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this wild rumpus of life, a poem … and your Wednesday Writing Prompt

when the dead are invited back
on Halloween and All Souls Day,
Dia de los Muertos and Dia de los ñatitas,
during Bon Festival and Qingming Festival,
Araw ng mga Patáy and Gai Jatra Chuseok
on these days in the many places
on the crest of our mingling with spirits
at burial sites and among dappled silver-gray stones
and the blue and emerald of sky and sea
around the bend of alabaster bays
and the rough-barked redwoods and stripy eucalyptus
in the damp green of the moss
in the pungent cempasúchitl or pale bamboo shoots
and the raucous discontent of crows and sea gulls calling,
among bales of cotton clouds and symphonies of rain
among the hot tears and cool baptisms by salt water,
between the viridescent living and
the remains of the dead, the compost underfoot,
in the wind wailing past the bowing cypress
in these landscapes and littoral zones
our ancestors visit in cellular memory, our blood
sings their songs and they hound us; hounding,
not into death but into life, into blessing
into peace, celebration and joy ~
one life to live or many, what do you give?
what do you leave behind, what will you have
to say when, for just one moment, your spirit is
called to share again this wild rumpus of life

© 2015, poem, Jamie Dedes, All rights reserved; illustration, photo of Diego Rivera’s mural in Mexico city, Sueño de una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda Central. A “selfie” of sorts, you can see Rivera to your left as the child and the woman behind him is Frieda Kahlo.  The photo is courtesy of Humberto under CC BY-SA 2.0 license. The photo of Cempasúchil (Mexican marigold) below is courtesy of Lajuarezo under CC BY 2.0 license.

WEDNESDAY WRITING PROMPT

Remember “Let the wild rumpus start!” in Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are? Such a wonderful book and that exclaimation has stayed with me – probably you as as well – and I always wanted to do something with it. This poem is what came from that inspiration. So, my challenge to you this week, is to use “wild rumpus” in a poem.  Enjoy the exercise and if you are comfortable doing so, leave your poem in the comments section below or leave a link to it.  All poems shared will be featured here next Tuesday.

Cempasúchil

Jamie’s THE WORDPLAY SHOP: books, tools and supplies for poets, writers and readers

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“Seasons of Becoming” and other poems in response to last Wednesday’s writing prompt

Last Wednesday’s writing prompt, May 31, 2017: Tell us in prose or poem and in terms of the seasons where you used to be in life and where you are now.

Thanks to those intrepid poets who came out to play. Enjoy the seasons everyone … Read on …

Static Cycles

Summer is my favorite
I can’t wait for Fall
Something ’bout Winter magic
Spring is best of all

Summer is my favorite
I can’t wait for Fall
Something ’bout Winter magic
Spring is best of all

Summer is my favorite
I can’t wait for Fall
Something ’bout Winter m

© 2017, Christopher Troy

(c) Christopher Troy

This is Christopher’s debut with us, so … introducing CHRISTOPHER TROY: Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1978 to a middle class family in an immigrant neighborhood on the city’s north side, Christopher Troy left for Paris in 1996 to study philosophy and political science at the Sorbonne. He spent the next nine years living there, where he was introduced to the arts and Paris’ infamous nightlife. He returned to America after his studies and began a successful decade-long career in politics, until deciding to walk away from it and become a writer. “I’d rather have people applaud me for my lies than be appalled by them,” he said to a friend on the day he left Washington, D.C. He is currently living in Greece and working on his first novel. Examples of his prose and poetry can be found at Christopher Troy Stories.

Four Haiku

Spring

anguish of sunlight
when the people you wait for
don’t turn up on time

Summer

the train stops nowhere
under clear blue morning skies
in total silence

Autumn

yesterdays’ bonfire
drifts into my dreams
– woodpigeon dawn

Winter

plane leaf & puddle
at the grey end of the year
puddle & plane leaf

© 2017, Colin Blundell (Colin Blundell, All and Everything)

Born Old

coddled in wool blanket drifts
Sun sears baby eyes through bright windows,
hospital paths cleared tall walls
of snow either side. I howled

a gust down shop aisles, on street
to the dentists. Crowds frowned.
Summer bike rides in country lanes
Spring divorced winter.

Summer was another dialect. Coarser,
to play was to laik, sweets were spice.
Wide games in a silver wood, ventured
into cold huts. Fun with sausages and custard.

Hull hunkered in Christian winter, relieved by Summer gamelan and hope for a vocation
to last manual work and taking the pillock.
It didn’t. Winter of closing pits.

Bristol summered in performance
Classes on interview technique, teach
Teenagers how to think into a job.
beyond unemployment benefit office screens

Spout words over dripped lager louts,
Back in summered day buzz of words clapped,
then winter cancered into debt
and prodigal return. No fatted calf

only steroid fatted bald mam and chores
in garden until I met my future wife
for a bet in breaks between admin.
Summered teach adults write and history.

A winter that lasted twelve years headset
yoked ears bent to abuse from wronged
Customers and peddled official lines.
Summer came with an unwanted death,

A years enjoyment of travel and delight.
Summer comes in to autumn with cash gone.
Life a priority. Bills must be paid. Work
only part time, buzz when I help customers.

