Write it, Sugar

March 1, 2013 by leximagines

A few years ago, maybe four now, I took a class to teach teachers how to teach writing. As a first grade teacher I understood the importance of writing not only for learning how to read but also for learning how to think.

For two weeks we studied age appropriate writing research in the morning. Then, all afternoon we were given the task to be writers ourselves. At the end we produced four different genre pieces, an author’s discussion on each piece, and a final project for presentation. I discovered I love to write.

I now organize two writing groups. One is for adults. The other is for students in my school. Both are run the same way. We come to write from a prompt and share. It is not a traditional writer’s workshop where we critique work in progress. It is some of the most powerful writing I’ve seen and done. I’ve completed two National Novel Writing Months and have two novels ready for rewrites and editing. I learned that to fall in love with writing, you must write. Write what you like and don’t be afraid to share with others of like mind.

But I know I need more. I need to grow.

I am a novice. I am not interested in finding a university writing program or another degree. I just enjoy writing. I’ve had no real, gritty writing training in my life. I want to grow as a writer. I wasn’t sure what I should do.

Then I found Tweetspeak Poetry, Word Candy, the 100 Sweet Bloggers project, and the Poetry Workshop 2013. I read a new poem every day from Every Day Poems . I am inspired by Word Candy quotes and send them to friends. But the most important step I’ve taken is to join Tweetspeak’s Poetry Workshop 2013 with Anne Doe Overstreet.

I cannot begin to thank Tweetspeak, Anne, and my fellow students for this journey. We are only two weeks in and I feel like a freshman in college. I am learning. I am a bit scared. But I know I am going to grow. And that is what it is all about.

So there is no poem this month to go with the 100 Sweet Bloggers Project. I am writing like crazy, but nothing is ready. I am sending this Word Candy as inspiration to all my writing friends out there.

Write because you love to write. Write what you want to write because you love it. But don’t forget to sprinkle a little fertilizer on it to keep your blooms bright and luscious.

You can visit my other entries for the 100 Sweet Bloggers Project here:

February: Come With Me
January: New Year
December: Hobgoblin Nocturnes
November: The Science of Color

Come With Me

February 1, 2013 by leximagines

He said
come with me
and I did

Stepping into white slippers
flat, satin
giving him my hand to hold
not grip or pull
but hold

We’ve danced a long journey
towards the stars
under the smile of the moon
the breath of the planets
warming our hands
clasped together
comfortable as one

The familiarity of
my fingers wrapped in his
we move
our heartbeats
the music of life
resting for a moment
here or there
one taking the lead
now
and the other
then

And as the years greet us
with challenge or a spark
a loss or gain
we reach together
to bravely touch
the gift given

For we are one
one heart
one soul entwined
a smile
a sigh
we touch Infinity

.
.
.
Author’s Note:
Happy’s Valentine’s Day.
It’s a love poem for this month’s entry for the 100 Sweet Blogger’s project on Tweetspeak Poetry and WordCandy.
Send some sweetness of your own this month to someone you love. Just go to WordCandy. It’s easy as pie.

You can visit my other entries for the project here:
For January: New Year
For December: Hobgoblin Nocturnes
For November: The Science of Color

New Year

January 1, 2013 by leximagines

The door opens to
the New Year
what will meet
us there
has never been

things that have
never been
like lots
prepared for auction
newly purposed
for something new

things that have
never been
to fill our hearts
our souls with
lustful hopes

those things
that have
never been
await
for me
for you

.
.
.
.

100 Sweet Bloggers

This is my third entry for the 100 Sweet Bloggers Project at Tweetspeak Poetry.

This month I not only used a beautiful quote from Rilke with a favorite Word Candy wrapping, but I dove into L. L. Barkat’s new book, Inspired 2012, 8 Ways to Write Poetry You Can Love.

You can catch my other two entries on my blog:

Hobgoblin Nocturnes posted December 1

The Science of Color posted November 1, 2012

Hobgoblin Nocturnes

December 1, 2012 by leximagines

upside down
hobgoblin nocturnes gambol
until the dream is righted

turning it over and over
in hand over again
rough edges are hewn to softness

but not without sacrifice

courage runs its delicate finger
across the crimson stain
vestige of the promise

100 Sweet Bloggers at Tweatspeak Poetry and WordCandy.me

Finding inspiration for a poem can happen in the most interesting places. This poem’s inspiration came from the above WordCandy photo and quote.

I am one of the featured Sweet Bloggers at Tweetspeak Poetry. You can make your own inspiration at WordCandy.me and even send some to a friend. If you would like to see some ready made Word Candy, visit Every Day Poems on Pinterest.

The Science of Color

November 1, 2012 by leximagines

law demands that opposites glow
the science of color
place yellow next to blue
tufted fields bending under the sky
but we don’t start there
we can’t begin with the glow

slowing down to begin
strikes and strokes
pencil adapting harsh lines
under candle light
where muddied hands
lift potatoes and tea to cracked lips

you are always dusty
you exaggerate the law
with extreme clarity
drawing me according to
your own principles
adapting the masters’ strokes
strokes of thick paint
paint laid on paper
defying the law
painting me into eternity

it is not impulse
the almond branch
blossoming in a glass of water
your grey hooded head
pressed close almost
touching the canvas
mouths murmuring in reverence
I cannot be
without something greater
than myself
.
.
.
.

Where do the words come from?

I ask myself this.

I understand that when I begin to write poetry, I begin in silence. I may have words, quotes, or over-heard conversations randomly scribbled in front of me, this time a photo with a quote from WordCandy.

I may have an event in mind, this time a visit to the Denver Art Museum‘s exhibit Becoming Van Gogh with words from the artist.

With this help, silence leads me to images that begin to flow like water in my head. Soon the images connect the words and the words become a found poem.

But it is silence that draws me in.

Today is my first post as a part of TweetSpeak‘s Sweet Bloggers Project. I am using their new app, WordCandy, for inspiration. Please stop by WordCandy and pick some up for yourself or a friend. I might even be sending you something sweet.

For the next six months I will be posting a poem once a month that is inspired by some WordCandy. So please let me know what you think and certainly come back. I usually post a piece once a week or so, but NaNoWriMo starts today, too. Who knows what will show up here?