Poetry Freeforall: The End Is Nigh

7:45 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Tennessee Flat Top Box sung by Rosanne Cash

Hello, everyone. We begin by featuring one of our regulars. You’ve seen them, week after week, anchoring the prompts roundup: Flashy Fiction. With a new year upcoming they want to revitalise the site. Wait ’til you see its new look, warm, sleek and easy to navigate. Down the left side is their framework and archives; down the right, their featured hosts, whose names many of you will recognise. In the centre is each day’s prompt.

I am going to argue that even the poets should be over here. Whether you write flash fiction, or not, writing a short narrative is often a strategy for moving into a poem. Like all prompts, whatever you write is right, as far a the good people running the show are concerned. So, make a note and drop in on them regularly. Make them your habit. One nice feature: you can post your short bit right in the comments.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda found our words on Jeopardy. 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 taking a different tack for a few weeks, noting: many of us won’t have time to work with prompts or on our poems, so I thought I’d offer slightly different fare for a while—some poetry-related reading and then a short hiatus in December.This week: Finding the Right Words by guest blogger Diane Lockward [whose book, The Crafty Poet, I happen to have sitting next to me].

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Never written one? What are you waiting for? These are the perfect size for busy months like December. 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.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] has given us a black and white photograph that has so many possibilities I stopped to make notes. I particularly like the reflection in the car’s window.  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, asks us to wander into the realm of childhood beliefs. Head over to read what she says.

This week on Carol’s Light Words she has a photograph of part of her garden. The colours are lovely. 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 found poem from Nobel texts. They give us several links. 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 miscommunication, creating tension, and disappointment. Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, herotomost has an interesting challenge: to find someone who doesn’t write and ask them to give you an opening line. Head over to read his idea as to why. Go play with the toads.

At We Write Poems Yousei Hime takes over as our guide this month. Her second prompt is another type of collage, a cento. Knowing how busy we are she also provides links for material. Go on over.

At Poets United, Verse First presents us a gorgeous Elizabeth Bishop poem and asks us to follow its framework. The topic: loss, losing, art, and their meanings for you. Visit.

Over at dVerse, Gay Reiser Cannon has an interesting post on writing in one’s first language. Be sure to read the comments. They are fascinating. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. Along with hot toddies, Gay has chocolate chip cookies.

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 borrowed prompt and then, not again until the first week of January.Happy writing, all.

 

Poem Tryouts: Superstition

7:23 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Ka ‘Opihi O Kanapou sung by Keali Reichel

Hello, everyone. It’s another grey and rainy day. I hope someone is building an ark. While I wait to find out, let’s talk about superstitions. It’s a rare person who doesn’t have one. You might think you don’t, but think on it a while.

Do you always wear the same thing to a job interview because it was lucky the first time? Do you have a sneaking preference for not flying on Friday the 13th? How about the spilled salt you just threw over your shoulder? Do you have a lucky penny? In fact, is there anything you do repeatedly because you consider it lucky? Well, then.

Superstition is defined as:

An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome. If that black cat crosses in front of me, I shall have to reschedule the appointment.

A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance. I always see a black cat with that woman. Maybe, she’s a witch.

A fearful or abject state of mind resulting from such ignorance or irrationality. When I see the woman, from now on, I’ll detour around the block. I don’t want bad luck.

Idolatry. I have a little cat statue and I light incense in front of it every day for luck.

Anytime you associate a new behaviour with luck, good or bad, you are developing a superstition, something that controls your behaviour rather than the other way around. For a poem you have several choices.

You might write about a superstition you have.
Or, write about the topic of superstition from a defined point of view.
Or, write a poem defending a specific superstition.
Or, write a list poem of superstitions.
Or, write a creation myth for a specific superstition.
Or, whatever popped into your mind on starting this post.

Why didn’t I post this at Halloween? Because, I tend to buck the system and because we don’t have superstitions only at Halloween. Halloween is one giant collection of superstitions.

I look forward to your poems.

I shall see you Thursday for something [I know. I’ll have to decide soon.]; Friday for the week’s prompt roundup; and next Tuesday for a borrowed prompt.

Happy writing, all.

 

Poetry Freeforall

7:55 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Danny’s Song sung by Loggins & Messina

Hello, everyone. Ready for a bunch of ideas? Wonder how on earth you are going to write everything you want to? The first of us to win the lottery should start a home for poets who want to write to all the prompts around. Here are this week’s.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda found our words in the CBS nightly news. 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 taking a different tack for a few weeks, noting: many of us won’t have time to work with prompts or on our poems, so I thought I’d offer slightly different fare for a while—some poetry-related reading and then a short hiatus in December.This week: A Meditation on the Relationship of Love and Art by guest blogger Michael T. Young.

