrie Fisher, and, "besides,"
he says, "you won't be able to do anything
for all those babies when you finally find them."


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Wednesday, August 13, 2008 2:37:43 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [10] 
# Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 014
Posted by Robert

My activity on the blog may (or may not) be limited between today's and next week's prompt, because I'm getting married to poet Tammy F. Trendle this weekend. So today's prompt is obviously steered by that event.

For this week, I want you to write a poem about marriage. It can be about your marriage, someone else's marriage, or about the institution of marriage in general. It can be pro-marriage; it can be anti-marriage; it can be wishy washy on the topic of marriage.

Personal aside: Before marrying my first wife, I wrote a short story about a man standing at the altar and waiting for his beloved--all the while wondering if this were the right thing to do AND wondering if he should bolt for Mexico. The short story placed in a graduating senior competition and won me some money at the University of Cincinnati; but it was also a reflection of my own hopeful uncertainty. This time, however, there is no uncertainty--no doubts--nothing but excitement for the future.

So with that said, here's my attempt for the day:

"Between here and Georgia"

-For Tammy

We both found The Monster at the End of This Book
entertaining; we both danced with our respective

parents at our first weddings to "In My Life," by
the Beatles; there are places I remember us

first messaging, talking, and meeting; Atlanta
on a billboard whispered, "Dayton, Ohio," and

you followed your instincts, declared your intentions
upon arrival, and I've been chanting, "I do,"

unafraid of the monsters lurking near the end
of our book--still believing in happy endings.


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Wednesday, August 06, 2008 4:27:56 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [86] 
# Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 013
Posted by Robert

For this week's poetry prompt, I'm also going to discuss an interesting poetic form called the cento. A cento is a poem composed of lines from other poets' poems. It's similar to the "cut-up technique" made famous by William S. Burroughs and others. The main difference is that a cento uses only lines from other poets, whereas the cut-up technique uses lines from any and every where.

I want you to go through your favorite poems and piece together your very own cento. The lines do not need to be popular or well known--but you should know where and who you're drawing from. The method that helped me was to find the lines and write them down first before trying to make something out of them. Later on, you can try this exercise on your own poems, especially ones where you might like a line or two but feel disappointed in the whole (I know I've written many that fit this description).

Anyway, here's my effort for the week:

"And we let the fish go"

A bestiary catalogs these hips are
big hips: My mother is a fish.

In Goya's greatest scenes we seem to see
the best minds of our generation destroyed by madness,
starving hysterical naked, because we could not stop
for Death, beside the white chickens.

I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
"I am not a painter; I am a poet;
and I eat men like air." I have gone
out, a possessed witch, even as I speak,
for lack of love alone--sweet to tongue
and sound to eye--and that has made
all the difference. They tell me you

are wicked and I believe them, for I
have seen your painted women under the gas
lamps luring the farm boys. We wear the mask
that grins and lies, "The blind always come
as such a surprise." Let us go then,

you and I: We real cool. We rage,
rage against the dying of the light.

*****

(As you can see, many great lines were referenced and turned into a new whole, fighting for a new meaning. Btw, 21 poets--including the title--were referenced: I wonder who can figure out the most.)


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Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:27:47 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [60] 
# Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 012
Posted by Robert

Poetry is a form of communication--communication between the poet and the reader. But can poetry also be a form of instruction? Possibly. For this week's poetry prompt, I want you to write a poem with the title of "How to (blank)" where you use the title as the springboard for your poem.

You can insert whatever you wish into that blank and then go in any direction with the actual poem. That is, you don't have to write out the recipe for a poem called "How to make mama's lasagna"--instead, you could talk about mama, or lasagna, or something completely different. As with all the Wednesday prompts, feel free to have fun with it and get creative.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"How to be a good parent"

I spell out the names of my sons
and place them in a hat. I wear
the hat at all times hoping I
will never need to reach inside.

 


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Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:41:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [55] 
# Tuesday, July 22, 2008
New Poetic Form: The Roundabout
Posted by Robert

Our Poetic Asides inaugural Poet Laureate, Sara Diane Doyle, has been busy-busy-busy this summer working with teen writers. But not too busy to share with her fellow Poetic Asides crew a new poetic form she developed with one of her students, David Edwards. Since Sara knows the form best, I'll let her explain the form to you in her own words.

*****

A few months ago I began exploring various poetic forms. With each form I tried, I would post my attempt on a forum for teen writers, where I am a mentor. One of the teens, David Edwards, got interested in forms, especially the “created” forms. He asked if anyone could invent a form and I said “sure!” Then, he got the crazy idea that we should create a form together.

 

To start, we wanted to throw in every poetic element that we really liked. David came up with the meter and feet and I added in the repeating line. We came up with the rhyme scheme and length together. The result is a form we call the Roundabout. In this form, the rhyme scheme comes full circle while offering repetition of one line in each rhyme set. 

 

The Roundabout is a four stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of 5 lines. The poem is written in iambic and the lines have 4 feet, 3 feet, 2 feet, 2 feet and 3 feet respectively. The rhyme scheme is abccb/bcddc/cdaad/dabba. Roundabouts can be on any subject. 

 

Several of the writers on our forum have written Roundabouts and have had a blast." We would love for other poets to give it a try! Here are some examples to get you started.

 

Crash

by David Edwards

 

Around around the carousel

across the circles face

we cry we shout

we crash about

across the circles face

 

and ever always breakneck pace

by this unending route

and twists and turns

and breaks and burns

by this unending route

 

of ever always in and out

the yearling quickly learns

to run and yell

at ocean’s swell

the yearling quickly learns

 

to run and leap and then he earns

but he will never tell

there’s not a chase

that wins the race

but he will never tell.

 

 

 

When Spring Trips ‘Round

by Sara Diane Doyle

 

When wildflowers bloom once more

and raindrops touch the earth,

the faeries come

to start the hum

and raindrops touch the earth!

 

Come join the song, the dance the mirth!

Enjoy the juicy plum.

beneath the sun

'til day is done-

enjoy the juicy plum!

 

The clouds let out the beating drum-

rejoice with us as one.

Our joy we pour

for pain we bore-

rejoice with us as one.

 

Of gleeful hope, the snow knows none,

but speaks of faeries lore,

of magic birth,

the greatest worth

but speaks of faeries lore.

 


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Tuesday, July 22, 2008 2:25:59 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [16] 
# Friday, July 18, 2008
It's official!
Posted by Robert

I turned 30 years old today. If anyone wants a fun Friday prompt, they can write a poem about the number 30 or about birthdays. I'd write one, but I'm overly stuffed from an excellent birthday lunch at this Mexican place over here with my co-workers. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 


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Friday, July 18, 2008 6:06:38 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [25] 
# Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 011
Posted by Robert

Last year I read Ted Kooser's The Poetry Home Repair Manual (Bison Books) and was struck by how he writes every one of his poems with an audience in mind. For today's prompt I want you to pick an audience and write a poem to that audience. Put the name of your audience in the title of your poem. Your audience can be dead or alive, real or imagined, general or specific--but you must pick an audience to which you're writing.

Here's my attempt:

"Stapler"

The paperclips hold nothing
over your metal breath, the way
I can push you down and not
worry my papers will come
undone. Come time to refill
your belly, you may misfire
a staple or two, but once fed
I know where my hands go
to find their attachment. You
kerpepunk into the evening
with the determination of finding
your dreams affixed to a desk.

*****

(Of course, the above audience--in my mind--is addressed to the inanimate object, a stapler, but also to those brave people who staple day in and day out without getting their full stapling due.)


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Wednesday, July 16, 2008 3:35:50 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [42] 
# Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 010
Posted by Robert

While I was on vacation last week, I had the opportunity to run the world's largest 10K road race in Atlanta, Georgia: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race. Along with 55,000 other runners and cheered on by more than 150,000 spectators, I jogged 6.2 miles in around 61 minutes in complete awe and amazement. As a person who's run in some pretty important and fast races, this event totally took my breath away.

It's interesting to think about the kind of reactions people have to a huge mass of people like that. Also, it's interesting to think about why that many people would gather in the first place. Walking up to the start line the morning of the race, I felt almost as if I were looking at an assembled army--one decked out in tank tops, shorts and running shoes.

So for this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem that somehow involves a large crowd. You can be lost in that crowd, leading it, getting pumped up by it, or fearing it. You can leave the reasoning for the crowd ambiguous or make that the point of your poem. Just make sure you play around with it and have fun.

Here's my attempt:

"We started under a flag"

Helicopters hovered overhead;
people shot water across the street
and urged us on to the next mile;
some of us ran, others jogged,
and many walked; many of us didn't
even know where we were, where
we were headed; instead, we
followed those in front who followed
those in front of them; we weren't
concerned with the time; we
worried only over the next hill--
and then the next; some of us
stopped for water and marked off
each mile; some of us quit along
the way; but most of us followed
those in front to the very end.

 


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Wednesday, July 09, 2008 2:18:03 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [41] 
# Monday, July 07, 2008
Back from vacation and...
Posted by Robert

...it appears we had a server crash last week, tied to some power outage thing-a-ma-bob. Apparently, all the poems posted between Wednesday morning and Thursday around 7ish in the evening for the most recent poetry prompt have been wiped clean of the site. Totally bummed, because I read a lot of great stuff on Wednesday (while on vacation).

It appears those lost comments will not be restored--so I hope there were no original copies in there. I'm lucky the blog post wasn't completely wiped out, because I just type my first drafts right into the box for these prompts. While this was a freak occurence, I would advise everyone (myself included) to copy their poems over into Word or something similar before or directly after posting--though before is probably the safest bet.

*****

In other news, I had a poem accepted by the Barn Owl Review for their 2nd issue, which'll be released at the 2009 AWP in Chicago. Very, very cool! As mentioned in the blog, I just started submitting again in June--so it's awesome to already see some good coming of it. :)

*****

Now that I'm back from my southern vacation, I've got a lot of stuff to post, so be sure to stop over from time to time this week.

 


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Monday, July 07, 2008 4:13:33 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [7] 
# Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 009
Posted by Robert

I'm currently in the middle of a very nice vacation. And so, my mind is not too focused on work (the vacation is working). But we (my boys are with me) have had a lot of fun visiting with friends and family, playing outside, and reading (and writing) our own stories about bobcats.

Today's prompt is to write a Vacation Poem. You can write the poem as if you're going on vacation; someone else is going on vacation; or maybe you live in a tourist town that is currently swamped with vacationing crazies (like myself).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"We get outta town"

We get outta town;
we lost & found;
we putter around;
we sound our sounds.

We get on a train;
we sun, we rain;
we still complain;
we lose our brains.

We get on a jet;
we sigh, we fret;
we hedge our bets;
we never forget.

We lost & found;
we get outta town.


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Wednesday, July 02, 2008 3:32:36 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [42] 
# Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 008
Posted by Robert

Back in the "good old days" of writing for creative writing courses in college, I found myself learning and becoming obsessed with form and structure--both in my poetry and my fiction writing. In fact, I became so enamored with form and structure that sometimes I tried forcing words into a structure without any cares about writing compelling material. My thoughts then seemed to be, "People should just appreciate the structure (of the story or poem)." Of course, that's a silly way for a writer to think. Structure without substance is just a skeleton, and skeletons are lifeless.

That said, I still do appreciate and love to play with poetic forms. If you're interested in them, I've defined several under the Poetic Forms category in the left-hand toolbar of this blog. Just click on the link and scroll down to dig for different forms.

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a shadorma. (Click here for my initial post on this specific poetic form.) This is a 6-line Spanish poem with a syllable pattern of 3/5/3/3/7/5--simple as that.

You can write your shadorma on any subject, but if you happen to need a subject, you can write your shadorma on something related to school, schooling, learning, or teaching. Something educational.

