Poem Tryouts: The Language of Flowers

9: 49 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to The Weather Channel

Hello, all. It looks like Atlanta will continue to escape winter (a real winter). It also looks like the rest of the storm states are calming down some. Yesterday when one of the forecasters was tracking Octavia for us, he followed it through to NY and then he hesitated and, I kid you not, practically whispered ‘and then end in Boston’. They have received, in the last twenty-four days, ninety-five inches of snow. Mind boggling. We need cherry blossom time.

We are going to spend some time amongst the flowers. Whether your surroundings are showing early signs of spring, or fall flowers are beginning to show up, or if you are caught mid-winter, flowerless, it’s hard to deny the effect of seeing a bed of colourful pansies, or a swath of lemon yellow jonquils, or a bouquet of crimson roses. In California, golden poppies will soon line the highways. In Texas we will have the bright red of Indian Paintbrush sweeping us along the roads.

In Victorian times, when flowers were given, they came with a symbolic meaning. Men had to be careful. They couldn’t buy any old flower. God forbid you should hand a young woman a bouquet whose make-up spelled out the message: I am yours ’til the tides run dry, when what you wanted to say was Aren’t you a cute little thing.

For today’s poem, think a while on things you associate with flowers and access any flower memories you have. Jot notes in case you need to mix a couple of memories for detail.

You can describe the memory with the flower as the poem’s centrepiece. Or, the flower can be to the side but a strong sensory detail.

You can use the flower as a metaphor.

You can compose your own symbolic bouquet — more work, but this would be fun. You will need to give your readers a legend, or you can decide the context surrounding your flower choices are enough. I have given you a link, but it’s fun to explore and find charts with flower images alongside their meanings. I picked the most extensive, but it’s image-less.

Play with structure, whether you create with single blossoms, several different blooms, or beds of colour. Remember, flowers are all about sensory detail, every sense wrapped up in a single flower (sound? Hey, a study done way back when tells us flowers scream when picked — think on that one a while).

I look forward to reading your flowers. I will see you Thursday for links and things (already?!); Friday for the week’s roundup of prompts; and next Tuesday for our image prompt.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

 

Poetry Prompts Freeforall: Bring it on NaPoWriMo

10:03 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Say When sung by The Fray

Hello, there. This is the last Freeforall until May. Should you still want to check out sites and don’t want to bookmark a whole lot of places, pin the link to this post to your blog and you’ll be able to navigate from there. Should I suddenly go silent, I haven’t fallen off the earth. I’m at my mother’s where connectivity is an issue. Enjoy April, everyone.

Donna, in her Other People’s Poetry series, introduces us to Franki Elliot. whose poem ‘Piano Rats’ does the same for my poetic sensibilities as to Donna’s: I’m a sucker for poems that make leaps I can follow, and a double sucker for poems that can do this with attention to detail. Both prompts are cool. I know, not helpful, but you need to read what this poem does; then you’ll see: the prompts are cool and will result in stretching.

Hmmm. I could have sworn I saw resonance eleven come through my inbox. Apparently not. I suspect we have lost Joseph for the next few weeks, although he does say the prompts will continue. I have given you Naming Constellations’ general address to check on.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda gives us our usual dozen plus one. Yep, two weeks of baker’s dozens. Must be an omen. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele has a fascinating prompt to do with literary locations. Not only does she give us her usual tips, and example poems, but also, several possible locations. Me, I want to work with Enid Blyton’s Wishing Chair place! Not on the list but popped into my head. Go on over.

At Quickly, Barbara is getting us ready for April. She will be one of the providers of prompts during the longest thirty days of the year. Visit.

We Write Poems’ wordles are different from Brenda’s, so check them out at We Wordle. There is something mesmerising about the amount of words and it’s fun to see how many you can incorporate. The source of words are the poems written for the site’s regular weekly prompt.

There is an art to writing a limerick that transcends the form’s notoriety. We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays, my guaranteed smile of the week. Never written one? What are you waiting for? At the least, go read Madeleine’s limerick for the week’s line.

Over at The Mag [Magpie Tales], we have a photograph, My Bed by Tracey Emin.  Ask yourself, What’s the story? Remember: you do not have to write about the whole image. Sometimes you can write to just one tiny part of the whole. Go on over.

