Thursday, August 25, 2016

August DMC Wrap-Up + Giveaway


José María Pérez Nuñuz

“We are all ordinary. We are all boring. We are all spectacular. 
We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. 
It just depends on the day.”
                    — Brad Meltzer

At the beginning of this month, Diana Murray challenged us to write a poem about an unlikely hero. What was not at all unlikely was the wide variety of poems in response— something I've come to expect and look forward to with each new challenge! From amusing to poignant, courageous to zany, each poem told a surprising story that opened our eyes to an alternative view of the world. And isn't that what poetry's all about?


José María Pérez Nuñez

Many thanks to all the poetry heroes who participated or accompanied us along the way, and especially to Diana Murray 
for helping us reach new heights.


On a practical note, this was the first month we used a padlet to collect our poems. If you struggled with the process, please don't hesitate to email me at TodaysLittleDitty (at) gmail (dot) com. I might be able to offer some pointers. What I don't want is for the padlet to get in the way of your participation, so please do contact me if you have any questions.

Scroll through the poems below, or for best viewing, CLICK HERE.




Inspired to write one of your own?

You have until Wednesday, August 31st, to join in with your poem about an unlikely hero. Post it on our August 2016 padlet and I will add it to the wrap-up presentation.





Participants in this month's challenge will automatically be entered to win a personalized copy of NED THE KNITTING PIRATE, by Diana Murray and illustrated by Leslie Lammle (Roaring Brook Press, 2016). One entry per participant, not per poem.

Alternatively, you may enter the giveaway by commenting below. Comments must also be received no later than Wednesday, August 31st. If you contribute a poem and comment below, you will receive two entries in total.

The winner will be determined by Random.org and announced next Friday, September 2nd, when we reveal our new Spotlight ON interview and ditty challenge. Good luck!


Heidi Mordhorst is rounding up this week's Poetry Friday offerings. Join her at my juicy little universe.








25 comments:

  1. The Padlet worked well, at least for me. It must have made it much easier on your end, Michelle, and there's nothing wrong with that!

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  2. It's rather nice to see all the poems gathered on the Padlet, Michelle, and as Diane said, so much easier on you! It's a wonderful collection of different views about heroes.

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  3. Wonderful collection, Michelle. Thanks for putting my silly ditty there.

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  4. I love the padlet! What a neat little device, and I like how you can just embed it right in your post. A real time-saver. If only there were a padlet for my life...

    Thanks for the roundup of fun poems!

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  5. What an inspiring collection of unlikely heroes! thanks Diana for the thoughtful challenge, and thanks Michelle for your beautiful orchestration of all the poems!

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  6. So fun to participate again, Michelle! And I loved using Padlet; so easy!

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  7. Great collection, as usual. If I write here that I'll send something by Wednesday, will it happen? I'll give it a try...

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    1. I've got my fingers crossed, Buffy, but don't feel guilty if it doesn't happen. There's always next month. :)

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  8. I love your collection and what a great idea to use a padlet to collect the poems.

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  9. Loved reading all of the entries...great stuff, guys!!! And Michelle, the Padlet worked great for me...and it was easy to read all the others on one bulletin board-like page...thanks so much for hosting the challenge...and thanks to the lovely Diana Murray for the inspiration.

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  10. Such varied subjects! Thanks to all the poets and you, Michelle, for sharing. Your Cher Ami poem is wonderful!

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  11. Wonderful ppems on unlikely heros. Thanks Michelle for sharing this opportunity and poems.

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  12. You provide a spectacular poetry experience. I am grateful to you, always. Thank you for your love of words and your passion for sharing.

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  13. I'm with Buffy, down to the wire once again. We'll see. Maybe my unsung hero will be my own inspiration or motivation!

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    1. Great if you do, no worries if you don't, Mary Lee! I'm still smiling when I think of your comment on Tabatha's blog post last week.

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  14. Thank you Michelle for and everyone for a another mouth of wonderful poems I look forwarded these challenges each mouth

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  15. Some terrific poems on the padlet, Michelle! Sorry I haven't been able to contribute sooner, but I've been so busy I haven't had the time - then today I was inside a gardener's shed and inspiration struck! I tried leaving a haiku on the padlet, but couldn't get it to format properly. Hopefully you'll see what I mean. Thanks!

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  16. How differently people respond to the same stimulus. The variety is always half the fun!

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  17. Rosi's poem will stay with me today. The opening two lines paint a vivid portrait of the elderly athlete. Loved it! I haven't tried padlet, but it looks like a great format.

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  18. So many varied and clever poems in this collection, Michelle. You are a (likely!) hero for putting this ditty challenge together. =)

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  19. I am now officially too late for August now, but that hosting slot just didn't work for me--this is my first clear moment (that I wasn't too exhausted to think) this week! My apologies for the late comment.

    I love the new padlet approach and enjoyed the very vast variety of heroes...the variety is always good, but this one was extra-wide! I look forward to joining you in September. Your Cher Ami was educational and emotional at the same time.

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  20. Getting caught up on emails. What lovely bunch of poems. So much variety. Great work, everyone.

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