From Older-Self to Younger-Self … Four poems in response to the last Wednesday’s Writing Prompt

WRITING PROMPT FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8: As we celebrate International Women’s Day and our own lives, the lives of the women we know and the lives of the women who came before us and fought for our rights and the resulting benefits to our children, I wonder what you – male or female – would like to bequeath to the next generation and generations to come. What lessons would you want to share. To help yourself along imagine perhaps what you’re older self would like to tell your younger self. Share with us in prose or poem. If you feel comfortable, leave the piece or a link to it in the comments below so that I and others might enjoy it.

. the main thing .

is probably that there is none, maybe.

is all a mixture, some feel important,

others may seem like minor details,

yet part of that whole, that make us, makes

a life.

a small life maybe, yet some of those things

will be remembered.

© Sonja Benskin Mesher

. one thought .

torn paper
may be fish.

important work
or less.

crumpled,
memory
of silk.

to place in reverence
or start the fire.

i have learned
not to believe
all i think.

anna.

© Sonjia Benskin Mesher

Sonja Benskin Mesher‘s (sonja-benskin-mesher.net) is a woman of many talents including Asemic Writing. You’ll find samples of her Asemic Writing by rummaging around HERE. Sonja’s bio is HERE.

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BEAUTIFUL IN FLIGHT

Be not one to tarnish
your self esteem by
climbing mountains
of others’ expectations

stand up for your beliefs
bring them into sunlit day
& out of darkest night

dare to dream your own dreams
lest you enter an abyss
of others’ nightmares
quagmires of doubt

tap into hidden strengths
& object to old school thought
& expound others’ worth

do not fear being rejected
based on the unacceptable
you are universally a part
of being beautiful

be recognized on your own merit
splendid & vast as oceans
quiet but fearless in all

sing out among starry skies
be brave as birds in flight
ply your wounds in love
be bold…you are here

© Renee Espriu

RENEE ESPRIU (Renee Just Turtle Flight) is a busy poet and artist. She’s the only other person I’ve ever met whose totem is Turtle (hence the title of her blog), an earthy symbol. Poetry is one of the more perfect vocations for a Turtle. Renee’s bio is HERE.

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We Must Avoid

doors that open too smoothly,
scissors that open too well,
doors slam in your face,
scissors cut you to strips.

Words that come too easily,
stories that come ready made,
success handed on a plate,
accolades sent too soon

poetry that slips off the tongue,
without hard work and sweat,
words that bother the reader,
with too much work to do,

poetry without music and rhythm,
complicated images and phrases,
not asking if it’s boring,
not being entertaining enough.

© Paul Brooks

PAUL BROOKES (The Wombwell Rainbow).  A prodigious writer, Paul has held many day jobs, but still he poems on. Bravo, Paul! His bio is HERE.

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The recommended read for this week for children, Pizza, Pigs and Poetry: How to Write a Poem by the children’s poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky,  named the nation’s first Children’s Poet Laureate by the Poetry Foundation.

Pizza, Pigs and Poetry, How to Write a Poem is ideal for children grades 3-6.  He engages by sharing funny stories, light poems and creative technique, not forms. This seems entirely perfect for encouraging – not discouraging – this age group. Fun and funny Pizza, Pigs and Poetry would make great summer reading – and writing – and is perfect for a birthday gift or a gift for some other occasion.

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