Poetry Challenge – OctPoWriMo

The following poem is the one I have always liked and I wrote it so quickly – it must be that writing from the heart, makes a difference.

I am submitting it for the October poetry month challenge. A little late but I have been occupied with hosting my own poetry challenge, which ends this month, well, last month, now that today is officially November.

You can check out another of my poems here/2018/11/01/poetry-challenge-october-prompt-2/

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

‘Still in my Heart’

Home Sweet Home afar from me,
At least 10 hours over sky and sea,

A fairy tale land of red and white,
of rain, and wind, and winter nights.

Yet still you send my heart a flutter,
And here, I can but get your butter,

Cos’ when I’m sad and feeling down,
You can lift my spirits like a children’s clown.

What is this strange longing and connection,
I feel for such warm and fuzzy introspection?

Of land and family long dead and passed,
Would they think me to be completely daft?

Yet I am of them, and they are of me,
This continual spreading of the family tree.

The branches are like the ancient Birch
Resilient, pervasive til one drops off the Perch.

If only I could stay or perhaps visit more often,
But my responsibilities and circumstances rarely soften.

So I must dream and wish and be ever so frugal,
And if I can’t afford to travel there, there is always Google!

~ The Sunshine Elves

Poetry Dedication:

In memory and thanks for a great friend, Andrea Heiberg.

You are watching now from another place, I place I cannot yet go.

Just what are you thinking, I do wonder.

~Amanda

Poetry Challenge – September Round up

The Prompt for September was to write a Limerick or humorous poem.

Only five lines long, limerick poems have an ‘AABBA’ rhyme scheme.

Featured Poets – Colonialist’s Blog

I do suppose that each season
Does come with a kind of a reason,
And most are quite fine,
But I draw the line
At seasons that have my toes freezin’!

~The Colonialist

Find more about the Colonialist here

Hester writes a real cracker, really capturing the essence of the limerick’s humor:

An OLD bird who LIVES at the COAST

Lied DOWN in the SUN and she DOZED

She THOUGHT a light TAN

Would CATCH her a MAN

But NOW she’s burnt CRISP as dry TOAST

~Hester

This is a really awesome limerick!!! I love it, and it has that memory making sing-song quality so that it sticks in one’s head for quite a while!!

I invite you to read this month’s submissions for the A and I Poetry challenge   who have all done a fantastic job.

Poetry Challenge Contributors for September

Ju- Lyn  varied the theme of seasons in refashioning-rules  but also decided to give the limerick form a go, here. And I am very glad she did. The limerick is deceptively easy to write but difficult to convey a message in such few words. Ju-Lyn nailed it.

Manjamexi  – penned a cheeky limerick with beautiful illustrations of mouth-watering photographs of a Cypress field many incarnations through the seasons.

Ineke’s delightful limerick on the seasonal changes in New Zealand – Scrapydo2.wordpress.com

Abrie Joubert – writes in Afrikaans but copy paste this into google Translate or use the translator button and you will find some wonderful words.

Abrie’s post on the A and I Poetry Challenge inspired two other Afrikaans writers to write limericks in the comments of Abrie’s post:

Hesterleynel  – she is at it again! Well done, Hester.

Toortsie

Perdebytjie

Very well done to all of you!  The translations were a lot of fun to read! One word translated to diarrhoea!! Not sure that it was meant as such, but it certainly was humorous!!

Hester’s post inspired Vuurklip to contribute in Afrikaans,on Hester blog post here

Tafuzul  – submitted a surpise poem.  He asked me to choose his best poem for his entry this month. Find it here

If you have written a poem in September and would like a linkback included here, please comment below.

Host bloggers Amanda  from Australia at Something to Ponder About and

Ineke from New Zealand at scrapydo2.wordpress.com  jointly host the challenge.

Ineke mostly does the poetry in Afrikaans, while Amanda uses English.

The challenge is open to all, from first-timers up to well-advanced poets. Be sure to comment here so that we can find your poem for October and add you to the link up post at the end of this month.

October is the final month for the Poetry Challenge.