Here's my attempt for the day:

"Numbers"

Seven men
followed six women
into the
lake water
before realizing they
were one woman short.


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Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:50:41 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [90] 
# Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 007
Posted by Robert

Recently, I've been watching a lot of sci-fi and horror films with my boys, who both totally love the Universal horror flicks as much as the Steven Spielberg films (E.T., War of the Worlds, Jaws, etc.). Anyway, in many of them, I've noticed the movie is based around the concept of an invader coming into an area that is unprepared for someone (or something) new--often, it's a scary monster with sharp teeth and claws, bolts sticking out of his neck, or, well, you get the idea.

For today's prompt, I want you to write an "invasion" poem. It doesn't have to be scary. It can be about how the right person invaded the walls of your heart or mind; how weeds are marching into your flower bed; or the non-stop invasion of Starbucks and Target (some Target locations even have a Starbucks inside the store--talk about spooky).

Here's my attempt for the day:

"They're coming to get you"

Kudzu spreads across the south covering
fences, trees and signs--covering the ground

even. And then, from the north, gypsy moths
strike at the hardwood trees--knocking hemlocks

and conifers down without a fight. Bees
begin disappearing, because they've had

enough. But cicadas will still rise from
the earth to undress, shake their timbals for

both love and distress--confess their long lives
underground as nymphs were filled with longing

to emerge and live. And when they find life,
they make life, which burrows deep in the dirt

waiting for their chance to some day rise.


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Wednesday, June 18, 2008 3:58:03 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [109] 
# Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 006
Posted by Robert

There are many reasons people write. For instance, some just wish to communicate; others write for money; still, more than a few write to be remembered--or even be the inspiration for another to take up the pen (or keyboard, since pen is soooooo last century).

For this week's prompt, I want you to write a poem with the following title: You're the reason I (blank).

You get to decide what the blank is AND who the "you" in your poem is. For instance, you could write a poem called "You're the reason I ride a bike to work" that is directed at whoever's to blame for the rising price of gasoline, or you could pen (again with the penning!) a piece titled "You're the reason I don't attend weddings anymore" directed at someone who ruined a wedding (or perhaps, an ex-spouse). Anyway, I think this one should be a fun poem to write. So get at it.

Here's my attempt.

"You're the reason I'm afraid of heights"

Or, at least, the reason I used to worry
during games of kickball that the ball
would roll into the street just as a car
drove by and that as the car swerved
it would hit the curb in such a way as
to flip upside down and crash across
the fire hydrant sending a tower of water
into the air and street gutter that always
seemed to back up. The flipped car
would then, of course, catch fire--maybe
even explode. Maybe even smack one
of us children. Possibly kill us all, because
we wouldn't be ready for it. Except I
was ready, always ready for the worst.
Always ready for a kickball catastrophe,
a recreational apocalypse. And then,
there would be nothing left to do
as the water sprayed into the air,
the car burned, and the bodies writhed
upon the ground, but to wander over
to the kickball and pick it up. Maybe
splash around in the water collecting
in the gutter, waiting for an ambulance
and fire truck. Waiting for backup.

 


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Wednesday, June 11, 2008 4:29:00 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [66] 
# Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 005
Posted by Robert

Some of you may remember me mentioning my baby brother is a storm chaser. Apparently, NBC contacted him to star a reality storm chasing show for this fall season. While these things can always fall through at a moment's notice, he's currently in the process of filming. So imagine the irony last night when I unintentionally drove under a funnel cloud last night on my way home from visiting with my sons. As I pleaded with the funnel to not touch the ground, I could imagine my brother's possible fall show's ratings skyrocketing as his older brother is killed by a twister--the weird things we think when our lives are on the line, eh?

Anyway, my close encounter with death last night has influenced today's prompt. I want you to write a poem about your own death. You can write as if you are already dead; imagine what dying might be like; explain what happens after you die; etc. The main thing I want, though, is that you focus on your own death--not someone else's.

Now, here's my poem for the day.

"Mortality"

My uncle was alone on his land when
his heart stopped; my grandfather alone when
he fell over; my friend was alone when
deciding to lay across the train tracks,
that it had gotten to that point. When I
am alone, I am terrified something
horrible is rushing my way, something
searching to give me my special time when
the end will fall over my story, when
my heart's soundtrack will stop, or even when
I will move on to that next something. When
the birdsong rushes back from the south and she
calls out my name, I know my something when
will wait until the end, until tomorrow.


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Wednesday, June 04, 2008 3:18:19 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [83] 
# Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 004
Posted by Robert

I'm prompting from sunny Los Angeles this week. The weather is perfect outside and the palm trees are already swaying. But enough about me, let's get to the prompt.

For today's prompt, let's write a poem about commerce. You can write about haggling over Christmas tree prices, bleeding money at the gas pump, getting double-charged for shampoo in the checkout aisle, or whatever. Just make sure it has something to do with buying and selling.

Here's my poem for the day:

"That's It"

I don't need any cigarettes
or beer this morning, though
I'll be back tonight, you can
bet. Probably should get one
or two tickets. Yeah, better
go ahead and do that before
I forget. Give me a fifteen
and a seven. Throw in a two
while you're at it. Do you
happen to know who won
the race last night?
                           Really?
I wish Tony Stewart'd won
because I had money on him.
Gordon, eh? Geez, I wish Tony
had won. He broke my lovely
heart. I had money on him.
Could've made something had
he won. Geez, you better go
ahead and get me a twelve
and a pack of unfiltered.

 


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Wednesday, May 28, 2008 2:29:19 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [77] 
# Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 003
Posted by Robert

Today's prompt is to write a family connection poem--emphasizing the relationship between two or more family members. This can be between you and your parent(s), you and your children, you and your adopted third cousin, twice removed (whatever that means). Preferably, this is a poem between you and another family member or members; but if you must write about the relationship between your two cousins, then you gotta do whatcha gotta do.

Here's my poem for the day (a typical conversation between me and my two boys):

"Jonah asks if there are only peach-skin and brown-skin people"

So I say, "Well, there is peach and brown, of course,
but also yellow, pink, white and black." "Is there blue,"
he asks. "No," says Ben, "that's only when people are
choking. Or dying. Or dead." "Is there orange," asks
Jonah. "Yes," I say, thinking of tanning booth debutantes.
"There is also copper and red. When some people get mad
they turn red--and some people get so mad they're always
red-faced. Or they have sunburn." "Yep," says Ben. "But
really colors shouldn't matter, because people are people,"
I explain, "and everyone is different."

                                                   Jonah stares out
the car window as we pass another cornfield, his young
mind trying to process the entire universe at once.

"Daddy, can the Flash run through walls?"

 


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Wednesday, May 21, 2008 2:06:42 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [70] 
# Thursday, May 15, 2008
Newspaper Blackout Poetry
Posted by Robert

Before getting into the cool news, I just wanted to let everyone know who's been looking for the rest of the April Highlights (Days 21-30) that I am still going to post them. I've just been busy supremo working on the 2008 Poet's Market, which will be going to production on June 5. Of course, the one complicating factor is that I'll be out the entire last week of May because of Memorial Day and the BookExpo America/Writer's Digest Books writer's conference in Los Angeles, California. So the highlights are coming--just trying to fit 'em in with the rest of my "day job" stuff.

*****

So now on to this really cool newspaper blackout poetry stuff done by writer/artist Austin Kleon, who is based in Austin, Texas. (Note: It's funny how cool news travels. For instance, this was passed on to me by WritersDigest.com editor Brian Klems through HOW magazine editor Bryn Mooth who heard it on NPR--one more reason to support public radio, right?)

Anyway, Kleon grabs the newspaper and a permanent marker and starts scribbling out words until a poem emerges. In many cases, the poems actually turn out quite beautiful.

Check them out at: http://www.austinkleon.com/category/newspaper-blackout-poems/.

If you want a Weekend Warrior poetry prompt, this is a definitely a good exercise: Buy a local newspaper and sculpt poems out of newsstories. If you come up with anything good, post them in the comments below.

 


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Thursday, May 15, 2008 2:59:28 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [15] 
# Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 002
Posted by Robert

I had to drive into work in a steady rain this morning. Those who know me very well know that I loathe driving on the Interstate in the rain, because of a hydroplaning experience I had several years ago in southern Kentucky. Ever since that crash (no one was seriously injured), I've had this phobia when it comes to driving in inclement weather.

Which leads me to today's prompt, I want you to write a poem that deals with one or more of your own phobias. Or--if you are truly without fear--write about someone else's phobias. Or--if you and everyone you know is without fear--write about an imagined phobia (or write about my phobia of driving in inclement weather).

Here's my attempt, which actually deals with one of my other phobias (yes, I'm suddenly feeling like Charlie Brown, who carries around the fear of everything): heights.

"Control"

Rollercoasters, elevators,
unenclosed stair cases,
railings, cliffs, airplanes--
I'm afraid of how I have
no control over gravity.
If I fall, I can only fall
and let myself be caught
by the earth below. It's
simple really, but I worry
about the "what if"s when
I should just enjoy the ride.

 


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Wednesday, May 14, 2008 2:52:24 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [113] 
# Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Wednesday Poetry Prompts: 001
Posted by Robert

My baby brother is (finally) going to graduate with a degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma after nine years of study. You see, his big problem is that he's even more interested in experiencing weather than he is in studying about it. So, he's missed studying for tests and finishing projects because he's out chasing tornadoes; he missed finals one year because he was stuck on the third floor of a police station in Slidell, Louisiana--surrounded by flood waters. (Not sure why you would, but IF you want to learn more about my brother Simon, check out his Web site at http://stormgasm.com.)

Anyway, why am I mentioning my brother who is obsessed with weather? Because today's prompt is to write a poem that is either about the weather or incorporates the weather into the poem. Whether you make it about a crazy storm or a cloudless summer day, you gotta give the weather report.

Here's my attempt:

"The Weather Report"

Expect a high of 75
and a low around 60.
In the afternoon, light
showers may develop,
followed by abundant
sunshine. In the early
evening, prepare for
heavy kissing and
a full moon.


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Wednesday, May 07, 2008 3:36:01 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [100] 
# Thursday, May 01, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Wrap Up
Posted by Robert

Thanks to all of you, the April PAD Challenge was a phenomenal success. In fact, I think there's no way around making this an annual event moving forward. You can't even know how honored you've all made me feel throughout the entire month, and I'm thrilled to see that a supportive community has developed.

To keep that community going, I asked WritersDigest.com editor Brian Klems to set up a Poetic Asides specific group in their forum located at http://forum.writersdigest.com. If you have an account, just log in and click on the Poetic Asides link. If you don't have an account, it's super easy to create one--and it's totally F-R-E-E (and it don't even cost you any money). I have a welcome message up for the group, but you can begin your own topics and start chattering away. I'm sure there will be some crossover between the new forum group and the blog moving forward, too.

Also, on that main forum page, you may notice there are genre-specific critique groups in Critique Central. One of those groups is labeled poetry, and that's where you, umm, can critique, umm, poetry. Yeah, pretty obvious, I know.

*****

As far as the blog and prompts, I've decided I will continue to do prompts, though not at the breakneck pace of one each day. I'm planning on providing a prompt each Wednesday throughout the year--figuring there's no better way to get over the hump of the workweek than a little prompting and poeming. I hope that'll be a good pace for everyone until next April.

*****

I'm considering the possibility of critiquing one poem per week. More info on this later. But stay tuned--and prod me if I seem to forget about it.

*****

The Poet's Market newsletter is going to make a comeback starting later this month. If you wish to receive the free monthly e-mail newsletter, you can sign up at www.poetsmarket.com.