At Poetry Jam, Laurie talks about the recent loss of her mother and fashions a prompt for us dealing with letting go, a difficult topic, one which many of us are facing in the next few years. Visit.

I love Carol‘s prompt this week.I laughed a couple of times [yes, at the photograph, Carol, but I laughed with you], as I read the back-story. Wonder Wednesday talks about another kind of ‘selfie‘. Head over to check it out.

This week’s prompt at the Found Poetry Review is their last regular one until May. They ask us to take on the Transcendentalists. Stop by their weekly column highlighting found poetry related news and resources. See what the Review is all about. All things found live there.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres, work as possibilities for a poem subject. This week we have earliest memories, lost & found, and new forms. Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Margaret has a neat prompt to do with flowers. Go play with the toads.

At We Write Poems Irene waxes philosophical about childhood. She asks interesting questions. Head over to read.

The Poets United Mid-Week Motif at Poets United, is two languages. Don’t panic. You know more than you think. Don’t forget the language of art, carpentering, boating, maths… Head over to read what Susan suggests we do.

Ah, yes, rhythm. At dVerse, Tony Maude holds our hands through blank verse and metre. Read. Bookmark. Look around while you’re there. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. Unless you live in Texas, the ice was put away and we’re looking at toddies again. Good grief, weather.

Whoops! I beat Flashy Fiction Fridayand its newest posting. I gave you the general address. The prompt should be up soon.

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. Post to them!

I shall see you Tuesday for the first of thirty days. Happy writing, everyone.

 

Poetry Prompts Freeforall: Aprille is i’cumen in

9:11 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to John Whelan’s album Celtic Crossroads

Ahhh, Coffee! Hi, everyone. Nine days and counting, ’til the mad month of writing a poem every day for thirty days [or, insane, if you are Joseph Harker, who will write two a day — granted he’s young]. This next week you might grab a prompt for every day and start getting your brain in gear. You don’t have to post them so your brain won’t feel the pressure, but it will get used to the expectation.

Donna, in her Other People’s Poetry series, introduces us to Jake Adam York. When I reached the end of the poem Donna chose, I sighed. Then, I read what Donna says: Sigh. This poem is so tender, I actually sigh when I read it. The poem manages to be tender without being cliché. Donna’s prompts are to either write a poem that personifies a set of things she gives us, or to write a single sentence beginning with…Head over to read the poem and the possibilities. I’m going to pop over to Amazon and order one of his books.

In resonance ten, Joseph tells us, I think a lot of potential for poetry lives in the space created by the unexpected, whether positive or negative, major or minor; nobody wants to read a narrative that’s predictable, at least nobody I know. The prompt that ensues is fun. So go on over and read the exercise.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda gives us our usual dozen plus one. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele does what Adele does so well: she takes what can be a cliché topic and turns it on its head. To see what she suggests we try with the colour green, visit. She adds a suggestion to play with syntax and includes example poems.

At Quickly, Barbara is getting us ready for April. She will be one of the providers of prompts during the longest thirty days of the year. Visit for some practice in alchemy.

We Write Poems’ wordles are different from Brenda’s, so check them out at We Wordle. There is something mesmerising about the amount of words and it’s fun to see how many you can incorporate. The source of words are the poems written for the site’s regular weekly prompt.

There is an art to writing a limerick that transcends the form’s notoriety. We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays, my guaranteed smile of the week. Never written one? What are you waiting for? At the least, go read Madeleine’s limerick for the week’s line. Included in the post is a link to a set of instructions that will lead you to write a limerick that might even hook you.

Over at The Mag [Magpie Tales], we have Feast in the House of Simon, 1610,  a painting by El Greco. The clothing is so sumptuous, I want to write about the material! Remember: you do not have to write about the whole image. Sometimes you can write to just one tiny part of the whole. Go on over.

Alan1704, at Poetry Jam, offers us owls.  I laughed at his phrase the silent assassin, as my brother, a few weeks ago, insists he was attacked by an owl, waiting for him on the roof of his house. Head over to see what Alan says. I particularly appreciate the instruction to: Let your mind be full of images and words and write whatever comes into you heart and overflows into your senses.

