I’m excited to be back to have Thursday Poem Share again 
For those who don’t know, you don’t have to just share and/or talk about poetry. This is just a place to talk about the writing life. For example, I submitting my 3rd poetry manuscript again to another contest. I still don’t have enough poems revised to send to literary magazines, but I did write a few this month that I hope will go out soon. The poem I am sharing today is one that I wrote in my notebook last night, and typed up this morning. Look forward to hearing your comments and seeing your work posted in comments. As always I will take down my poem and anything you post in comments that is your specific writing one week from today.
–pulled down early for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Have a good one!
I’ve been meaning to give a shout out to a local poet, Barbara Lawing, for quite some time. She does workshops etc and has some terrific opportunities especially for locals so check out her website to see if she has something that could work for you!
On the writing end (and reading) I was really moved by Ann Hood‘s talk at Charlotte Writer’s Club on Tuesday. I picked up her short story collection because I was so impressed with her talk, and an example of an essay she wrote after dealing with tremendous grief. If anyone wants to do an online book club for her short story collection please let me know before I start reading it.
I’ve been struggling a bit with writing and reading lately, and much of what Ann had to say struck so close to home. Some notes from her talk included the idea that we read to escape, and that we write to understand. Yes! Also she said we should write what keeps us up at night. Perhaps that is why I haven’t been writing much. Little has sparked my desire and said WRITE ME. Also sometimes, when you might feel stuck or find a piece isn’t working, maybe you need to write the sentence that you don’t think you can write. Her example was: I wish my husband didn’t come with a kid. Maybe that didn’t work into the final product, but it let her get passed what was blocking her from writing an essay about being a stepmother. She definitely inspired me. I needed that. What inspires you?
I also found my love of “Poets & Writers Magazine” returning with this last issue that had a graphic novel section. Yep some more books to buy after reading the issue. As well as Sandra Beasley’s amazing second book of poems i was the jukebox. Sandra just has an amazing gift for playing with juxtaposition and the unexpected. I also want to pick up her memoir soon So here’s to getting back into the swing of things, and the words that I’ve missed.
Your poem is great. As usual. I love how you always find words within words, and make these cool connections– you do it so well, and it’s so your thing– but it surprises me every time. I’m always like, “How does she think like that??” So awesome.
I just subscribed to P&W again after not having it for a couple of years. Looking forward to my first issue.
As usual, I’ve done more procrastinating than reading or writing, but I have sooo many good books here. Completely agree with the reading/writing reasons.
I’m waaay behind now on the NovPAD thing, but I’m thinking about just doing a kamikaze poetry session, just rip out what occurs to me at the moment, and tear those prompts to shreds…..then see what’s left. None of this ruminating for days over it crap. LOL. But, I have to say, I am feeling AWESOME about my Referential gig! So I’m hopeful I will come up with something!
And…*sigh*…just added Ann Hood’s book to my cart. Haha. It’s funny how a couple books are going to manage to slip themselves in my cart when I buy the Christmas presents I have in there…..as well as some delectable treat, thanks to Simon, called Jaffa Cakes. Hee hee.
So here’s all I really have to share for today….
–poem is taking an early turkey nap
Funny you mention the idea of “How do they think that way?” because I do the same thing! That’s what I thought after reading Sandra Beasley’s book. But, isn’t that part of the joy of reading? Of finding those other voices that just wow you? I have to convince myself of that when I read something amazing and think: why do I bother?
There are some really great images in your poem. I especially like “razors edge roads” so much you could do with that. Some of the other images are a bit vague: previous boots? Is this a reference I don’t get? Dim cave? Cliche? Maybe take those more abstract/vague ones and ask them what they are trying to say. Yes I talk to my poems. Don’t we all? Wait – or is the crazy coming back?
So excited about your “Referential” poems as well!
Yep, the poets I like best are the ones that make me think “why bother” ! Ha ha. But yes, that actually is the joy of reading.
I’m not sold on previous boots either. I wanted to say something that implied “former life” but had the ability to take you back there. Gotta think on that one. Dim cave is just me being lazy. Glad you called that one out.