*****

On May 21, plan on attending the Poetic Asides 2008 April PAD Challenge awards ceremony--at this blog. I'll be recognizing those who completed the challenge, as well as some extra nods and pats on the backs and such.

Plus, at that time, I'll also be handing out awards to poets. Those who completed the challenge will be able to receive one or both of two awards: one is a badge that the magazine design group put together for poets who want to put the award on their blogs and/or Web sites (to show that you completed the challenge); two is a certificate that the book design group is working on that you can print up and tuck away somewhere safe (or proudly frame and display).

*****

On May 22, I'll be answering poetry questions all day somewhere in WD forum. More details to come on this as the event approaches.

*****

Okay, this post is long enough now, I guess. Let me know if you have any questions, concerns, comments, etc. And again, thank you so much for being so awesome!

 


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Thursday, May 01, 2008 3:42:12 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [46] 
# Wednesday, April 30, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 30
Posted by Robert

So this is it: the final prompt of the April PAD Challenge. We've made it; we've made it. I'd be sad that it's all over, but I think in some ways we're only beginning. (For more on that, check back tomorrow when I do the April PAD Challenge Wrap-Up.) Today, I want you to finish your poem, thrust your open hands high in the air, and say, "Go me! I did it!" (Or something to that effect, I understand that poets can be a reserved bunch--so maybe a simple smirk and fist clench will do the job just as well.)

The main thing is to realize that you accomplished something great in participating throughout the month. After all, you should now have 30 (or more) poems to play with and revise. But here I am trying to stall on the final prompt of the day--not wanting this month to end. :)

And today's prompt is probably predictable if you go back to Day 1's prompt, which was about beginnings and firsts. Day 30's prompt is to write a poem about endings, finishes, finales, etc. Because we've reached the end: great job!

Here's my poem for the day:

"Saturday night in Clifton"

After an evening of perspiration and
secondhand smoke inhalation, the lights turn on
as men with SECURITY written across their
backs herd us out into the street. We're pumped up;
we still want more (encore! encore!); but the planet
continues its mad spin. So I twist myself out
of the loitering mob and sneak down a side street--
head buzzing with the crush of mosh pit memories,
the push and pull of sweaty strangers united
for music adoration. For a moment, I
feel everything is possible, but then an
overwhelming sadness washes over me: the
vacuum between then and now. I walk until I
come to a sign that reads: KEEP MOVING. So I do.

 


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Wednesday, April 30, 2008 2:34:55 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [209] 
# Tuesday, April 29, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 29
Posted by Robert

Yay! So many of you have made it past the sestina! And I'm still alive, though I'm sure many of you no longer consider me your friend. ;)

It's nice to put in a very tough exercise every so often (don't worry, the final two days should be a little more relaxed). In fact, with the weather getting so nice around Southwestern Ohio the past week or two, exercise (the physical kind) has been big on my mind.

Way back in March, I must've known I'd be in an exercising mood, because the first "Two for Tuesday" prompt is to write a poem about exercise. For most people, you either love it or hate it. If you do exercise regularly, it would be interesting to know whether you do it for the end result (that is, good health, a trim physique, etc.) or the process itself (just because it feels good to move).

Prompt #2 is a little more open-ended for people who don't have any emotions whatsoever attached to exercise. For this prompt, I want you to write a poem in the 2nd person.

Here's my poem of the day (combining the two prompts into one poem):

"How to go running on an August morning"

Start off with some stretches. Do your legs
first, then your arms. Walk to your starting point
and begin with a light jog. Let your muscles and
lungs ease into a rhythm. Focus on keeping
your wrists and hands slack. Relax your shoulders
and bottom lip. After the first mile, lengthen
your stride while keeping your breathing balanced.
Listen to the birds. Keep your head straight.
Relax your shoulders, your hands, your bottom lip.
Focus on your next step, not on the finish line;
stay within yourself. After the fifth mile, pull
off your shirt. Feel the sun on your skin as it begins
to warm the earth. Imagine you are winning a race.
Imagine someone is only a few steps behind;
lose that person. Relax your shoulders but keep
up a fast pace. Do this through the finish line.

 


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Tuesday, April 29, 2008 2:39:13 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [146] 
# Monday, April 28, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 28
Posted by Robert

I was distressed to read the following message in the comments for yesterday's prompt this morning:

Doubt I can finish the month...spent the last 24+ hours in ICU after my husband suffered an accident. Had to be airlifted to a city 3 hours away (40 min. by air) Will get back and follow the rest of you once I am able to be home for a while. It has been a great month celebrating poetry.

 

Emily Blakely |ecblakelyAT NOSPAMmsn dot com

 

Please send some goodwill Emily's way; as you can probably tell from her comment, her husband's accident sounds very serious.

 

*****

 

Maybe Emily's horrible situation will put things into perspective for today's challenge, which may very well be the hardest poem of the entire month for many. Today's prompt is to write a sestina. (If you need a subject, you can write about catastrophe or loss or hope--to mirror the news above.)

 

So, what is a sestina? For those who have a few minutes to spare, please go to the following link: http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides/Sestina6x6339+Thats+Math.aspx. Once there, you can read up about what a sestina is and can be.

 

For those in a hurry, here's the basics on the sestina:

 

* It's a poem consisting of 7 stanzas.

* The first 6 stanzas have 6 lines; the final stanza has 3 lines.

* There are only 6 end words to each line throughout the 39-line poem.

* They rotate in the following pattern:

1-End Word 1

2-End Word 2

3-End Word 3

4-End Word 4

5-End Word 5

6-End Word 6

 

7-End Word 6

8-End Word 1

9-End Word 5

10-End Word 2

11-End Word 4

12-End Word 3

 

13-End Word 3

14-End Word 6

15-End Word 4

16-End Word 1

17-End Word 2

18-End Word 5

 

19-End Word 5

20-End Word 3

21-End Word 2

22-End Word 6

23-End Word 1

24-End Word 4

 

25-End Word 4

26-End Word 5

27-End Word 1

28-End Word 3

29-End Word 6

30-End Word 2

 

31-End Word 2

32-End Word 4

33-End Word 6

34-End Word 5

35-End Word 3

36-End Word 1

 

37-End Words 1 and 2

38-End Words 3 and 4

39-End Words 5 and 6

Usually, the best strategy is to pick out 6 words you think you can have fun with and that are probably somewhat flexible in how you can use them (this includes modifying a word here and there--like changing "cold" to "clod" to fit your purposes). Maybe throw in a word that is a little unique--if you really want to challenge yourself. And remember to have fun.

 

Here's my sestina for the day:

 

"On the fly"

I am a big fan of eating Lemonheads,

little yellow spheres tasting like a kiss

on a summer day while sitting on a bench

and enjoying the words of some expert

on how to be true and love me tender,

maybe while watching the birds fly

 

overhead and swatting away a fly

or two. That is, I think Lemonheads

are worth more than they're tendered

in convenience stores. How do you kiss
and put a price on it? I'm no expert,

but I'm also not some dime-store bench

 

warming philosopher. I can bench

my weight in mistakes and open flies,

because I've always been one to expect

the need for a Plan B. That is, Appleheads

taste even better and led to my first kiss

in a long time--and at a very tender

 

moment. Maybe I'm just too tender-

minded. Maybe I should sit on the bench

of whatever court decides good kissing

practices. Maybe I should check my fly

before starting any hot talk on Lemonheads.

Maybe I should leave it to the experts.

 

After all, they are supposedly the experts

for a reason, right? I wonder if they tender

a smooch for the same price as Lemonheads.

I wonder if they set some kissing bench-

mark and expect us all to hit it on the fly,

just something we do without thinking: A kiss

 

on the cheek counting as much as a kiss

with tongues is blaspheme, whether experts

declare or not. One needs wings to fly

or we'd all slingshot crazy and turn into tinder--

a bright flaming star, a burning bench

where once I enjoyed eating my Lemonheads.

 

And the Lemonheads will always lead to kisses

on hot benches with or without the experts

to approve the tender moment of wanting to fly.


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Monday, April 28, 2008 3:35:09 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [188] 
# Sunday, April 27, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 27
Posted by Robert

Well, we're working our way closer to the end. After we finish today's prompt, only three days will separate us from finishing this April PAD Challenge. On May 1, I plan to give a recap of the month and some details of how we can keep this community going beyond April. Something to keep an eye on.

Today's prompt is to write a poem that is only one-half of a two-person conversation, or what I like to call the "one side of a phone line" poem. I'm not even sure how well this is going to work out, but every once in a while, it's good to stretch ourselves and experiment a little.

While you could just get to typing one side of a conversation, it might be a good idea to write down some dialogue and then, cut out the person who is the least interesting. Anyway, as with all the prompts, be sure to have fun with this one.

Here's my poem for the day:

"Really?!?"

Hello?
Oh. It's you.
I didn't mean.
Whatever. Why did you call anyway?
Really?!?
He's a fool. Doesn't he--
Well, yeah!
Obviously.
He doesn't ever listen, and he's going to learn--
Really?
That's so--
I don't understand.
Oh. Well, yeah. If that's the case, then--
Better to just leave him on the side of the road.
Sometimes, you just gotta get tough.
No, really.
Next time he--
Well, next time he--
Okay. Call me back later then. I've got a lot more to say on him.
Yeah, bye.

 


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Sunday, April 27, 2008 1:58:04 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [164] 
# Saturday, April 26, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 26
Posted by Robert

Today's prompt is to write a poem with the title of "I'm so over (_____)."  You get to choose what you're "so over" with, and write a poem about it.  I'll be looking forward to reading these. 

Here's my poem for the day:

"I'm so over commuting to work."

In getting up at 5:30 in the morning
to beat rush hour traffic. $3.59
for a gallon of gasoline is highway
robbery. For real. As in, I'm driving
on the highway, and my name is Robert.


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Saturday, April 26, 2008 2:26:08 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [176] 
# Friday, April 25, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 25
Posted by Robert

A few times this month, I've felt like the forces working around my daily life are keeping track of my prompts (most of which I had set in stone before April started). For instance, I wasn't able to get Day 13's highlights up this morning (look for them on Monday), because my Clark Kent persona as a mild-mannered editor of Writer's Market had some indexes to go over late last night. Sometimes work just gets in the way of having fun and saving the world, I guess.

Anyway, the reason that is relevant to today's prompt is that we need to write an occupational poem today. You can write about your own occupation or that of another. Had a favorite job from the past? A least favorite job? A funny story from a job? Consider these questions before tackling your poem today.

Personally, I've held many jobs over the years, including baby-sitter, paperboy, bus boy, dishwasher, art gallery attendant, youth counselor for the City of Moraine, cashier, ice cream scooper, canvasser for a windows & siding company, night time stocker at a department store, and--being entrepreneurially inclined--I've had several odd jobs through the years as well. But I ultimately decided to write today's poem based off my experience working at a car factory making struts one summer.

Here it goes:

"Waking up in the evening"

They brush their teeth and dress
before flocking to the parking lot
protected by barbed wire fencing
and a wide open gate. One by one,
they swipe their cards and move
though the turnstile, cross train
tracks and plug their ears against
the sound of metal on metal,
a cocoon to keep them safe from
the harsh realities of the situation:
While others sleep, they labor
over machines in a repetitive
thrum of this piece here affixed
to that piece there and move
it on to the next station and
back to this piece here affixed
to that piece there until a machine
breaks and throws off the units
for the day. Then, the foremen
shuffle around and fuss at them
to remind them they're no better
than a machine. They defiantly
put up with the abuse until
it's time to go home, driving
the against the traffic caused
by the others, the people
who sleep while they work.
When they get home, they
take showers and have trouble
getting themselves to sleep.


