That's great Robert, sounds like progress. Thanks for all your hard work and for the great prompts you throw our way each week. I have a great time with them, have a wonderful evening!

Thanks so much for the update, Robert. I hope you know how much you and your helper elves are appreciated.

Thanks for the update. Darn though. I don't think my fingernails will last that long;)

Have a happy 4th!

Jodi

I, too, think I know who the poet laureate is, so watch it, bub. Nah, just kidding, if it isn't Walt, he'll be sooooo understanding, yes?
Thanks for all your work, Robert. It is nice that some poems - and poets - will be recognized in the top 5 lists and in the e-book, but, for me, the grand prize is already in hand, that being the community of strangers that I know so well, right here on this little ol' board.
Keep on promptin'...

One hundred thousand thank you's, Robert (as my dear old Scottish friend used to say).

Oooo, ooooo, Poet Laureate! Gotta be Walt! Gotta be Walt! He is teaching us all how to love with our words and how to savor the grand game of baseball.

Again, Robert, thank you for this wonderful venue in which we can share our gifts, our visions, our humor and our passion. It's a strange new way to make friends.

Trudi

Oh, the suspense...

Poet Laureate! Well, it probably isn't me. Oh,darn. Could be anyone. Last year was quite a surprise. When she was announced, I thought...who? Then I went back and read some of her poem and soon realized why.

Good luck to everyone--with the book and Poet Laureate. Remember though, it is not based on quantity but quality. (before anyone starts to read into that the wrong way---no, that is not a cut on Walt. Last year Iain and, I believe, Rodney, had the most poems and had some good material there as well but didn't win. Instead Robert offered them the honor of most poems during the challenge award. So my point is...it is not always obvious who will win.)

Guess I'd better go back into the April posting and read a bit before they are all deleted. I have a few favorites of my own.

Hi, Robert. Great to hear you are enough on the mend to even be thinking about this. Thanks so much for the update. AND for the weekly prompts. This site has been such a blessing to me!

de@wordplaybyde.com

Thanks for the update, Robert! And I think De raised a good point there; I'm glad to hear there's updates coming on PAD challenge things, but I'm also hoping all's well with you and whatever your health issues were!

And Linda, don't be too sure; as you said, the Poet Laureate could be anyone! :) Never sell yourself short with your writing!! (Listen to me and my mini Mr-Rodgers-Meets-Maya-Angelou-lecturing-self!)

Until August!!

Oh, the suspense!!! lol

After being amazed at myself for even completing the challenge, I have gone ahead without the results and self "published" my "April Anthology" for all my friends and people who have always encouraged my writing. I just added graphics to the poems posted, printed them off and had the bound. Everyone who has seen it has been really impressed. So even if you don't make the e-book, treasure your unique ability and celebrate the fact you did so much work, by putting together your own anthology like I have and give it to all those who realise your true talent. It will really be worth it. Good luck everyone. S-J Etal

What a wonderful idea, Stacy-Jane. Good for you! Like you, I was amazed at myself for even completing the challenge. It was a frightening stretch for me to take the step of publicly postin any of my work. I am thrilled beyond words at the reception and encouragement given by the true poets “in the house.”

As for Poet Laureate, I will be pleased as punch for whoever is chosen. There are several of you who are no doubt deserving. But in my heart, I recognize Walt.

I keep pinching myself at my good fortune to have stumbled onto this wonderful venue. It's a joy to be able to read so much amazing work and to contribute myself.

Thanks to Robert for all your hard work and for the terrific prompts. Hope all is going well now health-wise, which is the most important thing.

Thanks to all who encourage and support each other on a regular basis. I'd never have believed I could enjoy poetry so much. I've always been a reader and writer of prose only. This site has opened up a whole new world for me. That's the best kind of winning.

Thanks Robert for this tremendous opportunity to hone my poetic skills and re-find my voice. The April PAD was a great vehicle for all that. I'm just proud to be counted among the other fine poets and of the "friendships" made here. Thanks to all for your encouragement and support. I can't tell you what it's meant to me. Whoever is chosen will have earned it. I am humbled by all mentions of my name here, but Robert your decision process is what matters. I don't envy your position. Again, thanks for allowing me "to come out and play."

