Friday Freeforall Fray

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy writing, everyone.

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

 

Friday Freeforall. What, Again?!

9:12 a.m. — Atlanta

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Poem Channeled for The Sunday Whirl

Talk about not knowing where something came from. I was halfway through a poem that could not be more different from what is below. I wasn’t happy with the content, although I liked the idea, so I put it aside. I was minding my own business, watching the Olympics, when this started arriving in my brain. Don’t ask. I have no idea what subconscious cell decided to surface and present itself in vaguely poetic form.

Those who settle in the Channel Islands
discover a rough and wayward history, where islanders
long avoided falling prey to attack, by knowing who held the ball,
with a robust outlook on whom to swing their allegiance behind,
tilting back and forth in a sometime strange, sometime sublime, frenzy
to keep life as they knew it – channeled
between two countries.

Thank you, Brenda, for an ever delightful, always challenging, source and resource. The latest words can be found at The Whirl, along with links to what others have written.

 

Friday Freeforall

7:33 a.m. — Walnut Creek

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy writing, everyone.

 

 

Tuesday Try Winter Out

8:04 a.m. — Walnut Creek

Hello, all. Is it my imagination or are the days slipping by even faster than they already seemed to slip by? Not fast enough, you say? Bring on neutral weather with comfortable temperatures? I’m with you there. How about we start with this week’s prompt which mirrors the one we did on summer. Let’s give winter a turn.

It’s no longer a new party trick, but you can still do it. Write, without thinking, a list of all the words and terms you associate with winter: cold, ice, icy, freeze… come on, no censoring to save a word… snow, hot chocolate, mittens… What’s that? You wouldn’t have thought of hot chocolate and now you have? Ah, well. Fireplace, Christmas, skiing… Write winter out of your brain onto the paper. Remember the fresh and original poem you wrote about summer? To reach it, you had to write summer out of your system first.

All done? Okay, remember that you may not use any of those words in your poem. Consider what it is about winter you want to convey. Those of us undergoing weeks unending of heat, might want to convey  the bone-chilling cold of a winter day; those undergoing the bone-chilling cold of that winter day, might wish to convey their view of a perfect summer day. Decide if you want to write a universal, or a personal, truth about winter; if you want to describe a scene, or an event; if you want positive, or negative; if you wish to recall a memory, or create a fantasy.

Freewrite your thinking as you are doing it. Jot notes about what, as well as how. Write down words, images, and sensory details. Think about the best form [this does not mean you have to use a form as opposed to free-verse, but you do need to decide which] for the winter poem you have running through your mind, now. What form complements your content?

Write, post, come back and read others or, read all of last week’s entries now, and this week’s entries next week! That way you will catch several poems to read. I will see you Friday for the Freeforall and next Tuesday for an image. I know: Ooooh!

Happy writing, everyone.

P.S. Should you have the kind of brain that automatically runs possibilities by, when you glance at my Tuesday and Friday attempts at different titles around the same words, feel free to let me know!

 

One For All and All For Friday Freeforall

9:12 a.m. — Walnut Creek

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy writing, everyone.

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

 

Freya’s Day Freeforall

7:21 a.m. — Walnut Creek

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Fry, Baby, Fry-day’s Freeforall

8:13 a.m. — Walnut Creek

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Finally Friday’s Freeforall

2:24 a.m. — San Antonio

Hello, everyone. Two in the morning is an ungodly time to be up, much less writing a blog post, but I have a medical procedure I am prepping for that requires me to drink half a gallon of liquid at this hour. Apparently, writing after the procedure is not good as I will be woozy, so here we are. Let’s see what we have this week.

Donna and ‘The Poetry Mixtape should be back tomorrow, so stop by and check. Donna has been giving us her day at the writing workshops. You will find music, books, mini-discussions, tips, lots of interesting stuff, especially if you have wondered what writers do at workshops. For anyone who has not visited Donna’s blog, Put Words Together. Make Meaning, I will leave a link here so you can visit and explore.

Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Twenty-Five: the omniglot’s delight. Just to discover what omniglotting involves, you know you have to visit. For all who love language even beyond its poetic possibilities, this is for you.

Over at Adele’s, The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog the topic is silence and its power. Adele’s prompts are always more than the sum of their parts. To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit.

At Poetic Bloomings we complete the elements with the earth. Visit to read what our hosts say and to read their poems in response to the prompt. Stop by to read the latest update on Walt‘s condition and for his email. I suspect he would love to hear from people. There is a request to keep all chat off Facebook, as not all relatives have been told.

Have you whirled? At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda and The Whirl give us our wordle words, as selected by some of us from the poems of Yusef Komunyakaa. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Carry On Tuesday gives us a long quote from Charles Dickens. Head over to read the line and for a link to read more Dickens’ lines.

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

Visit Magpie Tales for our image prompt and to read how others approached this powerful and possibly disturbing image.

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

Poetry Jam provides us with a prompt from Dani, who gives us a discussion of mood, before providing suggestions for writing. Head on over and read what she has to say on the subject.

For you alliterationists out there, visit ABC Wednesday. This week’s introduction also gives us the logo for the next round which is fast approaching. Visit to see it and perhaps participate.

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

We have a new entrant. It has been a while since we have had a photo prompt. Wonder Wednesday gives us a photo and, if we wish, a word. Visit to meet Carolisle and have a look at the photograph and what she has to say about it.

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, we start with Kerry’s Wednesday Challenge, where we are taken to play with Shakespeare. Go revel with the language. We also have a musical prompt. Spend some time with the Jayhawks and see where it takes you. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems gives us a prompt from the community. Hannah asks us to try our hand at a tanka and gives us an image to work from.

At Poets United, we are asked to try a fractured fairy tale. Remember those? Go on over and look at the variety of possibilities and to watch one of the tales.

At dVerse’s Poetics, Claudia writes about logophilia. As long as we are omniglotting with Joseph, and visiting Shakespeare with the toads, we might as well make language our theme. As always, explore the pub while you are there. They offer so much on their menu.  You might find several of us propping up the bar. They make us feel welcome.

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

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

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

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

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

When I next talk with you I shall be in Walnut Creek, California, with my mother. We are all crossing our fingers I can get an internet connection. I shall see you at Tuesday Tryouts and talk a little about list poems; then, Friday for the next roundup.

Happy writing, everyone.

 

Come and Get it! Freeforall! It’s Friday!

8:30 a.m. — San Antonio

Here we are again. Hello, all. Let us start with our week of wonderful possibilities.

Donna and ‘The Poetry Mixtape’ is in the second week of a two week break. Donna is still blogging and has been giving us her day at the writing workshops. You will find music, books, mini-discussions, tips, lots of interesting stuff, especially if you have wondered what writers do at workshops. For anyone who has not visited Donna’s blog, Put Words Together. Make Meaning, I will leave a link here so you can visit and explore.

Joseph Harker gives us Reverie Twenty-Four: OBEY. Whom? you ask. You will have to wander over to find out, but are Joseph’s exercises ever not intriguing? Correct, so go.

Over at Adele’s, The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog the topic is fabulous fruit and Adele tells us My advice is to nibble on a piece of fruit while you’re writing. I have some watermelon in the icebox. It could get messy, but I can see how that would work with my mind while I write. We are given several directions in which we can go. I want to try each one. I may end up with a fruit basket. Adele’s prompts are always more than the sum of their parts. To read all the possibilities, and to be given links to corresponding poetry, visit.

Over at Poetic Bloomings we are burning. Visit to read what our hosts say and to read their poems in response to the prompt. Marie Elena and Walt have a plea for their blooming poets, [you know who you are] so stop by their home page, as well.

Have you whirled? At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda and The Whirl give us our wordle words from a list at school and the final thirteenth [it’s baker’s dozen time] from Paula on The Whirl’s Facebook page. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Carry On Tuesday gives us the opening line of Walter de la Mare’s poem ‘The Listeners,’ and me a strong memory flash. In sixth grade, my choral group won gold with this poem. Head over to read the line and for a link to read the poem.

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

I thought I had seen every M. C. Escher print, but this is a new one. I sat for several minutes looking at it, before I remembered you all… twice![ I had to go back to copy the URL and found myself staring at the image, again.] Visit Magpie Tales for our image prompt and to read how others approached this image.

Shawna, over at rosemary mint, is taking her two week break from connected madness, sort of. I had to laugh when I saw she hasn’t quite pulled the plug. I am giving you her blog’s general link, so you can wander through word lists if you need one. Shawna’s approach to word lists: ‘To participate, write a poem or short passage/story using at least one of the words listed below. Feel free to use word variations (e.g., “chancing” rather than “chance”) as necessary.’

Poetry Jam provides us with a prompt from Mary, who asks us to consider things we shouldn’t have done but did. Head on over and read what she has to say on the subject.

For you alliterationists out there, visit ABC Wednesday. This week’s introduction offers a short travelogue of West Virginia. Visit to read and perhaps participate.

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

Over at imaginary garden with real toads, we start with Ella’s Edge where she asks us to write an SOS. It’s not quite what you think, so go over and find out what is being saved.  It’s also Fireblossom Friday. Think famous. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems asks us to play with naming, and, as we all know the power of names, what we are being asked to do is interesting. Go. Find out.

At Poets United, we are invited to consider the labyrinth, but not quite as you may think. Visit to find out what we are asked to try.

At dVerse’s Meeting the Bar, Victoria writes about setting and place, in poetry. As always, explore the pub while you are there. They offer so much on their menu.  You might find several of us propping up the bar. They make us feel welcome.

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

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

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

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

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

I shall see you at Tuesday Tryouts and talk a little about summer images; then, Friday for the next roundup. I’m off to Rhode Island this weekend to celebrate the Origami Poems Project’s 3rd anniversary and to help honour my mentor, Jack [James] Penha.

Happy writing, everyone.