 |
| A Book... Delphine Devos |
Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.
– Virginia Wolff, A Room of One's Own
At the beginning of this month, Melissa Manlove, Senior Editor at Chronicle Books, challenged us to write a poem that explores how writing (or a book) is like something else.
"Convince me!" she said.
You never know what you're going to get with a DMC challenge.
 |
| "Let Me Tell You a Story" by Deb Noggle |
Not until you open it up...
 |
| "Library of Alexandria," Abecedarian Gallery |
and let it loose.
 |
| "Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood" by Carol Vey |
By the end, you may feel sea-tossed . . .
 |
| "Octopus at Sea" by Annette Sujo |
or windswept . . .
 |
| "Listen to the Wind Blow" by Malena Valcárcel, on Etsy |
but the journey will undoubtedly be memorable.
I don't know about Melissa, but I've been convinced many times over this month! Thank you to everyone who contributed a poem or followed along, and thanks especially to Melissa Manlove for setting us on our way.
Scroll through the poems below, or, for best viewing, CLICK HERE.
Inspired to write your own poem that compares writing or a book to something else?
Add it to our May 2017 padlet by Wednesday, May 31st, 2017, and I will move your poem to the wrap-up presentation.
Participants in this month's challenge will automatically be entered to win a copy of LOVING VS. VIRGINIA or LOVE IS, both published by Chronicle Books earlier this year.
(One entry per participant, not per poem.) Alternatively, you may enter the giveaway by commenting below. Comments must also be received by Wednesday, May 31st. If you contribute a poem and comment below you will receive two entries in total.
The winners will be determined by Random.org and announced next Friday, June 2nd.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As for last week's giveaway, Random.org has determined that the winner of TOO MANY FRIENDS by Kathryn Apel is . . .
LAURA PURDIE SALAS — congratulations, Laura!
I cannot say it enough....I am a better reader and writer of poetry because of you. Well done this month!
ReplyDeleteI'll add my poem (it's today's PF poem). Under the wire, but at least I managed to join the challenge this month. I already have Loving vs. Virginia -- a FABULOUS book! Thanks for all you do to inspire us to write!
ReplyDeleteI'll follow your link to the poetry place very soon. Meanwhile, I love all those boo-art photos. My favorite is Listen to the Wind Blow. Wow. Thanks for all you do to make poetry a group exercise and a welcoming haven.
ReplyDeleteEvery month you challenge me and help me grow as a poet, Michelle. Thank you for your author/editor spotlights, your poetry advocacy and your DMC's! You ROCK! =)
ReplyDeleteI have loved reading the responses to this challenge--and found it hard to come up with one that is just right for me, but I finally did it for my PF post today (just in time). I also added it to the padlet.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite amazing what you've started, Michelle. The inspiration each month from your and your guests' challenges, and from the poems written has been a poetry force in my life. Thank you, and to all the poets who wrote to this challenge-also amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing all these wonderful poems and fantastic book-art creations Michelle! Now tell me how the month flew by so quickly, I can't seem to find May 1st when it started, it just slipped awaaaay . . .
ReplyDeleteWow! what a range. Is there anything writing is not like? So many great ideas.
ReplyDeleteSo many terrific takes on this challenge--and cool photos too!
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed reading all these writing/book poems.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring collection! I love the line "cut for a vase or for a grave."
ReplyDeleteThanks for this challenge, Melissa and Michelle!
Wow. These poems are fantastic! Incredibly convincing - because, heart words. TLD is definitely a poetry playground and gym; playfully pumping muscles!
ReplyDeleteFantastic job TLD poets! The variety is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteSo much variety! Metaphor and I aren't really BFFs, so thank you for the ideas and examples, poets. And to Michelle and Melissa for the challenge!
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun challenge. I've enjoyed all the contributions.
ReplyDeleteGreat job by all of this month's contributors...still hoping I can sneak one in before the deadline!
ReplyDeleteWell done, one and all! Reading is unlike anything else you can ever do - it changes you in the most incredible ways, and leaves you a different person at the end of each and every story. :-)
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to see the different ways people respond to the monthly challenges. Enjoyed reading the poems. Thanks for continuing this series.
ReplyDeleteAmy's poem jumped out at me today. The image of the prism and its rainbow falling on a book took me right back to elementary school.
ReplyDelete