So, it’s now my turn to take part in Irene Latham's 2014 Progressive Poem! Each day a different poet adds a line to thIs poem and by the end of April we’ll have a complete poem written by 30 different people. I was talking to my son about this venture this morning. Each poet contributes 1/30th of the poem and until the day before your post, where the poem might go is anyone’s guess. I tried a few times to venture a line before my turn and each time the poem went in a totally different and delightful direction.
As the days came closer to my turn, I have had a bit of anxst, wondering what I would offer and what might be offered to me. Janet gave the poem to me in a great place, allowing me to continue Irene’s words of wisdom. Thank you, Janet! Yesterday she began to give Irene her words of wisdom and today I chose to continue her words to us. What does Irene tell our poem character to do? What words are offered to her? Read my line below and find out.
Following the Progressive Poem this month has been such fun. It has been a wonderful addition to my celebration of National Poetry Month. Thank you, Irene, for including me in this venture.
Here’s the poem, so far, with my line added at the end:
Sitting on a rock, airing out my feelings to the
universe
Acting like a peacock, only making matters that much worse;
Should I trumpet like an elephant emoting to the moon,
Or just ignore the warnings written in the rune?
Those stars can’t seal my future; it’s not inscribed in stone.
The possibilities are endless! Who could have known?
Gathering courage, spiral like an eagle after prey
Then gird my wings for whirlwind gales in realms far, far away.
Acting like a peacock, only making matters that much worse;
Should I trumpet like an elephant emoting to the moon,
Or just ignore the warnings written in the rune?
Those stars can’t seal my future; it’s not inscribed in stone.
The possibilities are endless! Who could have known?
Gathering courage, spiral like an eagle after prey
Then gird my wings for whirlwind gales in realms far, far away.
But, hold it! Let's get practical! What's needed before I go?
Time to be tactical— I'll ask my friends what I should stow.
And in one breath, a honeyed word whispered low— dreams —
Whose voice? I
turned to see. I was shocked. Irene's
“Each
voyage starts with tattered maps; your dreams dance on this page.
Determine these dreams—then
breathe them! Engage your inner
sage.”
Tomorrow
you can visit Tamara at The Writer's Whimsy to follow the journey of our
character. I am handing the poem off to
you, Tamara. Enjoy!
"Engage your inner sage!!!!" I want this on a t-shirt, Deb. Fab. line today. This line totally matches so much of what I admire about you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, so much, Amy. I love the tee-shirt idea. And I want you to know I love your blog this month. You do so much for poetry. And teachers. And poets.
DeleteWell, Amy took my words, Deb. I love how "engage your inner sage" adds good rhyme and great content. To thine own self be true, right? Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. You are right. To thine own self...
ReplyDeleteIsn't that what poetry is about, engaging our inner sage?? Lovely, Deb! Thank you. xo
ReplyDeleteAnd it was your words of wisdom in this poem, Irene. Written in action by my pen:) Thanks for this fun opportunity.
ReplyDeleteLove your addition, Deb! I completely agree with what everyone else has said. But I was also struck by the idea that we have to breathe our dreams to give life to them. It seems so simple, yet how often do we need to be reminded to do just that?
ReplyDeleteI went back and forth with live your dreams/breathe your dreams and I went with breathe for exactly the reason you stated. It it simple and we need each other to remind us. Possibly why Irene was brought into the poem...the power of community.
DeleteDeborah,
ReplyDeleteLove that Irene is giving advice...how often do we need to be reminded that we have the answers inside us if we just look? Breathe your dreams/engage your inner sage! Nice! Such wise counsel!
Thanks. The words just flowed thanks to Janet's set up.
DeleteSo glad you turned to sage and not to rage. I am getting nervous. Just 2 more lines until mine.
ReplyDeleteSage fit perfectly. And whatever you get will fit perfectly for you too.
DeleteGreat! An "inner sage" - I hope mine shows up day after tomorrow, when it's my turn... ;0) Thanks, Deborah!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you come up with!
DeleteI agree, such words of wisdom! I do believe all the answers we seek are inside us. The challenge is quieting ourselves enough to hear them! : )
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head with the challenge. Especially in the a busy and full worlds we all live in.
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