At Carol‘s Wonder Wednesday she gives us a photograph of a subject that marks the end of winter for her. Visit to see the photo, read her haiku and to perhaps write your own end of winter poem.

Whup! You almost lost me here. I wanted to leap right in on this week’s prompt at the Found Poetry Review where we are given thoughts on art, and twitter as part of the mix to play with.  Don’t forget to stop by their weekly column highlighting found poetry related news and resources. See what the Review is all about. All things found live there.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres, work as possibilities for a poem subject. This week we have music lessons, parades, and the saints. Visit.

Okay, I admit it: I adore herotomost, his prompts, I mean. No-one presents with quite his panache. On imaginary garden with real toads, he sets up a context for us and then gives us three possibilities, all of which sound fun [especially the one involving smores, although Lewis & Clark grab me. Then there are the ghost stories.] Go play with the toads.

At We Write Poems Irene has instructions for a poem about our neck of the woods. To find out what she suggests, head over.

The Poets United Mid-Week Motif at Poets United, is looking at birthdays. Head over to read what Susan suggests we do.

This is one of those weeks at dVerse, when we are spoiled for choice. I gave you the general address. Go on over and see what is a’borning for Spring. Look around while you’re there. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. I hear the clink of ice. Gimlets, perhaps.

I love the title of today’s post at Flashy Fiction Friday: Impending Doom. How can anyone resist seeing what it’s about?

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. Post to them!

I shall see you Tuesday for our image prompt; Thursday for a couple of links; and Friday for the prompt roundup.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Poetry Prompts Freeforall: March Winds Are Coming

7:46 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Snow Patrol singing The Lightning Strike

Hi, everyone. I hope all goes well in your lives. If there are hiccups and bumps along the way, reading and writing poetry has a miraculous effect, so grab a prompt. Heck, grab a couple.

Donna, in her Other People’s Poetry series, gives us Nina Corwin. Along with a poem by Corwin, Donna gives us a link to hear her read. If you have been curious about a good poem reader, here is one. We can learn a lot listening to her. The prompts involve four of Corwin’s line starters and unglamorous jobs. Head over to read them.

In resonance eight, Joseph uses chess as a process and no, you do not have to be able to play. As always, trust Joseph and follow his directions. They can take you to unexpected places. I found the exercise fascinating. So go on over and read the exercise.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda gives us our usual dozen plus one. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele has a guest blogger, Gail Gerwin. The topic is kinfolk. If nothing else, visit to read Gerwin’s poem and one by Helen Doré Watson. Both surprised exclamations from me. Head over to see what she says and read her suggestions, tips, and examples, of which she always has many.

At Qweekly, Barbara has us playing with macro/micro, zooming in and zooming out. Visit.

We Write Poems’ wordles are different from Brenda’s, so check them out at We Wordle. There is something mesmerising about the amount of words and it’s fun to see how many you can incorporate. The source of words are the poems written for the site’s regular weekly prompt. You can have two wordle worlds!

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays, my guaranteed smile of the week. Never written one? What are you waiting for? At the least, go read Madeleine’s limerick for the week’s line. Her rhyming word choices are great for reminding us that one word can be used in many ways.

LOVE the image over at The Mag [Magpie Tales], Poet’s Sleep, 1989, by Chang Houg Ahn. The skulls! Remember: you do not have to write about the whole image. Sometimes you can write to just one tiny part of the whole. Go on over.

Mary, at Poetry Jam, has built her prompt around trains. Head over to see what she says.

On Carol‘s Phoneography series she gives us an intriguing series of photographs where the shadows are almost more real than what casts them. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

The Found Poetry Review is at AWP 2014, this week, so gives us the AWP schedule to remix, erase, cut up, or otherwise play with. Don’t forget to stop by their weekly column highlighting found poetry related news and resources. See what the Review is all about. All things found live there.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. This week we have recipes, Spring, and dramatic monologues. Visit.

On imaginary garden with real toads, we have a couple of possibilities for inspiration, so I have given the general address. The first involves rhyme [but not a difficult one… really] and art by Benda; the second, a song by Pink. Go play with the toads.

