The prompt from Napowrimo.net for Day 4 is to write about something abstract using ‘relentlessly abstract nouns.’ The result of my stab at this is one of the stranger poems I have ever written—and, quite possibly, one of my more successful attempts at ‘show, not tell’.
prompts
National Poetry Writing Month 2018, Day 3
Today’s poem is a variation on the prompt from Napowrimo.net. Instead of a list poem of fake band names, I came up with a list of fake band names (not wanting to take the time to go through social media and find all my old ‘that would be a good name for a band’ posts), then wrote a poem incorporating them.
The list I started with:
The Abandoned Typewriters
Blue Whale Guilt Trip
The Ex-Lepers
The Outpatients
Jasper’s Fine-tooth Comb
Cellular Level
The Expired Tabs
The Public Option
Sandwich Shoppe
Regular Guys
Not So Much
The Embodiment of the American Dream
National Poetry Writing Month 2018, Day 2
Using the prompt from Napowrimo.net—to ‘write a poem that plays with voice.’ Adopting one of the suggestions, I took an earlier poem and imagined the other side of the conversation (as such)…
National Poetry Writing Month 2018, Day 1
For a very early start on day 1, I have ostensibly used the prompt from Napowrimo.net—to ‘write a poem that is based on a secret shame, or a secret pleasure.’ I would not necessarily refer to depression as ‘a secret shame’, but neither is it something I like to share much about on those days when it seems worse. Anyway…
National Poetry Writing Month 2017, Day 30
My Day 30 poem for National Poetry Writing Month uses the prompt on Napowrimo.net—to write ‘a poem about something that happens again and again.’ Continue reading
In defense of the word ‘and’ (a poem)
Another bit of Skeltonic verse that I wrote on Day 28 of National Poetry Writing Month, after I had already posted my poem for the day. A problem I often have with poetry in print is that some poets format their work in such a way that the manner of presentation distracts me from the poem itself. One of the things that makes a poem unreadable for me is when a poet substitutes every occurrence of the word and with the ampersand (&). Though it may make sense in a title or a name, it looks horrible when used in text, suggesting either laziness or affectation.
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When everything else evaporates or vaporises (NaPoWriMo 2017 Day 29 alternate poem)
This was my initial attempt at the Day 29 poem. I initially posted my second attempt because I felt this first one was too literal. Now that I look at it again, it really isn’t; it just lacks an emotional center (at least, for me it does). Continue reading
National Poetry Writing Month 2017, Day 29
My Day 29 poem for National Poetry Writing Month uses the prompt on Napowrimo.net—which involves choosing a ‘very specific, concrete noun’ from a favorite poem, doing some free writing based on that word, then incorporating that all into a new poem. I chose to work from the word bones, which I drew from a poem by S. R. Mason, Dry skin, cold hands—I live in upside down houses and draw X’s on my tongue. Continue reading
National Poetry Writing Month 2017, Day 28
My Day 28 poem for National Poetry Writing Month uses the prompt on Napowrimo.net—to write a poem using Skeltonic verse. Continue reading
National Poetry Writing Month 2017, Day 27
My Day 27 poem for National Poetry Writing Month uses the prompt on Napowrimo.net—to write a poem exploring the sense of taste. Since my Day 26 was a long-ish poem, I wanted to make my Day 27 poem short—hence the haiku… Continue reading
Ordinary Average Thoughts 