Poetry Freeforall: Write For Your Life

8:20 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Growing Up sung by Run River North

Hello, all. Can the weather get weirder? Our temperatures drop to freezing tonight and tomorrow. I keep telling the trees they’re too early. Do they listen? Here are a few writing possibilities to bring us into National Poetry Month, when we all go mad.

Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie  The prompt that caught my eye this week is Tale Weaver’s. You know those ghosts that show up in photographs? Go read the prompt. The photograph (in the photo challenge), like last week’s pink balloons, kept drawing my eye, as well. Check out their other prompts for the week.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda asks us to leave our Wordle links in the comments of her blog. If you join The Sunday Whirl‘s Facebook page, you can get the week’s list a couple of days early.

 Pink.Girl.Ink. Stacy is giving us a Wordle with a twist. She has divided the words up and assigned them to stanzas. It will be interesting to see how the brain plays differently with that.

The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog: Adele has a new book out: A Lightness, A Thirst, Or Nothing At All. If you are curious as to her poetry, there are a couple of sample poems. I realise this is not a prompt, but it is one of the ways we can support each other. Go on over and read about it.

Speaking of limericks, Madeleine is the Queen of limericks. Make tracks to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Read several. They are in the comments so you don’t even have to leave the page. One advantage to writing a limerick, or two, is they are short, so you can post them in comments on the blog, or on Mad Kane’s Facebook page. Go over and check it out, to read and laugh, and maybe write.

Magpie Tales  This week, we have a colour photograph of a venerable tree and a path that I had the greatest urge to walk down. Go look. Remember that you do not have to write about the whole, or write about the image directly.

At Poetry Jam, Gabriella wants to know: Are you coffee, or tea? Visit to read the case for each side.

Found Poetry Review Beth talks about the losing of words from our natural history lexicon. Even if you do not write found poetry, the post is well worth reading (I was horrified at the words chosen to remove from the Oxford Junior Dictionary), as is the article from The Guardian.

Poets & Writers gives us three prompts every week. One for non-fiction, one for fiction, and one for poetry. My contention is that all the prompts work for poetry. They also all work for prose. This week’s topics are vulnerability, new town, and equinox eclipse. A whole little poem right there. Visit to find out what the prompts are about.

At imaginary garden with real toads Herotomost talks about spring days, hanging with friends, letting it all hang out. Go read what his idea is. Go play with the toads.

At Poets United Midweek Motif Susan gives us captivity as our motif. Intriguing word. Visit to read the quotations, facts, and poems Susan has chosen.

At The Happy Amateur Sasha explains wikems. This week she gives us the sun. Head over to read.

Over at dVerse Mary talks about beauty, what is or isn’t, should or shouldn’t be, considered. Visit to read what she says. Time to head for the bar.

I shall see you Tuesday for an image prompt. Then the blog goes dark for National Poetry Month. Ironic, you say? I know, but I can’t write a poem a day and this. I tried once. I will stop in and visit, with links to what I am writing, should you be curious.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Poetry Freeforall: A Baker’s Dozen

8:20 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Humble sung by Audrey Assad

Hello, all. Oh yeh. Feel the caffeine… don’t mind me. I’m drinking my first cup of coffee. I do love coffee. It’s funny how little things can make our day. If you have been reading the WordPress contretemps in this blog, you know there is a mode war happening. This morning, I held my breath, clicked the bookmark I made, and here I am, Classic mode, baby!

Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie  The prompt that caught my eye this week is Haiku with HA. Partly it is the interesting post that accompanies the prompt, and partly, the intriguing thought of capturing the idea of The Scream in a haiku. The photograph of pink balloons, also…Check out their other prompts for the week.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda asks us to leave our Wordle links in the comments of her blog. If you join The Sunday Whirl‘s Facebook page, you can get the week’s list a couple of days early.

 Pink.Girl.Ink. Stacy has designed another guided poem for us. This one is simpler, less hands on (on the guiding part). We are asked to include an item in each of four stanzas. Head on over to find out what the items are.

The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog: Adele asks for limericks, in honour of St. Patrick’s. The poems don’t have to have anything to do with him, or his holiday. It’s the form.