At We Write Poems Neil asks for a journal poem. At the end, he says, a journal poem done in this manner may also become a discovery process, allowing associations to be more visible.   (think finger-painting!). To read his explanation, go on over.

The Poets United Mid-Week Motif at Poets United, is looking at success. Head over to read Susan’s quotes, watch part of the Sochi closing ceremony, and see what three poems inspire Susan re success.

There was a ripple in the Force earlier this week, when Brian announced that dVerse considered closing. To my/our great relief, they have restructured themselves, instead. This week at dVerse, Brian discusses characterisation in poems. Go on over to see what he says. Look around while you’re there. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. They’re checking their stock for Spring.

As of 9:00 a.m. EST, Flashy Fiction Friday has not posted, so I’ll give you the general address. Check back for your weekly flash fiction.

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. Post!

I shall see you Tuesday for one of my favourite borrowed prompts prompt; Thursday for a couple of links; and Friday for the prompt roundup.

If I do not show for the next two weeks, there have been expected and unexpected family matters.Happy writing, all.

 

Poetry Prompts Freeforall

7:46 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to The Weather Channel… again… all those snow storms

Hello, everyone. Grab your coffee, your notebook and a writing implement and let’s get going.

Donna, in her Other People’s Poetry series, gives us Rachel Wetzsteon. I am loving meeting poets I don’t know. The poem Donna shares with us made me note the link. I want to read more. The prompts involve natural occurrences and questions. Head over to read them.

In resonance seven, Joseph asks us to look at our natural surroundings. He calls the exercise an exercise in restraint as much as an exploration of theme So go on over and read the exercise.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda gives us our usual dozen. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele wants us to look at loss, but not big losses. She says, let’s consider a leaving or a letting go that was not devastating and perhaps even for the best.  Head over to see what she says and read her suggestions, tips, and examples, of which she always has many.

At Qweekly, Barbara introduces us to artist Leslie Holt and her Hello series. I spent quite some time trying to decide which one I wanted. Visit.

We Write Poems’ wordles are different from Brenda’s, so check them out at We Wordle. There is something mesmerising about the amount of words and it’s fun to see how many you can incorporate. The source of words are the poems written for the site’s regular weekly prompt. You can have two wordle worlds!

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Never written one? What are you waiting for? At the least, go read Madeleine’s limerick for the week’s line. Her rhyming word choices are great for reminding us that one word can be used in many ways.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] gives us a colour photograph of a building in a Disney lot. The interplay of light and shadow, alone, is a poem. Unless you have an immediate idea, go over the photograph and jot down all the details that you notice and go from there. Remember: you do not have to write about the whole image. Sometimes you can write to just one tiny part of the whole. Go on over.

Laurie Kolp, at Poetry Jam, suggests we write an Olympian poem and provides us with a definition that gives us a wide scope. Head over to see what she says.

On Carol‘s Wonder Wednesday several of her posts, this week, offer photo challenges to write about, so I have given you the general address. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

The Found Poetry Review suggests we create some erasure poetry from Patterson’s thriller and detective novels. Don’t forget to stop by their weekly column highlighting found poetry related news and resources. See what the Review is all about. All things found live there.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. This week we have moving, shopping, and an ode to a household object. Visit.

I love reading Herotomost‘s prompts. I almost copied the whole because he’s fun, so go over to imaginary garden with real toads, and at least read the prompt! In part, he says, I want you to be cheesy, lusty, rapturous, obsessed, candid, fun, belligerent or awkward.  I want the real face of love, clumsy and heady, obtuse and full of blushing. Go play with the toads.

At We Write Poems Neil wants us to deal with 1,000 birds. To read his explanation, go on over.

At Poets United, Poets United Mid-Week Motif is looking at leaders and leadership. Head over to read the two spark quotes Susan gives us.

Over at dVerse, Victoria talks about the object poem. Go on over to see what she says. Look around while you’re there. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

At Flashy Fiction Friday Walt Wojtanik has an interesting exercise built around our personality traits. Check it out.

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. Post!

I shall see you Tuesday for our image prompt; and Friday for the prompt roundup.Happy writing, all.