Poetry Challenge – October Prompt

A and I Poetry Challenge Hosts are a Blogger and Writer, from New Zealand, Ineke, of Scrapydo2 and a Blogger from Australia, Amanda, of  Something to Ponder About.

Amanda’s Poetry challenge is  in English and Ineke’s Poetry Challenge is in Afrikaans, (with many translations in English). Everyone is welcome to join in. October is the final month of this challenge! Please do join in!

You can write in either language, however, please post a link back, and comment at both WordPress blogs to indicate your interest and include the tag  A and I Poetry Challenge.

For Full guidelines on joining in, click here.

October Prompt:

~ Write a poem to, or about, your future self.

How might you see yourself, or your life, in ten years time.

This prompt is merely a suggestion and you may choose a topic of your liking and still be included in the challenge.

Remember to add the tag A and I Poetry Challenge, to your post, so that I can link to your blog in the final end of month round up of contributors.

The challenge is open to everyone, from complete beginners to advanced writers or aspiring poets. The challenge will include writing tips and link backs for contributors. Beginner poet, hobbyist or Advanced writer We hope you will join in.

You can write in either language, however, please post a link back, and comment at both WordPress blogs to indicate your interest and include the tag  A and I Poetry Challenge. 

In this way, we can find you and read your poetry.

Have fun!

Something poetic to ponder About

Scrapydo2

Poetry Challenge – August Heart Poems

A and I Poetry Challenge Hosts are a Blogger and Writer, from New Zealand, Ineke, of Scrapydo2 and Blogger from Australia, Amanda, of  Something to Ponder About.

Amanda’s Poetry challenge is  in English and Ineke’s Poetry Challenge is in Afrikaans, (with many translations in English). Everyone is welcome to join in.

You can write in either language, however, please post a link back, and comment at both WordPress blogs to indicate your interest and include the tag  A and I Poetry Challenge.

For Full guidelines on joining in, click here.

Feature Poem for August

This month’s feature poet is Steph, from the blog, Stories and Things Like That.  I really like the repetition Steph uses in this poem and how the shape reinforces and emphasizes the touching memories of a loved one.

Blogger Submissions for August

The prompt in August was to write a poem or format a poem with a Heart theme.

We had some wonderful interpretations of this theme, so please do hop around and check them all out.

• Hesterleynel  writes in both Afrikaans and English, which is no easy feat and cleverly uses a heart format to communicate her words.

•  Bondelsgedagtes writes about Love never being enough.

• Ju- Lyn writes an exquisite Somonka.  Just as two souls are intwined in love, Ju-Lyn has intwined Two Tanka poems about the power of Love.

• Yvette at priorhouse.blog delights us with eye -pleasing photographs  and a fun heart shaped format to accompany her writing.

• Ineke at  scrapydo2 writes a touching poem about love, loss and forgiveness

    (Insert into Google translate for English)

• Amanda  aused a heart graphic and rhyme to enhance this love poem here

• Mammasquirrel presents a poem honoring her faith and love of the Divine.

• Manja writes a poetic story of love, separation, and what’s more, it comes beautifully illustrated  with photographs.

• Tafazul writes with honesty and directness in his poem for August.

• Featured poet: Steph, from the blog, Stories and Things Like That.

Please let me know if you submitted a poem during August, and the link is not listed here.

Sometimes pingbacks do not work as they should.

~ Amanda

Poetry Challenge – August Prompt and Writing Resources

A and I Poetry Challenge-  Tips on Writing and Prompt for August – see below

Hosts Blogger and writer from New Zealand, Ineke from scrapydo2.wordpress.com and Blogger, Amanda from Something to Ponder About, are jointly hosting the A and I Poetry Challenge in English and in Afrikaans, in the WordPress community.

The challenge is open to everyone, from complete beginners to advanced writers or aspiring poets. The challenge will run from March to October, 2018.

You can write in either language but please post a link back or comment at both WordPress blogs to indicate your interest and include the tag  A and I Poetry Challenge.

Each month we will post poetry writing tips, (see this month’s below) and link-backs to those who contributed by posting a poem with the Tag  A and I Poetry Challenge. on their blog.

