Friday Freeforall

9:48 a.m. — Atlanta

Routine does change when a partner is home at an unusual time, doesn’t it? I’m not listening to anything right now [our flat is tiny and I dislike ear/headphones] and I’m a trifle late in getting this going. But, I am here, so let’s rock and roll.

On The Poetry Mixtape Donna has a post that particularly intrigued me. She says, In every poetry workshop I have ever attended, I have been warned to stay away from the “of machine”. Go on over to find out what and why, to read a poem by Elizabeth Bishop, and to be tempted by a fun of machine challenge prompt. As with all Saturday prompts, the new prompt will be up tomorrow, or you can wait for next Friday! Whichever, visit.

Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Thirty-six: a matter of perspective where he asks us to apply the elements of cubism to poetry. Fascinating, yes? He tells us, What is arguably most important in Cubism is the fracturing of perspective, and looking at an object from multiple directions at once. This is fun. Go read and then play with this. Imagine your poem sounds like a Cezanne, or Picasso, looks.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele wants us to explore the days of the week: Most importantly, capture the essence of one day of the week in a poem. To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda found our words from a wonderful children’s book, 14 Cows for America. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith gives us the opening of a quote from Aristotle. Head over to see the subject matter.

It is time for Limerick-off Mondays. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Look around while you are there. She calls it a humour blog for a reason. Go for the laugh. It’s healthy. It doesn’t much matter if you don’t want to write a limerick; reading them brightens a day. Fact.

Visit Magpie Tales for our first image prompt, a painting by Fernand Leger. Can you say, Cubism? If you are not struck by an idea right away, make sure you have read Joseph’s prompt and check Leger, or cubism, in Wikipedia.

Mary M, at Poetry Jam, reminds us that small moments, while they can get lost against the background of large events like 9-11, can play as important a part in the direction of our thinking, our lives. She tells us to pick your moment…any moment…and capture it poetically. Visit to read the prompt.

Have a problem conveying a truth pithily? Visit Elizabeth’s site, Musical Notes. The new song will go up every Tuesday. This one is fun to play and tinker with, not only because the inspiration is a song, but because the response must be done in 15 words. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? It is. Show up next Tuesday!

Wonder Wednesday gives us a photograph of the rainbow man. Visit to see what Carolisle says about him and her suggestions for writing. Visit just to see this wonderful character. Carolisle’s blog post that follows tells a little about him.

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, we have A Word With Laurie where she has a particularly lovely and fun word to challenge us. Head over to read what she says. There are other interesting challenges. Wander through the gardens. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems wants poem leftovers. Yay! Go on over to read the rest of the prompt. This requires serious playing!

dVerse is wonderful for many reasons, not the least, their discussions on form. This week they tackle the sonnet, known amongst poets [in the past] as the queen of poems, because it is so difficult to write a good one. What a reward when one does. Stay awhile; it’s such a friendly place.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author, in her Weekend Haiku & Limericks  has at least one article, and one photograph to use as prompts for a haiku, or a limerick. The images of flowers, alone, are worth the visit. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest. A comforting feel to it.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. The sites won’t always be up-to-date, but the links will get you there.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

Your Serendipity @ Thursday Thoughts is if you have something you want announced: publication of your work [because you are shy about saying anything on your blog, or because you need us to buy your book!], an article you think we will enjoy, or find interesting, a writing contest, a workshop… anything to do with writing, really, send it along. If it is time sensitive, be sure and tell me. You can give me your announcements either in the comments section, or email me: margoroby@gmail.com.

The other use for Thursdays is to discuss an aspect of writing that you want to discuss, or know about. Send topics, or questions!

I shall see you next Tuesday for a prompt on truth and memory; next Thursday for a serendipity of whatever; and next Friday for the Roundup.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Friday Freeforall: Here Comes the Weekend

7:36 a.m. — Atlanta

— listening to Jimmy Buffet singing Last Mango in Paris

Hello, everyone. The end of another week and yet more things to write. Here we go:

On The Poetry Mixtape Donna introduces [to those who don’t yet know her] Heather Aimee O’Neill. The poem is seemingly simple, but has a last line with a killer epiphany. As with all Saturday prompts, the new prompt will be up tomorrow, or you can wait for next Friday! Whichever, visit.

Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Thirty-five: lies, damn lies, and statistics where he wants us to play with what is real and what we shade for a poem to work: Today (despite the half-Quaker sensibility I was brought up with) we’re going to tell some tall tales, little white lies, and just the facts ma’am. For this exercise, Joseph encourages degrees of lying. The exercise is fascinating. I have notes all over a page of my notebook.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele talks about migration, as either literal, or metaphorical. This one caught me with its possibilities, which I hadn’t thought of before. I’m itching to start so much, that I am having to speak sternly to myself about finishing the post. To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda and the Wordlers give us a second set of words. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith gives us what he says might be the most used first line ever. Check it out.

It is time for Limerick-off Mondays. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Look around while you are there. She calls it a humour blog for a reason. Go for the laugh. It’s healthy. It doesn’t much matter if you don’t want to write a limerick; reading them brightens a day. Fact.

Visit Magpie Tales for our first image prompt, a painting by Albert Bloch. This one requires a long look over, not that it’s difficult, but because the more you look, the more you will see. This one pays to study.

Peggy, at Poetry Jam, talks about personal challenges. Visit to see what she says about what is and isn’t a personal challenge.

