Everyday Poetry

Day 30: ' write a palinode – a poem in which you retract a view or sentiment expressed in an earlier poem. For example, you might pick a poem you drafted earlier in the month and write a poem that contradicts or troubles it. This could be an interesting way to start working on a series of related poems. Alternatively, you could play around with the idea of a palinode by writing a poem in which the speaker says something like “I take it back” or otherwise abandons a prior position within the single poem.' I can't quite believe we're on our last day of this challenge. It's been an amazing month,  during which I gained the confidence to arrange a contract with Amazon to publish a collection of my poems.  So far from taking a break,  I now have to knuckle down and do some work!  This last Napowrimo/ Glopowrimo poem contradicts the impression I gave of my husband in my list poem "Always too busy". You're never too busy to put aside Each Friday, to spend the

Day 29: ' . Start by reading Alberto Rios’s poem “ Perfect for Any Occasion .” Now, write your own two-part poem that focuses on a food or type of meal. At some point in the poem, describe the food or meal as if it were a specific kind of person. Give the food/meal at least one line of spoken dialogue.' 1. A roast dinner takes More time and pans than usual,  A flurry of well orchestrated Peeling, chopping, par-boiling, Pre-heating, roasting,  Seasoning, basting, mixing. The gravy is always the finale After the table is laid.  2.  Plates loaded, food steaming, Seated round the table, We pause for a moment to admire Each tasty sight and smell of the feast. It shows off its gastronomic splendour Like a showman enticing us into the big top: Roll up, roll up, come enjoy the show! Each mouthful a spectacular delight! ©  Copyright 2023. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved

Day 28: ' write your own index poem. You could start with found language from an actual index, or you could invent an index, somewhat in the style of this poem by  Kell Connor .' I'm not at all inspired by this prompt! But here goes. I looked up Hazel and found subheadings coppice, fences, hedges, hurdles, nuts.  Hedge hazel So long the unspoken bane Between neighbours -  One set on coppicing,   On trimming to hedge height The straight as-a-dye branches, To fashion them into hurdles Patching gaps further along -  The other seeking their rise  Unimpeded,  Upwards and outwards Into the view; The tree stands oddly Half and half. On its still green and leafy side Birds perch, seeking food,  Nuts will fall in the autumn. On the coppiced side New shoots appear  Beside each stump,  Starting the cycle of regrowth Above new flowers emerging To unexpected sunlight: Primroses, wood anemone, Dog violets, bluebells, Exploiting this time to bloom. The hazel's strange assymetry Manife

Day 27: ' begin by reading Bernadette Mayer’s poem “ The Lobelias of Fear .” Now write your own poem titled “The ________ of ________,” where the first blank is a very particular kind of plant or animal, and the second blank is an abstract noun.' The Rose of Peace My father made a pergola Across the back of the house Around the concrete patch We called a patio; My mother made it into a rose bower. Each time she went out Into the summer garden Hanging washing, picking apples,  Calling over the fence to Aunty Joan, She passed between, under, through The sickly sweet scent of roses - Pink, orange, cream - amongst the green. One sticky afternoon, set to the task Of sweeping up fallen petals, leaves,  I asked h er favourite:  Peace.  To me it was just the name of a rose That bound all the colours In a fragrant embrace, To her,  a brief twenty years After the war, a symbol of hope  Rising calmly beyond the thorns, Which she could visit every day.   This year, long years since her pas

Day 26: ' write a portrait poem that focuses on or plays with the meaning of the subject’s name. This could be a self-portrait, a portrait of a family member or close friend, or even a portrait of a famous or historical person.'   My sister Gill is one of the most loyal supporters of my poetry, so this seemed like an excellent opportunity to give her something as a thank you. This poem is based on the meanings associated with the name Gillian, which have been sourced from a variety of websites, and as such is an example of 'found poetry' - a collage of found phrases, newly arranged and added to.  My big sister, role model, protector, Named for an emperor,  Likes to take charge, to set the rules.  Child of the gods,  Confident, outspoken, Surprisingly shy on the inside.  A Monday's child, fair of face,  Always the pretty one,  Slender, long-downy-haired, outgoing. Energetic, youthful whatever her age,  Fun to be around, even at long-distance,  Silly in a really good

Day 25: ' Begin by reading e e cummings’ poem [ somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond ]. This is a pretty classic love poem, so well-known that it has spawned  at least one silly meme . Today’s prompt challenges you to also write a love poem, one that names at least one flower, contains one parenthetical statement, and in which at least some lines break in unusual places.' From this place I will never travel willingly;    I am held here, safely    Cupped in your strong hands,    as broad as an embrace. I never would have dreamed my hands    (ample, queen-sized)  Could feel almost dainty like a daisy     resting on a sunflower head. Your solid fingers scarcely fit    between my own, Forcing them apart each time we clasp     each other tight.  Yet, oh how delicately y ou trace     my skin with those Thick fingers, b ringing sunshine     to my dark spaces.  Nobody else in all the world     that I have met Holds such exquisite, tender    power  in their hands.   © Copyrigh