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Friday, April 25, 2008 3:33:59 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [174] 
# Thursday, April 24, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 24
Posted by Robert

Today's prompt is to use a photograph to create a poem. You can raid your dusty photo albums, look through your daily newspaper, scour the Internet, etc. But you must use a photograph. Them is the rules, yo!

(Sorry for the brevity today, but my book is soooo close to being done!)

Here's my poem for the day:

"Take a picture; it'll last longer."

She smiles at me through the mirror
applying her makeup with a towel
wrapped around her hair. She's dressed
for the office, and I haven't decided
upon my Manhattan game plan while
she's out. She's wearing a green sweater
pulled over a white button-down, and
I say, "I love you," before pressing
the button, waiting for the flash.

 


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Thursday, April 24, 2008 2:40:23 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [184] 
# Wednesday, April 23, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 23
Posted by Robert

It's hard to believe that a week from today I'll be posting the last prompt of the month. We're already almost a month older than we were at the end of March. Time just continues to fly by--even in a poetry challenge, huh?

Well, today's prompt is sympathetic of the fact that time continues its march and that things continue to change and stay the same all at once. Today's prompt is to write about getting older.

No matter your age, everyone gets older with every. single. second. and. heart. beat. Seriously, even my 4-year-old laments over how he's getting older and misses the good old days of not going to preschool and having "to learn stuff."

So, you can lament over your glory days, express your insecurities of being in transition, or brag about how you're at the perfect age to live life completely content (lucky you). I'm guessing y'all will have a lot of fun with this one.

Here's my poem for the day:

"Today"

"Your hard work will pay off today."
                       -Fortune Cookie

Sometimes I wonder if today is the day
that everything comes together, and I
get the raise and the girl and the parade
through downtown. Is this when I get
my "pay off" for trying? But then, I think
maybe my "pay off" comes every day.
Maybe it's simply the process of getting
from here to there. Maybe my "pay off"
is hard work and two boys who love me,
that moment outside the laundromat
late at night, listening to her voice and
the stillness of a spring evening suddenly
broken by bikers cruising the streets
on their hogs. I'm still just a teenager
at heart and in love with the world, but
sometimes I wonder if today is the day.

 


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Wednesday, April 23, 2008 3:12:22 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [187] 
# Tuesday, April 22, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 22
Posted by Robert

Today is Earth Day! Yay!

I think most people can agree that this planet is a good thing. However, wars are fought over how we should use it and/or live on it. So, today's "2 for Tuesday" prompts will play off the opposing sides of the environmental coin.

Prompt 1: Write a nature poem. This can about how much you love or hate nature. It can be optimistic or not so. You can write about global warming or about that time when a deer walked up so close you could almost pet it. I'll leave the specifics up to you, but it should be about nature.

Prompt 2: Write an industrial poem. This can be a poem about the benefits of transportation or the joys of urban living. It can cover technology, the comfort of cruising around in your car, etc. Of course, as with the nature poem, you can be optimistic or not so. I'll leave that up to y'all.

Here's my poem for today:

"It takes a car"

to get me there. And I walk along
a paved path before reaching
the post with green, red and blue
dots. The path becomes dirt
and rocks. My stride lengthens as
I head downhill toward the creek
that's perfect for wading in during
the summer. And I breathe deep,
realizing I can't hear any cars
or smell any exhaust. These trails
quiet my sense of anxiety, but
it takes a car to get here.

 


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Tuesday, April 22, 2008 3:51:06 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [181] 
# Monday, April 21, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 21
Posted by Robert

Today's prompt requires that you do a little snooping. That's right: I want you to write a "snooping" poem today. Basically, you need to write a poem that incorporates a bit of overheard dialogue (can be in real life or off the television) or even a quote taken from a news story online (if you happen to be a hermit).

If you're not a recluse, then venture out to places where people are: grocery stores, malls, college campuses, cinemas, airports, post offices, etc. This is the perfect excuse for you to be among the people. And once among the people, don't worry about socializing; instead, listen until you have something that makes you want to write.

Here's my poem for the day (with quoted material snatched from co-workers this morning--used in an entirely different context, of course):

"The Pickpockets"

We gathered late at night
and looked over our collections:

a few wallets, some watches,
a very moving memoir

about a man who changed his life
while conquering his fears

by accepting the fact
all people have flaws.

We could definitely relate,
but when Sally's turned out pockets

once again revealed only lint,
one of us yelled out,

"She hasn't been trying, has she?"
Then, we set in upon her--

knowing what must be cut loose
to strengthen the pack.

 


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Monday, April 21, 2008 3:17:22 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [175] 
# Sunday, April 20, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 20
Posted by Robert

We are now 20 days into the challenge! Woo-hoo! And spring has definitely sprung here in Ohio. It's incredible. Since Thursday, I've been getting out every day and playing disc golf and trail hiking. As soon as I finish this prompt-poem thing-a-ma-gig, I'm gonna get back out there.

Now today's prompt is one you've either been eagerly anticipating and wondering, "Where the heck is it," all month, or it's one you've been quietly noting hasn't been prompted and crossing your fingers you can make it through the month without. But this kind of poem is what got me into writing poetry seriously. That's right...

...today's prompt is to write a Love poem with a capital "L" as in a loooooove poem. Think about wooing; think about being wooed; and then, write!

Here's my poem for the day:

"This Morning"

-for Tammy F. Trendle

The birds chant awake the dandelions
and flowers. They raise the grass blades
from their winter nocturne. We are
foolish to want more, but we listen
to the birds and know: It is natural to
want, and things will always happen
as they should.

 


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Sunday, April 20, 2008 4:17:05 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [180] 
# Saturday, April 19, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 19
Posted by Robert

Good morning!

Today's prompt will require that you use a little memory, but not your own; because for today's prompt you need to write a poem about a moment (or moments) you can't remember yourself that are about yourself. I think everyone has these stories about when you were a child, or when you were drunk, or when you were talking in your sleep, or when you were in a coma (hopefully not too many fall into this category actually).

If you need to jog your memory of things you can't personally remember, call up a friend or relative. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to recount those embarrassing moments for you.

For instance, we have a family reunion every year on Labor Day weekend up in northwest Indiana for my mom's side of the family. There are usually more than 100 family members in attendance, and they ALL know the "tree story" about when I was three years old. You see, I was at one of my aunt's houses and had to use the restroom, but they were all full. So my grandparents told me to go outside and relieve myself behind the tree. So my three-year-old self marched out there and rounded the tree one full circle and shouted back at the house, "Where's the 'behind' of this tree?"

Ah, sweet memories. I don't remember it personally, but every year on Labor Day weekend, 100+ people are ready to remind me. 

And with that, here's my poem for the day:

"Blood"

My brother hung upside down
screaming his head off while my
face was covered in blood,
gushing from my eyebrow. But
I didn't cry--just kept touching
my face. Maybe in shock of
the closeness of pain. Maybe
why I wasn't afraid to hug
strangers at King's Island as
a child. After hugging people
in Yogi Bear and Fred Flintstone
suits, it probably only made
sense to hug others I'd never
met. With a big smile on my
face. Something people always
notice even when I don't know
I'm doing it. One night, I scared
my wife by calling out in my sleep
that Saddam Hussein was hiding
in our trashcan. Who knows
what I was dreaming? But then,
maybe it made complete sense
like the time I tried going pee
behind the tree at my aunt's
only to ask, "Where's the behind
to this tree?" Something my
family won't let me forget.
Like this scar on my eyebrow
reminding me the memory of
our blood.

 


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Saturday, April 19, 2008 3:29:21 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [181] 
# Friday, April 18, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 18
Posted by Robert

I'll pick back up on the highlights on Monday. Spent last night working on my Writer's Market book, which goes to production next Friday. By the way, isn't it cool? We've made it 60% of the way through April--once you write today's poem. I'm sure anyone who's made it this far will be able to cross the finish line on the 30th.

Today's prompt is to take a line of my choosing and incorporate it into your poem in some way. You can use the line as the title of your poem, as the last line, as the first line, or even drop it somewhere in the middle--but you must use the line somewhere. And a special note to you "rule benders": No, you cannot break up the line into individual words or phrases. The whole line must be used, though you can definitely insert a linebreak or two if you wish.

So, what's the line anyway? It is: There is no connection.

No connection to what? And who is speaking? And in what context? These are questions you should ponder before tackling this prompt.

Here's my poem for the day:

"Convergence"

We arrive late in Atlanta to learn,
"There is no connection available
from Hartsfield-Jackson to LaGuardia
tonight." Some of us head to hotels
as others loiter, stranded south
of the Mason-Dixon line. A man
holding his cell says, "I can't talk
in here. There's no connection."
One woman tells another, "It tears
me up to hurt him like I do, but
whenever we're together there is
no connection. It's like, 'Okay.
Let's get this over with already.'"
Those of us who stay and don't
talk listen to those of us who do.
This is what happens when things
don't go according to plan. One
person unloads all his frustrations;
another acts as if she might be
somewhat interested; and there is
no connection between the two.

 


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Friday, April 18, 2008 1:40:38 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [182] 
# Thursday, April 17, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 17
Posted by Robert

Before getting to the prompt, I think it would be nice of us all to send a little goodwill in Elizabeth Keggi's direction. Her poems have been highlighted a few times already this month (on days 1, 2 and 5), and she's having surgery today that will force her into a game of PAD catch up later this month.

Thinking of others is always beneficial--to both yourself and those you're thinking of; in fact, thinking of others has a ripple effect that often spreads beyond the initial parties. Even in poetry, it is sometimes a nice exercise to consciously take ourselves out of our poems.

So today's prompt is fairly straight forward: Write a poem in the 3rd person. You can describe a scene, an event, whatever. But there's to be no use of "I," "me," "my," etc.--not even "you" or "we." No, keep yourself completely out of this poem. I'll leave the subject of your poem up to you.

(Note: There is a way, of course, to include yourself. You can write about yourself as "he" or "she" depending on your gender. If you would normally write, I woke up in the morning, then for this prompt write, He woke up in the morning. It's an effective trick for people who just can't stop writing about themselves. This method also distances the poets from themselves, which can be interesting.) 

Here's my poem for the day:

"Time spent with boys"

The clock erupts with noise
distracting him mid-sentence.
Eight o'clock always surprises
him as he reads stories to his
boys--both propped up on their
pillows and probing for answers
to the story behind the story,
as well as the intentions of
the author. He tells them his
best guesses and avoids making
things up--most of the time.

 


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Thursday, April 17, 2008 2:19:30 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [193] 
# Wednesday, April 16, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 16
Posted by Robert

I don't want to alarm you, but today's challenge was a bit of a challenge for me this morning. Hopefully, you won't struggle as much as I did. But even if you do, that's why it's called a challenge, I guess. Plus, we're like only trying to get our rough drafts done in April anyway. Then, we can revise and/or toss stuff in May and beyond, right? Right.

Oh yeah, the prompt for the day. Well, it's something I'm calling the "Alfred Hitchcock" poem, because I want you to write a poem that has a twist near the end. For instance, write a poem about talking to your best friend and then let us know at the end that your best friend is actually a sock puppet on your left hand--maybe even add to the intrigue by making your arch nemesis your right hand.

Of course, there are lots of ways to approach this one. What gave me trouble was figuring out how to do the twist at the end. Finally, what helped me was to think of how I wanted the poem to end and write to that ending--using an indirect route, of course.

(Note: I just began and ended that paragraph with "of course.")

And with that, here's my poem for the day:

"A call late at night"

Hey, baby. I'm guessing you're asleep;
I hope that you are. I'm so thankful
for you and sorry I have to whisper.

You're always so good to me, and I
wish you were here now. But if you
wake up and hear this message, please
don't call me back, because I'm hiding:

I think someone is in my house.