Visit Elizabeth’s new venture, Musical Notes. The new song will go up every Tuesday. This one is fun to play and tinker with, not only because the inspiration is a song, but because the response must be done in 15 words. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Show up next Tuesday!

Wonder Wednesday gives us a photograph of a grandmother clock. Visit to see what Carolisle says about time and her suggestions for writing.

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, Kerry’s Wednesday Challenge gives us the topic of internal monologues. Head over to read what she says. Wander through the gardens. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems asks If you could go back in time… Go on over to read the rest of the prompt. You know you need to find out what.

Visit dVerse to read what Meeting the Bar offers us. Victoria takes on symbolism, something some of us play with, and some of us would like to try. Go on over to read what she says. Stay awhile; it’s such a friendly place.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author, in her Weekend Haiku & Limericks  has at least one article, and one photograph to use as prompts for a haiku, or a limerick. This week we have nudibrachs, a word whose sound always makes me smile. If I giggled I would. Check them out. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest. A comforting feel to it.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

Your Serendipity @ Thursday Thoughts is if you have something you want announced: publication of your work [because you are shy about saying anything on your blog, or because you need us to buy your book!], an article you think we will enjoy, or find interesting, a writing contest, a workshop… anything to do with writing, really, send it along. If it is time sensitive, be sure and tell me. You can give me your announcements either in the comments section, or email me: margoroby@gmail.com.

The other use for Thursdays is to discuss an aspect of writing that you want to discuss, or know about. Send topics, or questions!

I shall see you next Tuesday for a prompt on truth and memory; next Thursday for a serendipity of whatever; and next Friday for the Roundup.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

It’s Time For Friday Freeforall

7:33 a.m. — Atlanta

— listening to The Kingston Trio singing Where Have All the Flowers Gone — that made a whole bunch of you feel instantly nostalgic, didn’t it?

Hi, all. How are you besides jubilant about another weekend, especially teachers? A couple more weeks, you’ll get your sea-legs back. Meanwhile:

Donna’s prompt on The Poetry Mixtape is great fun and involves titles and the question of balance. If you haven’t stopped by, race over before she changes it. Then, stop a while and play. She gives us a stunning example. As with all Saturday prompts, the new prompt will be up tomorrow, or you can wait for next Friday!

Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Thirty-four: a sensation of space where Joseph gives a clear, cohesive, articulate essay on haiku. Even if you aren’t going to write one, go read the essay. I mean it. Go.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele suggests we try writing a phone poem.To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit. I was intrigued by the one about Shakespeare texting… .

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda and the Wordlers [sounds like a 50’s band] tried something different. We met on Facebook, where much hilarity ensued, as we came up with the words.  Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

To read a bit about Dante and see an excerpt from Longfellow’s translation, head for Keith’s Carry On Tuesday. Our line comes from Dante’s Inferno.

Oh dear. Where was I? A phone call from our son: His wife got a job in Vermont [they live in Texas] and they are very excited. They love everything they have read about the place. Now, we have a reason, as well as an excuse, to visit the area.

It is time for Limerick-off Mondays. Limericks are fun; good limericks are addictive. Really. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Look around while you are there. She calls it a humour blog for a reason. Go for the laugh. It’s healthy. It doesn’t much matter if you don’t want to write a limerick; reading them brightens a day. Fact.

Visit Magpie Tales for our first image prompt, a painting by Andrew Wyeth. I thought it was a photograph when I arrived at the page. Incredible.

Mary, at Poetry Jam, talks to us about letters. You know, the kind that lift our hearts when we see one in the mail; the kind we have to open with a sharp edge; the kind we can pull out, or unfold; the kind we can hold in our hands. Remember those?

Visit Elizabeth’s new venture, Musical Notes. The new song will go up every Tuesday, and your response can be posted Thursday. This one is fun to play and tinker with, not only because the inspiration is a song, but because the response must be done in 15 words. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Show up next Tuesday!

Wonder Wednesday gives us a fun photograph of a bike rackwith its own cosy [you have to look] and a menu with interesting offerings. Visit to see what Carolisle says about them and her suggestion for writing.

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, Mama Zen talks to us about power images: A power image is an image that a writer returns to time after time. Head over to read what else she says. Hannah is back with Transforming Friday where she takes us to a part of the world and asks us to take the persona of something, or someone, in that world. She has several photographs to help us. Visit to find out more and to wander through the gardens. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems asks What do hands do? Go on over to read the rest of the prompt. Any excuse to pick up the Crayolas is good.

Visit dVerse to read what Form For All offers us. If you have not written a tritina, give it a try. The challenge, as with other -inas, is to have the repeat rhyme not sound like a repeat rhyme. The directions are clear, the form is fun, with just enough challenge. Stay awhile; it’s such a friendly place. I think they have sake bloody marys on offer this week.

I was just wandering around Patricia’s site. It has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest. A comforting feel to it. This week we have : National Parks subway map, fracking, baby manatees. I don’t usually mention all the topics, but look at the offerings. Patricia K. Lichen, Author, in her Weekend Haiku & Limericks  has at least one article, and one photograph to use as prompts for a haiku, or a limerick. Visit for the possibilities and because it’s fun to wander through the site.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

Your Serendipity @ Thursday Thoughts is if you have something you want announced: publication of your work [because you are shy about saying anything on your blog, or because you need us to buy your book!], an article you think we will enjoy, or find interesting, a writing contest, a workshop… anything to do with writing, really, send it along. If it is time sensitive, be sure and tell me. You can give me your announcements either in the comments section, or email me: margoroby@gmail.com.