Speaking of limericks, Madeleine is the Queen of limericks. Make tracks to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Read several. They are in the comments so you don’t even have to leave the page. One advantage to writing a limerick, or two, is they are short, so you can post them in comments on the blog, or on Mad Kane’s Facebook page. Go over and check it out, to read and laugh, and maybe write.

Magpie Tales  It was odd to have the post come up and know exactly where I was with regard to the scene. I have walked along this street. We have, Petergate, with a view of York Minster, York, UK, photo by Tess Kincaid. Remember that you do not have to write about the whole, or write about the image directly. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Peggy asks us to look back. Visit to find out what we are looking back at.

Found Poetry Review Beth talks about the losing of words from our natural history lexicon. Even if you do not write found poetry, the post is well worth reading (I was horrified at the words chosen to remove from the Oxford Junior Dictionary), as is the article from The Guardian.

Poets & Writers gives us three prompts every week. One for non-fiction, one for fiction, and one for poetry. My contention is that all the prompts work for poetry. They also all work for prose. This week’s topics are vulnerability, alternative words, and virtual friendship. A whole little poem right there. Visit to find out what the prompts are about.

At imaginary garden with real toads Susie asks us to play with spam before we consign it to the delete forever button. Go read what her idea is. Go play with the toads.

At Poets United Midweek Motif Susan gives us sun as our motif. Visit to read the quotations, facts, and poems Susan has chosen.

At The Happy Amateur Sasha explains wikems. This week we have two for the price of one. Head on over and see what she does with progress and pi.

Over at dVerse we are losing another familiar voice. Victoria is withdrawing. She has one last topic for us, one particularly dear to my heart. She says: I tried to eliminate not only adverbs and adjectives, but also forms of the verb “to be” which goes hand-in-hand with passive voice and deadens the flow of the poem. Head to the bar to read her good-bye and final words of wisdom.

That should keep you busy. I shall see you Tuesday for my prompt; Thursday for poetry month links; and Friday for the roundup.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Poetry Freeforall — Even On the Run, We Write

What? It’s 10:20 a.m.? — Atlanta

listening to Another Saturday Night sung by Cat Stevens

Hello, all. The trouble with trying to do six things at once is that something gets pushed off. Possibly, I should have gone dark… excuse me a sec — I need to put the sheets in the dryer… today. Forgive any and all typos, mistakes, or wild statements (trying to cover any eventualities of my brain working on a half-dozen things). Let’s go:

Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie  The prompt that caught my eye this week is Tale Weaver’s — Can you resist trying the word grezzle?. Check out their other prompts for the week.

You know how a group of words can catch at you. There’s something about this week’s collection. At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda asks us to leave our Wordle links in the comments of her blog. If you join The Sunday Whirl‘s Facebook page, you can get the week’s list a couple of days early.

 Pink.Girl.Ink. My first thought was, Oooh. Stacy has designed a guided poem for us. As she says, The idea is really very simple, you follow steps 1-9 (sometimes more or less) and by following those rules/steps, the rough draft of a poem falls into place. Head on over to find out what the steps are.

The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog: Adele gives us a two for one. She has a guest blogger, Basil Rouskas, who talks to us about what evolves through workshop experiences. If you don’t have time, bookmark it for later, and scroll straight to the end where there is a prompt, one of my favourite revision processes.

Madeleine is running her limerick words for a second week because of Time Warner and an outage. Feeling blue? Need a laugh? Need warming up? Make tracks to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Read several. They are in the comments so you don’t even have to leave the page. One advantage to writing a limerick, or two, is they are short, so you can post them in comments on the blog, or on Mad Kane’s Facebook page. Go over and check it out, to read and laugh, and maybe write.

Magpie Tales  Lee Miller in Adolf Hitler’s Bathtub, Munich 1945, by David E. Scherman. Given the title alone, I would thing poems would start, but the items in the photograph: So much. So rich in detail. Remember that you do not have to write about the whole, or write about the image directly. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Brian (yes, that Brian!) has a fun idea to explore, that turns on the concept of a place’s local. To find out what he suggests, visit.

Ack, the sheets…okay… I do like to catch them before they are hopelessly wrinkled.

Found Poetry Review Beth gives us the New Age Bullshit Generator. I defy you not to check out the prompt and subsequent link.

Poets & Writers gives us three prompts every week. One for non-fiction, one for fiction, and one for poetry. My contention is that all the prompts work for poetry. They also all work for prose. This week’s topics are empowerment, complicate it, and see the light. A whole little poem right there. Visit to find out what the prompts are about.

