A Random Poetry Challenge
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On writing poetry:
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How To Write Poetry Scholastic Guides
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Writing the Life Poetic: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry
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Pizza, Pigs, and Poetry: How to Write a Poem
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How to Write Poetry (Third Edition)
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Creating Poetry
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How to Write Poetry: And Get it Published (Continuum Studies in Writing)
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How to Write a Poem (How to Study Literature)
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Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Poetry
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On The Mark Press OTM1803 How to Write Poetry & Stories Gr. 4-6
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Writing exercises:
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The Write-Brain Workbook: 366 Exercises to Liberate Your Writing
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What If? Writing Exercises for Fiction Writers (3rd Edition)
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Now Write!: Fiction Writing Exercises from Today's Best Writers and Teachers
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A Writer's Workbook: Daily Exercises for the Writing Life
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Unjournaling: Daily Writing Exercises that Are NOT Personal, NOT Introspective, NOT Boring!
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Anybody out there want to take the challenge?
That's right, I started out as a poet. Writing since I was twelve or thirteen years of age. Writing before I thought about careers and supporting myself and all that stuff-before I got the degree in journalism, too, because I'd foreseen that as "the practical thing." Before I wrote prose.
Poetry doesn't make you any money, of course-OF COURSE. Which is why, after finding myself published in more than a few ‘good' journals, and because my newspaper job was also exhausting (I didn't think of that in a practical way, did I?), I essentially stopped writing poems. Sure-I've got a backlog of material to submit to publishers, and I continue to do that-but that isn't what it's all about. It's the ‘careerist' part of writing, which you can begin to obsess about, but with which you feel queerly, internally empty if that is ALL you are doing.
Sometimes I worry I don't have ‘it' anymore. You know, whatever that is that makes you want to put your busy everyday, coupon-schedule-and-bank-account self on hold and think about words, trees, why people pause-every year, to take photographs of fall foliage-what that means, if anything; what the nation's current politics mean at a minute level-what it will mean to the neighbor's kid who doesn't graduate high school, or to your father who needs to have heart surgery. Yes-the parts of life that really matter-the heart of things. So much gets lost in the miscellany.
I was searching the internet the other day for literary journals to hit up with submissions. And I came across one I couldn't submit to-the poems they wanted had to be centered on a theme-I believe it was their "alimentary" issue. Anything at all to do with food.
I thought it was a cool idea-I couldn't submit to the publication until I came up with some new stuff. In some off hand way-I think perhaps a way many writers find-it is like a jumping off point, a kind of exercise that limits the possibilities of that often too, too-many-possibility piece of white paper before you.
So here goes. Anyone want to join me? Here are 30 poem ideas or jumping off points to be used or abused in any way that gets you writing:
Day 1: The love of broken things.
Day 2: Mulberries
Day 3: Old CD's in a dumpster in a college town
Day 4: Days unfolding like envelopes
Day 5: That thing about time
Day 6: The world before cell phones
Day 7: A poem with the name "Toby"
Day 8: An abstract, red painting
Day 9: Be bold
Day 10: Book reviews and how they are written
Day 11: Colors in joy
Day 12: Promise of a white page or white canvas
Day 13: Dust
Day 14: Makeovers
Day 15: The printing press and how it destroyed/created the world
Day 16: A teal ocean
Day 17: Obamacon
Day 18: Breaking your glasses
Day 19: Before winter...
Day 20: Old wood burning
Day 21: The strength of delicate things
Day 22: Esteem
Day 23: All one organism
Day 24: ‘Smart' dressers
Day 25: Considering fortune cookies
Day 26: Etched
Day 27: Kidnap, assault alleged by teen
Day 28: My friend, the bag lady
Day 29: Rapture
Day 30: New moons, old moons
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Comments
So are the poems submitted here in comments, as stand alone hubs, what is the format.
Hi, Teresa, Hi, TK--
Wow! I promised Espianscrolls to re-publish this for him (I had published it earlier under a slightly different format). Didn't think I'd have immediate takers, because it wasn't popular at all the first time around, lol. !
Write in any way you wish--I'd love to see others' stand alone poetry hubs. We could even act as a random online writing workshop with comments on people's work.
Any order, any days--go outside the month if you want--I certainly did & will since I now have a writing job.
Sounds real good to me, time to write a new one just for this. Will be hard to hit a decent word count for hub purposes, but ohh well. maybe I will do one hub and a diff text module per poem.hmmmmmm
TK-I promise to look at your hub since I started this! And Teresa is great & would make an excellent commenter/critiquer as well.