The other use for Thursdays is to discuss an aspect of writing that you want to discuss, or know about. Send topics, or questions!

I shall see you next Tuesday for a prompt on self; next Thursday for a serendipity of punctuation; and next Friday for the Roundup.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Come and Get Your Friday Freeforall

8:14 a.m. and listening to Christmas music. Wait. What? It’s okay, everyone. I’m transferring music from disks to cloud.

Hullo. Last week, I mentioned that our list of sites is growing. I don’t want sites lost because there are too many. If you look straight up, at the top of the blog, you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. I chose sites that have a regular following, or where the information doesn’t change from week to week. I’ll adjust balance over a couple of weeks. If this ‘solution’ drives you nuts, for whatever reason, let me know. Meanwhile:

Donna and The Poetry Mixtape: One of my favorite of these “modern” sonnets is from one of my favorite collections of the past few years – Rough Honey by Melissa Stein. Visit to read the sonnet and what else Donna says. As with all Saturday prompts, the new prompt will be up tomorrow, or you can wait for next Friday!

Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Thirty-three: muddy hymnal where he asks: Why are there no prayers or hymns for these minuscule, common experiences that we all enjoy, or fear, or avoid, or feel bad for? Visit and read Joseph’s thoughts on this, as well as his explanation of what he wants us to try. Wander around while there. Visiting Joseph’s blog is like visiting him as he sits sipping coffee in his cafe. Join him for a cup.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele talks about shadows. She offers, as always, many approaches. Adele’s prompts are always more than the sum of their parts. To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit. This week, she gives us a bonus video.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda says, It’s been awhile since I turned to Wallace Stevens for inspiration. This week’s words come from his poem ‘The Auroras of Autumn.’. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

To read the lyrics and hear Celine Dion and Frank Sinatra sing a duet of All The Way, head for Keith’s Carry On Tuesday. Also, to find out the sparking line.

It is time for Limerick-off Mondays. Limericks are fun; good limericks are addictive. Really. I just caught myself settling in to read several. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Look around while you are there. She calls it a humour blog for a reason. Go for the laugh. It’s healthy. It doesn’t much matter if you don’t want to write a limerick; reading them brightens a day. Fact.

Visit Magpie Tales for our first image prompt, a painting by Adolphe Valette. It’s quite lovely and offers as one possibility, writing about the mood it engenders.

Dani at Poetry Jam offers an interesting exercise with many possibilities for fun. The topic has to do with genres. Visit to discover what.

For a different type of prompt, visit Elizabeth’s new venture, Musical Notes. The new song will go up every Tuesday, and your response can be posted Thursday. I will leave this in as a continued reminder. This one is fun to play and tinker with, not only because the inspiration is a song, but because the response must be done in 15 words. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Show up next Tuesday!

Wonder Wednesday gives us a photograph of a Mayan gourd. Visit to see what Carolisle says about it and her suggestion for writing.

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, Ella’s Edge has a very cool offering. She has discovered a new art form and offers some examples as the prompts towards poetry. Fireblossom Friday gives us several stills and a link to a video, all to do with two people in love. Visit to find out more and to wander through the gardens. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems has as its title: Colour Us a Poem. Wonder what the topic is… Go on over to read the rest of the prompt. Any excuse to pick up the Crayolas is good.

Visit dVerse to read what Meeting the Bar offers us on the subject of writing characters. As always, we are given a thoughtful and interesting essay, along with the prompt. Stay awhile; it’s such a friendly place. I think they have Irish Coffee on offer this week.

I was just wandering around Patricia’s site. It has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest. A comforting feel to it. Patricia K. Lichen, Author, in her Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us several options to use as resources. She has at least one article, and one photograph to use as prompts for a haiku, or a limerick. Visit for the possibilities and because it’s fun to wander through the site.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough… Yes, My face is straight. Why? Okay, I lie, I’m grinning as I write, but you never know. The other sites are under the Freeforall tab.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

Your Serendipity @ Thursday Thoughts is back. This means if you have something you want announced: publication of your work [because you are shy about saying anything on your blog, or because you need us to buy your book!], an article you think we will enjoy, or find interesting, a writing contest, a workshop… anything to do with writing, really, send it along. If it is time sensitive, be sure and tell me. You can give me your announcements either in the comments section, or email me: margoroby@gmail.com.

The other use for Thursdays is to discuss an aspect of writing that you want to discuss, or know about. Send topics, or questions!

I shall see you next Tuesday for an image; next Thursday for a serendipity of possibilities; and next Friday for the Roundup.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Friday Freeforall Fray

8:07 a.m. and bopping to Seals and Crofts in Atlanta

Need I say more? Hello, everyone. Our list is growing. I worry that it will become burdensome to read through. I may, next week, drop a few sites that I know everyone goes to anyway, and see if there is a clamour. If there is for any one site, I’ll put it back in. Okay? Here are our choices for a weekend of play:

Donna and The Poetry Mixtape  give us a Laura Dixon poem. The poem is one of those that make me go ‘Ohhh!’ about a third of the way through and slow down my reading. Head over and, as Donna says, ‘rearrange some furniture’. As with all Saturday prompts, the new prompt will be up tomorrow, or you can wait for next Friday!

Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Thirty-two: elsewheres where we are told what we’re going to do is basically a travelogue poem moving around the map. The trick is to defy reality: I have notes all over the place and I know this will turn into a poem. When? Ah well… Visit and read Joseph’s thoughts on this, as well as his suggestions. Wander around while there. Visiting Joseph’s blog is like visiting him as he sits sipping coffee in his cafe. Join him for a cup.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, in a bit of serendipity, Adele talks about journey poems. I find it often helps me into a poem when I have two very different perspectives on similar topics, such as Joseph’s and Adele’s. She offers, as always, many approaches. Adele’s prompts are always more than the sum of their parts. To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit.

Poetic Bloomings wants us to think of our childhood homes. Visit to read what our hosts say and to read their poems in response to the prompt. You might look around and check out their latest in-form prompt, and their interview .

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda and The Whirl give us our words from a poem by Allison Adelle Hedge Coke. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Carry On Tuesday gives us a line from one of the songs from The Sound of Music. For the line and a link to a video clip head on over.

It is time for Limerick-off Mondays. Limericks are fun; good limericks are addictive. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Look around while you are there. She calls it a humour blog for a reason. Go for the laugh. It’s healthy. It doesn’t much matter if you don’t want to write a limerick; reading them brightens a day. Fact.

Visit Magpie Tales for our image prompt, a photograph by Francesca Woodman. I was so fascinated by the image, I stopped for a few minutes to read her Wikipedia entry. I am even more fascinated.

Mary M. at Poetry Jam tells us to play games. Talk about a fun reminiscence. When I finish this and reward myself with coffee, I shall think of childhood games… London Bridge is Falling Down; Clue; Blind Man’s Bluff; tag; skipping rope; Gin Rummy…

For a different type of prompt, visit Elizabeth’s new venture, Musical Notes. I will give you the general blog URL, as the new song will go up every Tuesday, and your response can be posted Thursday. You will need to remember that, but I will leave this in as a continued reminder. This one is fun to play and tinker with, not only because the inspiration is a song, but because the response must be done in 15 words. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Show up next Tuesday!

For you alliterationists out there, visit ABC Wednesday. This week we have a selection of photographs of Olympic winners. I may never grow tired of Mo Farah’s face.

The three words for Three Word Wednesday are beat, pressure, and substance. You might try writing down the first thoughts that come into your head as you read these words, before you go on to visit the site for their definitions. TWW has a particularly good source and I often get ideas from the definitions rather than the given words.

Wonder Wednesday gives us a photograph of a tree, a graceful tree that appears to be in the middle of a dance. Visit to study its performance.

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, we have a treat from Kerry. Two treats, really. We get to watch Margaret Atwood; then, if we wish, we can try out a similar thing to what she reads to us. Point of view is an important part of our techniques. This exercise is all about that. Mary K. in her Mixed Bag suggests a visit to the neighbourhood that is strongest in our minds. Yep, more serendipity. Visit to find out more and to wander through the gardens. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems says, in part, Find yourself a favorite spot, maybe one that evokes deep memory or inspires imagination, then take off your shoes and socks… Yes, you are going to have to visit for the what next.

At Poets United, Ella introduces dreamcatchers [for those who have not heard of them]. Visit and read what else Ella says.

dVerse is open. Visit to see what the specials are this week. Head to the Bar and read the prompts. Stay awhile; it’s such a friendly place. I think they have Irish Coffee on offer this week.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author, in her Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us several options to use as resources. All you frog people [I know you’re out there], did you know about the Global Amphibian Blitz?  An interesting possibility, Patricia suggests, is to look at the comments and pull a poem from them. Visit for the possibilities and because it’s fun to wander through the site.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck. Remember that we often get a possible direction along with the image.

The final posting is for Trifecta, I have given you the link to the Instructions page. They have an interesting shtick. Visit and find out what.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

Your Serendipity @ Thursday Thoughts is back. This means if you have something you want announced: publication of your work [because you are shy about saying anything on your blog, or because you need us to buy your book!], an article you think we will enjoy, or find interesting, a writing contest, a workshop… anything to do with writing, really, send it along. If it is time sensitive, be sure and tell me. You can give me your announcements either in the comments section, or email me: margoroby@gmail.com.

The other use for Thursdays is to discuss an aspect of writing that you want to discuss, or know about. Send topics, or questions!

I shall see you next Tuesday for a warm-up Tryout; next Thursday for a serendipity of possibilities; and next Friday for the Roundup.

Happy writing, everyone.

P.S. You will find duplicates this week on my new Page. Everything will be in place next week.

 

Friday Freeforall. What, Again?!

9:12 a.m. — Atlanta

I hope all of you are well. While I am enjoying the Olympics, it takes enough of my time and attention that my poet brain has snuck off somewhere. While I look for it [sort of], here are this week’s assortment of prompts.

Donna and The Poetry Mixtape  give us a Lorca poem on the guitar. The phrase ‘smashed goblets’ should take you over to check! As with all Saturday prompts, the new prompt will be up tomorrow, or you can wait for next Friday!

Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Thirty-one: ekphrastic ecstatic where Joseph presents us with an interesting selection of abstract modern art. He describes ekphrastic writing as, You allow the work to tell a story and summon up emotions in you.  I have always loved ekphrasis and find abstract art easier than more realistic genres. Visit and read Joseph’s thoughts on this, as well as his suggestions. Wander around while there. Visiting Joseph’s blog is like visiting him as he sits sipping coffee in his cafe.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele talks about apologies. In a serendipitous moment, I jotted down something about the word ‘sorry’ last night, so was amused to see this. She offers, as always, many approaches. Adele’s prompts are always more than the sum of their parts. To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit.