At imaginary garden with real toads Margaret offers the paintings of Toril Fisher. We have seen her work before when we met her here, last year. Go play with the toads.

At Poets United Midweek Motif Susan gives us woman as our motif. Visit to read the quotations Susan has chosen.

I laughed when I read Sasha’s intro, this week. She and I are on the same page. Now let’s see what you come up with using the wikem as a resource. At The Happy Amateur Sasha explains wikems. Head on over and see what she does with flame.

Over at dVerse Anna discusses refining our poems through experimentation. She talks to us about reduction, oulipo and surprising conceit. There is a lot to love about this prompt. Go see. Head to the bar. They love visitors.

That should keep you busy. I shall see you Tuesday week, the 17th for one of my prompts.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Poetry Freeforall — Can I Have Some More?

07:34 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Sixteen Candles sung by The Crests

Hello, everyone. All back to normal here. The Great Snow Scare fizzled away in the dark and we’re back to temperatures that go up to the sixties, then back down to the thirties. In the poetry prompt world this week, we have:

Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie  The prompt that caught my eye this week is the photo challenge ‘Blood Money’. Check out their other prompts for the week.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda asks us to leave our Wordle links in the comments of her blog. If you join The Sunday Whirl‘s Facebook page, you can get the week’s list a couple of days early.

 Pink.Girl.Ink. Stacy wants us to say goodbye, with a twist. Head on over to find out what.

The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog: Adele has a fun take on a ‘selfie’. She wants us to try a ‘selfie poem’ with a twist. (Yes, another twist. I don’t make these up.) Visit to see what she says and to read the poems Adele has chosen as examples.

Feeling blue? Need a laugh? Need warming up? Make tracks to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Read several. They are in the comments so you don’t even have to leave the page. One advantage to writing a limerick, or two, is they are short, so you can post them in comments on the blog, or on Mad Kane’s Facebook page. Go over and check it out, to read and laugh, and maybe write.

Magpie Tales Whoa! Creepy photograph. I’m not sure I’d be happy walking through these doors. Remember that you do not have to write about the whole, or write about the image directly. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Peggy has an interesting take on inside looking out (or vice versa). Visit to read what she says.

Found Poetry Review Beth has found an intriguing resource for found poetry. She says about it: HOAX has a new Twitter side project (@quoaxquoax) dedicated to tweeting and retweeting “unattributed text snippets tagged with #quoax.” Head over for links and to read the rest of what she says.

Poets & Writers gives us three prompts every week. One for non-fiction, one for fiction, and one for poetry. My contention is that all the prompts work for poetry. They also all work for prose. This week’s topics are ultracrepidarian, from screen to page, and cut-ups. Visit to find out what the prompts are about.

At imaginary garden with real toads Marian offers a song, Time (The Revelator), as inspiration. Go play with the toads.

At Poets United Midweek Motif Susan gives us mother tongue (yes, yes, with a twist) as our motif. She has a wealth of material for us to use. Visit to read the quotations Susan has chosen. Her choices this week may be some of my favourites of her finds.

At The Happy Amateur Sasha explains wikems. Head on over and see what Sasha does with gravity.

Over at dVerse Claudia Tells us to grab a line. A line of what? Go see. Head to the bar. They love visitors.

That should keep you busy. I shall see you Tuesday for my prompt; Thursday for links and such; and Friday for more prompt site roundups.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Poetry Freeforall — Wanted: Inspiration

08:11 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to snips from George Ezra’s album Wanted on Voyage

Hello, everyone. I love finding music I haven’t discovered, that I like. Thanks to Misky, I have a George Ezra song on one of my Google Play playlists and was able to listen to snips from the whole album. The young man has quite a voice. Our own voices come through our writing (some of which sings), so let’s look at this week’s prompts.

Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie Visit to meet the new prompters who have joined MLMM. The prompt that caught my eye this week is Heeding Haiku with HA. He’s on a mini-sabbatical and Jen turned her hand to the prompt. I like her style and love the possibilities from the resources she gives us. Check out their other prompts for the week.

At The Sunday Whirl,  Brenda asks us to leave our Wordle links in the comments of her blog. If you join The Sunday Whirl‘s Facebook page, you can get the week’s list a couple of days early.

