NaPoWriMo, Yay!

March 6, 2016 by leximagines

I adore spring.

The birds are waking me once again in the early morning. We can open our windows to fresh air. There are thunderstorms and rain to soothe my soul and water Earth.

And soon-to-be-here April ushers in two ways of celebrating this all of this wonder –
National Poetry Month and NaPoWriMo
(National Poetry Writing Month).

National Poetry Month is a time I celebrate poetry in many ways, but one of my favorite is with my first graders. We listen to poets, hip hop, the classics, and watch poems that have been
made into videos. They are intrigued enough to write their own
poems and start down the road of the bard.

One of my greatest inspirations, not only this month but all
year long, is Tweetspeak Poetry. I receive an Every Day Poem
in my inbox each morning. Check them out. They also have a
myriad of ways to inspire and share word. They even have poems
to color. And maybe even a free e-book of poetry? Take a look,
especially at their Top 10 Sites To Follow For National Poetry Month
to further entice you into poetry.

And….Yay!!!!!! NaPoWriMo!!!!

This is the month long challenge of writing a poem every day. For each day of April, the fine folks at NaPoWriMo list a prompt and a poet. You take it from there. Join me?

I will post my poems each day – a brave thing to do, maybe silly and foolish – but it is a wonderful way to release and quiet that inner editor.

AND, I hope to partake in the Big Poetry Giveaway 2016. Check back April 1st for more information on how you can win a free copy of my book of poetry, Filters, and one from one of my favorite poets!

In the meantime, sharpen your pencils, dust off that keyboard, get some really yummy snacks and some coffee, lots of coffee. (Oh, I know many of you are tea totes, but that’s okay. You can play, too.)

Let’s get ready to rumble!!!!! And tumble. Maybe even bumble and mumble a bit.

Random Acts of Poetry Day

October 7, 2015 by leximagines

Today is the day!

Leave a poem on a mirror,
with chalk on a sidewalk,
in your love’s lunchbox.

Here’s one to share:

I will leave your white house and tranquil garden.
Let life be empty and bright.
You, and only you, I shall glorify in my poems,
As a woman has never been able to do.
And you remember the beloved
For whose eyes you created this paradise,
But I deal in rare commodities—
I sell your love and tenderness.

—Anna Akhmatova, translated by Judith Hemschemeyer

Thank you www.tweetspeakpoetry.com for your inspiration, always!

Take Your Poet To Work Day

July 15, 2015 by leximagines

Today is Take Your Poet To Work Day sponsored by the delightful folks over at Tweetspeak Poetry.

Today, Rumi joins me on my travels. I am a teacher on summer vacation so he is along for the ride. First up, practicing the piano. Lunch on the deck will follow. Then rehearsal of The Magdalene, which is coming up this Sunday. And finally, a meeting with Fr. Scott. I’m sure Rumi will be a welcome guest to our meeting.

It’s not too late for you to grab a poet and take her or him with you. Also, while you are there check out the GIFs created for today. They are a hoot.

Oh, and just for the fun of it, here is one of my favorite Rumi poems, The Guest House, translated by Coleman Barks:

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
As an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

Crinkled Missives

May 5, 2015 by leximagines

In her hands a piece of paper becomes a bird,
not one that waits outside his morning window
nor the one in western sky drawing down evening sun.

In her hands parchment bends and folds
into lines of virgin litany, a new exhalation placed
beside crinkled missives no longer requisite.

He knows the beauty of her master work, delicate,
sure of their duty to make flight, lift his heartbeat
until it soars, he prays someday she will believe.

Author’s Note:

Today I play with first lines. At Every Day Poems the lovely people at Tweetspeak Poetry offer a challenge. Sign up to receive a poem in your in-box each morning. Find a line that sings to you and use it as the first line of a poem of your own design.

My inspiration this day comes from The Robot Scientist’s Daughter by Jeannine Hall Gailey.

Gravity

April 13, 2015 by leximagines

I told you I didn’t want to
wear shoes, I can’t feel the
floor, I need to be grounded

You gentled me,
give up the gravity,
you promised I could fly

In trust I stepped tiptoe
lifting my heals
I gave up my ground, I let go

You were right
it wasn’t about the shoes
it was the gravity

Author’s Note:

NaPoWriMo Day 13. I didn’t follow today’s prompt from the website.

Instead I was inspired by my favorite place to play, Tweetspeak Poetry and Every Day Poems.

Today my poem is drawn from the line – give up the gravity – from the poem Deep Noticing by Brenda Hillman, from Loose Sugar.

Experience

April 1, 2015 by leximagines

the joke was funny,
my father, however, said it was blue
and warned me never to repeat it

in the fields where my grandfather
kept his bees on Mr. Granjeans farm,
cornflowers opened their eyes,
winked a welcome to his wild things
and relinquished their sweetness
lavishly

it crushed underneath my bare foot,
I felt it after it was too late, a few missteps
and damage was done, blueberry
plasma crushed into a virgin white wool rug,
my mother’s joy, just another false step
of mine in her aspiration for perfection

his phthalo blue applied with such
gentleness, brushed and slathered
across white canvas drew me spellbound
Saturday mornings,
learning from deep within
there are no mistakes,
just happy little accidents

periwinkle petals,
zaffer glazed eyes,
Dodger blue home runs,
denim enfolds me in comfort,
an indigo sigh shaped to my curves
soft, well-worn, experienced

.