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Her rhyme word is crab. I stopped for a while to read. Never written one? What are you waiting for? These are the perfect size for busy months like December. 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.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] has given us an image that might seem to restrict the possibilities. Remember: you do not have to write about the whole image. Sometimes you can just write the response the image evokes. Go on over.

Mary, at Poetry Jam, has an interesting take on gifts. She reminds us that gifts can be far more than the literal present. Head over to read what she says.

This week on Carol’s Light Words I had to laugh as she bounced from topic to topic; be sure to read about twilight. Fascinating. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

Check out the Found Poetry Review’s weekly column highlighting found poetry related news and resources. This week has links to many goodies: an article on the archaeology of poetry; a super cool place and idea for remixing poetry; a great journal, Right Hand Pointing, to submit to; and a blog that features your found poetry. 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 change, the times, and family. Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Margaret gives us several very interesting and different images from photographer Jennifer MacNeill, as inspiration. Go play with the toads.

At We Write Poems Yousei Hime takes over as our guide this month. Her first offering is a lovely idea for a Christmas gift [which can be given at any time], a Holiday Collage. Head over to read what she says.

At Poets United, Verse First presents The Owl. To help, they offer a photograph and a poem. If you want to see the poem in its proper format, visit the poemhunter.

Over at dVerse, Samuel Peralta asks us to take on the 55 words form. It’s a fun exercise. If you haven’t tried it and you haven’t met G-man (Samuel asks that we link to him, as well), visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. Is that mulled wine?

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 superstitious prompt; Thursday for I’m still not sure what; and Friday for the week’s prompts roundup.Happy writing, all.

 

Poetry Freeforall

7:45 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Hello, everyone. A week to go NaNo-ers. For the rest of you, how about a few forays?

I’d like to take a month off, okay a couple of months, and work on each of Joseph’s Renovations prompts; if you have not tried one, wander over. He is posting every day, so you have your choice of several and it doesn’t matter if you post them ‘not on the day’.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda gives us her usual selection of words that work. 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 taking a different tack for a few weeks, noting: many of us won’t have time to work with prompts or on our poems, so I thought I’d offer slightly different fare for a while—some poetry-related reading and then a short hiatus in December. For starters, I’d like to share an interview that I did with the great poet Charles Simic. Visit. The interview ends with some pointers from Simic.

We’re at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Never written one? What are you waiting for? These are the perfect size for busy months like December. 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.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] has given us an unusual image: an old envelope. Having spent much time in my ancestors’ papers, there was much that sparked when I saw the photograph. Go on over.

Alan1704, at Poetry Jam, has us considering lightning. So much can be done with this, literal and metaphorical. He even provides us with a video of the Electric Light Orchestra singing Summer and Lightning. Head over to read what he says.

This week on Carol’s Light Words she wants us to consider perspective. She has a couple of great shots of windows. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

The Found Poetry Review’s weekly prompt gives us a page from the National Book Award’s novel winner to erase. If you have never tried an erasure poem, they can be addictive because of the challenge. Go on over to find out, to read the page being offered, and to wander around and 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 keys, sleep deprivation, and change.  Visit. (NaNo-ers, their fiction suggestions are a wonderful resource for ideas)

At imaginary garden with real toads, Hannah is back with Transforming Friday with Nature’s Wonders. She has a stunning photo and some interesting facts about China’s Red Beach. Head over to read about it. Go play with the toads.

At  We Write Poems Misky is our guide this month. She asks us to resurrect an old friend or family member from our memories, and she gives us an interesting way to go about it. Go on over and see what she wants us to do with it.

At Poets United, Verse First insists that The Work Is Not About Place. To see what they mean, visit.

Over at dVerse, Tony Maude takes us through the modern ode ala Pablo Neruda. To make our lives easier, he gives us steps to follow. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

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 then, not until the following Tuesday, for a regular poetry prompt.Happy writing, all.

 

Poetry Freeforall

8:20 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to the First Edition singing Just Dropped In

Hello, everyone. All is quiet on the NaNoWriMo front. Plenty of things for the poets, though, so head into the list. Note the new entrant.

