Tag Archives: We Write Poems

8:05a.m. — Atlanta

listening to The Sticks singing Mother Mother

Hi, all. Shall we?

We start with Donna’s Put Words Together. Make Meaning and two possibilities — three if you look at the post before the one I’m giving you. These are some of my favourite kinds of poems to play with, ones derived from some form of the poet’s words. To read what it is about, head over to Donna’s place.

I read this in Joseph’s last Refinery post: Let this be the official call for Refinery submissions! After this one, the current stack is empty. Ack! People! This is quite an opportunity; take advantage. If you are worried about how you will feel, pick a poem you want reworked but don’t have a strong emotional attachment to. Don’t make me threaten you with pulling out the Viking prompt from Joseph’s archives (actually, that was fun). Meanwhile, go over and watch him at work on a poem by Irene. He has also given us a prompt on family, at the end. Go read.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, we are breaking up. Along with the prompt come the usual tips, and poems on the topic. Bonus: Listen to Neil Sedaka singing Breaking Up is Hard To Do. Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Visit.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author: Weekend Haiku & Limericks offers prompts in the form of a Monday quote (this week has a lovely Hokushi haiku), her posts on nature and ecology, and the comments. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest.

At The Sunday Whirl, I am giving you the general address so you don’t miss Brenda on Mr. Linky and patience. Scroll down a bit. My first smile of the day (Hey! It’s early.). Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith offers a line by poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. It’s a rather nifty line. I see interesting possibilities for breaking it up and using the parts as the structural frame. Head over.

Here comes my second smile. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a photograph. This is an interesting one, as it is architectural. I notice only 62 people have written to it, so some are having difficulty with what to write. Like last week’s, you might find yourself writing about one small corner, rather than the entire image.

I love the possibilities at Poetry Jam, where Mary has us focusing on yes and no. I want, immediately, to try each of her suggestions. She also gives us a few quotations as kickstarts. Head over to see what she says.

Elizabeth, of 1sojournal, says of her new posts, I found the very beginnings of my own story as a serious writer. Discovered me, making notes about finding my own path for the next twenty years. The things that worked, and the ones that didn’t… I believe they contain that first eye-opening energy of the beginner, that one who has finally grasped a much wider concept than she has allowed herself in the past. It’s an energy I wish to share.

We’re at Carol’s Wonder Wednesday, where she gives us an image and a possible track to go down. Her challenge, as you look at her photograph is to write an uncliched poem about its subject. Have a look.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Mary’s Mixed Bag offers a love poem with a twist. Check it out. Go play with the toads.

Once upon a time… you know how it goes. Head to We Write Poems to find out what, where, who, why, how. Go kiss that frog.

At dVerse, we are asked to Meet the Bar in our memories. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place and they’re mixing gimlets in honour of Spring. Always optimistic.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. The sites won’t always be up-to-date, in fact, rarely, but the links will get you there.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday for a prompt to do with a sense of the land; Thursday for Your Serendipity; and next Friday for the usual.

Happy writing, everyone.

7:47 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Mama Told Me (Not to Come) by Three Dog Night

Hi, all. It has been a relatively quiet week here, although the weather continues its bi-polar up and down, good and not good. I’ve given up putting any season’s clothes away. Whether [heh heh] you will be out or in, this weekend, here are our prompts for this week.

Where was I? My son’s blog post just came in. As he writes a music blog, I stopped a moment to see what he has to say. I shall disappear periodically to listen to one of the groups from 2012, he is recommending. I surprise myself with what I like, sometimes.

We start with Donna’s Put Words Together. Make Meaning and a suggestion for writing a poem that involves noise and silence. To read what it is about, head over to Donna’s place.

The Refinery will/might have a new piece of ore to work tomorrow. I’m giving you Joseph’s general address to check. His blog is such good value, that zipping in for a quick check is no problem. If The Refinery isn’t up, pick an entry to read for pleasure. Keep sending poems in, people. I want this to run for the next 49 weeks. One of the best ways to revise our own poetry is to revise someone else’s. Or, if revision is not a strength, to watch someone going through a poem. Go over for a look and consider sending in one of your poems.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele wants us to consider the end of the world. Apocalyptic? Or, gradual fade? She has several fun suggestions. I was quite taken with the sixth, which asks for a weather report on the last day of the world. Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Visit.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda brings us words from the novel Dragon Moon by Carole Wilkinson.  Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

Music break… huh. I like the UK group Tribes, at least the song given.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith offers the title of one of Abba’s songs as our prompt. The link he provides takes us to the original song by Abba, as well as the version sung by Pierce Brosnan. It’s proving to be a very musical Friday. Of course, I stopped to listen. (It’s Abba, she said, blotting her musical copybook forever, in many eyes.)

Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Well, that’s new. Today’s starting line wouldn’t leave until I got my notebook out and wrote two limericks. It’s a weird day, people.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a photograph. Make sure you look at the photograph in close-up mode. There are a ton of details. You might find yourself writing about one small corner, rather than the entire image.

Peggy, at Poetry Jam, challenges us to play with an aspect of point of view, to write as something completely other. Head over to see what she says.

Elizabeth, of 1sojournal, says of her new posts, I found the very beginnings of my own story as a serious writer. Discovered me, making notes about finding my own path for the next twenty years. The things that worked, and the ones that didn’t… I believe they contain that first eye-opening energy of the beginner, that one who has finally grasped a much wider concept than she has allowed herself in the past. It’s an energy I wish to share.

We’re at Carol’s Wonder Wednesday, where she gives us an image and a possible track to go down. I love the conversation poem she wrote to go with it.

At imaginary garden with real toads, there are days when I don’t know which one to choose for you. That’s when I give you the general address and let you choose.  Go play with the toads.

Music break… again with the, Huh. I liked the Fanfarlo song. It’s not that I question my son’s taste, which has been impeccable since he was nine, or some such. I am surprised at the contemporary music that I like. No, no, it doesn’t seem to go with Abba.

We Write Poems would like us to try anaphora. Uh huh. You know you are going to have to visit to find out what the heck. Go. It’s a fun technique to play with.

At dVerse, Samuel Peralta gives us one of the clearest explanations for a somewhat difficult form, that I have read, and I have read lots in my quest to write a ghazal, or ghazal sonnet. Step into his office and see what you can do. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author: Weekend Haiku & Limericks isn’t posted yet, but visit. Her topics focus on aspects of nature. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. The sites won’t always be up-to-date, in fact, rarely, but the links will get you there.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday for a found prompt; Thursday for Your Serendipity; and next Friday for the usual.

Happy 1st of February and happy writing, everyone.

7:40 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Peaceful Easy Feeling with The Eagles — my music dates me, you say? Yes, but, what music!

Hello, everyone. I hope your week has been poetically productive, or at least relaxed, at the very least not filled with drama. Let us begin another weekful of prompts to write to, file, and spark ideas:

We begin with a pick from Donna’s Poetry Tow Truck archives. Our last visit involved TV; this one requires your mp3 player and shuffle mode. Those who listen to vinyl or CDs, despair not; toss them in the air… just find a way to pick randomly. The exercise involves the titles and is great fun. I remember spending some joyful hours with this prompt.

Having ‘pushed him over the edge’, at ‘The Refinery,’ Joseph takes us through a poem by Misky, a sestina for those who have not put a toe in that water yet. I am learning an incredible amount reading Joseph’s critiques, so send poems in, people. I want this to run for the next 49 weeks. One of the best ways to revise our own poetry is to revise someone else’s. Or, if revision is not a strength, to watch someone going through a poem. Go over for a look and consider sending in one of your poems.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele asks us to ‘look at times in our lives when we’ve been led by visionary ideals, impulses, spontaneity, or romantic notions‘. Combine this with Don Quixote and we have an interesting prompt that offers many paths. Adele’s posts offer so much that she should be a must stop. Visit.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda brings us words from ‘Lady Lazarus’, a poem by Sylvia Plath. I should have guessed given the words alone. She also provides a link to read the poem. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith has taken a line from Dickens’ story of Nicholas Nickleby. It’s an interesting line to play with. Remember that you can break the line up. Go on over to view the line and a link to information about the story, as well as the trailer for the movie. This is another one of those you might want to write first, look later.

Yes, I am smiling and that’s because I’m about to head for Madeleine’s blog. Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a photograph. Hands are an endlessly fascinating topic, literally and metaphorically, You don’t have to write about these hands. They’re there to spark hand memories. Go look.

Whether you are a rule-breaker, or not, this week at Poetry Jam, Dani gives us permission to break the rules. In fact, she insists. While she lists possible topics, she also tells us to pick a form and then break its rules. Fun! Head over to read.

Elizabeth, of 1sojournal, says of her new posts, I found the very beginnings of my own story as a serious writer. Discovered me, making notes about finding my own path for the next twenty years. The things that worked, and the ones that didn’t… I believe they contain that first eye-opening energy of the beginner, that one who has finally grasped a much wider concept than she has allowed herself in the past. It’s an energy I wish to share.

At Carol’s blog, Light Words, she has been down with the flu, but has a post out with some great shots of turkeys. Visit to look them over and see if they spark an idea.

At imaginary garden with real toads, I didn’t even care what Kerry’s prompt was, the pictures were so gorgeous. It took me awhile to remember why I was over there and that you were waiting over here. Kerry’s Wednesday Challenge involves worldbuilding. Intriguing. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems asks that we ‘find something in your world that you see as beautiful and… ‘ but that is for you to find out. It’s a fascinating prompt, so get yourself over there.

At dVerse I am again giving you the general address, so you can wander. I recommend Anna Montgomery’s essay on creativity, which is also a prompt.You’ll find it at Meeting the Bar. Visit. Look around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author: Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us a choice of  any topic discussed on her blog in the past week, as well as the comments, for a possible source. Porcupines! Also, I love this week’s photograph at  nature quote. Her topics focus on aspects of nature. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. The sites won’t always be up-to-date, in fact, rarely, but the links will get you there.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday for an image prompt; Thursday for Your Serendipity; and next Friday for the usual.

Happy writing, everyone.

7:57 a.m. — Atlanta

listening to Ain’t That a Kick in the Head with Robbie Williams [My God, he's good]

Whoo hoo, blue sky and sunshine! We haven’t seen the sun in weeks. Hi, everyone. To those of you under snow, or not such fun weather, I am sorry. My brother in Bagram swears a polar bear strolled by the can he lives in [yes, can, a giant tin round thing]. Here we go:

Today, on Put Words Together. Make Meaning, Donna, who has her ‘first full-length collection, A House of Many Windows, scheduled to be published late in 2013 by Sundress Publications‘, answers ten questions to do with elements of the collection and the process. For any of us contemplating publishing, and those who are just curious, visit. Donna also gives us a writing opportunity on the previous post, to do with memory based on place. Check it out.

At ‘The Refinery,’ Joseph takes us through a poem by Barbara Young. This is quite something. I have been making notes all week for several poems I have in the revision process. One of the best ways to revise our own poetry is to revise someone else’s. Or, if revision is not a strength, to watch someone going through a poem. Go over for a look and consider sending in one of your poems.

Over at The Music In It: Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog, Adele gives us bonuses on top of bonuses. The prompt is to do with mystery. Along with a full explanation of her thoughts, and suggestions for possible directions, and example poems, this week, she gives us some tips for writing with or about mystery. I find that almost all the tips apply to writing poetry, in general, so hop on over.

At The Sunday Whirl, Brenda brings us words from a poem by Charles Baudelaire. Visit to see the wordle and to read what others have done, as well as a link to Baudelaire’s poem.

At Carry On Tuesday,  Keith has chosen  a quote from Victor Hugo. It’s an interesting line to play with. Remember that you can break the line up. Go on over to view the line and a link to other quotes from Hugo.

Go to Mad Kane’s Humor Blog for Limerick-off Mondays. I love this week’s starter line. Look around while you are there. I visit because I know I will laugh and laughing is good, so visit to read, to laugh, perhaps to write.

Visit The Mag [Magpie Tales] for our first image prompt, a photograph by Vincent Fournier. Even if you don’t usually visit, the photo will startle a laugh from you, so go. I stopped for a few minutes to read what people had done with it. Head over.

At Poetry Jam, Mary puts us in the way of danger. Visit to read the prompt.

Elizabeth, of 1sojournal, says of her new posts, I found the very beginnings of my own story as a serious writer. Discovered me, making notes about finding my own path for the next twenty years. The things that worked, and the ones that didn’t… I believe they contain that first eye-opening energy of the beginner, that one who has finally grasped a much wider concept than she has allowed herself in the past. It’s an energy I wish to share.

At Carol’s blog, Light Words, this is one of those weeks when she has several posts that look fun. I am giving you the general address and you can scroll through to find your fit. Certainly, stop a moment and listen to Nilsson singing Put a Lime in the Coconut. It’s a giggle.

At imaginary garden with real toads, Hannah is back with ‘Transforming Friday‘. The point of Hannah’s exercises is to learn to speak as another thing, an animal, a tree, a body of water… mostly animals, while we learn a bit about one of the world’s ecoregions. She does all the work for us. All we have to do is write a poem from another point of view, than ours. Go play with the toads.

We Write Poems challenges us to write about unexpected moments. I had one, when, as I read the prompt, my brain started without me. By the time it was through, I had a rough draft of a poem down on paper. Go read what Julie says about these unexpected moments.

At dVerse I have given you the general address, as this week’s Meeting the Bar has not been posted yet. Visit. Wander around. Stay awhile; it’s a friendly place.

Patricia K. Lichen, Author: Weekend Haiku & Limericks gives us a choice of  any topic discussed on her blog in the past week, as well as the comments, for a possible source. I love this week’s nature quote. Her topics focus on aspects of nature. Patricia’s site has the feel of walking on a beach, or through a forest.

Flash fiction fans: I’m going to give you the link to the general site of Flashy Fiction, rather than always giving you Friday, as you might come to the site on a different day, thus be offered a different image. Pot luck.

If that is not enough, look straight up, at the top of the blog and you will see a new tab: Freeforall: Even More Prompt Sites. The sites won’t always be up-to-date, but the links will get you there.

If you have questions, ask. If you write in response to any of these, the people whose blogs you visit would love to read your responses. So, post!

I shall see you Tuesday for a prompt; Thursday for Your Serendipity; and next Friday for the usual.

Happy writing, everyone.