.

.

Author’s Note:

Oh, it’s National Poetry Month!!!!

Oh, the choices!

Today I am choosing my prompt from Tweetspeak’s
“Show Us Your Poetry (Jeans)” challenge.

Tomorrow, who knows?

Inhale

February 10, 2015 by leximagines

In this story, she knows no fear.
Softness of last light crosses her cheek.

The hush of evening’s calm enters her,
spirals inward, down. An afterthought

of day’s swiftness tumbles into moist earth
beneath her bare feet. His caress tenders a longing

deep within her being, this story hers, eyes closed
to what is, inhales all that could be.

Author’s Note:

Today a little challenge from Tweetspeak Poetry and Everyday Poems. Use a line from a poem that shows up in my morning e-mail from Everyday Poems and create one of my own.

Valentine’s Day and the first line from the poem Khaleesi Says by Leah Umansky, author of Domestic Uncertainties, is my inspiration.

The Big Poetry Giveaway, 2014, Part 2

April 12, 2014 by leximagines

Good day, all!

I’ve decided to add another book to my giveaway. Yay!

L.L. Barkat is launching her new book of poetry, Love, Etc., this coming Monday, April 14, 2014. Stop by Tweekspeak Poetry and see all the happenings. What fun! They are on Facebook, too.

It is such a lovely work, I decided it needs to be added to my giveaway list. Check out my review by Lex at Amazon and buy a copy for yourself or to give away.

Want to win a free copy? Go to my original post, The Big Poetry Giveaway, 2014 , just leave a comment with your e-mail or blog address so if you win, I know how to contact you. Drawing will take place the first week of May.

Need more information? Visit The Big Poetry Giveaway, 2014 at their page. It’s a fun thing to do this National Poetry Month.

And while you’re here I cordially invite you to scroll around my page. I am participating in NaPoWriMo in celebration of poetry this month.

Enjoy!

Haiku for NaPoWriMo

April 9, 2014 by leximagines

Lone coyote dashes across grass-

Waning suburban moon,

The nights are getting shorter.

Author’s Note:

Today’s Poetry Prompt from the Facebook page of NaPoWriMo: It’s haiku day! Pen up a haiku as an animal enjoying its favorite activity.

Perfect for a busy mid week. Actually, haiku is not child’s play at poetry. Below is an infographic I love using from Tweetspeak Poetry when attempting to write a haiku:

Don’t forget to stop by my post – The Big Poetry Giveaway 2104. I am participating and giving away two books of poetry – for free! Who would not want a free book of poetry? You could win either a lovely copy of
InsideOut: Poems by L.L. Barkat or The Alaphabet Not Unlike the World by Katrina Vandenberg.

All you have to do is leave a comment and a blog address or e-mail!

The Big Poetry Giveaway, 2014

March 31, 2014 by leximagines

Those of you who know me remember my joy and frustration and joy after completing two straight years of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I have two novels awaiting my editing pen. I will get there. Someday. Sadly, this past year I was not able to participate.

However, I’ve been writing poetry. And NaPoWriMo (National Poetry Writing Month) whispered my name.

To celebrate this month of poetry, I decided to participate and commit to writing a new poem every day. In addition to writing and because I also enjoy reading poetry, I took the poetry dare from Tweetspeak Poetry. I was given the name of a poet I have never read. I promise to read one poem a day by that poet during the month of April.

Tonight while poking around a few hours before April 1 entered the scene, I discovered The Big Poetry Giveaway, 2014. So I decided to share the wealth and greet the month with a giveaway!

My Giveaway

I do not yet have a book of poems published to give away, although two of my monologues can be found in print. So until my poetry appears on the printed page, I will giveaway one copy each of two of my favorite poetry collections in hopes they will become a favorite of yours, too.

InsideOut: Poems by L.L. Barkat, managing editor at Tweetspeak Poetry, is my first giveaway. It is a graceful journey through a year. Her words are beautiful, simple, and elegantly crafted. These are poems to savor with a lovely cup of tea by your side.

The Alphabet Not Unlike the World by Katrina Vandenberg is my second giveaway. A trip through the alphabet brings laughter and wisdom on a ride that you won’t want to end.

How To Enter

If you would like to be entered in my drawing, just leave a comment below with your name and blog address so I can contact you. If you don’t have a blog, please leave me your e-mail address.

The giveaway ends April 30th, 2014 (PST). Winners will be chosen the week of May 1 with the books being mailed to you shortly thereafter. Good luck!

Here is a link to the Big Poetry Giveaway, 2014 with more detailed rules, especially if you would like to participate in giving poetry away, too!