mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
You can scroll the shelf using ← and → keys
It Could Be Verse
May 1, 2016
— 3 Comments
NaPoWriMo2016
I am a happy graduate of National Poetry Writing Month, 2016. This, my third time participating, taught me some good lessons. The best part of the month is always reading and discovering other poets. Here are just a few wonderful poems I found written during April:
- Water Nymphs by Lillian the home poet
- to fetishists (to hunters) by poems and doodles
- Delicious Delirium by Musings of a Blueberry
- Sour Grapes by Michele Vecchitto
There are more poets than I can possibly mention that show great talent and unique perspective. I hope you will investigate to find some poetry you like to read in this group or at the library. People take this 30 poems in 30 days challenge for different reasons. I find it stimulates my vocabulary as well as my visual sense because I always use an image with my poem. Sometimes I draw it. Each year I tell myself how therapeutic it is to create poetry and that I will continue the craft on my tumblr, which is linked for #NaPoWriMo with my wordpress for poetry month. This could be the year, gentle readers. The consistent lesson I have learned from these three years of participation is that other people like the poems that are not my own favorites, and vice versa. Later when I read some of my work I am kind of surprised it came from me, but there it is. These are a few of the reasons I urge you to write some verse:
- The process reveals the subconscious
- Words and dream images have powerful connections
- Poems by others stimulate the muse
- Once a poem has a concept the mind works on it in the background
- Poetry clears the soul of repressed feelings and notions
You don’t have to show anyone what you write in order to benefit from trying your hand as a poet. You might be one…and don’t know it. Don’t wait until April 2017 to start. If you start now you will be sufficiently warmed up for the next round.
Oracle Shore
April 10, 2016
— 1 Comment
The sails of the ship are set for a voyage to the edge of the map
Where the orphan dog and the sandman keep company in dreams
Each has received instructions that niether match nor overlap
To find meaning in the readings we hear murmured behind the scenes
The moment we weigh anchor the parrot starts to warn it is a trap
Hard to tell if the bird knows something or has been taught these routines
April is Poetry month. Join the fun all month at #NaPoWriMo. Write, read recite, invent, enjoy poetry!
NaPoWriMo2016
Ride the Poetry Train
April 6, 2016
— 5 Comments
poetry train
caboose
The journey on this train takes place in the dark, starlit cabins full of images
Rush through the night collecting emotions, memories, deeper instincts
Collecting these soul-shaper consciousness experiences into words takes place
In the dining car over tea and coffee in the morning, and in the lounge all day
Poets sit in silence to straighten out the prose that spills onto the pages
Comparison is healthy, normal, and confusing as each work grows into itself
The train is full of poets yet each one of us has a different destination and fate
In prompts, styles, discussions and reverie we join in a common mission
To bring forth the poetry that only we as poets can bring up from the mine
History holds poets and potters in high regard, finding all the meaning
Of civilization in broken ceramic chards and discarded recorded words
NaPoWriMo2016
The poetry train departed the station 1 April and will travel non stop until 1 May. Join the fun at #NaPoWriMo by submitting your own work or finding new poets to enjoy.
April is for Poets #NaPoWriMo
March 31, 2016
— 4 Comments
April in Tucson
During the month of April, starting with a bang on April Fool’s Day, I join fellow writers around the world writing poetry. The exercise of creating 30 poems in 30 days is inspirational, difficult, and self challenging. I think I would benefit greatly from writing a poem each day of the year, but I have at least made it my practice for April. Tomorrow I will begin, and true to form, I have nothing started.
On this, my third year as a participant submitting poems, I know I will meet new poets with styles and messages that call to me. The wide diversity is a big appeal, which has made me think about going farther afield with my subject matter than I have in the past. I have a desire to work up to writing an epic (story) about some figure in history. I like comedy in poetry, but have found it extremely hard to master. I read Dorothy Parker and Ogden Nash to keep my comedy poet muse fed. Dr Seuss shows us that simple words and concepts can go viral for all ages, forever:
I encourage all the gentle readers to throw your hat in the ring to create poetry this year for #NaPoWriMo. Reading and writing in this disciplined, yet mind expanding way, is an intellectual exercise to savor and share. Find the other poets boarding the train for the month long ride here. All aboard! It might be pretty corny on this train, but you can count on a really good time with words. All kinds are welcome.
April in Fool’s Paradise
March 27, 2015
— 2 Comments
deep center
My dear gentle readers, it is with some trepidation that I embark on a voyage that will take this blog into new territory. During the month of April, National Poetry Writing Month, I will be publishing 30 poems in 30 days right here. It has been my desire to portray my persona in a writing. I like covering subjects like my family tree and current events because it gives me a fact based framework, like news reporting. I do enjoy that kind of research, so I will resume my prose posting when my 30 poems have been produced. Do not fear. I will not turn this into my own little garden of verses. I think it is fun to be a scribe, choosing subjects that I find intriguing. Your fact finding reporter will return in May.
One aspect of creativity and psychic phenomena I notice and follow is the way willingness to practice opens new frontiers. I believe we are all psychic, and all poets. These talents or gifts can’t develop unless they are used. Another belief that I hold strongly is that we create art that has a specific audience. The audience can only find us if we publish or otherwise give them a chance to read it. During April contests and events will be held to teach and share poetry writing. By following the hashtag #NaPoWriMo on social media you can tune into happenings in your area and share fun with folks from around the world. You may decide to participate in a group poem or attend a reading. Of course you do not need to publish 30 poems to enjoy reading them. I started on my path by tuning into this a couple of years ago and writing only a few of my own. I think it is contagious in a very good way.
psyche
I was a production potter for years, selling my pots to make a living. Some of the best and most interesting pottery I made was done when I was a beginner and had very little skill. Later I made technically better pieces, but I was always producing something to sell, so I was influenced by that thought. I hope that my poetry will follow that pattern. My April adventure is intended to break out some new area of my ability in order to stay truly creative. I count on beginner’s luck, but am working hard to find good subjects. Please stay tuned to find out where this leads. I appreciate any suggestions you may have.
pitcher plant
April is Poetry Month
April 3, 2014
— 3 Comments
April is for poets, and we are all poets. There are many ways to celebrate. I have taken the challenge to write a poem each day in April. My approach is zen. The weekend workshop on ekphrastic poetry helped me find a place to begin. By responding to art, the ekphrastic poet reflects, or echoes the artist by interpreting the artwork. Memorizing a poem is another way to participate in the fun this month. My father could recite almost all of the Cremation of Sam McGee by Robert W Service, which was always impressive. Stories told in rhyme stay in the mind’s eye.
Poets.org has a poetry party happening right now. You can make a commonbook with quotes and poems using resources on the site. If you are lucky enough to live in Tucson you can visit our Poetry Center to experience space completely dedicated to poetry. Docents there are happy to give tours of the rare books and more if you call for an appointment. Today in Tucson the 31st annual Poetry Festival invites the public for free readings and activities all weekend. Fluency and artistry enhance the lives of those who listen. Tune in this month to hear what you may have been missing.
mermaidcamp 