March DMC Wrap-Up + Giveaway

"Parigi - Ode" by alfonsobussolin

There is something about you that makes me pick up my pen and write.

                            – Avijeet Das

At the beginning of this month, Helen Frost challenged us to write her version of an ode poem:

Choose an object (a seashell, a hairbrush, a bird nest, a rolling pin). It should not be anything symbolic (such as a doll, a wedding ring, or a flag). Write five lines about the object, using a different sense in each line (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell). Then ask the object a question, listen for its answer, and write the question, the answer, or both.

The poet in me loves all the excitement surrounding challenges like this one.

"Ode to Joy" by Robert Couse-Baker

A new form for the poetry toolbox? Yes, please!  It's incredible how much freedom can be found within strictly-defined structure. In the case of this month's challenge, while I imagined there would be a wide variety of thoughtful and heartfelt poems in response, I never imagined how a form like this one could accommodate humor, rhyme, or even merge with another poetry form (the acrostic). Many thanks for the lesson in creative calisthenics!

The administrator in me, however, finds new form challenges to be challenging in another way.

"Ode to an Air Conditioner" by Brian Donovan

It's difficult enough deciding which poems get featured (I always wish I could share more), but when I also must consider if a poem has satisfied all the criteria of a new form, that makes my job even harder. Are the rules being met, bent, or broken? Not all poets stick to the rules of a challenge, and that's as it should be! You should always feel free to modify a DMC challenge to suit your muse.


But is it fair to feature poems that stretch the rules when there are others on the padlet that do not? Sometimes I do share these "deviant" poems as daily ditties; more often, I don't. My main objective is to feature poems that show a way into the challenge for others who may be struggling, though I also strive to feature a variety of poets, fresh perspectives, and differing styles. Sometimes I even try to link the poems in a given week by theme or show some kind of progression from day to day... even if I'm the only one who notices. I realize that I tend to overthink stuff like this, but if you have thoughts, I'm curious to hear them. Feel free to email or leave a comment.

"Ode to Light" by Alex Mertzanis

In the meantime, please know how grateful I am to everyone who contributed an ode to this month's challenge, and most especially to Helen Frost for giving us a new form to ponder.



Scroll through the poems below. Or, for best viewing, click HERE.

Inspired to write your own ode poem?

Add it to our March 2017 padlet by the end of today (Friday, March 31st) to be included in the wrap-up presentation.

Participants in this month's challenge will automatically be entered to win a personalized copy of WHEN MY SISTER STARTED KISSING by Helen Frost (Farrar, Straus and Giroux/Macmillan, 2017) One entry per participant, not per poem.

Alternatively, you may enter the giveaway by commenting below. Comments must be received by Tuesday, April 4th. 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, April 7th, when we reveal next month's ditty challenge.

Good luck!

The Poem Farm is having a birthday! On the eve of National Poetry Month, let's join Amy Ludwig VanDerwater in raising our pens and glasses in celebration.  Happy Poetry Friday!