Beth Camp's Blog, page 16

Poem a Day 9: Breaking/Not Broken

Today's prompt from Robert Brewer for National Poetry Month is to write a breaking poem. Brewer says that "the poem could be about breaking down walls, break dancing, breaking up, or breaking stuff. However you'd like to break it down and then write your poem."Breaking/Not BrokenThere is no broken glassNo shattered door, no screamingin the night, no, we did not holdour breath, waiting for what we

Poem a Day 8: What They Never Tell You

Today's prompt from Robert Brewer for Day 8 of the Poem a Day Challenge is to write a 'what they never tell you' poem. Robert Brewer says: "I'm not sure who "they" are, but "they" talk a lot, and there are things people tell you, and there are things you just have to learn on your own, because "they" (them again) never tell you ahead of time. Like, for instance, "they" never told me that I'd

Poem a Day 7: Too Much

Today's prompt by Robert Brewer for Day 7 of the Poem a Day Challenge is simply to write about abundance. Perhaps 'having abundance' means having more than we need. A quick check Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines abundance as "1. an ample quantity : an abundant amount : profusion a city that has an abundance of fine restaurants. 2 : affluence, wealth a life of abundance." But further down the

IWSG and A Poem a Day 6: Words in the Air

Today's prompt by Robert Brewer for Day 6 of the Poem a Day Challenge is to take the phrase "a (blank) in the (blank)," replace the blanks with a word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem. Possible titles might include: "Poem in the Pocket," or "Skin in the Game," or whatever phrase you find appealing.Words in the AirIf ever a writer wrotea story, a

Poem a Day 5: Make Sense?

Today's prompt by Robert Brewer for Day 5 of the Poem a Day Challenge is a 'Two for Tuesday' poem. That is, two prompts to write either one or combine, as you wish. Prompt 1: Make sense. Prompt 2: Don't make sense. Robert Brewer always includes his own response to inspire us. Today, his poem (see link above) is heartfelt.Make Sense?Why do we strive for order each day,our calendars full,

Poem a Day 4: Catch Up

Today's prompt by Robert Brewer for Day 4 of the Poem a Day Challenge is simply to write a 'catch up' poem.Each morning, still and observant,quiet and receptive, I sing my owndaily not-routine, as others rushto work, their watches ticking, their schedules masked overwith unending lists of urgent 'to do'. Instead, I ponder the craft that led to this tiny, delicate carving of a raven,black obsidian

Poem a Day 3: Walking the Seasons

Today's prompt for the third day of A Poem a Day (PAD) Challenge invites us to write a poem somehow inspired by smell. Well, I do enjoy cooking and could have fun with that, but instead, I'm drawn outside and cannot tell you which is my favorite season.Winter bites my nose. Even snow blinds the senses. Yet we walk, sometimes slipping, our feet crunch tiny crystals into powder,mixed with pine

Poem a Day 2: Second Chance

Robert Brewer's suggested topic for the second day of A Poem a Day (PAD) Challenge is a doozy.  I can only share my poem, knowing it came from my first reaction to his prompt.Second ChanceIf I stumble, if I fall,after all these years we've shared,and now in our eighth decade,would you give me a second chance?I don't even have to ask.Your morning smile says 'Yes!'And yet doubt remains: for one day

Poem a Day 1: Dreaming into Spring

Today marks the very first day of April. Last night, temperatures lurked near freezing, but on the way to the pond, we saw budding hyacinths, daffodils, and the first leaves of tulips pushing their way out of the ground.Today also marks the beginning of the National Poetry Month with a challenge: To write a poem a day through the month of April. As we cautiously move past Covid restrictions, I'm

1: Dreaming into Spring

Today marks the very first day of April. Last night, temperatures lurked near freezing, but on the way to the pond, we saw budding hyacinths, daffodils, and the first leaves of tulips pushing their way out of the ground.Today also marks the beginning of the National Poetry Month with a challenge: To write a poem a day through the month of April. As we cautiously move past Covid restrictions, I'm