 

Poetry Prompts Freeforall: Weathered In

8:29 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to The Weather Channel

Hello, everyone. Look out NE United States. Here comes Pax! And, lordy, you have a possible follow-up. No name yet, but it’s moving fast. As long as you are avoiding shoveling, visit ALL the prompt sites. Try a few things that are out of your comfort zone. It’ll keep you warm.

Breaking News: Joseph Harker and Tessa Racked are heaving themselves out of the primeval muck… too graphic? Joseph and Tessa have recouped since tenderly laying Curio to rest and have a new journal CSHS. Visit to see what it’s about and don’t worry if you do not have the time; I will devote next Thursday’s post to CSHS.

Donna, in her Other People’s Poetry series, gives us Sally Rosen Kindred. The example poem is a wonderful one from the point of view of Tinkerbell. The prompts offer a couple of possibilities: a persona poem, or a poem dealing with a specific set of sounds. Head over.

In resonance six, Joseph describes the process as poetry in the future perfect.  I promise, the process is easier than it may sound. Follow Joseph’s directions and you are good to go. So go on over and read the exercise.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda gives us our usual dozen. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele takes on the modern love poem. She’s the only one I know who not only tells us how to avoid the overly sentimental and cliché, but gives us many possibilities of directions to take. Head over to see what she says and read her suggestions, tips, and examples, of which she always has many.

At Qweekly, Barbara asks for poems of pattern, and upsetting expectation. The spark is Frost’s ‘Fire and Ice’. Visit.

We Write Poems’ wordles are different from Brenda’s, so check them out at We Wordle. The source of words are the poems written for the site’s regular weekly prompt. You can have two wordle worlds!

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Never written one? What are you waiting for? At the least, go read Madeleine’s limerick for the week’s line. Her rhyming word choices are great for reminding us that one word can be used in many ways.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] has given us a  black and white photograph that bears studying. Unless you have an immediate idea, go over the photograph and jot down all the details that you notice and go from there. Remember: you do not have to write about the whole image. Sometimes you can write to just one tiny part of the whole. Go on over.

Alan1704, at Poetry Jam, creates his prompt around one of my favourite poem subjects [I’m not kidding]: dandelions. Head over to see what he says.

On Carol‘s Wonder Wednesday her Valentine subject is a turkey. What? Well, visit and see what she says. Gorgeous photos. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

Too much fun! Even if I don’t get a poem I am trying this one! The Found Poetry Review asks us to write a surrealist poem based on what you hear on the radio. There are specific steps. Stop by and read about it. Don’t forget to stop by their weekly column highlighting found poetry related news and resources. See what the Review is all about. All things found live there.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. This week we have your neighbourhood, creative business, and ekphrasis. Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Margaret gives us a prompt based on the work of artist Toril Fisher. Margaret says: For this challenge, please use these images for inspiration to promote Toril’s desire to begin a conversation about the beauty and interconnectedness all living creatures share with our amazing Mother Earth.  Go play with the toads.

At We Write Poems Neil starts with: This week I have been thinking about brothers, sisters, things unknown and unsaid, black and white photographs become sepia old. For his elucidation, go on over.

At Poets United, Poets United Mid-Week Motif is looking at heart. Head over to read what Susan says about it.

Over at dVerse, Tony Maude introduces us to Bouts-rimés. The form entails working with a provided set of end words. I can tell you it is wildly fun. I stopped what I was doing to give it a try. Look around while you’re there. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Flashy Fiction Friday in the person of Rob Halpin gives us a photograph and a direction with The Olympics. Visit the newly furbished site and have a look around.

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. Post!

I shall see you Tuesday for the next in a series of prompts; Thursday for a look at CSHS; and Friday for the prompt roundup.Happy writing, all.

 

Poetry Prompts Freeforall: They Followed Me Home, Ma

7:53 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to The Spirit in the Sky, sung by Norman Greenbaum

Hello, everyone. All present and accounted for? Then, let’s find us some prompts.

Donna, in her Other People’s Poetry series, gives us Kristin LaTour. I’ve known her name as long as I have known Donna’s, which is as long as my blogging career. While they know each other, I came to them separately as writers. The prompt Donna offers is one of my favourites: take the end words from LaTour’s poem and create a new poem. Head over.