Joseph’s Renovations prompts are fun; if you have not tried one, wander over. He is posting every day, so you have your choice of several and it doesn’t matter if you post them ‘not on the day’.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda gives us her usual selection of words that work with the admonition: Just write it! 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 gives a mini-workshop in writing the personal narrative poem (not to be mistaken for a narrative poem). As she says of a resulting poem: It needs to approach the universal through the personal, it needs to mean more than the story it tells, and the old rule “show, don’t tell” definitely applies. Visit to see what else she says.

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.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] gives us a black and white photograph by Degas (yes, you read that right). Go look at it.

Peggy, at Poetry Jam, offers us a variety of lasts.  Head over to read what she says.

This week on Carol’s Light Words she wants to know about our kitchen tables. Head over to see. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

The Found Poetry Review’s weekly prompt asks: So, what does it mean to create found poetry from already-remixed art, re-working already recycled materials? Go on over to find out and to wander around and 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 Kafkaesque experiences, class, and loss.  Visit. (NaNo-ers, their fiction suggestions are a wonderful resource for ideas)

At imaginary garden with real toads, Fireblossom Friday gives us a chance to take out an old favourite, dust it off, and share it. Head over to read about it. Go play with the toads.

At  We Write Poems Misky is our guide this month. Everyone has a bicycle memory, right? Go on over and see what she wants us to do with it.

At Poets United Verse First gives us the ordinary. Head over.

Need to work on the tightness of your images? Over at dVerse, Gay Reiser Cannon talks to us about the American Sentence, show and tell at its best. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. Mulled wine coming up.

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 prompt centred on meals; Thursday for a discussion of techniques that help narrative structure; and Friday for more of today.Happy writing, all

 

Poetry Freeforall

8:20 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Three Dog Night singing Never Been to Spain

Hello, everyone. We’re one week into NaNoWriMo and Robert’s PAD chapbook challenge. Y’all still there? Give yourself a break and wander through these sites. Even if you don’t feel like another prompt, they’re fun to read.

Joseph’s Renovations are just my cup of tea. Not that I have had time to sit and write anything, but I have them all filed. You know that file. It’s labelled ‘Someday’. The prompts are fun; if you have not tried one, wander over. He is posting every day, so you have your choice of several and it doesn’t matter if you post them ‘not on the day’.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda gives us her usual selection of words that work. Something I have noticed about writing to the words on the blog [rather than the list sent out early] is that where Brenda places the words often affects how I perceive them. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have the 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 prompter, poet Cat Doty who gives us a wonderfully fun prompt on writing a sonnet. Yes, fun and sonnet in the same sentence. I’m heading back there as soon as I finish here.

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.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] gives us a painting by Sir Stanley Spencer. There is a lot happening in the painting. Look for stories, repeated elements, the title, or one person who catches your eye. Go look at it.

Mary, at Poetry Jam, has interesting suggestions to do with what we do, or don’t, know for sure.  Head over to read what she says.

This week on Carol’s Light Words she asks an intriguing question about colour. The photograph she gives us is black and white. Head over to see. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. This week we have self-portraits, being at peace, and guest poetry.  Visit. (NaNo-ers, their fiction suggestions are a wonderful resource for ideas)

At imaginary garden with real toads, herotomost invites us to paint a portrait of… him. The prompt is quite a challenge. I look forward to reading the results. Note all the forms he suggests; they open up the possibilities. Head over to read. Go play with the toads.

At  We Write Poems Misky is our guide this month. Head over to read what she says about bridges. The possibilities are many.

At Poets United Verse First introduces us to the fascinating photography of Carl Warner who embodies Meridel Le Sueur’s comment ‘The body becomes the landscape‘. Go on over for the links. I gave PU’s general address as the post does not seem to have a working link. You’ll need to scroll down.

Over at dVerse, you have to give this a try. Samuel Peralta introduces us to Googlisms and the way to use them in list poems. Read what has been posted so far. Great fun. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. Haul out the crock pot. It’s time for hot apple cider and brandy.

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 bit of narrative consciousness; Thursday for links; and next Friday for more of today.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Poetry Freeforall: TGIF

7:57 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to the Kingston Trio singing Reuben James

Hello, all. You’re not there, are you? I’m speaking to an empty room. All of you are writing, writing, writing, aren’t you? After all, you have energy and freshness… for now. Yes, it’s an evil grin. For those who are not part of November’s madness, here are this week’s prompts.