Robert,
Add my thanks to all expressed here. I continue to enjoy the support of this community and am looking forward with all of them for the outcome of our collected efforts. For me, this is a journey that still guides my poetic steps. I have learned so much in the reading and writing and know that my writing has improved because of it. Thank you all.

Oh I can hardly wait. I hope I made it but if I do not congraulations to all who tried

Have a wonderful 4th of July

Melinda

Stacy-Jane---great that you self-published. Hope you do well with it.

Marie Elena--it could very well be Walt. Last year I thought there were several people which were worthy of the title. Picking just one must be a task. I don't envy Robert.

Robert, are you planning to do the November Chapbook Challenge again this year? Or is it too early to decide? (I know you've had a crazy year so far.)

Linda H.

Take all the time you need, Robert. We've all seen -- and contributed to -- the massive volume of material you have to go through with a fine-toothed comb. Reaching any conclusions at all looks like a monumental task from here.

That said, I'm already itching for *next* April ...

Anders

Robert, I agree with Anders. Take whatever time you need. You were thrown a couple of curve balls this year--your physical problems and the enormous number of poems this year.

Thank you for your work.

Hey, Robert...no problem-o! You have had a few rough patches here and there and I for one, totally understand! One of "us" stated that they didn't know if their nails would last that long and I just loved it! How true! Whatever the case and whomever gets the spotlight...we will all be anxious to read the news. Thank you so much for the update. I appreciate it!

Thank you, so much Robert, for the update. The task is daunting, and I want to thank you and the guest readers for putting so much effort into the project, and to all that you do for poetry.

Best wishes---

Melissa Carl

In November, I hazarded a guess that Taylor would be the winner, and I came close--a runner up, but in April the volume was so massive, and I was so consumed with writing, that I really only read short ones, or poets I already knew I would enjoy, so I would not be surprised to see a name I don't even remember seeing be the Laureate.
Robert--I am amazed, all things considered that you think it may only be a month late. We can wait.

Thanks for the update! The suspense is nearly intolerable, but hopefully Wednesday prompts will keep us alive... :)

Dear Robert,
Thanks for the update on the update, and the tremendous amount of work you do to empower us to grow as writers. After getting some life altering medical news in February, I was determined to do some of the things I always said I would do if I had the time. I always loved to write but limited it to personal letters, letters to the editor. Life was too busy. Yeah, I know any excuse is the same as another. I stumbled onto your site and read about the challenge, and dove in. I loved it. It led to me joining a writers group and making some lovely new, likeminded friends. The month of April kept me grounded and gave me hope that I will be around for next year's contest. I write everyday now, and feel I have found my way home. You have my sincere thanks, and want you to know the effect of your efforts. May God bless you with good health and everything good in life.
Midge

Tried to post before but guess it didn't go thru.

Since there were so many more people this year, I couldn't read all the poems. So, in that sense, I have absolutely no clue who Poet Laureate could be. I did like the work of Patricia Hawkenson and De Jackson very much as well as Iain and Nancy Posey (and a few others...you know who you are---"BD" ). However, there are several poems that I loved and remember, such as Terri French's "Cloud Kicker". Hope some of my favorites make the book.

Midge, glad you stumbled along the site. Hope all goes well for and... keep writing.

Robert, take your time. Health comes first.

Thanks for the update, Robert! I've been thinking about this lately and wondering.....can't wait to see which pieces get picked. Hope everyone is still spinning out wonderful poems on their own.

The April PAD 2009 challenge was a new experience for me; thanks for all the prompts and efforts that went into making it such a great opportunity to write and to share and to comment. Looking forward to hearing more.

Take care.

Patricia

Since this was my first year participating in the PAD, I am excited to learn how this all turns out and who will be crowned the 2009 Laureate. I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone's poetry, and have found myself looking forward to the Wednesday Prompts as well.

Dear Robert,

Thanks for the update! Although it was a challenge, I completed 30 for 30, and I am eagerly awaiting my "badge" to place on my website @ www.joanhuffman.info :-)

Thanks for the update.