 


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Wednesday, April 16, 2008 2:49:19 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [194] 
# Tuesday, April 15, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 15
Posted by Robert

Half. Way. There. That's where we're at after you finish today's prompt. Somehow we've made it--huffing and puffing--to the top of the hill and starting tomorrow we'll be running downhill to the finish line. Soooo...let's get to today's prompt, which is a "Two for Tuesday" prompt actually.

Prompt #1: Write an insult poem. There aren't really any rules attached to the insult poem, but it's usually done in good fun. If you write one, you can often open yourself up to a retaliatory insult poem. And that can lead to the equivalent of an insult poetry food fight.

Prompt #2: I've been trying to avoid mentioning it, but today is Tax Day here in the States. So it's time to either file them taxes or file for an extension--or just continue procrastinating, I guess ("Whatever floats your boat," as my father would always say.). Anyway, the second prompt is to write a poem that deals with paying your taxes and/or meeting deadlines.

Here's my poem (predictably associated with the first prompt, since I'm all about verbal food fighting):

 "Smoke and mirrors"

My mama always said,
"If you don't have anything nice to say,
don't say anything at all."
And that's been great advice,
helping me get all the friends I've got,
avoid petty conflicts,
and find a steady happiness through all life's ups and downs--
but let's make one thing clear:
My mama ain't ever met the likes of you;
she ain't ever seen your rain cloud prophesies,
your blame shifting two step,
or your sanded down points that lead nowhere.
You've got answers but no meaning;
you have an image with no identity;
and everyone who doesn't agree with you is wrong.
Here's my advice, boy:
Next time they all gang up on you without giving a fair shake,
save up all your money to buy the largest mirror you can find;
then, use it.

 


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Tuesday, April 15, 2008 3:05:51 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [208] 
# Monday, April 14, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 14
Posted by Robert

Even before some of the comments left yesterday, I've noticed there is a community forming with this April PAD Challenge. Many of you have thanked me, but you should really be thanking yourselves.

A community is only as strong as those who are a part of it. Many of you have posted every single day and left encouraging words and praise for your fellow poets. I'm not doing that; you are; and I'm very proud of you all.

Personally, I think it would be a wasted opportunity--for all of us--to assign writing poetry regularly to one month out of the year. So I'm going to check into a few different options to keep our group together beyond April. There are already some great ideas in yesterday's comments--plus, I've had a few rolling around in my head. So together, I'm sure we'll come up with something amazing. More on this soon, but I know you're all ready to get Monday started off right with today's prompt.

*****

So, today's prompt is actually inspired by a song I love by Feist. The song is called "How My Heart Behaves," and the prompt for today is to write a poem with the title "How (fill in the blank) behaves"--with the poem inspired by whatever you put in that blank. For instance, you could have a poem titled "How Mr. T's mohawk behaves" or "How the homeless man on 9th Street behaves." Have fun with this one (I know you will).

Here's my poem for the day:

"How the playground of my mind behaves"

The girls are full of worry
beside the teeter
                        totter
afraid that Billy won't be stopping by.

And the boys are playing football
as the teachers fret and fuss:
Are there going to be any broken bones today?

Behind them, the bully
does his daily milk money shake down
and punches his sidekick in the arm.

There's a co-ed game of 4-square,
some girls with their jumping rope,
and boys wanting to hang from the monkey bars.

Beneath the hot metal slide
no one rides in summer,
Billy sits kissing his favorite girl
until the bell sounds for them all to go inside.

 


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Monday, April 14, 2008 3:49:37 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [180] 
# Sunday, April 13, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 13
Posted by Robert

Heart. There has been a lot of heart on display in your poems this month. I just wanted to get that out there and say, "Thank you." It's been a real pleasure this month to wonder how you'll put life to each of my prompts, and y'all never let me down. And I think we're synchronizing a bit.

For instance, Jay Sizemore sent me a message on Facebook late last night mentioning it would be really cool if I could put together a music-response prompt someday this month. I'm glad he thinks so, because...

Today's prompt is to write a poem based off your response to a song. You get to pick the song, but I ask that you please indicate which song sparked the poem. You can do this by quoting a line or two from the song between the title and poem--as I've done a few times this month; or you can just put the song title and artist in parentheses after the poem.

I'm really interested in reading your poems for today's prompt, but I'm just as interested in seeing which songs everyone chooses. As you may have noticed from some of my recent poems quoting songs by The Beatles, I've been listening to Abbey Road quite a bit lately, which is why today's music-response poem is inspired by The Shins' "Sleeping Lessons."

"After April, there's always May"

"So enlist every ounce of your bright blood and off with their heads."
                              -the Shins, "Sleeping Lessons"

I wait for dandelions
and dream of seeds spreading
yellow through the grass.
There are reasons to forgive
invasion and the messing
up of perfection. Lawns
and lazy afternoons,
my thumb against stem,
want to break loose.

 


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Sunday, April 13, 2008 1:30:44 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [196] 
# Saturday, April 12, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 12
Posted by Robert

My sons are keeping me busy this morning, so let's get straight into the prompt.  We're going to write an apology poem.  You can apologize for ending a relationship, breaking a chair, or maybe you can even apologize for not being apologetic. 

Here's my poem for the day:

". . . I'm sorry"

 "Because the world is round, it turns me on."
                           -The Beatles, "Because"

Because the day was nice. . . 
Because I opened the window. . . 
Because I left for a run. . . 
Because there was an unexpected shower. . . 
Because the birds were driven inside. . . 
Because the rain followed them in. . . 
Because I decided to splash through puddles. . . 
Because you beat me home. . .
                            


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Saturday, April 12, 2008 4:16:58 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [179] 
# Friday, April 11, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 11
Posted by Robert

Today's high temperature is supposed to be in the mid-70s, which is soooo great. The next 3 days are projected in the mid-40s: Say what?!? Gotta love Ohio in spring.

*****

The prompt for today is to describe something--only one thing--that is either very interesting to you or something you think is often overlooked and taken for granted. I'm thinking inanimate objects here, but I'm not going to restrict you to that. (Btw, I'm totally wondering what object Kateri Woody is going to describe--yes, I've been paying attention to all those Joker-slanted poems.)

Here's my poem for the day:

"Ornament"

-for Nancy Breen

Gold string attached to the top and bottom--
one to hold the tiny bell, the other to hold
everything up--it has blue wings, an angel
hugging a rose, words in the background.
Whenever it moves, the whole thing rings.

*****

The co-founder of this blog, Nancy Breen, makes these wonderful Christmas ornaments every Holiday season. Knowing that my favorite movie is "It's a Wonderful Life," Nancy made the ornament described above--a tribute to one of the most touching elements of the movie that "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings."


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Friday, April 11, 2008 3:26:23 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [180] 
# Thursday, April 10, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 10
Posted by Robert

Shoooooooo, doggies! We've made it to double digits! One-third of the way to pay dirt! Thirty-three point three percent!

In other words, we're well on our way to the barren wasteland of the middle of this month and the real (really real even) gut-check time for any PAD challenge challenger. I've been having a lot of fun so far, and I hope you have, too.

Last night, I was up until the witching hour catching up on my laundry at the local laundromat. While folding up my warm T-shirts, I started thinking about the importance of location in our poems. Many people (not just poets) form their identities based off where they are born and raised, or even where their ancestors were born and raised. From favorite sports teams to music tastes, location can often play a major role in who we are.

Today, the poetry prompt is to write a location poem. You can write about a city, a building, a planet, etc. I suppose the poem doesn't necessarily need to be "about" the place, but the location should play an important role in the poem.

Here's my attempt for today from, naturally:

"The Laundromat"

There is, of course, the hum and throb,
the anonymous faces wandering in and out
with arms wide and full of warm clothes.
This is where she called me twice in one day
just because and to say she loved me.

 


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Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:56:34 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [180] 
# Wednesday, April 09, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 9
Posted by Robert

Today's prompt is to choose a word (any word) and then write a poem either about that word or using that word in different ways. Be sure to point out which word you're writing about.

Here's my go at it using the word "twister."

"Twister"

I never played the game Twister as a boy,
though it always looked like fun to contort
bodies on a plastic mat covered in bright-
colored dots. "Sex in a box." That's what
Milton Bradley was accused of selling, and,
well, it's hard to argue. As a teen, I didn't
need instructions or experience to imagine
what that game might lead to with the right
girl. Born in the 60s. Like "The Twist"--a dance
that involved not touching your partner, but
instead, putting out an imaginary cigarette
and wiping your bottom with an imaginary
towel. A dance floor filled to capacity with
people who don't touch using their imaginations
to quit smoking and dry off. My brother
could relate chasing his twisters across
tornado alley. Always chasing with his
camera pointed to the skies. Never wanting
to touch or get tangled up. A voyeur
until the end. Another thing I've never tried.


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Wednesday, April 09, 2008 2:42:43 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [196] 
# Tuesday, April 08, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 8
Posted by Robert

Eight rhymes with great, which is what you are if you've been keeping up with the PAD challenge so far. Today is a Tuesday--sooooooo, that means you will get to choose from two prompts this morning. Actually, you'll get to choose from two paintings, because today's prompt asks you to write a poem that is inspired by one of the two paintings linked below. Please indicate the title of the painting or the artist's name somewhere in your comment as well. Of course, there is also the possibility that you could blend the two together. Hmmm...

Anyway, here are the paintings:

Painting #1: Piazza d'Italia, by Giorgio de Chirico

Painting #2: The Little Deer, by Frida Kahlo

And here is my little poem (size doesn't matter, does it?), which is inspired by Painting #1.

"Piazza d'Italia"

Everything felt off that day. Maybe in the distance
the perspective bent the two men into a handshake
beside the lazy statue. Maybe the green sky told
the train to arrive beside the columns, beneath
yellow flags. Maybe we hid ourselves from the sun.

 


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Tuesday, April 08, 2008 3:10:51 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [200] 
# Monday, April 07, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 7
Posted by Robert

Today's prompt is to write a "ramble poem." That is, I want you to write a poem where you just start rambling without worrying about where you're headed. Very interesting things can happen in these poems. And don't worry about the interesting things, because they tend to just happen if you let yourself ramble.

While these poems can often be wordy on the early drafts, they can produce wonderful final drafts after going through a few rounds of revision (remember May is my unofficial poem revision month). Ramble poems can be made interesting by somehow rambling off and then coming back to where you began AND by rambling from point A to point Z without tying anything up completely. Plus, they're really fun to write.

In the spirit of the ramble poem and of not worrying about revision until next month, here are my words for today:

"Drinking liquids that are green and blue"

Has always appealed to me since my youth
so much that I'm surprised I never poisoned myself
making odd "scientific" concoctions with my brothers
with the chemicals hiding under our bathroom sink.
We thought we would raise the dead or find a cure
to something. Maybe our boredom. Like how,
as a teen, we'd drive around and loiter at parks
and outside the doughnut shop because we could
find nothing better to do at night. Full of energy
and ambition and the world was never going
to slow us down for nothing. At the all ages shows,
on the trails, in the air descending to the river below,
we knew we didn't want to be our parents,
but beyond that we couldn't see. And so there was
blue juice and Hi-C's Ectoplasm drinks. And so
there was a reason to drink liquids that looked
like they might kill us because we wanted to prove
we were better and that we would live forever.
And so our children will want green and blue, too.

*****

I'm going to try and post up some of the first day's highlights later today in a separate post. I'm so proud of the work everyone's done up to this point. And now we've made it through our first week together.


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Monday, April 07, 2008 12:46:52 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [186] 
April PAD Challenge: Day 6
Posted by Robert

As mentioned in the previous post, today's prompt involves recording all the details of your day and generating a poem from that material. To make the poem interesting, you probably do NOT want to just list out everything from the beginning of the day to the end. But then again, you could prove me wrong on that--list poems can be very effective and engaging when done right.