Beginner poet, hobbyist or Advanced writer – we hope you will join in with us.

For Full guidelines click here.

August Prompt:  Write a Heart poem

This might be a poem with lines written in the shape of a heart, or a poem about love, getting to the heart of a problem, about  folks wearing their hearts on their sleeves, or someone showing a lot of heart in competitions.

Post on your blog on or before 30th August, 2018 to be included in the link-backs for August.  The prompt is merely a suggestion and any topic is welcome.

August Poetry Writing Tips

Finding inspiration to write poetry isn’t always easy or may not come automatically to many of us. Sometimes, our minds just get stuck for the right word. Or you can feel the word on the tip of your tongue but cannot get it out?

There are loads of tools on the net to help you in this sticky situation.

This month we look at some sites to help us find inspiration and words for our Poetry.

RhymeZone

The most popular rhyming dictionary is RhymeZone. Enter the word you need a rhyme for and Rhymezone returns multiple words that rhyme. RhymeZone also has some useful advanced features. If you want to find words that rhyme with love, just enter “love” at Rhymezone and you will get responses for one syllable and multi-syllable rhyming words. You can also search for synonyms or even definitions with this site.

Rhymes Lexemic

This site gives you options to vary the number of syllables and use a pronunciation search as opposed to one that searches on correct spelling alone.

Rhymebrain

This site gives you options in other languages

www.festisite.com/

allows you to search by tag, rhyme and submit your creation online so you can read others’ poems for inspiration.

www.b-rhymes.com/

This site gives you words that sound good together even if don’t technically rhyme.

More Rhyming Dictionary Sites

• Dillforg Muse
• RhymeDB
• Rhymer
• WikiRhymer
• WordHippo
• Rhymes.net

Poetry Challenge Roundup for July

July is a month where many in both hemispheres take holidays, the temperate south freezes a little, while the subtropical south basks in dry warm daytime temps, and the temperate north experiences its long daylight hours of summertime. Great for relaxing and taking it easy. Perhaps some of our other contributors are also on holiday.

So I invite you to take a look at this month’s submissions who join in with the

A and I Poetry challenge for this month.

The Prompt for July was to: –

Turn on the radio to any channel.

Write a poem inspired by the first thing you hear

(lyrics to a song, a commercial, etc.)

Photo by Gratisography on Pexels.com

Featured Poet – Tafazul Mattoo

Tafazul is an engineering student from Kashmir who loves to draw and write. His poetry is so very interesting to read. You can find more of his work at his blog, here.

Not sure if he should begin,
frightened about the endings.
He dipped his brush in the air filled with melancholy,
painting his chaos on her heart.
She followed the chaos.

its a labyrinth

that is what she thought
only frightened about the beginnings,
but they both were stuck in a maze

at different dead ends.

_Tafazul Mattoo

I am including another link to a poem of Tafazul’s here as it is definitely worth a read!

tafazulsblog.wordpress.com/2018/06/25/nail-in-the-coffin

Ju – Lyn is celebrating with lots of luscious imagery here – purplepumpernickelblog.wordpress.com/

Manja took us on a trip to Trieste – manjameximovie3.wordpress.com/

Amanda at Penpunt writes bilingually in Afrikaans and English, with her poem that  makes readers think more deeply about the back story of conflict in her submission. A must read.

Jolene from So much to Tell you shines a light amongst the shadows with her poem here

If you have written a poem in July and would like a link included here, please leave a comment.

August Poetry Prompt posted next week here and on scrapydo2.wordpress.com

Poetry Challenge for July

The A and I Bilingual Poetry Challenge runs each month until October.

The prompt for July is:

Turn on the radio to any channel.

Write a poem inspired by the first thing you hear

(lyrics to a song, a commercial, etc.)

This is my contribution.

 

A Mother’s Lament

So innocent, and vital, that smiley young boy,

With giggles and laughs, so charmingly coy.

Growing so tall after you donned that uniform;

Jumping so eagerly at war, which the suited men had spawned.