Day 24: ' write a poem in the form of a review. But not a review of a book or a movie of a restaurant. Instead, I challenge you to write a poetic review of something that isn’t normally reviewed. For example, your mother-in-law, the moon, or the year you were ten years old.' I've written a review of our shopping trip,  in the style of a review on TripAdvisor. The Monthly Shop We planned the date four weeks in advance To be sure we wouldn't miss it,  Packed our bags for life Grabbed our list And set out early.  We were delighted to see The on-site  petrol station Offered the lowest price in the area So we filled up at £146.9 a litre -  One bargain already in the tank.  A good parking space was waiting for us Reasonably close to the entrance,   On a pedestrian walkway - a bonus!  We were pleased to find no pound coin was needed To set the trolley free.  The aisles were wide, and well set out, Things were exactly where we expected them to be. A few detours for novelty good

Day 23: '  Start off by reading Arvind Krishna Mehrotra’s “ Lockdown Garden .” Now, try to write a poem of your own that has multiple numbered sections. Attempt to have each section be in dialogue with the others, like a song where a different person sings each verse, giving a different point of view. Set the poem in a specific place that you used to spend a lot of time in, but don’t spend time in anymore.' 1. Langdale Pikes,  The circle of peaks With names from the sagas - Pavey Ark Thunacar Knott Pike O' Stickle Harrison Stickle. Each had its own beauty,  Its own challenges. Conquering the ring Was always the goal.  2. As students The ring seemed endless The easy route down  Too tempting.  Our reward was always Old Dungeon Ghyll,  Stone walled, flagstone floored, Best pint in the world. Stories shared,  In the warm glow of triumph.  3.  It was always  Where my ashes Would be scattered.  4.  Silver wedding week Drew us back To our favourite place, Langdale saved For the sp

Day 22: ' Find an Emily Dickinson poem – preferably one you’ve never previously read – and take out all the dashes and line breaks. Make it just one big block of prose. Now, rebreak the lines. Add words where you want. Take out some words. Make your own poem out of it.' I've chosen Emily Dickinson's Nature is What we See. The process has given me a better appreciation of her poetry - she says so much in so few words!  Nature's Whispers The distant hills just barely glimpsed The slow showy drama of a solar eclipse, The bee's companionable bumbling mumble The low drum roll of thunder's rumble, The quick flick of a squirrel's twitch The rhythmic beat of the waves' wet swish, The spare shimmery haze of a summer afternoon The ghostly monochrome of a winter's moon The lightning's sharp whiplash flash The hungry fish that leap and splash The graceful arc of a dolphin's fin The cricket's nighttime violin The hidden blackbird's honeyed ves

Day 21: ' Begin by reading Sarah Gambito’s poem “ Grace .” Now, choose an abstract noun from the list below, and then use that as the title for a poem that contains very short lines, and at least one invented word.' I chose to write about courage, and ended up writing a rallying call to overcome a crisis - whatever that crisis might be - using all of the abstract nouns suggested and a couple more. But no invented words. My friend Now is not the time For dread despair. Now is the time For hopeful honesty. Most of all  For courage. It is too easy To hide  Behind confusion, To give in To your anxiety, Admit defeat.  Keep calm. Hold tight To a sound belief In your own strength - Failure is not an option.  In the face Of constant deceit Take delight in  Your own cleverness. With grace You will overcome, Turn misery Into glory. © Copyright 2023. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved

Day 20: ' Have you ever heard someone wonder what future archaeologists, whether human or from alien civilization, will make of us? Today, I’d like to challenge you to answer that question in poetic form, exploring a particular object or place from the point of view of some far-off, future scientist? The object or site of study could be anything from a “World’s Best Grandpa” coffee mug to a Pizza Hut, from a Pokemon poster to a cellphone.' This stumped me for a while,  but a look around our cottage soon provided suitable inspiration.  Exhibit 1: two figurines, one metal, one carboniferous Each sculpted in the shape of a man Carrying pick, shovel, Davy lantern,  Wearing a hard hat with attached light.  Exhibit 2: five wall mounted ceramic plates Individually decorated, on a shared theme, Illustrated with buildings, machinery, shafts,  Portraits of men attired like the figurines.  Exhibit 3: one A3 sized watercolour painting Featuring four stocky ponies, in the foreground Of a gr

Day 19: ' One common feature of childhood is the monsters. The ones under the bed or in the closet; the odd local monsters that other kids swear roam the creek at night, or that parents say wait to steal away naughty children that don’t go to bed on time. Now, cast your mind back to your own childhood and write a poem about something that scared you – or was used to scare you – and which still haunts you (if only a little bit) today.' I can't watch horror films, Anything that gradually racks up suspense So you know something dreadful Is going to happen, e ven if  You look away, close your eyes, Switch over.  It's been like this  Ever since that ill-fated teenaged night I stayed up late with my sister - Our parents were out,  We were alone in the house.  She wanted to watch  Jekyll and Hyde But not alone; like a fool I joined her.  To this day I can't remember How far through I got,  Whether she saw it out. But I remember the horror,  The loss of control, The violenc

Day 18: ' write an abecedarian poem – a poem in which the word choice follows the words/order of the alphabet. You could write a very strict abecedarian poem, in which there are twenty-six words in alphabetical order, or you could write one in which each line begins with a word that follows the order of the alphabet.' It's an interesting exercise but can become a bit forced.  It helps to have an idea of where you want to go with it, rather than let it lead you into a corner.  Mind you, ending with XYZ words is a bit of a difficult stretch whatever you're writing about. Above in the clear and piercing  Blue, two buzzards Circle slowly upwards, before Descending leisurely,   Exploring the fields below Foraging for prey, alive or dead.  Gliding with style, first High, then low, unhurried,   I wonder how good it feels Just riding the breeze. Kicking off my slippers Locating my boots under the stairs - My coat thrown on over Nearly buttoned cardigan - Opening the door to the

Day 17: ' write a poem that contains the name of a specific variety of edible plant – preferably one that grows in your area.  In the poem, try to make a specific comparison between some aspect of the plant’s lifespan and your own – or the life of someone close to you. Also, include at least one repeating phrase.' A local wild edible plant that delights us every spring, is the ramsom or wild garlic.  It grows throughout our woods and strays outside the margins,  coating the fields in a sprinkling of white. It's Latin name is Alium ursinum, thought to refer to their attractiveness to bears coming out of winter hibernation - although there are no bears here in the Cotswolds!  All parts of the plant are edible: flowers can be used to garnish salads, leaves can be used raw in salads, or chopped and used instead of garlic as can the bulb.   Wild garlic Each year, about this time,   A drift of white seeps from the woods Drawing me down the lane Nose finding them before my eyes. O

Day 16: 'write   a poem of negation – a poem that involves describing something in terms of what it is not, or not like.' I tried to write a simple poem about all the things my dear husband isn’t, but discovered the things that he lacks are actually what makes him so special.  Not tall, dark, conventionally handsome,  You rock long, white curls, creased blue eyes.  Not the type to act sentimental, You have my back, my greatest protector. Not tidy! Stuff lies abandoned, Reminders of you when you're not around.  Spend far too much time fishing, Giving me free time to do as I please.  Never finish a job, always on to the next,  Our house has been transformed.  Don't understand poems, whoever wrote them,  Your rare likes on my posts make me glow inside.  Not my first love, first husband, first lover, You will be my last, you're a hard act to follow.  © Copyright 2023. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved.

Day 15:  think of a person – real or imagined – who has been held out to you as an example of how to be of live, but who you have always had doubts about. Write a poem that exaggerates the supposedly admirable qualities of the person in a way that exposes your doubts. Halfway through the challenge! I'm enjoying it immensely on the days I have time to sit and think and play around.  Days like today though,  I need to force myself to sit and focus before heading out the door, promising myself I'll revise it later.  I've no idea how people do it if they have a full time job.  Why can't you be more like Sue? She's always so nicely turned out,  Goes shopping with her mum,  They've even bought the same duvet covers! My mother's pleas fell on rebellious ears At a time when everything was questioned,  Pushed hard against, rejected, for the new, The shocking, the defiant, the authentic.  My future would not be as a clone, Joining the ranks of Stepford wives Pursuing

Day 14: ' write a parody or satire based on a famous poem. It can be long or short, rhymed or not. But take a favorite (or unfavorite) poem of the past, and see if you can’t re-write it on humorous, mocking, or sharp-witted lines. You can use your poem to make fun of the original (in the vein of a parody), or turn the form and manner of the original into a vehicle for making points about something else (more of a satire).' This is meant to be "a bit of Friday fun" but sounds like hard work to me! The poem that sprang to mind was The Subaltern's Love Song by John Betjeman so I've given it a bit of an update,  and shortened it to suit more modern attention spans.  A Cybernaut's Complaint Oh @leopardspotlacey, oh @leopardspotlacey Or (as most people know you), just plain Tracey, What exciting lewd sexts we sent when both safe online You in your bedroom, me in mine. Back and forth they whizzed breathlessly over the cloud With photos and promises, we both were

Day 13: ' try writing a short poem that follows the beats of a classic joke. Emphasize the interplay between the form of the poem – such as the line breaks – and the punchline.' This one started off quite innocently, then took a darker turn.  Knock knock Rap tap What's dripping on my window? Rain falling. Rain rapping on my window? Why? It wants to come in.  Drip slip Why does it want to come in? The wind is blowing cold and hard.  The wind is blowing cold and hard? Why?  It's coming from the North.  Woo hoo Why is the wind coming from the north? Climate change. Climate change has turned the winds? How? The winds are heating up. Knock knock Who's there? Everyone affected. Everyone's affected? Why? Because we don’t care enough to change. © Copyright 2023. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved.