Weekly Poem Challenge

[Tinker]

Prompt for January 19, write a poem in any form inspired by "in a blink of an eye".

[Tinker]

Prompt for January 20, write a poem prompted by "running out of water". 

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Prompt for January 21, write a poem in any form prompted by "the dark side". 

[Tinker]

Prompt for Jan 22, write a poem in any form using the phrase "Let the light in" somewhere within the poem.

Let the light in, push darkness out
 

[Tinker]

Prompt for Jan 23, write a poem in any form that is a speech by either a King or a Queen.

[Tinker]

Prompt January 24, write a poem about being validated as a writer through publishing and/or contest submission.

Denial

Never have I tried to publish
other than to share on line.
When I write I accomplish
a joy and pride that is all mine.

I do enjoy when others read
the words I shape to show
ideas that scramble with speed
within this wonky world I know.

After years of writing in space
I'm challenged to ask for validation.
Stepping out of my secure place
I venture to promote my creation.

                 ~~ Judi Van Gorder

Used in Newbies Newsletter at WDC

[Tinker]

Prompt for January 27. Prompt Write poem inspired by "yes or no" using any frame.

 

"Everyone's going,
 yes or no,
Can I?"

Hating waiting,
"Puleeeaze ",
she pleads.
~~jvg

 

A Hadron

[Tinker]

Promp for January 31 is to write a poem from different person's point of view.  Write a Mask or Persona poem.   

One example would be Spoon River Verse, a subgenre of Persona Poem.  In Spoon River, the character speaks from the grave.

Another example would be Zimbabwe Child. I created this child in 2011 after reading a book about the devastation of Zimbabwe under the rule of Robert Mugabe. I was so moved I did a lot of research, actually donated to help a school for girls there and I have continued to follow events as they are reported. Recently (November 2017) I read that Mugabe finally resigned at the age of 93 and is now under military arrest. My first thought was, I wonder if "he" (the imaginary Zimbabwe child of my poem). 

[Tinker]

Prompt for February 2  write verse based on a nocturnal theme, evoking the moods of the night or late evening from dark, sinister, erotic, romantic, mysterious, frustrating or whatever happens in the night. The frame is at the discretion of the poet.

Six More Weeks of Winter

From his nocturnal den,
Punxsutawney Phil
momentarily 
emerged today
to see his shadow.
He returned to his night time
home to curl up
and sleep
for six more weeks.
         ~~Judi Van Gorder

[Tinker]

Prompt for February 4,  write a poem about someone famous without actually mentioning who they are.   Frame at the discretion of the poet.
 

[Tinker]

Prompt for Feb, 5, write a poem in any form, prompt dancing under the stars.

[Tinker]

Prompt for Feb 9,  write a poem in 7 lines, in 7 words each line, about 1 of the 7 deadly sins. I kind of rewrote an old one to fit the form. The Third Deadly Sin Stack of paper slides off my desk, menial tasks to be sloughed to others. Sweater and boots kicked to the corner, a cup with a couple of spoons, a fork, two plates and an empty milk carton fill up the kitchen sink. Candy wrappers on top of old magazines. Need I go on? Sloth, my sidekick.                    ~~Judi Van Gorder

[Tinker]

Prompt for February 12, write a poem in any form inspired by "singing angels"

[Tinker]

Prompt for Feb 13, We have a choicr, either write a poem entitled ‘Happiness,’ or one entitled ‘Loneliness.’ The poem must describe the sound, color, smell, and taste of whichever word you choose.

[Tinker]

Prompt for Feb 14,   "The Power of Connotation"     Write a poem about the changing seasons using connotations to inject fuller flavor into your composition.
 

 
 

[Tinker]

Prompt for Feb 20,  write a poem using these words in any form. scythe, fresh, bloody, dainty, screaming, deadly, discovery.

I hate this kind of prompt, but then again, I have written some poems that surprised me from just this kind of challenge.  
 

[Tinker]

Prompt for Month of March, Write a haiku chain for Spring...you may or not use some or all of these words:
lambs, Easter, daffodils, rejuvenation, light nights, yellow Spring Equinox

Work in progress any suggestions welcome.  Trying to comply with prompt and still not sound too sweet and ordinary and also not churchy.   Some things still up in the air for sure  bunny vs rabbit ;   last stanza, last line  not happy....   Any other ideas, I'm open.

Resurrected, Hallelujah!

brave new daffodils
push through hard ground of winter,
March wakes the Spring

Spring's new lambs wag tails
while they skip in the meadow
on carpet of grass

grass with tender blades
crushed under foot by folic,
hooves side step green snake

snake slithers slowly
to sun itself on warm rock
bordered by flowers

flowers in pastels
rejuvenate earth's forces,
draw doe, soon to birth

birth of Equinox
brings  more daylight, shorter nights
alert freckled  bunny

bunny burrows back
into safe underground home
waits for holiday

Holy Day dawns on
blue, and yellow Easter eggs,
renewal, Amen!
                 ~~Judi Van Gorder
  
 

[Tinker]

Prompt for Feb 25  Write in "shades of blue".  include at least 5 blue shades, navy, cobalt, sky, azure, periwinkle, aqua, baby,  powder, sapphire, cyan ,turquoise, marine, lapis lazuli, indigo,  use any frame your want.

Scent of Paris

A small sapphire mirror lay flat
on her dressing table
with beautiful bottles
arranged upon it.  
The center of attention
a tear drop, midnight blue, glass globe
with "Evening in Paris"
scrolled in silvery blue.

She'd dab just a touch,
while dressing in Navy polka dot,
ready to drive to the office
in her baby blue Buick.

Walking to her corner cubicle
she becomes one of many
in a sea of cobalt cubbies.
Still she would be that one,
with the scent
of Paris at midnight.
                ~~ Judi Van Gorder

[Tinker]

Prompt for Feb 27, this may be an interesting exercise:  From Writer's Cramp:  Today I invite you to write a “found” poem or story. Look around the room where you are currently sitting and identify five objects - you will use them in your story or poem. Bold them within your entry, AND list the items at the bottom.

Note: I've always understood a "found poem" to be found phrases from other writing. This invitation is to find items in your present surroundings... Hmmmmm

[Tinker]

Write a free verse poem about what you do for a living.

No One Wants to Pay the Insurance Bill

"Shit happens",
and then you die.
I calm the panic,
explain your options,
and help pay for recovery.

Prepare, prepare, prepare!
I'm here to help.
                 ~~ Judi Van Gorder


 

[Tinker]

March 2 Prompt for today, Write a Morningsong

March 2, 2018 6:41 AM

I woke to the rattle of hail
on the roof
power out,  generator on fritz
I can see my breath
Scrambling for kindling and paper
I start a fire, warm the house
and make coffee
on the woodstove
iPad dead, phone almost there
I sit and write my dawn song 
in thanksgiving
for this exhilarating morning.
               ~~ Judi Van Gorder

 

[Tinker]

Prompt for March 13, Write a 12 line or more poem titled Memory Lane using any frame.

[Tinker]

Prompt for March 20,  Write a poem in 12 lines or more inspired by this quote from Allen Ginsberg: “Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness.”

The poem can be any genre and any style. Just go wherever the words take you

[Tinker]

Prompt for March 24  Write a poem using "anaphora" 

To Read a Poem

When a poet's scribbles touch you
When his pen writes from his heart
When his words are the super glue
When he dares to share his art
Then the reader's keenness deepens
and like magic poetry happens.
                   ~~Judi Van Gorder

[Tinker]

Prompt for March 28  Write a poem in any form that includes some version of the following words:

path - despair - trace - consuming - beauty - pawn -  edge - madness