Poetic Bloomings wants us to think of accomplishments in which we take pride. Visit to read what our hosts say and to read their poems in response to the prompt. You might look around and check out their latest in-form prompt, and their interview .

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda and The Whirl give us our words based on her week on a houseboat. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Keith has signed up for another year of Mr. Linky. I hadn’t realised that it had to be paid for. Show your appreciation and visit for a line from Shakespeare.  Check Carry On Tuesday for the line and a link to the monologue which it opens.

It is time for Limerick-off Mondays. I’m smiling already. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Look around while you are there. She calls it a humour blog for a reason. Go for the laugh. It’s healthy. It doesn’t much matter if you don’t want to write a limerick; reading them brightens a day. Fact.

Visit Magpie Tales for our image prompt, a painting by John Singer Sargent, one of my favourite artists. The painting is one of those that pays for close ‘reading’. Start at the bottom left corner and move up and across, jotting what you notice. You can write about the scene, the woman, a thought, or memory, triggered by the painting, or focus on one part of the painting.

Mary at Poetry Jam wants us to think about values, what we value. She offers several suggestions for possible directions as well as several quotes.

For a new entrant and a different type of prompt, visit Elizabeth’s new venture, Musical Notes. I will give you the general blog URL, as the new song will go up every Tuesday, and your response can be posted Thursday. You will need to remember that, but I will leave this in as a continued reminder. This one is fun to play and tinker with, not only because the inspiration is a song, but because the response must be done in 15 words. Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Show up next Tuesday!

For you alliterationists out there, visit ABC Wednesday. This week we have a tribute to the founder, so dance on over to check it out.

The three words for Three Word Wednesday are crumble, drawn, and uneasy. You might try writing down the first thoughts that come into your head as you read these words, before you go on to visit the site for their definitions. TWW has a particularly good source and I often get ideas from the definitions rather than the given words.

Wonder Wednesday gives us a photograph of a naked lady, the flower that is. Carolisle suggests that fun can be had with this. I agree. Go to it.

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, we have A Word With Laurie. Visit to find out the word and to wander through the gardens. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems presents us with an image and asks us to use it as a spark to a possible love affair: Write a poem, howsoever you feel inspired, by this image of that far far landing on Mars. Head over to view the image and read the rest of the prompt.

At Poets United, Ella says: Think of this as an invitation to get others curious about a book… That’s right, we are being asked to combine our love of books with our love of writing. What can be better? Well, yes, coffee, but I thought that went without saying. Visit and read what else Ella says.

dVerse offers a prompt based on techniques developed by the Impressionist painters, who wanted to capture moments, the play of shade and light with few and quick brush strokes. Head to the Bar and read the rest of the prompt. Stay awhile; it’s such a friendly place.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author, in her Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us several options to use as resources. For those of you fascinated by clouds, this is your chance. An interesting possibility, Patricia suggests, is to look at the comments and pull a poem from them. Visit for the possibilities and because it’s fun to wander through the site.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck. Remember that we often get a possible direction along with the image.

The final posting is for Trifecta, I have given you the link to the Instructions page. They have an interesting shtick. Visit and find out what.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

As we near the end of summer, I am gearing up to reopen Your Serendipity @ Thursday Thoughts. This means if you have something you want announced: publication of your work [because you are shy about saying anything on your blog, or because you need us to buy your book!], an article you think we will enjoy, or find interesting, a writing contest, a workshop… anything to do with writing, really, send it along. If it is time sensitive, be sure and tell me. You can give me your announcements either in the comments section, or email me: margoroby@gmail.com.

The other use for Thursdays is to discuss an aspect of writing that you want to discuss, or know about. Send topics, or questions!

I shall see you next Tuesday for a Tryout… some kind of freedom is involved; and next Friday for the Roundup. Should a request for a time sensitive announcement arrive, I’ll reopen Thursday early.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Friday Freeforall

7:33 a.m. — Walnut Creek

Hello! How many of you are already hunkered down in front of television sets watching the Olympics? I have just tied my brain in knots trying to workout how the NBC folks, who have already seen the Opening Ceremonies, can present us a programme where they talk about tonight, as if they have not gone through it. Much easier to deal with the prompts that will keep us busy while watching, or not watching, the Olympics.

Donna and The Poetry Mixtape discuss ceremonies and family. As with all Saturday prompts, the new prompt will be up tomorrow, or you can wait for next Friday!

Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Twenty-Nine: d.i.y. where he says make things (including words!) do what you want them to do. (I also call this the Humpty-Dumpty principle, after Lewis Carroll’s version.) Visit and read Joseph’s thoughts on this, as well as his suggestions. Wander around while there. Visiting Joseph’s blog is like visiting him as he sits sipping coffee in his cafe.

Over at Adele’s, The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, she talks about friendship. Read her discussion and her warning to steer clear of sentimentality. She offers, as always, many approaches. Adele’s prompts are always more than the sum of their parts. To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit.

Poetic Bloomings talks about betrayal, and not necessarily by another person. Visit to read what our hosts say and to read their poems in response to the prompt. You might look around and check out their latest in-form prompt, and their interview .

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda and The Whirl give us our wordle from the poetry of Dorothy Parker. She was an interesting woman. Check out the links on The Whirl’s Facebook page if you want to explore a bit of her work. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

In honour of the Olympics, Keith gives us a quote from Dean Karnazes a best selling author and Ultramarathon runner. Check Carry On Tuesday for the line and a link to other quotes by Karnazes.