In resonance five, Joseph says we need to go to a space where you interact with others and to put your ears on, collect phrases to mine and grab hold of the little root-hairs of association that even common phrases tossed around near you can have, and follow them, up the roots, into their trunks and branches. The procedure he outlines is fascinating, so go on over and read the exercise.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda gives us our usual dozen. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele discusses personification and gives us several prompt possibilities Head over to see what she says and read her suggestions, tips, and examples, of which she always has many.

Never heard of a soundsuit? I MUST have one of the horses — watch the last video for a couple of minutes, or the whole thing! The horses are mesmerising. At Qweekly, Barbara has given us  a number of videos and instructed us to put on our own soundsuit. Visit.

We Write Poems’ wordles are different from Brenda’s, so check them out at We Wordle. You can have two wordle worlds!

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Never written one? What are you waiting for? At the least, go read Madeleine’s limerick for the week’s line. Her rhyming word choices are great for reminding us that one word can be used in many ways.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] has given us a  black and white photograph that I find fascinating, to the point that I sat and looked for quite a while before coming back here. There’s something about it. Remember: you do not have to write about the whole image. Sometimes you can write to just one tiny part of the whole. Go on over.

Gabriella, at Poetry Jam, wants us to write a tribute poem. She gives Maya Angelou’s tribute poem to Mandela as the focus for her set up. Head over to see what she says.

On Carol‘s Wonder Wednesday while her theme is a singing day, I love that she arrived at this joyful thought through her dyslexic reading of something else. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

We all like the thought of cutting up words and mixing them, don’t we? There is something about scissors and a page. The Found Poetry Review’s prompt asks for a cut up poem in honour of William Burroughs who championed this form. Stop by and read about it. Don’t forget to stop by their weekly column highlighting found poetry related news and resources. See what the Review is all about. All things found live there.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. This week we have interviews, super bowls, and laughter. Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Marian gives us a prompt based on the work of Laurie Anderson. Don’t remember her? Head over and have a listen and read a bit about her work. Go play with the toads.

I do love Neil’s prompts. They open so many pathways. At We Write Poems we are instructed to watch a video to put ourselves in the needed frame of mind to read the rest of the prompt. Intrigued? Well, what are you waiting for? Go.

At Poets United, Poets United Mid-Week Motif is looking at love. Susan adds an interesting twist by asking us to pick One Age to speak from. Head over to read what Susan says about it.

Over at dVerse, Gay Reiser Cannon discusses songwriting and its relationship to poetry. Her articles are always interesting. Look around while you’re there. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Flashy Fiction Friday gives a prompt that is short and sweet. Walt presents a topic on which to write, a main character, a key object and a setting. Visit the newly furbished site and have a look around.

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. Post!

I shall see you Tuesday for the first in a series of prompts; and Friday for the prompt roundup.Happy writing, all.

 

Poetry Prompts Freeforall: Snow Day

9:33 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Over the Rainbow sung by Iz

Hello, everyone. Don’t laugh at poor Atlanta. Yes, my husband has his third snow day and there is no snow in sight. We are choosing to imagine the outlying towns as having problems still. I know many of you are up to your eyebrows. While you wait for the thaw, write. Be sure to check the Flash Fiction at the end. There have been changes!

Donna, in her Other People’s Poetry series, gives us the poet Kenneth Hart and two prompts, one that uses the last line of the Hart poem as a start point and the other, the focus of the poem, which you must visit to read.

In resonance four, Joseph takes us through the steps of a narrative poem. If you have shied away from writing one, give this a try. Don’t worry about how good it is, just follow the steps. Then you can worry it. Head over.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda took the words from a reflection piece I’m working on as part of my formal evaluation at school. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele had far too much fun making up the menu! This week involves a dinner party with a different take. Head over to see what she says and read her suggestions and tips, of which she always has many.

At Qweekly, Barbara has given us a very different assignment involving sound. And, then there’s the bonus in the form of a photograph. Visit. try it.

We Write Poems  has thrown its hat into the wordle ring with We Wordle. Their wordles are different from Brenda’s so check them out. You can have two wordle worlds!