Pink.Girl.Ink. Stacy gives us a template for creating a word deck. This one centres on romance, because it’s last Saturday’s prompt, but the whole is a terrific thing to bookmark. You can choose any topic and apply the idea. Head on over.

The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog: Adele talks to us about favourite words. (Do you keep a list? I have a great set of word cards I found in Singapore, small, blank cards (held together by a key ring), on which I write words I love.) Visit to see what she suggests we do with a favourite word to create a poem.

Damn, it’s cold and I’m inside. With a heater.

Feeling blue? Need a laugh? Need warming up? Make tracks to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Read several. They are in the comments so you don’t even have to leave the page. One advantage to writing a limerick, or two, is they are short, so you can post them in comments on the blog, or on Mad Kane’s Facebook page. Go over and check it out, to read and laugh, and maybe write.

Magpie Tales Hah! Interesting photograph. Remember that you do not have to write about the whole, or write about the image directly. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Sumana talks to us about one of my favourite topics, solitude vs. loneliness. I love the two images she gives us. Visit to read what she says.

Found Poetry Review Beth has found an intriguing resource for found poetry. She says about it: HOAX has a new Twitter side project (@quoaxquoax) dedicated to tweeting and retweeting “unattributed text snippets tagged with #quoax.” Head over for links and to read the rest of what she says.

Poets & Writers gives us three prompts every week. One for non-fiction, one for fiction, and one for poetry. My contention is that all the prompts work for poetry. They also all work for prose. This week’s topics are forgiveness, technology, and names. Visit to find out what the prompts are about.

At imaginary garden with real toads grapeling gives us a fun overview of recent travels and tells us how she came up with the prompt: I got to thinking how close yet how far some words are, and started thinking of pairs that share a root, as it were, but not necessarily a sense. Head over to read what she says and what she wants us to do. Go play with the toads.

At Poets United Midweek Motif Susan gives us glass(es) as our motif. She has a wealth of material for us to use. Visit to read the poems and quotations Susan has chosen. See what she has to say on the topic and the other bits of inspiration she has for us.

At The Happy Amateur Sasha explains wikems. Head on over and see what Sasha does with black.

Over at dVerse Bjorn talks to us about the volta. Don’t know what one is? Want to advance your writing? Head to the bar. They love visitors.

That should keep you occupied. I shall see you Tuesday for my prompt; Thursday for links and such; and Friday for more prompt site roundups.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Poetry Freeforall: Pick One… or, Two

07:53 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Horn Concerto No.2 in E Flat, French horn played by Dennis Brain (if you are a brass fan and haven’t heard him, scour the web)

Hello, everyone. Boston, Boston, what have you done to anger the elements? Atlanta is a brisk 26. Brrrr. For here, that’s cold. Looking across the weather map, no-one on the East coast is going to want to stick their noses outside. Anyone to the West is fainting from the unusual heat (it’s not that hot, but it is for this time of year). Reports from my correspondent in England says it’s not looking too good there. I hope those in the tropics and south of the equator are holding things up for us.

Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie I do enjoy reading the several prompts waiting when I arrive on this page. The prompt that caught my eye this week is last Saturday’s. Granted it changes tomorrow, the prompt deals with prose poems, a form I am endlessly fascinated with. Check out their other prompts for the week.

At The Sunday Whirl,  Brenda asks us to leave our Wordle links in the comments of her blog. If you join The Sunday Whirl‘s Facebook page, you can get the week’s list a couple of days early.

Pink.Girl.Ink. Stacy asks for a sad love poem. She includes a list of words, from a Neruda poem, to include. Head on over.

The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog: my reaction while reading the prompt was, Cool! Adele has a guest prompter who asks us to adapt another literary or non-literary form not usually considered poetic to your poetic ends. Go over to find out what Melissa Studdard has in mind. She provides several examples.

Feeling blue? Need a laugh? Make tracks to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Read several. They are in the comments so you don’t even have to leave the page. One advantage to writing a limerick, or two, is they are short, so you can post them in comments on the blog, or on Mad Kane’s Facebook page. Go over and check it out, to read and laugh, and maybe write.