As far as myself, here's what I came up with today on my way up from Tennessee to Ohio:

"We woke up and fell asleep"

"Sleep pretty darling--do not cry--and I will sing a lullaby."
                                    -the Beatles "Golden Slumbers"

We are born every morning
with or without the ones we love.
She smiles and tells me the world
can wait before we walk the dog.
Then, we dress and go to church.
Faith is surrender, says the pastor.
We are all raised from the dead.
She hands me her pen when I can't
find mine. We sing a few hymns.
Then, we eat lunch. Surrender is
lying on my back and listening
to her write; surrender is driving
north as she heads south mouthing
I love you.

*****

I hope everyone had a great weekend. And I'm proud of everyone who's made it this far in the challenge. We're now 20% of the way there!

 


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Monday, April 07, 2008 3:00:37 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [139] 
# Saturday, April 05, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 5 (& possibly 6)
Posted by Robert

Okay, apparently libraries are not open in Eastern Tennessee on Saturdays. I'm currently coming to you live from an arcade in a tiny mall on the main strip of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Woo-hoo!

The Day 5 prompt is to write a poem of worry. Also known as a worry poem. Anything that causes you worry can be used to help you write this poem. For instance, are you worried about clowns? Because I know I am. Write a poem about your worry of clowns.

Here's what I've got for today--written across the street at the Gatlinburg Pizza Hut. :)

"Gone Fishing"

And when we got back,
there was a message waiting for me,
but I was told to sit down first,
it was something bad,
and so I knew it had to be something to do with my wife,
or with our son she'd been carrying for six months;
I knew it had something to do with one of them,
or both of them;
that's the only reason someone would call
up to these fishing cabins in Canada--
because no one had ever called in more than 20 years
of fishing trips.
So I knew it was something bad--
they were both dead--
killed,
perhaps,
in a traffic accident--
or she lost Ben in some complication--
or Ben was born but she was dead.
I knew;
I knew;
it was something bad,
but I breathed a sigh of relief
when I realized
it was just my grandfather who'd died.

Now this story above is true. The poem is bad. But I should mention that I immediately felt guilty and cried myself to death while taking a shower before driving from Northern Canada to where I am today--Eastern Tennessee. But for a brief moment I was so concerned with my family unit that I did have a moment of relief that it wasn't one of them. Okay--enough of that. Heavy stuff.

*****

Day 6's prompt needs a little warning, because it is a prompt where you record events that happen to you during the day and then create a poem from them. I'm going to post my poem sometime tomorrow, though I don't know if it will be in the morning, day time or evening. I will be back in Ohio tomorrow night--so if I can't find a connection before then, well, you know. Keep an eye out for me. :)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I know I am. Now, time to head up into the mountains and hike around.

 


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Saturday, April 05, 2008 9:52:52 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [215] 
# Friday, April 04, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 4
Posted by Robert

Sorry for the late post today. It's been a doozy of a morning. First, the power was knocked out by some intense storms early this morning, so my alarm did not wake me up this morning. Luckily, my girlfriend called--giving me just enough time to rush over and make my oil change appointment (in a very disoriented state of mind). Once at the dealership, I was told the average oil change wait time is 30-45 minutes. "Good, good," I thought, "that'll give me just enough time to get a start on my poem for today." So anyway, I guess I should've been trying to get a start on my Great American Novel, because 105 minutes later I'm politely asking if maybe they called my name and I didn't hear them. "Actually, no," they said--also politely, "The car in line before you had problems getting off THE RACK." So yeah, I'm not one to make a big fuss, so I said, "Cool," and sat back down worried about posting for y'all (because I'm always thinking of my wonderful blog readers) and just attributed it to some weird Friday bad luck. Anyway, 2 hours after arriving, they finally had me set to go. I pull out my wallet and find out that all I have to do is sign my name and leave. The service guy didn't even bother telling me it was on the house, and--as mentioned earlier--I'm not one of those people who pushes for that kind of stuff. So, yeah, nice ending to a weird morning. I'm thankful for the way they treated me without forcing me to be a jerk--and without making a big "to do" about how they were giving me excellent customer service by putting it on the house. It's the little things really. Anyway, that was a huge ramble. And now, on to the prompt!

*****

Actually, that ramble kind of perfectly fits in with today's prompt, which is to write a thankful poem (at the time, I was thinking TGIF=thankful poem?). Another option is to write a tribute poem. The thankful/tribute poem can be dedicated to a person, an inanimate object, an idea, a day of the week, etc.

For my part, I used this prompt to write a poem on a subject that I've just never been able to tackle: my mother. She's one of those people who is so perfect that every poem I've ever tried writing about her has been kind of blah. But you know what, who cares? So here goes:

"My Mother"

She began working in a car factory at 18,
got married, had 3 boys, and thought
of eventually doing something other
than working in a car factory. But she believed
in providing. Even after the divorce, she
worked and worked and did not let it
keep her from shuttling 3 boys between
practices and events; she did not let
it keep her from attending those events
and getting to know the boys' friends; and
she never once complained "it's not fair."
She was the only parent to be so involved
who also gave her children the freedom
to grow up at indie rock shows and staying out
late at night. "Just wake me when you get in,"
she'd say, "so I don't wake up worried."
She worked and cared for 3 sons, who
went on to become 3 successes--who
had 1 parent to thank for everything.

This poem is sappy and personal and the kind of poem many serious poets would attack as not poetry. I would seriously dispute any such claim. I agree that this is not "publishable poetry," but it is still poetry. Just because a poem is not meant for The New Yorker or The Atlantic, it doesn't mean that it's not a poem--or even that it's not a good poem. For instance, this poem really helped remind me just how thankful I am for my mother and how much she means to me. And when I read it to her tonight, I know she'll realize just how much she means to me as well. So even though this poem is only intended for an audience of 2--it scores a 100% for those two. Don't value your poetry solely off your publication credits and rejection slips; by writing and sharing your writing, you are doing something great. For real.

I'm sorry; I'm totally rambly and sentimental this morning/early afternoon. :)

*****

Some quick notes: First, I'm going to be visiting my grandmother in the Gatlinburg, Tennessee, area this weekend. She doesn't have a computer; and I've never tried locating the Internet down there--so my posts this weekend may be a bit on the inconsistent side. I'm going to try and keep them coming in the mornings though.

Second, due to popular request, I'm going to randomly provide posts with poems that I've particularly liked from each day's prompt--probably grouping a few prompts together. So on Monday, I'll see if I can get that first batch together.

Third, I'm very thankful to all of you who've been participating in this challenge with me. Your responses have totally overwhelmed me (in a fantastic way). Let's keep at it!

 


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Friday, April 04, 2008 5:36:03 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [209] 
# Thursday, April 03, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 3
Posted by Robert

As with many programs, getting through the 3rd day is usually the toughest. So I'm going to try and make Day 3 a little easier to help everyone complete the first 10% of our challenge. The way I look at it 3 days should equal 3 lines; in other words, today we'll be writing a haiku.

The official Day 3 prompt: write a haiku.

Now, you ask: What constitutes a haiku? (Very good question, by the way.)

Here are some previous posts I've made about this form:

* Haiku: Easy or Hard?

* Haiku Revisited

* Haiku on September 11 (posted by Nancy Breen)

If you're not big on researching the haiku, here's a quick primer on what constitutes a haiku:

1. It's a 3-line poem.

2. While many think the lines should be 5-7-5 syllables, that's actually not true. It's 5-7-5 "sounds" if you're writing in Japanese. For English purposes, it tends to be a shorter 1st and 3rd line--with a slightly longer 2nd line.

3. The haiku describes nature--with an emphasis on description. Haiku do not rhyme or use metaphors and/or similes.

4. Haiku includes a word to indicate season. For instance, the word "frog" might indicate spring; the word "snow" might indicate winter.

5. There's also usually a juxtaposition of two sensory images. For instance, the most famous haiku involves a frog jumping into a pond as the first sensory image--the water's sound as the second. When put together, the sensory images turn a very simple moment into a profound poem.

There are more rules--if you want to do the research--but this gives a good enough outline of what makes a haiku. For writing your own, it's best to just observe the world around you, make notes, and see if you can spot connections that help you understand nature and the world around you better.

Here's my attempt:

Plastic bag
caught in the tree branches;
birds build their nests.

Now get haiku-ing!


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Thursday, April 03, 2008 1:52:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [272] 
# Wednesday, April 02, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 2
Posted by Robert

Wow! Y'all came through in a big way yesterday. I'm so pleased that I nearly had a heart attack coming in this morning and seeing the response. Woo-hoo!

Before I get into the prompt, I wanted to address a few questions that came up yesterday. First off, yes, you can add your poem after midnight of the day of the prompt. That means you can play "catch up" later in the month if you ever fall behind. Thinking long term, all poems should be in by the first weekend of May at least.

Second, I don't care if you post previous poems if they align with the challenge, but just remember: That kind of defeats the purpose of this challenge, since we're concerned with writing new material. As we would say in track practice, "You'll only be cheating yourself."

Third, poems should be posted in the Comments here. If you try multiple times and still have problems posting, feel free to email your poem to me (robert.brewer@fwpubs.com) with "Poetry Prompt Response" in the subject line--along with which prompt (by number) it goes with and your name. Then, I'll paste those into the comments myself.

*****

Okay, then. So here we go with Prompt #2: Put yourself in someone (or something) else's skin and write a poem about the experience. Who (or what) ever you become, please make that the title of the poem. If you're Buddy Holly, your poem should be called "Buddy Holly." If you're the Bates Motel, your poem should be called "Bates Motel." And so on.

Think hard on this one. My first attempt did not work out as well as I thought it might (imagining I was Dolly Parton). However, I think I'm good with my second subject, which is...

"Godzilla"

I was raised by whales--
maybe why I hide under water;
that and the fact those people always--
and I mean always--
shoot stuff at me.

Bad enough I'm constantly catching their little buildings--
awkward as they are--
between my toes,
but when I try to speak,
when I try to say,
"I just want to get along,"
all that comes out is my mother tongue,
straight up whale,
which,
contrary to popular belief,
sounds terrifying out of water.

For instance,
I love you becomes,
"Aaaiiiaraiargaiaiarrrrrr..."

*****

For another example and an even better Godzilla poem, check out this one by Aaron Belz. (If I'd known this existed earlier, I would've written a King Kong poem.) ;)

 


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Wednesday, April 02, 2008 2:45:24 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [256] 
# Tuesday, April 01, 2008
April PAD Challenge: Day 1
Posted by Robert

Soooooo, time to begin the April Poem-A-Day challenge! I can tell from the site traffic and personal emails waiting for me this morning that everyone is chomping at the bit to get started. I don't blame you. This is exciting for me as well.

We'll start off with a softball (no reason to pull any muscles on the first day of the challenge, right?): Since today is the first day of the month, write a poem about a first or a series of firsts. This first could be a first love, first job, first funeral, first marriage, first divorce, first child, first Wal-Mart shopping experience, etc. You could also flip this around to be a poem about beginnings (after all, the beginning of anything is also a first step in a process).

Since I promised I would write a poem-a-day to match the prompt-a-day, here's a little poem I put together this morning about my first (and luckily only) cast.

"The Cast"

We kept it in a plastic bag
as if it were a comic book
or meat that needed freezing;
it hooked around my thumb
and traveled to my elbow--
the result of jumping a fence
too fast to chase down a ball
hit for a homer, my shoestring
caught and swung me to the ground
where a stone waited to fracture.
The rest of that summer, I
batted one-handed, played catcher,
and let everyone sign it.
I've never needed another,
and we never did find that ball.