It is time for Limerick-off Mondays. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Look around while you are there. She calls it a humour blog for a reason. Go for the laugh. It’s healthy. It doesn’t much matter if you don’t want to write a limerick; reading them brightens a day. Fact.

Visit Magpie Tales for our image prompt, a painting that is rather abstract. If I had time I’d come back to see how everyone deals with this image!

Dani at Poetry Jam wants us to play with magic. She gives us a song to listen to, a video to watch, an image…

For you alliterationists out there, visit ABC Wednesday. This week, B is for Butanding. You have to find out what that is, don’t you? Go on over.

The three words for Three Word Wednesday are cut, endanger, and hazard. You might try writing down the first thoughts that come into your head as you read these words, before you go on to visit the site for their definitions. TWW has a particularly good source and I often get ideas from the definitions rather than the given words.

Wonder Wednesday gives us a sculpture and a painting and a couple of directions we might take with the idea of ripening. Visit to meet Carolisle and have a look at the image and what she has to say about it.

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, we start with a new monthly feature from Mama Zen. Go on over and read what that’s about. We also have Transforming Friday brought to us by Hannah. She gives us a long look into the Arctic and asks us to play with point of view. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems gives us a Joseph Harker prompt asking us to look at and describe something… differently. Head over to read the rest of the prompt.

At Poets United, we are asked to play with sound, either literal sound, or sound as a technique.

As dVerse gears up for its second year, I’ll give you their home link, so you can get an idea of all their offerings and the categories. Stop by the bar and say, Hello. A number of us are always there. It’s such a friendly place.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author, in her Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us several options to use as resources. An interesting possibility, she suggests, is to look at the comments and pull a poem from them. Visit for the possibilities and because it’s fun to wander through the site.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck. Remember that we often get a possible direction along with the image.

The final posting is for Trifecta, I have given you the link to the Instructions page. They have an interesting shtick. Visit and find out what.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

Remember: If you have a topic you want me to discuss, tell me. I’ll take on just about anything and if it’s beyond me, I’ll find sources. What niggles? What have you wanted to ask, or know? If you have an announcement you want posted, send it along for Your Serendipity @ Thursday Thoughts. While Thoughts is going down for the summer, I would love to build for Autumn. What do you have for me?

Mom’s internet is acting up. I hope to see you at Tuesday’s Tryouts. If I don’t show, you are going to do the same thing with a winter image as you did with the summer image. I will be on the road, literally, next Friday, so will next see you Tuesday the 7th of August.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

One For All and All For Friday Freeforall

9:12 a.m. — Walnut Creek

Hello, everyone. I may be somewhat incoherent. I have been up watching the British Open since four this morning. No, no, I’m not nuts; I did not get up to watch it. I couldn’t sleep and figured I might as well start watching.

Donna and The Poetry Mixtape  give us lyrics from Death Cab for Cutie and a query and suggestion regarding names and naming. As with all Saturday prompts, the new prompt will be up tomorrow, or you can wait for next Friday!

Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Twenty-Eight: les trois mots magiques. The exercise offers several possibilities revolving around the concepts of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Visit and read Joseph’s thoughts on these, as well as his suggestions.

Over at Adele’s, The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, she asks us to write a poem about place, specifically towns. She offers, as always, many approaches. Adele’s prompts are always more than the sum of their parts. To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit.

Poetic Bloomings gives us a favourite, borrowing a line. Visit to read what our hosts say and to read their poems in response to the prompt. You might look around and check out their latest in-form prompt, and their interview .

Have you grittled this week? At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda and The Whirl give us our wordle from ‘Strong Measures, a poetry “textbook” edited by Philip Dacey and David Jauss’. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

The line, this week, is from a nursery rhyme and will be a challenge because of its rhythm. Check Carry On Tuesday for the line and to read about the nursery rhyme’s origin. Yes, I confess, I stopped a moment and checked.

It is time for Limerick-off Mondays. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Look around while you are there. She calls it a humour blog for a reason. Go for the laugh. It’s healthy. It doesn’t much matter if you don’t want to write a limerick; reading them brightens a day. Fact.

Visit Magpie Tales for our image prompt, a painting that looks incredibly like a photograph.  You can write about the scene, or use it to trigger a memory.

Peggy at Poetry Jam also asks us to consider place. Where Adele asks us to consider towns, Peggy asks us to consider rivers. Literal? Metaphorical? So many ways to go.

It’s the end of a round and the beginning of the next. For you alliterationists out there, visit ABC Wednesday. A brand new round starts, with an Alliteration packed introduction.

The three words for Three Word Wednesday are feel, shade, and tangle. Mmmm… like those words. You might try writing down the first thoughts that come into your head as you read these words, before you go on to visit the site for their definitions. TWW has a particularly good source and I often get ideas from the definitions rather than the given words.

Wonder Wednesday gives us a photograph and, sometimes, a word or thought. Visit to meet Carolisle and have a look at the photograph and what she has to say about it. This week the photograph, besides being one that I can sit and stare at for a while, goes with the words from Three Word Wednesday. Serendipity.

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, we start with a bonus open link from Kerry. Go on over and read what that’s about. We also have Fireblossom Friday. She offers us a bit of mischief which we can take seriously, or have fun with. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems says twelve, just twelve. Head over to read the rest of the prompt.

