February 2018 archive
The challenge: to write a poem every day through the month of February in response to a piece of art. Voila! I’m practicing my first attempt at Ekphrastic poetry thanks to Laura Shovan, who hosts a February Poetry Project each year in honor of her birthday every year. You can read about it’s past and present incarnation here.
I’ve almost made it! Next Friday will be March, and so far I have managed to write and share a poem in response to art every day. I think I will make it all the way till the end of the month. Some days are easier to write than others, and I like some of my efforts better than others. Here are a few of my favorites from the week.
I tried my first triolet this week. I first learned of it from a challenge by the Poetry Princesses. i loved the the gentle feeling created by the rhyme and repetition. I saved their posts and waited for an opportunity to try it for myself. This unsigned painting shared by Molly Hogan (she found it at the free shopping area of her local Recycling Barn) was the perfect invitation.
COME
Come to the woods and be still
Sit and breathe in its peace
Listen for a bird’s soft trill
Come to the woods and be still
Rest beside a trickling rill
From your daily toils cease
Come to the woods and be still
Sit and breathe in its peace
I had much on my mind when I wrote this poem in response to a charcoal carving Christine Wyman brought back from outside the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. I’m not sure it completely works, but It’s a start of something I want to come back to later.
TEACH US
Before you disappear
into your misty mountains
and impenetrable forests,
teach us to bear the weight
of our children on our backs
until they grow strong enough
to walk beside us.
Teach us to weave nets
of dreams instead of vines
to cradle our children
and ourselves while we rest
from the dangers and toils
of modern life that threaten
to overwhelm us
with nightmares
of extinction.
Finally, just for fun, I wrote this limerick to accompany this delightful illustration “Winter Gator” by John Herzog, shared by Rebecca Herzog.
There once was a gator named Flo
who liked to take walks in the snow.
She’d glide all day long
while humming a song
and watching the cold north wind blow.
Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Liz hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup today at Elizabeth Steinglass. She extends an invitation to reflect on why we’re here with a beautiful poem of concrete details that point to what matters and another iteration of what can be written using a powerful mentor text: George Ella Lyon’s “Where I’m From.” Drop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week.
The challenge: to write a poem every day through the month of February in response to a piece of art. Voila! I’m practicing my first attempt at Ekphrastic poetry thanks to Laura Shovan, who hosts a February Poetry Project each year in honor of her birthday every year. You can read about it’s past and present incarnation here.
The writing has gone a little easier this week. Thank you for all the words of encouragement last week! I’ve learned some new forms (Skinny poems! Read more about them here.) Here’s my first attempt from a sculpture, “Edward,” created by David LaTulippe and shared by Renee LaTulippe.
I wrote an epitaph for the challenge at Today’s Little Ditty. Michelle Barnes featured J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen and their new book, Last Laughs: Prehistoric Epitaphs, in a rousing rendition of the Newly Read Game. Check out the rest of the entries–and submit your own–on the padlet. The pencil sketch by L.D. Wight was shared by Linda Baie.
But most of all I’m thankful that poetry gives me a way to voice emotion. This week my heart is heavy with the news of yet another mass shooting. It does not have to continue. We can change laws and hearts in ways that will make a difference and that will save lives. We must move beyond the current arguments that get stuck in the same ruts of gun control versus 2nd amendment rights and repeat the same arguments over and over. If you haven’t read Nicholas Kristof’s column in the New York Times (he refreshed it from the shooting in November), it is a good place to start. He suggests taking a public health approach to gun violence and gives several places to start. If you haven’t already, call or email or write your legislators (both state and national) and offer solutions. Hold your representatives accountable for solving problems and vote in November (and primary elections whenever they are held in your area.)
This last poem is a reverso in honor of those who died and who showed such courage in Parkland. The corrugated art, “Eclipse,” is by Collen Sakurai.
Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Jone hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup today at Check It Out. She is celebrating all kinds of poetry winners from books to postcards! Drop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week.
The challenge: to write a poem every day through the month of February in response to a piece of art. Voila! I’m practicing my first attempt at Ekphrastic poetry thanks to Laura Shovan, who hosts a February Poetry Project each year in honor of her birthday every year. You can read about it’s past and present incarnation here.
This week has been hard. The problem is not the art. Poets have shared beautiful works that evoke stories and more, but each day as I sat down to write, my brain froze up. This week for me has been about writing anyway and sharing even though I’m not happy with any of my drafts (except for one that I’m saving for Valentine’s Day). As always, I am blown away by the beauty of the words crafted by so many talented poets. I keep shushing the voice that asks, “Who am I to dare to write along side such brilliance?” because I know that I will learn and grow in my own writing if I continue to write with such brilliant people. Besides, everyone is encouraging and supportive.
Here is one draft that I will be coming back to later. I welcome any and all suggestions! I like the interplay of the two voices, but I don’t feel the story is complete yet. It was fun to play around with, too. Heather Meloche shared the gorgeous wood block print, which was created by her grandmother, Thelma Wilson Brain.
FLIGHT
Girl
Raven
Teach me how to fly
over trees so high.
Lady, don’t be quick
to seek flying’s trick.
If I were to soar,
I’d be bored no more.
Boredom’s oft a treat
that is simply sweet.
Lend me flapping wings
that stroke faster swings.
Faster wings, you see,
lead to grounds to flee.
If I master flight
I will chase the light.
Cause the light burns bright
wings will shed in fright.
Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Sally hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup today at SallyMurphy.com.au. For her first time hosting, she offers some terse verse. It’s amazing how much poets can say in so few words! Drop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week.
The challenge (Laura Shovan’s 6th Annual February Poetry Project. You can read about it’s past and present incarnation here. This year’s theme is Ekphrastic At Home. Different poets will share a photo of art (any and all kinds of art count) for a daily prompt.) officially began today, and I’m already feeling overwhelmed–but in the best possible way. I’m not sure at this point who made the comment, but I wholeheartedly agree–taking part is like taking a master class in writing poetry. I’m blown away by the poetry I’m reading and the encouragement and support of everyone taking part.
Since it is a practice of poetry, I’ve been pushing myself to try new forms, especially rhyming forms. I am much more used to writing in free verse, but I so admire and enjoy reading rhyming poetry, too. When it’s done well, it looks effortless. Ha! By the time my brain tries to hold on to rhyme and rhythm and meaning, it feels like it’s done the limbo while bending into a pretzel. By the time I post, I can’t even tell if what I’ve written makes any sense or not. I got brave this week and attempted my first sonnet. I’m pretty pleased with my first attempt. Maybe next month, I’ll revisit it and make it even better–or at least see if I still like it then.
A Unicorn Sonnet
(inspired by a quilt in progress by Jessica Bigi)
So if you find a unicorn today,
then you must stop at once to say hello
and ask if she has lost her only way
along the forest paths that come and go.
And if she has the time to stop and chat,
then you might whisper secrets in her ear
like where to find the fairies’ welcome mat
and where the sparkling streams run fast and clear.
Then pick some flowers bright and gay to braid
into a garland round her neck to wear.
Polish her horns and hooves to never fade
so she will know how much you care.
Too bad all such unicorns are rare to find
because they teach us to be more kind.
Each Friday, I am excited to take part in Poetry Friday, where writers share their love of all things poetry. Donna hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup today at Mainely Write! She has a hodgepodge of poetry goodness. Drop by and see what poetry morsels are offered this week.