Remember: You don't need to write a "revised" poem; you just need to write a draft. Revision can wait until May.

Once you finish the poem, paste it into the comments below. Heck, you could just type the first draft right into the comments box. (If you do this though, copy and paste the draft somewhere else before posting--just in case any technical glitches erase your comments.)

But wait! There's more!

Since I like to listen to classic rock stations that offer "Two for Tuesday" songs by the same band on Tuesday, well, I'm going to offer "Two for Tuesday" prompts. Woo-hoo!

If you're not feeling that initial prompt, you can try this one instead. (But don't feel obligated to write a poem for both prompts--unless you're an overachiever.)

Extra prompt: Since today is also April Fool's Day, write a prank poem. This could get very fun and very creative.

Okay, that's enough for now. Get at it!


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Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:49:16 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [298] 
# Thursday, March 13, 2008
No fooling: Write a poem a day in April!
Posted by Robert

My weekend is about to begin, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to make any more posts until Monday. My oldest son will be singing with his kindergarten class tomorrow, and I'll be helping my little brother move into his brand new house on Sunday. Good times for the Brewer clan!

Anyway, the purpose of this post is to prepare you for a wild and crazy April poetry challenge. As you probably know, April is National Poetry Month and to celebrate I decided to challenge myself to writing a poem each day--not worrying about quality as much (that's why revision was invented) as getting some first draft material to work with. And I want to encourage you to join me.

To help you out, I've been preparing a series of poetry prompts for each day of the month of April. In fact, I'm even thinking I'll do a "Two for Tuesday" poetry prompt each week as well.

Anyone who writes a poem a day and posts that poem in the comments of each prompt will get something of value from yours truly over the summer. In fact, I'm sure anyone who writes a poem on most of the days will get something from me.

If you're worried about rights, you'll retain your rights, though many publishers will probably consider those poems, at least those drafts of your poems, published--even with them being in the comments. But I plan on participating, and if you're foolhardy like me, you will, too.

Also, just to let you know, I'll probably remove any poems that are over-the-top offensive. That's not to try and censor anyone, but if a piece is excessively graphic just for the sake of being excessively graphic--then I'll probably have to pull the plug. (After all, there are some young ones who read this blog.) I'm hopeful none of my readers will go to that extreme.

If you have any questions, just send me an email with "Poetry Challenge" in the subject line at robert.brewer@fwpubs.com.

*****

Even if you don't participate by writing poems in the comments, though, I would love it if you participate at home. And if any of those poems eventually end up published, I'd love to hear about it.

*****

So the challenge is now out there and official. If you're interested, start looking for the first prompt on April 1 (and again, this is not some April Fool's Day prank, for real).

Have a great weekend!

 


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Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:45:55 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [38] 
# Friday, February 29, 2008
Board up the doors!
Posted by Robert

Cover the windows! Dim the lights! But not too much, because you need to get writing today and into the night (late, late, late at night). After all, today is an extra day that you only get once every four years. If you don't write today, you won't be able to write on February 29 again until 2012.

2012!

Seriously, can you really live without writing for 4 years?

Of course you can't!

This is an extra day--24 hours that shouldn't even exist. Make sure you take advantage of this little gift, this little extra bit of February.

*****

Here's a challenge. Why not try writing a leap year poem? Either write your poem into the comments below, or send to my email (robert.brewer@fwpubs.com). If I get one or two that knock my socks off, I'll feature them (and the poets who wrote them) in a future post. Plus, I'll get working on one myself.

 


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Friday, February 29, 2008 2:24:26 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [5] 
# Sunday, December 23, 2007
Art, poetry and enigma: Giorgio de Chirico
Posted by Robert

When I'm not reading poetry, I love reading those Taschen art biographies. First, artists paint (hehe) interesting lives. Second, the paintings included in the biographies often work as excellent poetry prompts.

I'm reading about Italian painter Giorgio de Chirico at the moment. De Chirico worked as a surrealist and thought his life was connected to that of Friedrich Nietzche. As he found his voice (or do painters find their vision?), de Chirico grew increasingly fascinated with enigma.

Quick quote: "To become truly immortal, a work of art must escape all human limits: logic and common sense will only interfere." -Giorgio de Chirico

There's a lot of truth in this quote by de Chirico. While rules are the foundation of good writing, great writing often bends or breaks the rules slightly. The "imperfection" makes the work memorable and beautiful. It's not always the case, but technically perfect can often be perfectly technical (and boring). So getting back to de Chirico, art must push beyond the logic and common sense of good writing to become great writing.

Anyway, here are two poetry-related de Chirico images:

"The Poet and His Muse"

"The Delights of the Poet"

To get back to one of the reasons I read these art biographies, use these two images to jumpstart your own poem. If you feel so inclined, feel free to share on here.

Happy holidays!

 


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Sunday, December 23, 2007 2:42:10 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Friday, December 07, 2007
Random Holiday Gift List Prompt
Posted by Nancy

Since the holiday season is in full swing (with Hanukkah and St. Nicholas this week alone), here's a prompt for some seasonally oriented writing.

This exercise is for a kind of list poem. Start each line with "Because I received [fill in the blank]," then write a result of receiving that gift. For some very cliche examples:

Because I received the Easy Bake Oven Mom said was too expensive, I knew Santa Clause must be real.

Because I received a lump of coal from my girlfriend as a gag gift, I suspected she might be suppressing her anger with me.

Because I received a pickled frog from an old chemistry set from Uncle Tolouse, everything I'd heard my parents say about him made sense.

Because I received nothing from my sister for eighteen years, I was shocked when she handed me a wrapped gift.

And so on. You get the idea.

Don't think too much about each statement as you write it, especially the reaction. Just get as many statements down on paper as you can. You can refine this as a list poem made up of these statements (looking for common themes, building to a final line that pulls it all together, etc.); or you can generate a new list poem or a cause-and-effect poem developed from the one line you choose. For instance:

Because I received nothing from my sister
for eighteen years, I was shocked
when she handed me a wrapped gift.

Because she handed me a wrapped gift,
I felt awkward and angry
without something for her in return.

Because I felt awkward and angry,
I scowled at the gift
and said, "What in the hell is this?"

Because I scowled and said, "What
in the hell is this?", my sister
looked hurt in a way I'd never seen before.

Because my sister looked hurt
in a way I'd never seen before, I
wanted to curl up inside myself and die.

Because I wanted to curl up and die,
I couldn't tell my sister she'd surpised me--
and touched me.

Because I couldn't tell my sister
she'd surprised and touched me,
she turned away without saying anything.

Because she turned away without saying anything,
the moment melted like sooty snow
on the foyer floor.

Or something like that.

You could also render the poem down to the "effects" of each line (although I kind of like the rhythm of the repetition). Here's how the above lines would read if I cut them down:

Because I received nothing from my sister
for eighteen years, I was shocked
when she handed me a wrapped gift.
I felt awkward and angry
without something for her in return.
I scowled at the gift
and said, "What in the hell is this?"
My sister looked hurt in a way
I'd never seen before. I wanted
to curl up inside myself and die.
I couldn't tell my sister
she'd surpised me--and touched me.
She turned away
without saying anything. The moment
melted like sooty snow
on the foyer floor.

Try it every which way and see what you come up with.

Happy writing!

--Nancy

There are more poetry prompts here.


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Friday, December 07, 2007 4:17:33 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Saturday, December 01, 2007
FINAL Friday SPAM poetry prompt (#1130)
Posted by Nancy

SPAM prompt line: proverbial fruit cake

 

Just wanted you all to know that this will be the last SPAM poetry prompt (for a couple of reasons I'll explain later on). I hope you've enjoyed trying them as much as I've enjoyed creating them.

 

I saved this prompt line especially for the holiday season. I've been intrigued by this line ever since I first saw it last summer. How exactly is a fruitcake "proverbial"? If it referred to the "proverbial unpopular fruitcake" or the "proverbial awful fruitcake," maybe it would make more sense. Not that I could agree; I love fruitcake (when it's good--with quality fruits and nuts and preferably soaked in strong spirits).

 

I thought of various cakes in Ireland and the UK in which items are baked: charms, coins, etc. Could this fruitcake have little rolled up proverbs baked inside? What would these proverbs say? Imagine such a proverb, what it tells you, how it changes your outlook on your life--and maybe fruitcakes.

 

Or could "fruitcake" here be politically incorrect slang for a certain type of person? Are these people among your family and friends? Discuss. (I'd say my family is stocked with such fruitcakes, but they'd simply yell, "Hey, pot--meet kettle!")

 

If none of this excites your creative juices, write about how much you hate--or love--fruitcake. If you knew a fruitcake baker (or are one yourself), use that as your inspiration. If you can work "proverbial" into it somehow, extra points for you!

 

Enjoy--and have a wonderful holiday season.

 

--Nancy

 

More prompts are available here.


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Saturday, December 01, 2007 4:29:27 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Saturday, November 17, 2007
Friday SPAM poetry prompt #1116
Posted by Nancy

SPAM prompt line: I suspect she is far away from here by now.

 

We're heading into Thanksgiving week, when lots of people will be traveling. I thought of that when I saw this SPAM line, which has a wistful sense of missing someone.

 

Think back to a time of departure, when someone was traveling out of your life, either temporarily or for good. The someone doesn't have to be female, and it doesn't have to be at Thanksgiving or any other holiday. The point is to evoke and explore that sense of distance.

 

And just because I read "wistful" into "I suspect she is far away from here by now" doesn't mean you have to. Maybe she's far away from her by now--with your wallet. Or he's far away from here by now, and you're feeling the heady rush of freedom as you begin to reclaim your life. Distance is the only constant. Whether that distance is liberating, devastating, or makes your heart grow fonder is up to you.

 

You can work the SPAM line into your poem or not; that's your choice. Length, form, and style are open.

 

By the way, there won't be a Friday SPAM poetry prompt #1123 next week because of the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

 

--Nancy

 

You can find more poetry prompts here.


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Saturday, November 17, 2007 3:53:31 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Saturday, November 10, 2007
Friday SPAM poetry prompt #1109
Posted by Nancy

SPAM prompt line: Singer's list

 

I've been trying, off and on, to write a poem to prompt #727, "I'm writing to find love." Talk about being blocked. I wrote the initial list of statements quickly enough; but I pull it out and tinker with it, then put it away again, hoping it will spark something next time. So far it hasn't. I know I'm over-thinking it and being too critical. It's just a little prompt, and all I have to do is write a little throwaway poem. Splinters are little, too, though, and they also can get stuck way deep.

 

So, if you have problems writing to these prompts, I know how you feel. If you don't have problems, I bow to your gung-ho ability to get things down on the page.

 

Anyhow, let's return to prompt #727. During my most recent attempt to create something from this prompt, song titles and phrases from song lyrics about love started running through my brain. Soon I couldn't think of anything else. Where is love? You can't hurry love. Love is a battlefield.

 

Love, love me do! All you need is love. Loves me like a rock. Love, don't let me be lonely. Only love can break a heart. Only love can mend it again.

 

This week's prompt line, "Singer's list," reminded me of my mental love song parade, and I thought this would be a good opportunity for a "found poem" exercise.

 

You can base your exercise on a real singer's repertoire; or you can focus on one singer's or band's songs from one CD; or you can just choose the next several songs you hear on the radio; or you can study old or current Billboard lists.

 

Once you've decided on the source of your "singer's list," compile a list of titles and/or lyric lines (can be a combination of the two). Don't worry about working the singer or band into it, unless you want to. Just see what you can put together from the set of songs, titles and lyrics, that you've chosen. (If you want an extra challenge, choose titles and lyrics randomly, then play with them to see what kind of poem develops.)