Magpie Tales has a painting that is more darn fun. Its title is Action Figures, by Edith Vonnegut. Remember that you do not have to write about the whole, or write about the image directly. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Alan1704 talks to us about silence. Even the way he structures his prompt slows things down and begins the quieting of the busy brain (silence isn’t always about loud). Visit to read what he says.

Hah! At the Found Poetry Review we are given a delightful twist on a Valentine poem. Go over to see what the prompt says and for links. Really. Stop right now and go look.

Poets & Writers gives us three prompts every week. One for non-fiction, one for fiction, and one for poetry. My contention is that all the prompts work for poetry. They also all work for prose. This week’s topics are life on mars, personal assistant, and from the heart. Visit to find out what the prompts are about.

At imaginary garden with real toads Kerry takes a serious look at the idea of love. She writes an interesting argument. Head over to read what she says and what she wants us to do. Go play with the toads.

At Poets United Midweek Motif Susan tells us that love is not a greeting card. Visit to read the poems and quotations Susan has chosen. See what she has to say on the topic and the other bits of inspiration she has for us.

Don’t know what a wikem is? At The Happy Amateur Sasha will explain. Head on over and see what Sasha does with the moon.

Over at dVerse Gay wants us to write a poem whose structure is based on a Frost poem. While I don’t use end rhyme, “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” has a rhyme scheme that endlessly delights me. Head to the bar. They love visitors.

So many fun things to play with. I shall see you Tuesday for my prompt; Thursday for links and such; and Friday for more prompt site roundups.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Poetry Freeforall: Grab One and Run

07:53 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Mayberry sung by Rascal Flatts

Hello, everyone. I may be (who knows) brief today. Having put stuff off all week, I have an eclectic mix of must-get-dones: wash my hair, call my mother, walk to the local grocery, down the street, and buy a birthday card and sustaining breakfast for my husband, who turns 65 tomorrow. I’m thinking bagels, cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, lemon, Spanish onion… good stuff. Meanwhile, you first.

Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie I can’t help but notice that Jen is writing almost all the prompts. I hope, for her sake this is temporary. The prompt that caught my eye this week is Tuesday’s photo Cumulus Fields. Check out their other prompts for the week.

At The Sunday Whirl,  Brenda asks us to leave our links in the comments of her blog. Then, wordle. If you join The Sunday Whirl‘s Facebook page, you can get the week’s list a couple of days early.

Pink.Girl.Ink. Stacy has a novel possible source of inspiration: bumper stickers. She has, as always, several suggestions, but the one that got me going is the list of a few stickers that she gives us. I discovered that I was writing a found poem, even as I read through. If you like that idea, Google ‘bumper stickers’ and add to the list. Then start your remix.

The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, asks us to try our hand at a list poem. Head over to read the full prompt and for Adele’s suggestions and tips. As Adele says, list poems can seem easy, but a good list poem is a whole ‘nother thing.

Make tracks to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. One advantage to writing a limerick, or two, is they are short. You can post them in comments on the blog, or on Mad Kane’s Facebook page. Go over and check it out, to read and laugh, and maybe write.

Magpie Tales has a photograph that will take many of you to memories back when. Some of you were those people. Did I feel a wince? Remember that you do not have to write about the whole, or write about the image directly. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Mary gives us a prompt to do with journeys. Visit to read what she suggests and for the example poem she gives us.

At the Found Poetry Review we are given the annual Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation annual letter as our source material. Go over to see what the prompt says and for a link.

Poets & Writers gives us three prompts every week. One for non-fiction, one for fiction, and one for poetry. My contention is that all the prompts work for poetry. They also all work for prose. This week’s topics are messing with your favorites, glitter bomb, and last line/first line. Visit to find out what the prompts are about.

At imaginary garden with real toads Ella has a fascinating take on a creation poem: I want a poem that shares your embryonic state before the birth of your poem… I think to bring your poetry out of the dark abyss, perhaps we need another element to induce our birth. I want you to take the place where you were born… To find out Ella’s complete idea go play with the toads.

At Poets United Midweek Motif Susan has quite a challenge: treat cancer poetically. Visit to read the poems and quotations Susan has chosen. See what she has to say on the topic and the other bits of inspiration she has for us.

At The Happy Amateur Sasha is introducing us to Wikems. Don’t know what a wikem is? Head on over and see what Sasha does with zoetrope.

Over at dVerse Claudia is meeting the bar literally and figuratively. She has a fun idea she calls connecting the dots. Go see what it’s about. Head to the bar. They love visitors.