Look who’s back:’If you’re doing a daily writing practice, please consider these as options! They’re not going to be my usual philosophical windings, though. My process for building these is going to be soulless and mechanical’. It’s good we love the boy. With garlands and wreaths, head over to Joseph’s Renovations for the first prompt of the month.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda gives us her usual selection of words that work. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have the 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 gives us a prompt that embraces the spirit of Halloween, but allows us to not do Halloween. She suggests we ‘focus on writing a poem in which we create an aura of suspense and mystery. To help with this, let’s be specific and use ekphrasis‘. Head on over to see the image and read what else she has to say.

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.

The Mag [Magpie Tales] gives us a Max Ernst painting. People seem to be having a problem with it… low numbers. Remember the image is there to spark a poem; you do not have to write a poem that is recognisably about the image. You might write a poem about curves.

Laurie, at Poetry Jam, appeals to our desire for comfort. Head over to read what she says.

This week on Carol’s Light Words she gives us a bag full of goodies. Granted Halloween is done, go on over and enjoy the different songs she found for the occasion. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. This week we have costumes, confrontations, and childhood fears.  Visit. (NaNo-ers, their fiction suggestions are a wonderful resource for ideas)

At imaginary garden with real toads, Kerry invites us to ‘join in the Blog4Peace drive on Monday, 4 November‘. Head over to read. Go play with the toads.

At  We Write Poems Pamela Sayers talks to us about the Day of the Dead, a festival in Mexico that celebrates the dead with colour and fun. Visit to read what Pamela tells us.

At Poets United Verse First — where simple notions prompt amazing poems — gives us the first traditional Halloween prompt with a direction to write about ‘ghosts, spirits and scares‘. Go on over to see what they say.

Miz Quickly has been playing with themes again, her blog’s not poetry [I have a strong desire for pumpkin pie]. She retires from the field for a couple of months, but invites us to rejoin her in January.

Over at dVerse, I have given you the general address, which means, your choice. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. Haul out the crock pot. it’s time for hot apple cider and brandy.

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 our a narrative prompt; Thursday for links; and next Friday for more of today.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Poetry Freeforall: Storing Up For the Winter

8:42 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Don McLean singing Mountains o’ Mourne

Hello, all. Forget your families; forget your jobs; forget about eating (here’s your chance to try out the thirty new varieties of vegetable chips). Not only do we have NaNoWriMo coming down the pike, but Robert Lee Brewer’s November ‘poem-a-day towards a chapbook’ contest.  Oil those brain gears.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda selects words from Beauty Supply, by Lee Ann Brown. It’s a complex grouping and that’s what makes working them fun. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have the 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 giving us a chance to vent. She calls her topic ‘Rantables’. Head over and let her take you through the steps of having your rant and turning it into a poem.

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.

The Mag is on a one week break to celebrate Tess Kincaid’s birthday. Next year, I’ll try to remember to pre-post so we can join her on the 20th.

Alan1704, at Poetry Jam, tells us to look in a mirror. Head over to read what he says.

This week on Carol’s Light Words the photograph on Wonder Wednesday’s post, speaks to our fears. Between her own poem, her wondering and the title of the post, we are given a richness of possibilities for poems. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. We have an article of clothing, experimentation, and the art of appreciating.  Visit. (NaNo-ers, their fiction suggestions are a wonderful resource for ideas)

Ooh! At imaginary garden with real toads, Kerry’s Challenge is about the language of flowers. Head over to read. Go play with the toads.

At  We Write Poems Pamela Sayers wants us to write about windows and doors. So many possibilities. Go on over to read what she says. (I have one this week, Pamela!)

At Poets United Verse First — where simple notions prompt amazing poems — gives us the topic of food and writing (vegetable chips, anyone?). Visit to see what they say.

Miz Quickly offers two prompts a week, so I will always give you the general address. This week is a little different. We have a series of six prompts that stem from one image and that work off each other and together. It’s a heck of a lot of fun, so if you haven’t been over, go. Visit and see what it’s all about.

Over at dVerse, Tony Maude gives us the Rondeau in Form for All. There is much more to the crafting of a Rondeau than you might think and they are fun to build. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. Cider on tap.

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 our image prompt; Thursday for links; and next Friday for more of today.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Poetry Freeforall: Turn With the Leaves

7:46 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to The Highwaymen singing Cotton Fields

Hello, all. Atlanta has committed to Fall. I sit with my woolies on, contemplating the when of heating.

Joseph Harker is on hiatus, for now. His space will be here when he returns.

At The Sunday Whirl, we have an interesting grouping of words. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have the 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 given us a format for a ten line poem. You almost lost me. I love this kind of exercise, as a way to arrive at a first draft. The point is to do exactly what the instructions say, at least for the first draft — I am always surprised where that takes me. Then, you can go nuts and play with the second draft.

