Beth Camp's Blog, page 15

Poem a Day 19: Look . . .

If I could wish a poemeach day into being, those wordsassembled neatly on the page,new images that resonate with meaning,connect with nature,perhaps revealing what each daymeans to me, that burst of pleasureabout a phrase that saysexactly what I'd like to say:That would be enough.But, look, what I really care aboutare family and friends, dear ones all,who face down challenges,and I cannot change

Poem a Day 18: Five Answers to a Question . . .

1Got up too early,my legs are cold,even so, new beginnings.2The smell of coffee ticklesmy brain, almost a memory of warmer days.3If the cherry tree with tiny buds just outside my window bendswith snow; spring hesitates.4Down by the pond,a trio of geese lift into the skyto flap their way north.5When family gathers, the grandchildren,three cats, and a large black dog play; their chatter warms my

Poem a Day 17: The Butterfly

Today's poem was written by Pavel Friedman on June 4, 1942.The Butterfly The last, the very last, So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow. Perhaps if the sun's tears would sing against a white stone… Such, such a yellow Is carried lightly ‘way up high.It went away I'm sure because it wished to kiss the world goodbye.  For seven weeks I've lived in here, Penned up inside this ghetto But I have

Poem a Day 16: Touch me Not

I'm grumpy when the telemarketer callsat 6 am.On Saturday.Touch me not.I'd rather be sleepingor reaching out to friends,our words, flowers:Forget me not.Image by pasja1000 from PixabayCatch up on all the poetry prompts from Robert Brewer at Writer's Digest! Today's Poem-A-Day Challenge asks us to write a poem about 'touch'. Actually, my feet hurt from standing too long in the kitchen, but it's

Poem a Day 15: Patience is in knowing . . .

Patience is in knowingwhen to listen with a calm face,accept, endure, even forgive, and when to fight. Sadly, I am not the most patient person.Forgive me for knowing andnot knowing. That inner thrum of bloodtells me I must runor stay. The only safe place for meis here, with you.Image by Hans Braxmeier from PixabayCatch up on all the poetry prompts from Robert Brewer at Writer's Digest! Today's

Poem a Day 14: Was it Scary?

Was It Scary?The first time you lost a word while speaking, as if your brain hit a bump,a convoluted map of nerve cells pointing to what comes next,until sentences begin to disappear, was it scary?Or did you sit with friends to jokeand fill in the blanks, laughter easing loss?I only hope that I remember you,and you remember me,for I would rather lose every word,almost every other memory, even as

Poem a Day 13: How to Write a Poem

I don't have any adviceon how to writea poem. After nearly fifty yearsof setting words to paper,I only know what works for me,that sense of settling within,opening up to some intuitive leapthat knits together word by word,a fresh awareness of every breath,a gift, this flesh, this mind, this heart:all plays together to create something new.Rather different than other writing,no blundering through

Poem a Day 12: Not Counting . . .

Not CountingRobins don't counthow many days to spring,or wonder if their eggs will hatch.I've seen three robins so far,though snow fell like gracklefrom the sky this week, little white reminders of winter.I won't count how many winters I've seenor how many winters are left.I'd rather celebrate spring-to-comewith each uncurling blossom of earlyhyacinth, snowdrop, and tulip,an end to bundling up

Poem a Day 11: Power Play . . .

Today, Robert Brewer of Writer's Digest, asks us to: "Write a power poem. Your poem could somehow involve electricity, solar power, fossil fuels, wind, or water. It could illustrate a power play or someone exerting their power over someone else. Of course, you could also write about a power outage. You alone have the power to poem your way through this prompt."Power Play . . .Not sure I can find

Poem a Day 10: Smell This . . .

Today Robert Brewer suggests we dive back into the senses to write a poem using 'smell' in some way. Check out more at Writer's Digest! I hope you enjoy.Smell This!Just sometimes, I'll enter a restaurantor my kitchen, filled with want: the rich smells assault my nose;I'm drawn right in, head to toes,Mexican, Chinese, Indonesian, or Thai,I do not question whythat first taste makes me get that