At home here we hear of the deathly horror you’ve seen,

It seems like everything turned black, when you turned 19.

Half a man returned home; as your soul is still there.

Seeing you broken is more than a mother can bear.

Each day, the gulf between us slowly widening,

as you keep running from the shadows, there’s no denying.

No more giggles, no smiles and never a laugh;

I don’t understand why you avoid photographs.

You close down any talk, you’re consumed with hate,

War’s legacy sinks down on us all, like a lead plate.

But my clock’s running down as time’s marching on,

I  only hope for small reconciliations, before I’m long gone.

I see that smiley young face in the photo on the bureau,

realizing sadly, he’s a stranger, I once used to know.

Amanda – July 2018

For the Afrikaans version of the Poetry Challenge – Visit Ineke at   scrapydo2.wordpress.com

 

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Instructions for Joining the Poetry Challenge:–

Sign up by leaving a comment on this post, so we know you are interested.

Ineke and I will post a poetry prompt and writing tips and links, around 1st day of each month.

You might need to follow our blogs so that the posts show up in your WP reader.

• Using your own idea,  or the monthly prompt supplied, write a post with a poem, either fun or serious and post before the 27th day of that month.
• Include in your post a link or pingback to both:

  scrapydo2.wordpress.com

 Something to Ponder About – forestwoodfolkart.wordpress.com

• Please add the tag A and I Poetry Challenge on YOUR BLOG POST.
• As ping backs sometimes don’t work, please also leave a comment at Ineke’s blog, scrapydo2.wordpress.com and Amanda’s blog, Something to Ponder About, with the url link to YOUR blog post on the challenge post for that month.   N.B. If you do this, others can find their way to your challenge post and create a supportive community too.

• Include the Poetry Challenge badge in your post, if you so wish. (optional)

Poetry Writing Tips and May Challenge

Poetry Writing Tips included below:-

Time is almost up for posting poems for the A and I Poetry Challenge for the month of  May. Have you written your poem, yet?

Post a poem with a linkback to my blog and Ineke’s before the 28th May, so I can easily find it and include it in the next monthly Poetry Challenge post.

 Poetry Challenge –  May Prompt

*Write a poem using this photograph or one of your own as inspiration.

 

N.B. If you choose to use your own photo, please post the photo along with the poem.

 

You will find the full post on the May prompt and guidelines here

 

Poetry Writing Tips

I will discuss more about using concrete language in poetry next month but here is a taste to get you thinking and writing in a more concrete way.

Tip: Use concrete language instead of abstract language

The key to writing great poetry is to write focused, concrete poetry. But many beginning poets write poetry based around wide themes such as love, life, and anger, generalizing their writing.

By using strong language, active verbs instead of passive verbs and concrete language instead of abstract, you can capture a reader’s interest and captivate a reader’s imagination. Poetry, as something others read, should be at its best interactive, and at its worse, straight forward and clear.

Here is an example:

 

Concrete words describe things that people experience with their senses.

• orange
• warm
• cat

A person can see orange, feel warm, or hear a cat.

Poets use concrete words help the reader get a “picture” of what the poem is talking about. When the reader has a “picture” of what the poem is talking about, he/she can better understand what the poet is talking about.

Abstract words refer to concepts or feelings.

• liberty
• happy
• love

“Liberty” is a concept, “happy” is a feeling, and no one can agree on whether “love” is a feeling, a concept or an action.

A person can’t see, touch, or taste any of these things. As a result, when used in poetry, these words might simply fly over the reader’s head, without triggering any sensory response. Further, “liberty,” “happy,” and “love” can mean different things to different people. Therefore, if the poet uses such a word, the reader may take a different meaning from it than the poet intended.

Change Abstract Words Into Concrete Words

To avoid problems caused by using abstract words, use concrete words.

Example: “She felt happy.”

This line uses the abstract word “happy.” To improve this line, change the abstract word to a concrete image. One way to achieve this is to think of an object or a scene that evokes feelings of happiness to represent the happy feeling.

Improvement: “Her smile spread like red tint on ripening tomatoes.”

 

Writing poetry is something to ponder about