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 surroundingchallenges like this one.
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.
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.
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!
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration tomorrow, Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
ODE TO A SEASHELL I see you hiding there—a shimmer in the waves beneath my feet I wriggle my fingers deep into the wet sand and feel the whole of you Deep ridges—smooth curves—A spiral of mystery waiting to be discovered I lift you to my ear and hear the rushing song of the sea that lives within you I breathe in your briny goodness taste the salt spray on my lips I wonder—Who will call you home? Toss me back and we shall see.
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration this Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration this Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
ODE TO A PINK DRESS Sweet as cotton candy, you gathered me into a cloud of pink confection Where sheer and taffeta rustled lavishly Each seam scented with anticipation I slid my fingers around your slippery satin sash My girlish twirls blossomed like peonies
You remember me after all these years? Like silk stockings in a parade of bobby socks.
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration this Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
It's taken some effort to keep up with the blog while I've been out of town this week. So for Poetry Friday, enjoy this extra little ditty from Helen Frost's ode poem challenge:
ODE TO AN OBJECT I see you squatting solidly on the far side of the verb. You wait patiently for action: will it be bringing, singing, ringing? You might be licked, lifted, lit. I may pronounce you struck, sipped or sifted. Oh—perhaps that is not patience, but resignation, even fear? Object, do not fear. There’s not much I can do without you.
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration next Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
Join Catherine Flynn for a wonder-filled Poetry Friday roundup at Reading to the Core.
ODE TO A HYACINTH GLASS Once crystalline now coated with the grime of rotted sheaths and root hairs shed, your new bulb's nascent roots tickle the water silently absorbing all it needs to flower. Jewel tones and heady fragrance, winter consolation.
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
ODE TO A TISSUE (and an acrostic) The faintest whiff of clean, starched sheets In white, you lie flat, stiff, well pressed, waiting as Shaking fingertips flounder, feeling for your straight, thin edge Silently you caress my face, no, you are quietly humming Unduly seasoned with salt from my tears. Eternally crumpled, rolled up in a ball, do you have any regrets? Shush, so happy to help.
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
ODE TO WIND I feel your power when fireplace ashes stir; smoke puffed in stings my nose. Window-tapping of the tree branches accompanies dog growls and cat yowls. I shiver-run for the news, taste snow in the wind. Why not the breeze of yesterday? Winter conceit.
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
I picked you for your pinkish tone but pucker at your taste, and groan, wiping juice off of my face, inhaling tartness, but embrace the whispered promise in my ear: two sizes smaller in a year.
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
Lily Yeh speaking at the 2017 Convening Culture Conference
Hello and welcome to the Poetry Friday roundup!
My intention for today was to share my takeaways from the 2017 Convening Culture conference on February 22-23, sponsored by the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. But as I reviewed my notes and composed my thoughts, I realized that I had too much material for just one blog post. If you have time, I hope you'll visit yesterday's post— the first part of my two-day review. I feature Dr. Elif Akçali, a professor of engineering at the University of Florida whose decision to embark upon a year of saying yes led
to a creative journey that profoundly changed the way she
approaches her life and work. We'll call today's post "Inspiration from the Convening Culture Conference, Part II."
I love the photo at the top of the page. It brings to mind the glowing impression of Lily Yeh I was left with after her keynote presentation on day two of the conference. The conference was not one I expected to attend, nor was it a conference that I would have thought to seek out, yet it made a profound impact thanks to this slight, yet remarkable woman.
Lily Yeh is an internationally celebrated artist whose work has taken her to communities throughout the world. As founder of Barefoot Artists, Inc, she brings the transformative power of art to impoverished communities around the globe through participatory, multifaceted projects that foster community empowerment, improve the physical environment, promote economic development, and preserve indigenous art and culture.
As you might have guessed, that description came straight from her bio. Impressive, right? But let me tell you, those words are nothing compared to the impression I was left with after seeing her in person. She's a soft spoken woman, kindly, unassuming, takes up very little space... until you hear the passion behind her words, witness the reach of her healing, and see the results of her life's calling—then her aura fills the entire room. Imagine a Mother Teresa of the art world. That's Lily Yeh.
Beauty is intimately engaged with darkness, with chaos, with destruction. You need to walk into the darkness and hold it in your arms. Broken places are my canvases, people's stories are my pigments, and people's talents and imagination are the instruments.
– Lily Yeh
Lily Yeh's calling began in 1986 with an abandoned lot in North Philadelphia that she was invited to turn into a park.
She was scared. She didn't have much money and was warned that the kids would destroy everything she built. But then "the call" came, so fragile and clear:
If you don't rise to the occasion, the best of you will die and the rest will not amount to anything.
After that, she was scared to be a coward! So she responded, "Yes, at least I can do something with the children." With a group of residents, mostly children, she transformed the lot into an art park with mosaic sculptures, murals, and landscaping.
From there, the projects grew and multiplied. More parks were born from other vacant lots, and in 1989, The Village of the Arts and Humanities was incorporated as a non-profit organization that began offering year-round arts and educational programs. Talk about a success story!
Yet the project she talked about that touched my heart most was not so close to home. It was her transformation of a rough mass grave in Rwanda into the Rugerero 1994 Genocide Memorial.
In 1994, during a period of only 100 days from April 6 through mid-July, approximately one million Tutsi and moderate Hutu sympathizers were killed in Rwanda—the largest organized killing of human beings in the shortest period of time in modern history. Rugerero was one of the villages that was struck hardest by the brutality. By example, an extended family of 134 was reduced to only four survivors. She describes what she saw when she looked at the mass graves:
There was no poetry. There was no beauty. . . . to truly honor the dead, we have to bring beauty and to remember them in that light. . . . it has to be better.
Rather than me describing what she did, I will leave the storytelling to this eight minute movie of the Rwanda Healing Project. Poetry in action, as I like to call it.
If you missed last week's interview with Helen Frost, she's challenged us to write her version of an ode poem—a 6-7 line poem with specific instructions about structure and content:
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.
I confess, I've broken the rules. My object of choice is most definitely symbolic, but I was so moved by this video, I wanted to pay tribute to what Lily Yeh accomplished. Perhaps you'll give me a pass... just this once.
At risk of completely overwhelming you, if you are interested in hearing more about Lily Yeh, in her own voice, I found this video which covers some of what she discussed in the keynote presentation I attended.
Please accept my gift of this final quote as I send you off on your Poetry Friday rounds:
My role is to light other people's pilot lights so we shine together and we light up the horizon. – Lily Yeh
Helen Frost's challenge to write her version of an ode poem is off to a great start! Three poems were featured this week in addition to my own: Brenda Davis Harsham's Ode to Wrapping Paper, Michelle Kogan's Ode to Spring Soil, and Lana Wayne Kohler's Ode to a Piano. Linda Mitchell is featuring her ode poem today at A Word Edgewise and Catherine Flynn is featuring hers at Reading to the Core. I hope you'll post your ode poem on our March 2017 padlet!
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet.
All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday,
March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
Helen Frost has challenged us to write an ode poem this month, following these instructions:
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.
Click HERE to read her sample poem, "Ode to a River."
Post your poem on our March 2017 padlet. All contributions will be included in a wrap-up celebration on Friday, March 31st, and one lucky participant will win a personalized copy of
her latest novel-in-poems from Farrar, Straus, and Giroux/Macmillan:
