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...

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...

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-dista...

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 spac...

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 b...