Yes, I think that how you mentioned writing one hub with multiple poems is the best idea.
Thanks for becoming my fan and once I get this short fiction piece written for a blog I am starting on Day 1 of the Poems. Thanks for the inspiration
I'm sooooooooo in! LOL Thanks Lita, this is a wonderful idea! :D
"...but with which you feel queerly, internally empty if that is ALL you are doing." Thank you SOOOO much for giving voice to that. That is SO dead on. As grateful as I am to be finally writing for (not much) money, I think the work I did for copies was so much more satisfying. Count me in, in, in.
All us weird writer girls are poets doncha know? It never goes away!
Nice to know about your background in writing/poetry. Even I love poetry and would surely take up the challenge. I do agree with Pam that all writer girls are poets too (of course I am flattering myself to be both a writer or poet well at least I am trying and that should count for something I guess)..hehe
I used to write poetry a million years ago before work and life and babies got in the way. I mean proper poetry (well vaguely!), not just joky verses like the one I hubbed yesterday (The Ostrich). Poetry must be in the air at the moment. That's a great list. You guys start in with the verses, and I'll see if I can hum the chorus!
Poetry challenge day one 'The Love of Broken Things' duly posted:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Poetry-Challenge-Day-One-T
Thanks Lita. I enjoyed that.
Chris- Good! Let me know when you publish.
Pam-Yes, very dead on. The work stuff takes energy away from the other writing too. Yeah, I thought I saw you published in some lit. mags.--poetry, hmmm?
CW- Write some! Of course it counts. Welcome to the weird girl club! lol
Amanda--Your poem was not really a chorus. You know that. I suppose I could pull out my red teacher pen or something, but I hate them!
Oh, i want in on this weird girl poetry club thing! I try to write in my numerous journals regularly. Sometimes it's poetry; sometimes not. I'll definitely write something and let everyone know.
Great, Laurie. Welcome! We like weirdos here, lol...
I'm gong to try. I haven't written poetry in years :)
Univited Writer-I've not been really writing poetry either, and I had invented this challenge to get me going! But, I'm being paid for the feature story, so, :)/:(, I've gotta work on it.
I was planning to put a little 'cheat' poetry hub up, lol, since I have a backlog of stuff.....I'll be to your hub....
Okay, Lita... i've done it. It's been too long since i've actually tried writing poetry. Here it is, day 19: http://hubpages.com/hub/Response-to-Poetry-Challen Please give me an honest response.
Here is my contribution: http://hubpages.com/hub/Broken-Glasses. I thought a little humor might take away from the doldrums of the season.
The links to those last two comments don't work. Here are the correct links:
http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Random-Poetry-Challenge
http://hubpages.com/hub/Broken-Glasses
Sorry!
I suppose that you don't need a link to your own hub. Sheesh, i'm such an idiot.
Hi Lita - my effort to meet Day 13s "Dust" - late to the party so will try and catch up - even if I cheat with some never published bits and pieces although some of your suggestions look a bit difficult/tricky...cheers and thanks for the fun this will bring everyone...cheers
Lita, this is a wonderful hub! I used to write a lot of poems when I was younger, and then somehow lost the desire somewhere between college and my career track, but after reading this and Amanda's poem on the love of broken things, I'm inspired to delve into poetry again. Thank you for the inspiration and all these great topics!
Hi, James Harley-- Your hub doesn't exist??? I tried. Hmmmm. Oh, well, thanks for trying.
Laurie--Been to see you. Thanks for being patient!!
Ajcor--You can do whatever YOU want with these bits and pieces. Use only a part of them if you want... They are only there to act as inspiration--that's all... :) I'll be over to your hub.
Melissa--I'm glad I was able to inspire some people! That always feels useful, ;). And doesn't that always happen when you have a job, :(....
ho lita,
i've started to answer your challenge 2 days ago
hope you spare your time to passing by,
;)
I'm very new, hope I am doing this correctly.
I love the idea of the poetry challenge, Lita! I am looking forward to rediscovering the poet inside of me.
I've gone out of order and chosen a topic... Etched
Hope you have a chance to take a peek =)
Here is my contribution: http://hubpages.com/hub/Broken-Glasses. I thought a little humor might take away from the doldrums of the season.
Hi Lita
I've posted another!;
http://hubpages.com/hub/Poetry-Challenge-Day-13-Du
Your challenge seems to be attracting a lot of attention!
I just actually found out what this was. My contribution awaits your evaluation.
Hi Lita - thanks for this - serious fun - my contribution for Day 12 on White is
http://hubpages.com/hub/NearDeath
cheers
I'll be to your hub, ajcor, :).... After my fingers and t oes thaw out from biking--lol, they;re white!
I was inspired by meditations on teal. But I lost my way:
Thanks, guys! I'll be to your hubs...
Hi Lita
my third poem to go up addresses Day 1 The Love of Broken Things...
http://hubpages.com/hub/Random-Poetry-Challenge-Gi
Thanks for reading....cheers
Hey, Guys... I'll be to your hubs shortly, :). You are all just soooo prolific!
and again Lita - RPC Day 11 Colors in Joy - Dead Fox
http://hubpages.com/hub/Random-Poetry-Challenge-Da
thanks
ps how many poets are posting and do you hope to read 30 from each one - the tally would be? ...cheers
Lita, I have for Day 5 that thing about time segment -
http://hubpages.com/hub/Randon-Poetry-Challenge-Da
Thanks for reading
and again Lita (I believe that this is an amusing narrative type poem) from Day 14 Makeover....
http://hubpages.com/hub/Random-Poetry-Challenge-Da
thanks and cheers
Hi, ajcor! You guys are so prolific. I am--just at the moment it is radio copy and press releases... I will be to your hubs soon!
i just started day one, awesome challenge, i always love a challenge! check mine out! again great idea i really enjoy it!
Well darn. Just missed the whole thing. Let me know if you decide to do another!
Naw! Take the challenge, Frieda, and use and abuse the catch phrases all you want. We were never very organized, ;). Thanks.
Boundaries are holding the place I see,Where sun shines over the sea.In the other place I know,People are blind they can’t say no.The blood for the mountain is a cover,They now call each other lover.
What I feel.. Oh what I feel when they speak about my country?I feel like my jail is the boundaryBut why?This should be a lie!I also feel glory through painRelease me I’m not the one to blame.
In my house there’re other personsThat likes to give people some lessons,Their taking advantage of kids,They tell which are their needs,They teach them how to live good,They tell them from who to buy food.
Maybe I’m pure and blind,But I seek and that’s what I find…Love kept locked.Science kept blocked.
WOW lol.... hmmm but i guess i am way way to late to take part in this, let me know if you do another one i could use a challenge
:) needsabreak--you can use any of these on your own time! Most never made it through, anyway. lol Thank you.
IM IN FOR A CHALLENGE TO......CANT WRITE MUCH BUT WHAT GOES!!!!
Thanks, anant. I saw your poem. Not bad. Don't think you need a mentor, really....but glad you are up to the challenge, :). Thanks for stopping by...
Inspirational challenge. I'll use some of these in my Poetry Exercise Blog!
Thanks, Earthscribe. You are welcome to use them. :)
hey,I'm really enjoying this poetry writing challenge. This was a great idea! I'm only on day 1 of the challenge and I'm going to try my best to go in the order of which you gave us each topic. So here's poem number 1:http:www.hubpages.com/hub/theloveofbrokenthings-poem1
Thanks, floeticpoet. I'll check out your work, :).
Alright I know I said that I would try to go in order, but there are just so many fun topics I just decided to skip around a bit. So here's poem number 2:http://wwww.hubpages.com/hub/whydyouleave. I hope you enjoy it also if you don't mind I would greatly appreciate it if you would send some of your friends to my page so that they can leave comments as well. Thank you !
Day 28; My Friend the Bag Lady
A poem for you
Irish in the Morning
Rising far, far above damp street lamps
Through faded man made light
Aquila approaches from the East
Flashes of Purpled Reds slash and penetrate
Water color scents of mystic proportion,
Rising from silk sheeted pillows in the aura
From the East came Air, Fire and Wind
Announcing the re- birth
The cold steamy fog rising of the Cumberland
Nature’s morning ritual; the cleansing of First Avenue.
Got a wee Dollar for a lady Camera Man? she called out to me
Yes Mum I do and I held out the dollar for her to retrieve
She hobbled like a cripple through the misty riverside street
The Curb presenting the Ultimate obstacle to her Broken and Un-stable gate.
As she approached, the lines etched deeper into her tender face.
Like a Nashville street map she was read and re-folded again and again.
A mapped location of a person left in a bent and tired body
A soul within a soul frame, reaching for her promised dollar.
A sweet scent of Rose-water twice mixed with the mustiness of street-life
Awakened, it penetrated my senses
Ahh! a slight hint of better existence
Or maybe Self-pride that still exists somehow
The Camera Lenz snapped with a click
It was a dead giveaway of my location
A Framed tender smile inside the Lenz
Oh thank ye Sir, she said with a curtsey accent
A hint, of what was past?
She hobbled away as the BMW vied for its position against the Curb
As if to push her rusted shopping cart away.
Crying out, “Hurry on Old Woman”
It called after her, and she “retreat-tingly” obeyed it
A Clergy license and a Window sticker in perfect harmony
Echoing the Go-Away call.
The preacher exited the BMW, looking back.
As if to say to her, it is too late!
You are not worth saving
Or in simple truth, possibly to poor to tithe
Thank fate for that, I thought,
Thank her fate for that fact.
From across the street, the camera
Snapped a second time.
A proud defined cheek line
Walking up-right, against sweetly
Tendered morning wind
The Old Girl was coming back to life,
Back to Girl-hood once again
Each deeply etched, branded and street made line
Healing with hobbled steps
The Lenz was telling all her secrets
That big mouthed Lenz
A hint of fiery red hair slipping out from under her Salvaged hat.
Her Emerald green eyes starting to glow outside of aged borders.
The Fairness of Celtic skin peaking out from under layered donations
With freckles mixing playfully,
Re-appearing in-between tattered
Sweat-stained facial scrapings
As ages of time disappeared in the distant width of one street
Her flaring mid-gothic features began to dance
As if to “cop” an attitude
A birth re-newel was coming alive as she moved
I dropped the camera Lenz down to stare
Would the Lenz, this Big mouth Lenz,
Would it lie?
Thank ye Sir, she said
Thank ye sir?
An Old soul?
A Wench perhaps?
Certainly a passed life, Or Two?
I suddenly felt sad for that Preacher
The BMW never clued him in
It sat there sideways in a morning street
With its’ Forged Chrome grin
Oh, what he had missed
What beauty he passed upon
Thanks to Fate he did, I whispered
Thank her Fate for that.
And on that very morning
As Ostara rose in Orion
As anticipated time approached
As the constant re-turning
Of time relentless repeats
From the East came a Rose-watered secret
That She, was definitely Irish in the Morning.
-Jon in Nashville
(All Copy Rights reserved by the Author)
Good heavens, Jon/Dutch-- WHO are you? lol You write suspiciously like a couple old friends...Mike..or Chuck (Chuck the author of several books). No, lie! Hahaha, but I'm just kidding. Of course I'm impressed; for me?
Are you published? Another poet/fine writer you may want to check out on here is Teresa McGurk, certified Irish poet.
Thank you, :).
Lita, Thank you so for commenting.
I am an amature writer, and have never published anything.
Trained in Electronics at Univ. of Texas, Austin with a Minor in Literature, and love to write and do photo journalism as a hobby.
I was lucky enough, early in my years, to have a World wide travel job in Electronics, and I kept a note book. I write from that, as well as personal experiences.
Made many mistakes...so, good subject matter possibly...lol
I am no-one. I now work nights in Nashville, IT Dept.
Go to school days at Vanderbuilt part time for my own sanity, and study what I like, which is writing.
I love Poetry as an escape, a get a away. I am burnt out on Electronics, just about to retire early- thank god!
Jon (Dutch) in Nashville.
Sorry, I should have asked before I posted this, my writers side!...lol
It's all cool, Jon/Dutch. You should seek publication...if you wish to do so. Unfortunately, the good stuff (poetry) gets a bit of a short shrift here on Hubpages, lol. You make no adsense $$, but there are a few who read and appreciate it on the site. I am..eh, fairly well published, but Teresa is the resident professor (literally) of English and former editor of a journal.
Yeah, one of the reasons your stuff reminds me of my friend Chuck's is the scope...the travel aspect comes out...and I think in the way the verses fall forward somehow, too. Chuck Miller...his last book was "Crossing the Kattagut," lol, I believe that's a river in Czechoslavkia (?) Anyway, he is not famous (so few actually are), but a friend I knew from Iowa City... You might want to take a look, :)
Teresa McGurk says:
11 months ago
I'm SOOOOOOO in!
I just hope we don't have to follow the order given -- I've never been able to follow orders. . .
Thanks -- this is just what I needed to jolt me out of the winter blues