So many fun things to play with. I shall see you Tuesday for my prompt; Thursday for links and such; and Friday for more prompt site roundups. Let’s see, do I have time for…

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Poetry Freeforall: One Month Down

08:18 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Poems sung by Mandy Patinkin

Hello, everyone. Massachusetts, are you with us? Have you dug out from under? I love to follow the Weather Channel when a storm is on and I couldn’t help but notice that this storm had no interest in any place other than Massachusetts. It was strange to watch it circling the state.

Let’s see how successfully techy I can be. I received a request from Tawnya Smith (who many of us know as Yousei) to post a submission opportunity. Tawnya is the Poetry Editor for The Mayo Review, the literary journal at her university. I took a screen-shot which appears to have worked well (and which, I notice, allows you to see what I’m up to with all the tabs). Note that the deadline is next Friday.

Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie  The prompt that caught my eye this week is the image of the woman and lily pads. Check out their other prompts for the week.

At The Sunday Whirl,  Brenda is having problems with her linking service, so be sure to read her note to us. Then, wordle. If you join The Sunday Whirl‘s Facebook page, you can get the week’s list a couple of days early.

Pink.Girl.Ink. Stacy is asking for one of my favourites: postcard poetry. By now, you know she always has suggestions and alternatives, so hie yourself over.

The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, asks us to try our hand at lunes, one syllable based and one, word based. Head over to read the full prompt and for Adele’s suggestions and tips.

Make tracks to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. One advantage to writing a limerick, or two, is they are short. You can post them in comments on the blog, or on Mad Kane’s Facebook page. Go over and check it out, to read and laugh, and maybe write.

Magpie Tales has a photograph that is somewhat surreal, partly because it’s a close-up. It’s pretty cool. Remember that you do not have to write about the whole, or write about the image directly. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Peggy gives several choices for a seasonal poem: this season, somewhere. Visit to see her photographs and read her ideas.

At the Found Poetry Review we are given the annual Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation annual letter as our source material. Go over to see what the prompt says and for a link.

Poets & Writers gives us three prompts every week. One for non-fiction, one for fiction, and one for poetry. My contention is that all the prompts work for poetry. They also all work for prose. This week’s topics are messing with your favorites, glitter bomb, and snowtastrophe. Visit to find out what the prompts are about.

Hannah is here to transform our day with the beauty of nature. At imaginary garden with real toads Hannah gives us lavender. Go play with the toads.

Poets United Midweek Motif gives us humour. Visit to read the poems and quotations Susan has chosen. See what she has to say on the topic and the other bits of inspiration she has for us.

NEW ENTRANT: Yay! Sasha Alexandra (who many of us have known for a long time) enters the fray. She will be posting every Thursday at The Happy Amateur and is taking on Wikems. Don’t know what a wikem is? Head on over. You’ll like them.

 

Over at dVerse Tony Maude challenges us to a form… his adaptation of a cinquain. These are hard, and therefore satisfying, to do well. Head to the bar. They love visitors; I smell hot apple brandy.

So many fun things to play with. I shall see you Tuesday for my prompt; Thursday for links and such; and Friday for more prompt site roundups.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Poetry Freeforall: Challenge Yourself

08:19 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Yesterday’s Songs sung by Neil Diamond

Hello, everyone. Another week down and a weekend to write. Winter appears to have fled far, far North. Anyone feeling uneasy about February?

First, a reminder to submit to Gnarled Oak. They are reading for Issue 3, due out 15 April. To get an idea of what they are looking for, visit.

Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie  The prompt that caught my eye this week involves a bit of play. You don’t want to create a monster? Then the other prompt that caught my attention is the haiku one. Check out their other prompts for the week.

At The Sunday Whirl,  Brenda is taking time off while she travels. Watch this spot. If you join The Sunday Whirl‘s Facebook page, you can get the week’s list a couple of days early.

Pink.Girl.Ink. Whoa! Stacy has changed the look of the site. Focus, Margo: The prompt is fun and based on the art of Tarot cards. You don’t have to own a set, or even believe in it. Think of this as an image prompt. To see her example cards and read what she says, go on over.

The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, gives us birds. Adele asks for a theme that somehow relates to or juxtaposes bird life and human life. She also gives us a list of birds and their symbolic associations. Head over to read the full prompt.