It is SO hard to get out from behind some things that would be a cliche. Maybe you could take that cave and the boots and really describe them to see if something else interesting comes up. Like doing a character analysis of your images
lol
I actually love that idea! I’ve got tons to revise, but I’ve been so brain-dead lately. Maybe this will give my brain the jolt it needs
I’m with you on the brain-deadedness
I think it’s a response to the holidays coming up. I’m preparing. Ha ha. (have I mentioned I really don’t care for “the holidays”? LOL)
I usually love Thanksgiving and New Year’s, but this year? Bleh. Especially seeing people I haven’t seen since my father died who are gonna ASK QUESTIONS.
Oh yeah. That may be a bit rough. Hope you can make the best of it.
I really loved the ending Val, and the quote at the beginning was a good way to start. Is this part of the wholeness series possibly? Smiling at your kamikaze idea!
Yep yep yeppers!
Hoping to develop it a tad more, but this one of them!
(and thanks)
I’m so lazy. I just got rid of the boots and the cave altogether. Ha ha.
I once read that if a poem has only one good line, then the poem should only be one line long.
That’s not lazy, Val .. .that’s smart!
Well, the poem is much better now with those changes, so I’m happy now. So grateful to have a place like this to come and share and know that the responses will be honest and helpful!
And of course, I’m always curious to see what everyone else is doing…
LOL. Love this conversation
Love yours Jessie. Love Vals and the line you pointed out. I know I talk to my poems, stroke them to grow longer, or give them a trim. I am happy to be back and to be writing poems again. I needed it because of something that happened before I left on vacation. It is helping me clear my heart and head.
This is totally a draft, and not finished…and I don’t want to say it is a hurricane reaction poem, because it was not meant to be, nor am I good at writing such a thing…it is more about me aging and how I react differently to visiting places I once frolicked unafraid…also Sandy Hook is a beach here on the Jersey shore…
–this poem went fishing
Wonderful work, Elizabeth! So glad to get to read you again here! I found that last line really grabbed me . . I didn’t expect it, so great job!
Wow, that last line is a great way to end this! Like Debbie, I like the surprise of it.
Nice to see you back here, Elizabeth!
Man you have been through a lot in such a short period of time! I really, really love that last stanza. I almost wonder if this is one that would work well with numbered sections, like little vignettes/scenes?
Jessie! Didn’t expect you to be here today . .and then with a poem too? wow! And such a good one. I just keep reading it. You do that to me, make me read and read and catch something I missed each time. You know all those writers that you wonder how they write like they do? YOU are one of those writers!
I liked thinking about reading to escape and writing to understand. And learning about all the great reads that are soon to be read by you, if not already. I haven’t gotten anything for awhile. I have a whole box of books (not poetry) that a friend loaned me eons ago. I haven’t read a one yet. Maybe I’ll have more time and more need to escape this winter!
I submitted a little set of poems. gasp. The verdict is still out on them. haha!
I don’t have anything really good, but maybe something to just make you smile.
The prompt for this one was to write about some new kind of technology.
-uh oh you missed out on a fun poem!?
LOL! So cute. I need the WOT System too!
Hooray on your submissions!!!!!!!!
Too cute, Debbie! So glad you sent work out as well. And thank you bunches for your kind words
I ordered Sandra Beasley’s memoir and another book that had been on my list for a while. It surely never ends! I’m actually looking at my office books and wonder which ones I should take home for winter break to keep me company.
I am hooked on T, married a T man, and it is better than eating sugar LOL
You remind me, I got rejections while away…some I forgot I sent out! Back to the drawing board for us right! I will submit after the first of the year when I build some up again.
Debbie, you work is always on point! Love it…
Jessie, thanks for the idea of where to go with the formatting…not sure I like this one, needs work.
Have a great weekend y’all!
Have
I’m gonna try to squeeze in a few submissions before the end of the year. I went through the recently rejected and moved them over to resubmit
Jessie, I love this poem!!!
Thank you! The title came to me first. So wasn’t sure what the poem would end up being