At Poets United, we are introduced to Fabiola D’Antuono and her art. Ella does a mini-interview and we are asked to take our ides from Fabiola’s art, the interview, and the connotations that come to mind when we see the word ‘carnival‘.

To help celebrate dVerse’s first anniversary they are asking us to relink a poem we have posted for one of their prompts. A chance to be nostalgic! As always, explore the pub while you are there. They offer so much on their menu.  You will find several of us propping up the bar. They make us feel welcome. Champagne, anyone?

Patricia K. Lichen, Author, in her Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us several options to use as resources. An interesting possibility, she suggests, is to look at the comments and pull a poem from them. Visit for the possibilities and because it’s fun to wander through the site.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck. Remember that we often get a possible direction along with the image.

The final posting is for Trifecta, I have given you the link to the Instructions page. They have an interesting shtick. Visit and find out what.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

Remember: If you have a topic you want me to discuss, tell me. I’ll take on just about anything and if it’s beyond me, I’ll find sources. What niggles? What have you wanted to ask, or know? If you have an announcement you want posted, send it along for Your Serendipity @ Thursday Thoughts. While Thoughts is going down for the summer, I would love to build for Autumn. What do you have for me?

I shall see you at Tuesday Tryouts and talk a little about winter (I checked); then, Friday for the next roundup.

Happy writing, everyone.

P.S. I found a few *ahem* errors while editing. I haven’t had a second cup of coffee. I’ve been up a while. I may have missed something. Just saying.

 

Freya’s Day Freeforall

7:21 a.m. — Walnut Creek

Hello, everyone. Choices, so many choices: The Tour de France, golf, tennis… right, and poetry!

Donna and The Poetry Mixtape give us David Kirby and a different way to have fun with a topic. As with all Saturday prompts, the new prompt will be up tomorrow, or you can wait for next Friday!

Not. Enough. Time. Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Twenty-Seven: The Foundry. This sounds such fun. We are offered a way to find a new, or different, poem from our own work, or someone else’s.

Over at Adele’s, The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, she gives us a great form for these wretched weather days. For those wilting under the heat, or without time, we only need to come up with a line. Sound good? Check out what Adele has to say about monostitches. Adele’s prompts are always more than the sum of their parts. To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit.

Poetic Bloomings asks us to consider uncertainty. Visit to read what our hosts say and to read their poems in response to the prompt. You might look around and check out their latest in-form prompt, skeltonic poetry, and their interview with Daniel Paicopulos.

Have you whirled? At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda and The Whirl give us our wordle words from Paula Tohline Calhoun. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Keith says, This week our prompt is a line which is repeated several times in REM’s biggest hit record. Check Carry On Tuesday for the line and to read and hear the lyrics.

It is time for Limerick-off Mondays. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Look around while you are there. She calls it a humour blog for a reason. Go for the laugh. It’s healthy. It doesn’t much matter if you don’t want to write a limerick; reading them brightens a day. Fact.

Go, Millar! Sorry, I got caught up in the Tour.

Visit Magpie Tales for our image prompt, a Thomas Hart Benton landscape. I love the colours. You can write about the scene, or use it to trigger a memory.

Shawna, over at rosemary mint, is trying other things for a while and we wish her the best and hope she has fun. I know many of you will miss her lists.

Mary Mansfield at Poetry Jam gives us all sorts of goodies to play with. The focus is daydreams. Mary has collected some thought-provoking quotes, reminds us of Walter Mitty, the consummate daydreamer [played by Danny Kaye in the movie], and gives us a link to the Monkees singing Daydream Believer. Head on over and play.

It’s the end of a round and the beginning of the next. For you alliterationists out there, visit ABC Wednesday. I love how the final letter is used.

The three words for Three Word Wednesday are differ, halt, and imagine. You might try writing down the first thoughts that come into your head as you read these words, before you go on to visit the site for their definitions. TWW has a particularly good source and I often get ideas from the definitions rather than the given words. For a fun way to approach this prompt check our limerick lady.

Wonder Wednesday gives us a photograph and, if we wish, a word. Visit to meet Carolisle and have a look at the photograph and what she has to say about it. This week we have another example of a looping poem and a specific direction we might take it.

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, we start with Kenia’s Wednesday Challenge. She introduces us to poet Hilda Hilst and gives us a prompt to do with non-conformity. Go on over and read what she has to say. We also have Mary’s Mixed Bag. She focuses on, what else, Friday the Thirteenth. That’s right. That would be today. Mary gives us several possible approaches, including a rondeau, which form I thoroughly enjoyed the first time I tried it. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems gives us a community poem prompt. Have you thought of an epitaph for yourself, ever? Head over to read the rest of the prompt.

How about a little bliss? At Poets United, we are shown how the prompt was arrived at, the substance of which can be used to start an idea, along with the photographs and quotes. Visit. A little bliss is good for the soul.

I don’t know about you, but I write about writing poetry, every now and then, but am leery about submitting, figuring editors are tired of the topic. Now we are asked by dVerse to write an ars poetica. Go on over and read Gay’s essay on the topic and to help celebrate dVerse’s first anniversary. Can you believe it?  As always, explore the pub while you are there. They offer so much on their menu.  You will find several of us propping up the bar. They make us feel welcome. Maybe a nice, refreshing Pimm’s Cup, or a Sangria…

Patricia K. Lichen, Author, in her Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us several options to use as resources. An interesting possibility, she suggests, is to look at the comments and pull a poem from them. Visit for the possibilities and because it’s fun to wander through the site.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck. Remember that we often get a possible direction along with the image.