Make tracks to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. I defy you to not enjoy writing a good limerick. One advantage to writing a limerick, or two, is they are short. You can post them in comments on the blog, or on Mad Kane’s Facebook page. Go over and check it out, to read and laugh, and maybe write.

Magpie Tales has a photograph that would seem to be a What’s the story, kind of image. The photo needs close study, as there are many details not apparent, at first. Remember that you do not have to write about the whole, or write about the image directly. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Gabriella gives several choices for writing about writing, so visit to read her ideas.

Oh, what fun. At the Found Poetry Review: “What does it mean when you dream you’re being chased by an elephant?” Or: “Can I get a book telling me how to be mistress of ceremonies at a musical orgy?” Go on over to find out what that’s about. I promise fun, even hilarity, even if you don’t end up with a poem.

Poets & Writers gives us three prompts every week. One for non-fiction, one for fiction, and one for poetry. My contention is that all the prompts work for poetry. They also all work for prose. This week’s topics are stability, going backwards, and maladies. Visit to find out what the prompts are about.

Mama Zen is in the house, at imaginary garden with real toads, where she gives us a quote from Poe and a question, as inspiration. Go play with the toads.

Poets United Midweek Motif gives us fashion. Even if you are thinking ‘Fashion? Enh.’ go read the two poems Susan has chosen. See what she has to say on the topic and the other bits of inspiration she has for us.

Over at dVerse Brian challenges us to a form… our choice. Then he wants us to, well, go see what he says. Head to the bar. They love visitors; I can hear the clinking of ice.

I shall see you Tuesday for my image prompt; Thursday for links and such; and Friday for more prompt site roundups.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Poetry Freeforall: Write! April is Around the Corner

09:53 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Vivaldi

Hello, all. We have blue sky and sunshine. My cacti are very happy. I’m a little late, so let’s get to it.

First, a reminder to submit to Gnarled Oak. They are reading for Issue 3, due out 15 April. To get an idea of what they are looking for, visit.

Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie  The prompt that caught my eye this week is a list of quotes from Pema Chodron. Check out their other prompts for the week.

At The Sunday Whirl,  Brenda gives our set of words to Wordle. I am tempted… If you join The Sunday Whirl‘s Facebook page, you can get the week’s list a couple of days early.

Pink.Girl.Ink. Stacy talks a bit about poem sketching and has given us a bunch of mini-wordles with which to practice; she suggests we use them in any combination we wish. To see the lists and read what she says, go on over.

The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, has this warning from Adele: Whatever you do, don’t read the articles, only the headlines. She has a new take on using headlines as inspiration and a list of tips. Head over.

Make tracks to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. I defy you to not enjoy writing a good limerick. One advantage to writing a limerick, or two, is they are short. You can post them in comments on the blog, or on Mad Kane’s Facebook page. Go over and check it out, to read and laugh, and maybe write.

Magpie Tales has a photograph by Elene Usdin. The photo looks a trifle bizarre until you figure out the photographer’s purpose. Remember that you do not have to write about the whole, or write about the image directly. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Mary says: shoes or feet. Visit to see what about them and to read a fabulous Bukowski poem.

Oh, what fun. At the Found Poetry Review: “What does it mean when you dream you’re being chased by an elephant?” Or: “Can I get a book telling me how to be mistress of ceremonies at a musical orgy?” Go on over to find out what that’s about. I promise fun, even hilarity, even if you don’t end up with a poem.

Poets & Writers gives us three prompts every week. One for non-fiction, one for fiction, and one for poetry. My contention is that all the prompts work for poetry. They also all work for prose. This week’s topics are stability, awkward mistake, and kindling. Visit to find out what the prompts are about.

Fireblossom, at imaginary garden with real toads, gives us a lovely wintry photograph and Vivaldi’s Winter, as inspiration. Go play with the toads.

Poets United Midweek Motif gives us birthdays. Head on over to see what Susan has to say on the topic and the different bits of inspiration she has for us.

Over at dVerse Victoria revisits a new form developed by Brian, the ten-word. Head to the bar. They love visitors and rumour has it they are offering hot buttered rum.

I shall see you Tuesday for my prompt; Thursday for links and such; and Friday for more prompt site roundups.

Happy writing, everyone.