Robert, if it would be possible for you to change the original contact email address from my "Challenge" account to this one:

de@wordplaybyde.com

...that would be very helpful. I was unable to create an account using that address for some reason, and I'll get the update much more quickly that way. I am looking forward to receiving my (first!)completion certificate, and congratulating all of the amazing poets who make it into the book!

Thanks again for all of your hard work in supporting our "habit." :)

Take all the time you need, and please add my thanks to the list, Robert. Your work is greatly appreciated! I'll never be able to thank you enough for the terrific opportunity you have provided for someone, like me, who stepped into a new universe with PAD. I'm loving this! It's a new learning experience every day. It's not just the writing. As others have said, it's a deeper involvement that includes new voices, new words, other lives, other experiences. It's a "person-expander".

W

Happy to hear you're up to the task and making progress -- in spite of the setbacks you've had. Don't envy you the monumental task of reading & judging such a huge volume of work. (I couldn't keep up with the reading. Had all I could do to keep up with the writing!) Making the "e-book" or being "crowned" the PAD Laureate might be nice for the folks who do, but the real gift was just participating in the whole fun, entertaining, challenging, and productive process. Thanks for keeping this website going strong, Robert! :-)

Thanks so much for plodding away on this. I know it's been a chaotic few months for you.

April was a great workout. I look forward to the next PAD challenge.

Hello hello....

Thanks for the update. I thought there would be a delay after hearing of your hospital stay (Oh my gosh...an unintended rhyme). Certainly hope you are well. One thing I did after seeing the 'update' was go back and read some of the poems I didn't get a chance to read. There is some great, great stuff there! One thing a little disconcerting is on some days there are no poems left posted. Particularly day 21, Haiku. I know I posted but cannot find it. And that was one of my favorite days of reading everyone's efforts. I'm having trouble locating my day 21 submision on my PC...sure do hope it's somewhere.

I think I'm already looking forward to next April 1st (or is that a FOOLish thing to say?!

-Demsy Monticello

Yes, thank you for all the hard work!
You wanted me to remind you that I indeed completed the challenge, but that I submitted the last 3 under my email name rather than my name.
Good luck on getting it all done!

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the update, I actually came to the blog today to thank you for being part of my inspiration for starting my own blog, your PAD challenge, a recent read of Julie/Julia, and a long time desire to write a daily column have propelled me into the world of the blog. I will also be providing a daily poetry prompt as inspired by you. So thanks again.

Alexandra Spenser Leavelle
www.wordswithwings.com/blog

Sounds like you are making a great deal of progress in spite of the setbacks. I really enjoy your blog and the work you do for poets, like me. I can't wait to see the august announcements.

Robert,
I have enjoyed your posts to my email and it makes me feel connected to this wonderful little community we have forged here. I knew that I wouldn't have any of my poems picked so I posted every poem on my blog. The response was very encouraging and people appreciated seeing poetry and reading my work. I have to thank you for bringing me back to my poetic roots and hope that you feel better. Don't tax yourself by trying to get this done by August. As you can see, we're all going to be able to wait a little longer.:)

I also didn't get to read every poem and did go back to read some of my favorites. Agree that Walt definitely deserves to be Poet Laureate, but so many great poems this year that I don't envy you your choices. I'm just honored to have been able to contribute to this body of work and look forward to seeing the results.

Hi Robert,

Was just wondering if you have a date in mind for announcing the Poetry Challenge lists? Not trying to rush you or anything like that, but just curious :)

Ayesha Chatterjee

I am trying to be patient. I know you are on a well deserved vay kay. But my feet are wiggling.

RObert

please email us ASAP and let us know I know you are so busy

THanks
Melinda

Dear Robert

Add my good thoughts to all the others who are, as myself, grateful for your collecting together this community. Wish you and yours well.
The April challenge alerted me to this formerly unknown community and it was a joy to participate (as writer and reader!) and a pleasure to recall.

Love to all
Pearl Ketover Prilik

Hey, Robert...

I imagine you are busy.... but, any news related to the April PAD Challenge 2009??