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.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt. The photograph can take you a couple of ways. Should the dog not spark anything, look closely at the planks of wood, at the grain, the texture… deal with that; or, fences…

Peggy, at Poetry Jam, is talking trash. Head over to read what she says.

This week on Carol’s Light Words the photograph on Wonder Wednesday’s post, asks an interesting question: ugly, or not? That gives us a whole new track we can wander down, besides what we see in the photo. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. We have collectibles [this goes rather nicely with this week’s prompt, so visit me, too ;-)], relationships, and meals.  Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Hannah has a video to go with her natural wonder: ice. She gives us a couple of paths. I am immediately drawn to her injunction to make a cave of words — very cool. Head over to read. Go play with the toads.

At  We Write Poems  Pamela Sayers wants us to write about food. So many possibilities. Go on over to read what she says.

At Poets United Verse First, where simple notions prompt amazing poems, gives us another prescribed prompt. It’s all about nouns and verbs, ladies and gentlemen, nouns and verbs.

Spooky. I arrived at Miz Quickly’s place here, as her prompt landed in my inbox.  Miz Quickly offers two prompts a week, so I will always give you the general address. This week we have change the form, and broken things. Visit and see what it’s all about.

Over at dVerse, Pretzels & Bullfights talks about voice. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. They are beginning to crush the apples for cider.

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 response poem (remember, I gave homework!); Thursday for links; and next Friday for more of today.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Poetry Freeforall: Happy Birthday

7:37 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to the Kingston Trio singing Scarlet Ribbons — you’d forgotten all about that song hadn’t you?

Hello, all. I stay the course with very few things, so it is with some awe that I contemplate this, my 500th post, and the beginning of Wordgathering’s fourth year. I looked back to see who has been with me from the start who I know is still keeping company. Thank you to everyone, but especially those who started with me and continue: The Rag Tree, Neil Reid of We Write Poems, and scotianightpoetry, followed by poetrydiary, ViV and Lady Nimue. As I went through the list of names, all twenty pages, I saw so many I consider friends. Thank you for the joy you have brought me through this blog.

Joseph Harker can be found at Naming Constellations. If you haven’t been over to look around his site, I have given the general address. His archives are worth a visit. See them in the left sidebar under recursions, reveries and refinery. Three lots to play among. If you just scroll back through posts, you will find plenty of poetry to read and reviews of chapbooks to consider. It’s a must blog for writers.

At The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele discusses ‘new’ poetry and what that entails. It’s an interesting essay and worth taking the time to read, even if you decide not to try the prompt, although it would stretch you and be fun to try one of the styles even if you don’t ‘get’ the poems. Adele gives a list of suggestions and examples to start your thinking. Another must stop for writers.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda chose this week’s words from, and leaves a link to, the poetry of Rae Armantrout. If you haven’t wordled yet, what are you waiting for? Brenda will have the new words up on Sunday. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

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.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt. The photograph by Mark Haley caught me emotionally as soon as the image appeared. Some places do that. Go see. Then write your response to it. See where it takes you.

Laurie Kolp, at Poetry Jam, has an interesting exercise which I plan to try, shortly after hitting ‘Publish’. See what she says about the value of looking backward.

This week on Carol’s Light Words I have given you the choice, as she has several different from each other photographs, each of which might spark a poem. Also, Carol chooses a song each Friday to get us dancing around — remember she is on California time. A different kind of poetry and a whole lot of fun.

Poets & Writers’ suggestions for all three genres work as possibilities for a poem subject. We have human nature, stress, and a second look at medicine cabinets.  Visit.

At imaginary garden with real toads, herotomost had me laughing from the title [and how many of you remember that gem?], on. The idea is interesting and I may even pause a moment, in this, to start… Head over to read. Go play with the toads.

At  We Write Poems Pamela Sayers takes the reins. Head over to say hi and read what she says about roads.

At Poets United Verse First, where simple notions prompt amazing poems,  visit and see what they say about He said, She said.

She is back, ladies and gentlemen. Miz Quickly offers two prompts a week, so I will always give you the general address. If you didn’t start October with her, you might want to read back. We have two, and blue and a wild card. Visit and see what it’s all about.

Samuel, over at dVerse, takes spine poetry [books, not backs] a little further, by going through the whys and hows of the possible steps to arrive at the finished product. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place. They are beginning to crush the apples for cider.

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 be dark all next week, as we visit Vermont and family. I shall see you again on Tuesday the 15th for a prompt to spark a poem.

Happy writing, everyone.