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Never written one? What are you waiting for? At the least, go read Madeleine’s limerick for the week’s line. Her rhyming word choices are great for reminding us that one word can be used in many ways. I got caught by the first two in comments and stayed awhile.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] has given us a  lovely Andrew Wyeth painting, one that will resonate with many, at the moment. Remember: you do not have to write about the whole image. Sometimes you can write to just one tiny part of the whole. Go on over.

Peggy, at Poetry Jam, wants us to write a poem about where we are. She sets it up in a clever way. Imagine us all sitting around the world, at the same time [roughly] writing the poem… Head over.

On Carol‘s Wonder Wednesday she gives us two photographs and an adage as starting points. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

The Found Poetry Review’s prompt asks for a remix or erasure from a fascinating source, How to Analyze People On Sight. This should provide particular fun to finding poems. Don’t forget to stop by their weekly column highlighting found poetry related news and resources. See what the Review is all about. All things found live there.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. This week we have others’ words, historical flash fiction, and invisible forces. Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, I was torn, but the challenge involved in Mama Zen‘s got me [and you can look at Hannah‘s anyway]. It is surprising how much can be said in 140 characters. Go over for a look. Go play with the toads.

At We Write Poems Elizabeth gives us a link to a fabulous site. You could get lost for hours. Visit to see what she wants us to do with a visit to the site.

At Poets United, Poets United Mid-Week Motif is looking at hunger. Head over to read what Susan says about it.

Over at dVerse, Samuel Peralta says goodbye. He has been a wonderful teacher. Go on over and read his goodbye post where he asks for a prose poem and gives a link for an occasional newsletter. Look around while you’re there. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. The bartenders are telecommuting this week so drinks are virtual.

Flash fiction fans: There have been changes. Flashy Fiction has married up with Poetic Bloomings and can be found with a new prompt each Friday, with the last Friday being devoted to an instruction, a discussion or an exercise. This week, a photograph. Visit the newly furbished site and have a look around.

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. Post!

I shall see you Tuesday for the first in a series of prompts; and Friday for the prompt roundup.Happy writing, all.

 

Poetry Freeforall: Write a Poem and Then Another

8:07 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Up On Cripple Creek sung by The Band

Hello, everyone. National Poetry Month is only two and a bit months away so dive in and start writing.

Donna, in her Other People’s Poetry series, gives us the poet Richard Berlin and an interesting prompt, to match the poem she chose, that asks us to Use that object as a controlling image in a poem about that person. To find out what image and what person, visit.

In resonance three, Joseph asks us to consider the interplay of colours. He gives a step by step that takes us through the setting up of the poem and throws in a challenge. Head over.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda suggests we digest the words. It’s a good strategy, allowing the words to work their way around, while they marinate. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele is asking us to step out of the box in considering making a flip decision about something important. Head over to see what she says and read her suggestions and tips, of which she always has many.

At Qweekly, Barbara has given us two prompts for this week, both of which look fun, especially the other one.

We Write Poems  has thrown its hat into the wordle ring with We Wordle. Their wordles are different from Brenda’s so check them out. You can have two wordle worlds!

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Never written one? What are you waiting for?  Laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write. At the least, go read Madeleine’s limerick for this week’s line. Her rhyming word choices are great for reminding us that one word can be used in many ways.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] has given us a black and white photograph Musician in the Rain by Robert Doisneau. Although it’s not meant to be, there is an element of comedy to the subject that you might allow into your poem. Remember: you do not have to write about the whole image. Sometimes you can write to just one tiny part of the whole. Go on over.

Mary, at Poetry Jam, tells us to spend some time cloud watching. Okay, she doesn’t actually say that but you can. Head over.

On Carol’s Wonder Wednesday she gives us two photographs to suggest connectedness. Visit to see what she says about it. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

The Found Poetry Review’s prompt asks for a remix from songs in the Top Forty. I took a small break that turned into a long break to start looking at lyrics. Then I was caught by a suggested article… Don’t forget to stop by their weekly column highlighting found poetry related news and resources. See what the Review is all about. All things found live there.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. This week we have etymology, forgiveness, and protest. Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, it’s Fireblossom time and she would like us to play dress-up.To read what she really wants us to do with clothes, head over. Her commentary has a ton of photos we can use, as well. Go play with the toads.