The final posting is for Trifecta, I have given you the link to the Instructions page. They have an interesting shtick. Visit and find out what.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

Remember: If you have a topic you want me to discuss, tell me. I’ll take on just about anything and if it’s beyond me, I’ll find sources. What niggles? What have you wanted to ask, or know? If you have an announcement you want posted, send it along for Your Serendipity @ Thursday Thoughts. While Thoughts is going down for the summer, I would love to build for Autumn. What do you have for me?

I shall see you at Tuesday Tryouts and talk a little about winter (I believe); then, Friday for the next roundup.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Fry, Baby, Fry-day’s Freeforall

8:13 a.m. — Walnut Creek

Hello, everyone. How’s winter going, Down Under? Hot enough, USA? Out here we are hanging by our fingernails onto the marine layer, but it’s dissolving. Maybe I can help you distract yourselves.

Donna and The Poetry Mixtape are back with Galway Kinnell. If you have not read his poetry, it is compelling. Both prompts Donna offers look fun/interesting. I’m looking forward to going back and looking at them again. As with all Saturday prompts, the new prompt will be up tomorrow, or you can wait for next Friday!

Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Twenty-Six: Pangrawit. He is taking us on a foray into Indonesian culture. In case you missed Reverie Twenty-Five and a half, Joseph has given us an abcedarian prompt with a theme. If you haven’t tried this form, do, just to find out what works and what doesn’t.

Over at Adele’s, The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, she suggests we try an invective poem. Fed up with the weather? Furious at your phone provider? Here’s your chance to get it off your chest and have fun doing it. Adele has a gorgeous example from Shakespeare and another by Diane Lockward. Adele’s prompts are always more than the sum of their parts. To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit.

At Poetic Bloomings we are asked to think about a resting poem, particularly as Walt continues to have difficulty sleeping, hindering his recovery. Visit to read what our hosts say and to read their poems in response to the prompt. Yes, even Walt. His poem is particularly poignant at this time. PB has put up a list of those of you who still have not sent in your bloom and bio. Don’t get left out. The deadline is extended until tomorrow.

Have you whirled? At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda and The Whirl give us our wordle words from Sherman Alexie’s blog. I love how sometimes we meet a poet we might not know, learn about things we might not have discovered otherwise, and find new sites to investigate. All this and a wordle! Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Carry On Tuesday gives us the title and last line of a David Whalen poem. For the poem and other tidbits, Keith includes, visit.

Yaaaay! It’s that time: Limerick-off Mondays. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Look around while you are there. She calls it a humour blog for a reason. Go for the laugh. It’s healthy. It doesn’t much matter if you don’t want to write a limerick; reading them brightens a day. Fact.

Visit Magpie Tales for our image prompt, an intriguing take on Ophelia. I love the colours. You can choose to include the knowledge this is Ophelia, or you can block that and look at the image as it is, a picture you stumble across, a young woman sleeping… dead?

Shawna, over at rosemary mint, gives us her Monday Melting list. Shawna’s approach to word lists: ‘To participate, write a poem or short passage/story using at least one of the words listed below. Feel free to use word variations (e.g., “chancing” rather than “chance”) as necessary.’

Poetry Jam provides us with a prompt from Mary, who asks us to consider the topic of forgiveness. Head on over and read what she has to say on the subject, as well as some quotes she has gathered for us.

For you alliterationists out there, visit ABC Wednesday. This week’s introduction alliterates Y.

The three words this week for Three Word Wednesday are buffer, transition, and unity. You might try writing down the first thoughts that come into your head as you read these words, before you go on to visit the site for their definitions. TWW has a particularly good source and I often get ideas from the definitions rather than the given words.

Wonder Wednesday gives us a photograph and, if we wish, a word. Visit to meet Carolisle and have a look at the photograph and what she has to say about it.

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, we start with Out of Standard with Izy. She presents us quite a challenge: a parody of our own style. Go on over and read what she has to say. We also have A Word With Laurie. Head over to find the word and some definitions and images. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems wants us to find poetry in the supermarket, the grocer’s, the wherever you shop for food and household products. Head over to read the rest of the prompt.

At Poets United, we are given an artist to inspire us. The poem might address a specific painting, the style in general, the artist, even the title of a piece. Go investigate.

At dVerse I’m giving you a grab bag day. I have given you the general link. Head over, scroll down to where the week’s offerings are listed, close your eyes, point your finger at the choices and take what comes to you. As always, explore the pub while you are there. They offer so much on their menu.  You might find several of us propping up the bar. They make us feel welcome.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author, in her Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us several options to use as resources. An interesting possibility, she suggests, is to look at the comments and pull a poem from them. Visit for the possibilities and because it’s fun to wander through the site.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck. Remember that we often get a possible direction along with the image.

The final posting is for Trifecta, I have given you the link to the Instructions page. They have an interesting shtick. Visit and find out what.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

Remember: If you have a topic you want me to discuss, tell me. I’ll take on just about anything and if it’s beyond me, I’ll find sources. What niggles? What have you wanted to ask, or know? If you have an announcement you want posted, send it along for Your Serendipity @ Thursday Thoughts. While Thoughts is going down for the summer, I would love to build for Autumn. What do you have for me?

I shall see you at Tuesday Tryouts and talk a little about diamantes (I believe); then, Friday for the next roundup.

Happy writing, everyone.