 

You can keep titles and lines or phrases from lyrics intact, or you can scramble them up. (And, no--when I try this exercise, I will notuse the love song titles and phrases I already came up with.)

 

Happy writing!

 

--Nancy

 

There are more prompts (and even a couple of poem responses) here.


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Saturday, November 10, 2007 4:22:58 AM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, November 02, 2007
Friday SPAM poetry prompt #1102
Posted by Nancy

SPAM prompt line: Most popular online drugstore

 

I'm taking "online" here to be synonymous with "virtual"; i.e., this isn't just a website that sells drugs, but an actual online drugstore. And you get to create it.

 

First, imagine your ideal drugstore, or the one you go/went to most often. If you're old enough to remember non-chain drugstores, you can draw on that memory. What's in this drugstore? How is it set up visually? What are the details (i.e., how the merchandise is organized and presented, the other items the druggist sells, the checkout counter, the signs and other sales aids). Are there people in your drugstore? Who are they? What do they do and what do they represent in your virtual store? Are they part of the operation and presentation of the site (for instance, a druggist who "talks" to you about your order)? Or are the others real-world customers shopping in real time, like you. Do you get to communicate with each other?

 

Why is your drugstore most popular?

 

Your drugstore can be part of a computer game or a website that functions exactly the way a brick-and-mortar drugstore functions. Write a poem, any length, any form, that creates and explains this "most popular online drugstore."

 

Happy writing!

 

--Nancy

There are more poetry prompts here.


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Friday, November 02, 2007 8:37:36 PM (GMT Standard Time, UTC+00:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Saturday, October 27, 2007
Friday SPAM poetry prompt #1026
Posted by Nancy

                                   

 

 

SPAM prompt line(s): With my sarcophagus.

                                      supernatural watchdog

                                      It's as hot as Halloween out there.

 

With Halloween coming up in a hurry, I'm in a trick-or-treat mood. So I've chosen three SPAM lines that I tucked away because they seemed perfect for late October. Whether they're tricks or treats depends on you and what kind of success you have with them.

 

One approach is to pick a single line and use it in your poem. The "sarcophagus" example has a real Sylvia Plath echo. The second example could be something out of Poe.

 

I have to admit, I don't know what that third line is supposed to mean. It turned up in the SPAM filter back in August during one of our 100 degree heat waves. I don't think of Halloween being "hot," literally or figuratively, but that's just me. Maybe I went to the wrong kinds of Halloween parties.

 

So, pick one line for your prompt; or go all out and use all three lines in one poem. Form and style are up to you; but one of the forms with repeating lines could be fun to try. Or tap your inner Shel Silverstein and go for something humorous.

 

 

Hope you're "haunted" by some eerie inspiration!

 

--Nancy

 

More prompts to be found here.   


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Saturday, October 27, 2007 3:41:25 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Friday, October 19, 2007
Friday SPAM poetry prompt #1022
Posted by Nancy

SPAM prompt line: finally a little justice

 

There just doesn't seem to be a whole lot of justice in the world right now. Sure, things have never been totally fair, but it used to be that a good instance of justice being served helped balance everything out and restore a person's faith. Now the bad guys, whoever you perceive them to be, constantly seem to get away with murder (or any of a whole laundry list of crimes).

 

Is poetic justice easier to come by--perhaps, especially, in your own life? (See this site for a thorough review of what "poetic justice" means; I especially like the Simpsons example.) Was there "finally a little [poetic] justice" when virtue was rewarded and vice punished, and you still think about it because it was just so good? Maybe you even helped that justice to triumph. It doesn't have to be a major event; it could just be a small moment ripe with reckoning (that Simpsons example again).

 

On the other hand, were you ever the recipient of a little poetic justice yourself? What happened? Would you like to talk about it? Can you talk about it?

 

Write your poem in any form; can be serious or humorous (remember, irony is important). Set the bar a little higher and write a sonnet (or any other form that seems to suit your specific situation).

 

Happy writing!

 

--Nancy

 

You can find more poetry prompts here.


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Friday, October 19, 2007 9:38:26 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [1] 
# Saturday, October 13, 2007
Friday SPAM poetry prompt #1012
Posted by Nancy

SPAM prompt line: I do cutthroat

Do you "do" cutthroat? I thought I could answer that question about myself until I looked at all the definitions for this term: a "ruthless pirate"; a way of playing the card game Sheepshead (of course, then I had to look up what Sheepshead even is); a murderer who kills by slitting throats; a game in pool for three players; being "ruthless in competition" (obviously, a key word here is "ruthless); a type of eel or trout.

When the SPAM line first attracted my attention, my initial mental image was of business people playing hardball in their dealings and trying to undercut one another. Then I thought of pirates. Then I had a vague notion of sports and competition.

In passive competitions, i.e. entering a poetry contest or trying for a blue ribbon with my needlework, I've always been very dedicated to making my entry the absolute best it can be; but I've never tried to spill coffee on someone's crocheted tablecloth or cozy up to a poetry judge. My only experience with competition on a physical level was when I used to compete (as an adult) in clogging contests and, only a couple of times, in Irish dancing. Toward the end of my brief stint as a clogging competitor, I was in contests where dancers would rush the front of the stage to jockey for prime visibility in front of the judges. I'd stay on my line, awestruck at the mass of clicking, clacking, gyrating humans, and hope maybe I'd stand out because I was the only one NOT hot dogging at the edge of the stage. (Right, like that worked.)

I don't think I do cutthroat. I've never been a pirate or even tried to talk like one. I've never tried to slit anyone's throat (despite some murderous fantasies over the years). I don't play pool, I've never played Sheepshead. I've never eaten eel or trout with "cutthroat" in its name, as far as I know. And I've never been deliberately ruthless. (Bitchy, angst-ridden, demanding--sure; but not ruthless.)

What about you? Do you do cutthroat? Were you ever ruthless in something? Are you a little ashamed to remember it, or did you cultivate it as an art? Were you cutthroat in the classroom, in a business dealing, playing soccer, playing hoops, playing Monopoly, helping your kids sell cookies, bidding on eBay? Seriously, have you ever been a pirate? (Halloween doesn't count.)

Maybe you do cutthroat, maybe you don't. Maybe you're a reformed cutthroat. Maybe you'd like to explore being cutthroat as a new direction in your life. Maybe you're feeling confessional about some past incidence of cutthroat-ism.

Maybe if you're cutthroat about this prompt, you'll come up with enough material for several poems. Good luck!

--Nancy

For more poetry prompts, go here.


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Saturday, October 13, 2007 4:40:36 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, October 08, 2007
I don't usually do these, but...
Posted by Robert

...I had this great idea (at least, I thought so) for a poetry prompt this morning. One of the perks of working at F+W Publications is that I'm constantly surrounded by a wide range of enthusiast magazines and books (from writing to scuba diving and from coin collecting to decorative painting).

This morning I'm breezing through the production department and see two brand new titles: one for some kind of knitting and the other with the image of a handgun on the cover with the title of Glock.

Of course, my mind started spinning on some yarn about an old woman who knits a pretty carrying case for her glock. And maybe it's not her glock; maybe it's for her grandson Bruno who works for the mob. The possibilities are endless really with a knitting-glock juxtaposition.

And that's what my (long-winded) poetry prompt is: Juxtapose two or more seemingly unrelated things (images, ideas, people, etc.) to create an interesting poem.

The nice thing about juxtaposition is that it can increase tension and make an interesting idea unforgettable. Have fun going at it. If you wish to share, post your poem in the comments below.

*****

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Monday, October 08, 2007 2:15:44 PM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Thursday, October 04, 2007
Friday SPAM poetry prompt #1005 (one day early)
Posted by Nancy

SPAM prompt line: Would you like to see more cash in your purse?

 

Since I'm taking a break today and Friday (for what I hope will be a quiet, pleasant fall excursion among the Amish of Holmes Co., Ohio), I'm putting up this Friday's SPAM prompt a day early.

 

I thought it would be interesting to write a prose poem, or try to. I've attempted prose poems before and didn't feel confident about what I had on the page. But if you all are willing to give it a shot, I am as well.

 

I'm not going to say anything about the prompt line. Take it wherever you will. If you're new to writing prose poems or need a refresher, The Academy of American Poets provides a discussion of the form here; while Double Room: a journal of prose poetry and flash fiction provides many excellent examples online.

 

--Nancy

 

Find more poetry prompts here.

 


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Thursday, October 04, 2007 5:23:07 AM (GMT Daylight Time, UTC+01:00)  #  Comments [0] 
# Monday, October 01, 2007
A PROMPT RESPONSE: #720 Are you still with short ramrod?
Posted by Nancy

I am so far behind! I originally posted this prompt way back in July. I've written to it a few times, but never felt I had anything to work with. However, now I'm determined during the month of October to finally catch up on these prompts, so I made myself get to work.

 

This untitled draft is the semi-polished version of what I'd come up with after lots of wheel-spinning: 

 

He was sort of a runt, stocky

and ungraceful.  He wasn't

dreamboat material with his broad,

turned-up nose, off-kilter smile (not

crooked, like Gable's, just skewed),

watery eyes that protruded a bit. 

The wavy blond hair should have counted

for something, but it lacked highlights

and sat on his skull like a lop-sided cap.

 

Appearances get in the way

in seventh grade: He was friendly, with maybe even

kindness behind those dull eyes. He was

"one of the guys," even though he wasn't crude

and never baited the nuns to score points.

No one disliked him. He simply

didn't make hearts flutter.

 

I thought he'd scored the last laugh

when he married one of my high school classmates,

a bookish girl who developed style and luster

as she matured. She made a beautiful bride,

 

still as smart and funny as she'd been

freshman year. She and her scruffy groom

were laughing and affectionate, as if they enjoyed

each other as well as their romance.  No one

 

would have modeled a cake topper after

the mismatched pair, but everyone at the reception

smiled watching them dance, the two of them

grinning, gazing (him up, her down)

into each other's eyes.

 

No, I wasn't happy about this version at all. It was too wordy, and too bogged down with details that weren't needed. Originally I'd said not to write an epic, and I wanted to at least try to follow my own directions.

 

I pared and rewrote lines, wrote new lines, and wound up frequently glowering at the computer screen. Finally I decided to focus on the original wording of the prompt: Are you still with short Ramrod? I started with the first meeting with the unlikely bride, instead of going back in time to establish the details of why "Ramrod" wasn't especially attractive. I was able to work in some of the imagery from my previous draft, although I'm still not satisifed with this poem at all. Maybe if I take a look at it six months from now, I can see how to fix it--or whether it's worth any more effort.

 

BELIEVE ME OR YOUR LYING EYES

 

I'd gone to school with her fiancé

in seventh grade. She must have read my mind

when she told me they were engaged.

She chuckled. Yeah, he's a smart-ass

little runt. Coming from her,

it sounded like an endearment.

 

She and I been friends off and on in high school.

Knowing her, I couldn't imagine them together.

Then I realized I didn't know her at all,

had no idea whether he was her "type."

 

His father and I were members

of the church choir, and we sang at the wedding.

The bride was lovely, outclassed

her groom  in every way; but they seemed

happy, enjoying the party and each other

as if romance were gravy. The guests

smiled to see them dance together,

the mismatched couple grinning,

gazing (him up, her down)

into each other's eyes.

 

I didn't see her for a decade or more.

At our ten-year reunion she told me

they were divorced. He was a jerk,

she announced with a live-and-learn shrug.

I didn't know what to say. A jerk,

a runty, unappealing jerk--that

had been my impression of him all along.

 

I'm sorry was all I could say.

Then we let it go, and talked about school.

 

[Sigh.] Maybe the next prompt will go better.

 

--Nancy

&nb