General Chat

“The two most engaging powers of an author are, to make new things familiar, and familiar things new.”
-- attributed to Samuel Johnson, in reference to Pope’s Rape of the Lock


Anyone needing ideas for this week? or have any we could use?

xx

Thank you Wend, yes he did tell me he liked it which was very encouraging.

Ann, Peter told me yesterday that he really liked your Lake District poem.

OK I will send it out, it is very basic but I was trying to get to grips with the form. That one sounds as if it will be beyond me though Maggie. I quite liked the sound of the minute one when read out loud.

Hi Ladies ~~~

Ann, I haven't come across the 'minute' poetry before, but have studied several other forms, and find them extremely difficult to master !

Funny you should mention an acrostic poem (please send it out ) as there is a challenge on at the poetry forum I visit, for the best Acrostic Dectina. Never heard of that either until yesterday. It is very complex, but if I succeed in tackling it, I will send out to you.

Maggie

Ann do send it out! Your lake district poem was very good and I have forgotten to comment on it :( but i will, this evening.

I was hoping that Maggie might visit this thread and explain the above for me.

I have had a go atw riting an acrostic poem, a very simple one - I don't do complicated - but I am really unsure whether to send it out. No confidence in my ability to write poetry at all. However it was good exercise for the brain.

Thanks Rose.

I have just been browsing through an old Writers' Forum magazine. Reading a bit about poetry I have to admit I had never heard of a triolet, a cinquain or a clerihew. (As there were no examples I still don't know what they are Lol!!! I did know what a haiku and an acrostic were (The latter thanks to Maggie).

Then they were talking about a new form (this was August last year) called a minute poem, apparently a modern American form based on the idea of a single minute in time. It has 60 syllables representing 60 seconds. Arranged in 12 lines 8.4.4.4.8.4.4.4.8.4.4.4. And the rhyme pattern being aabbccddeeff.

Example by Christine Jordan

It spreads its wings and with a flick
a camera click
of beauty splays
before my gaze
A long exposure held in frame
the light became
intersecting
stripes reflecting
shafts shot through with transparent strings
on silvered wings
The picture lay
A blink away

Morning :)

Thought some of you may be interested in this ?

The 'Kitchen table awards'...competition.

" Best writer

Whether you pen poetry or short stories,articles or blogs-send us your work. A maximum of three pieces but no complete books.

WIN a writing course + £100 home-office vouchers."

£5 entry fee ( for charity) entry form at

http://www.allaboutyou.com/craft/Kitchen-Table-Talent-Awards/v1

closing date June 3rd

xx

blend them together BC you might have a winner then.

Actually I was just reading something in one of the 'Write' magazines and it suggest changing the story to write from another character's view point.

Sorry folks,am stuck between two stories and don't seem able to move on! Must try harder! BC XX

I'll wait next week then before sending anything. Don't want to be the only one sending things out. Sorry Rose, hadn't realised that you were unable to join in at the moment.

Hi Ann , no you're right I haven't sent this week. I may not be able to send anything much for a while , but still reading and enjoying everyone's work and will send comments whenever I can.

I very much enjoyed reading about your time in the lakes, I think I may head off there one of these days for a rest cure lol. ( but possibly not all the walking bit!)

xx

Is it only me who has sent out anything this weekend? I know Maggie has only just got back and Mau is away but nothing from Rose, BC or Peter is that right?

Just sent out two 'offerings'.

Just to say as from tomorrow (Friday) I'll be away for a week.
Please keep sending your writings.

Mau XX :o) ~~~~

Just a thought , about songs being some of the great poems just set to music. Always worth listening to the 'wordy' songs of some of the greats for inspiration.

Leonard Cohen poet and songwriter.

"Love Itself"

The light came through the window,
Straight from the sun above,
And so inside my little room
There plunged the rays of Love.

In streams of light I clearly saw
The dust you seldom see,
Out of which the Nameless makes
A Name for one like me.

I’ll try to say a little more:
Love went on and on
Until it reached an open door –
Then Love Itself
Love Itself was gone.

All busy in the sunlight
The flecks did float and dance,
And I was tumbled up with them
In formless circumstance.

I’ll try to say a little more:
Love went on and on
Until it reached an open door –
Then Love Itself
Love Itself was gone.

Then I came back from where I’d been.
My room, it looked the same –
But there was nothing left between
The Nameless and the Name.

All busy in the sunlight
The flecks did float and dance,
And I was tumbled up with them
In formless circumstance.

I’ll try to say a little more:
Love went on and on
Until it reached an open door –
Then Love itself,
Love Itself was gone.
Love Itself was gone.

Thanks, Rose, and everyone. Sorry Ann if I missed you off, have just sent to you.

Have a good trip to those who are going away.

Helen x

Thanks Rose:-) If I were to write anything it would only be mushy stuff as am going to see my beloved grandchildren. Am putting on all the glitz for the flight tomorrow so they will be impressed when I arrive! lol BC XX I really really must pack now....

It is one time I wish I could write poetry. The Lake District is full of inspiration.