At We Write Poems Elizabeth tells us that she came to poetry through the prophets of the Old Testament, who often spoke in metaphors and similes. Head over to see what she suggests we do.

At Poets United, Poets United Mid-Week Motif is looking at mirrors. Head over to read what Susan says about it and the poems she has for us.

Over at dVerse, Brian gives us storytelling. It’s what we do, right? Go on over and see what he says, then do as he suggests: tell a story. Look around while you’re there. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. Hut buttered rum on offer.

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 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. Post!

I shall see you Tuesday for an image prompt; and Friday for the prompt roundup.Happy writing, all.

 

Poetry Freeforall: Here We Are Again

7:45 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Love Potion No. 9 sung by The Searchers

Hello, everyone. Welcome to all the new people who are following. We’re a friendly group so if you have questions, ask. I would also like to welcome back, for however long they are here, my two lead-offs, Donna and Joseph.

Donna of Put Words Together. Make Meaning. says of her new incarnation: Once a week, I will introduce a poem by a poet that is not considered “widely read” or with whom I have had little experience, offer some insight into what I appreciated about/learned from that particular poem, offer suggestions for further reading (both online and in book form), and perhaps even provide a writing or revision prompt based on the poem. Her first post gives us Karen Solie. What are you waiting for? Visit.

Joseph, of Naming Constellations, has returned with another R round of prompts, Resonance. We’re already at 2, so if you missed the first one, be sure to scroll down to it. He says of the new year: There’s not going to be a particular structure or theme to the prompts, and I may not always give an example poem of my own, but I’ll do my best to keep them up through the year. Those who have been with Joseph know that his prompts are  exercises in fun [okay, maybe a little hair pulling], but if followed can produce surprises. Resonance two begins with music. Head over.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda says, This week’s words came from a paper that a student wrote last week. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele asks us to consider differing perspectives or points of view, different memories of the same experience, and other situations in which “things” may be seen from two sides. To find out what she suggests we do, head over. Adele, as usual, gives many suggestions, as well as links to example poems.

Barbara is back with prompts at Qweekly, so head over and check them out. She has given us two prompts for this week, both of which look fun, especially the other one.

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Never written one? What are you waiting for?  Laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write. At the least, go read Madeleine’s limerick for this week’s line. Her rhyming word choices are great for reminding us that one word can be used in many ways.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] has given us an incredible photograph of a lighthouse off the coast of Brittany. Remember: you do not have to write about the whole image. Sometimes you can write to just one tiny part of the whole. Go on over.

Laurie, at Poetry Jam, challenges us with refrigerate/refrigerator. Head over to read what she says. Irrelevancy: I had the image she shows, of the running refrigerator, on my classroom whiteboard, for years.

On Carol’s Wonder Wednesday she tells us to use her chosen images and words as a doorway. Today she gives us a photograph with a poem by Wendell Berry. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

The Found Poetry Review’s prompt, this week, asks for a remix from StoryCorps archives. Don’t forget to stop by their weekly column highlighting found poetry related news and resources. See what the Review is all about. All things found live there.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. This week we have empathy, listening, and emotional rescues. Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Brendan’s prompt only went up Wednesday and has 29 responses so far. Clearly the prompt works well, so go see what it’s about. I will tell you that it involves a word list from a Plath poem.Go play with the toads.

At We Write Poems Elizabeth has us looking into the meanings of zodiac signs. Visit to find out why.

At Poets United, Verse First does not appear to be present [I’m telling you, I only turned my back for a couple of weeks], but something called Poets United Mid-Week Motif looks like it will work fine as a prompt. The motif this week is equality. Head over to read what Susan says about it.

Over at dVerse, Victoria takes on active verbs. As I am slightly passionate on the topic, I didn’t even look at other offerings, so look around while you’re there. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. Hut buttered rum on offer.

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 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. Post!

I shall see you Tuesday for a word prompt; possibly Thursday, if anything comes to light; and Friday for the prompt roundup.Happy writing, all.