© 2017, Paul Brookes (The Wombwell Rainbow)

The Season of Becoming

Is this the Winter of her discontent as with
Shakespeare the world around might seem one
that is indifferent to her sadness that age
has besieged her but no it is not so harsh
as the icy cold winds and snow harboring
a breath that will not seek to warm her skin
for it has become like the Season of Summer
where the warming rays of the sun stretches wide
to cover the new growth from Spring that offers
new bright green leaves that will be transformed
into variations of darker greens providing shade
to all of nature’s life beneath boughs of trees
who watch as life is born from tiny tadpoles
becoming frogs to the larvae of dragonflies to
a multitude of birds peering from the safety of eggs
to all beginning a journey of grand proportions
where Fall will see a quiet settling in to harvest
and rest amidst the beauty of all that has become
for stepping into the Winter of her life she now sees
her discontent not as a sadness but as one of observing
all that has come before, all that has become who she is
for it is another beginning and one of transformations
that will show her all the brilliance of her colors
enabling doors to naught hidden as opening to reveal

© 2017 Renee Espriu (reneejustturtleflight)

. for seasons .

frozen, the code will not work, nor will the counting with interruptions, all things moved about. there is a discount, on top the discount, so a discussion ensued on buttons.

now there is an understanding. the season of it all fits, the picture is made the pieces are in place. left on the tray, photographed for all to see.

talked in numbers and rhythms. a train passed, gulls flew the heat haze. on return, no one spoke.

i have written of them before, now in sign and symbol, i regard, that ‘again’ brings a sense of permanence, that familiarity does not always mean contempt , yet continuity.

spring comes round, and we keep the little things, again.

© 2017, Sonja Benskin Mesher (Sonja Benskin Mesher RCA

Jamie’s THE WORDPLAY SHOP: books, tools and supplies for poets, writers and readers

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in his text, the writer sets up his own house …

“In his text, the writer sets up house … For a man who no longer has a homeland: Writing becomes a place to live …” Theodor W. Adorno in Minima Moralia: Relections of Damaged Life

The world’s gone mad, but we still have books and writing for refuge, strength and inspiration.

Jamie’s THE WORDPLAY SHOP: books, tools and supplies for poets, writers and readers

 

CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS

Opportunity Knocks

COLLATERAL, a journal “that explores the perspectives of those whose lives are touched indirectly by the realities of military service …. captures the ‘collateral’ impact of military service, whether it is from the perspective of the partner or chid; the parent or sibling; the friend or co-worker, the vegan, the refugee, or the protester”  This journal is affiliated with Washington State University, Tacoma and accepts submissions of prose, poetry and art year-round with occasional delays in response time due to academic schedule. Details HERE.

THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF POETRY publishes twice a year and 50-100 poets are feature in each issue. There’s a $5 fee per submission and submissions may include up to six poems. Guidelines are HERE.

GFT PRESS, A Philantropic Literary And Art Press, publishes poetry, flash fiction, creative nonfiction, interviews, and visual art. (GFT= Ground Fresh Thursday) Submission guidelines are HERE.

KILLER NASHVILLE’S BROKEN RIBBON “is an annual print literary journal for new and emerging literary and genre-themed voices and visual artists. Poems, short stories, and artwork can be any form, genre, or literary or art style. We seek short stories and poems that are raw, honest, gritty, from any world, any planet, any time period, any reality, or any dimension. We look for artwork that makes us pause. If it produces an emotion in us after we read it or see it, or you change our opinion on a hardline issue, you’re probably on the right track.”  Deadline is November 15. Submission guidelines are HERE.

THE HITCHLIT REVIEW, A Secular Literary Arts Journal will release its inaugural issue in August. The plan for this journal is to be a biannual publication. It “seeks to showcase and celebrate openly secular artists, their works, and their communities” through fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and cover art. Submissions for that issue are closed. Watch the site for updates.

CREATIVE TALENTS UNLEASHED publishes anthologies and offers a chance for authors to have a voice in the literary world yearly. Submissions of poetry, prose, and short stories are of interest. Details HERE.

THE BeZINE submissions for the June 2017 issues (theme: Environmental Justice/Climate Change: Farming and Access to Water) should be in by June 10th latest.  Publication date is June 15th. Poetry, essays, fiction and creative nonfiction, art and photography, music (videos), and whatever lends itself to online presentation is welcome for consideration. Please check out a few issues first and the Intro./Mission Statement and Submission Guidelines. No demographic restrictions.

TOKEN MAGAZINE, which recently launched its first issue, “is a new bi-annual literature and arts print magazine. The name comes from the experience of tokenism that underrepresented groups often face. This includes people of colour, women, LGBT+, those with disabilities, and other minority groups. TOKEN Magazine is an outlet to work against that – we want to hear and see everyone’s stories, fictional or not.” Token is now accepting submissions for its second issue. The theme is “bodies.”  The magazine publishes fiction and nonfiction, artwork an photograph, and illustrations. Apparently no poetry or academic essays at this time. Details HERE.

AFRICAN WRITING ONLINE, many literatures, one voice welcomes submissions of poetry, essays, memoir, fiction with a  preference for new, unpublished work. “Our natural constituency of writers and material are African or Diasporan (please interpret boldly) but we will publish any writer who writes into the African Condition (please interpret boldly). We are adventurous in our definition of Africana, but we will also publish good literature generally.”  Submission guidelines HERE.

BITTER OLEANDER PRESS, A literary journal publishes poetry and short imaginative fiction. Details HERE.  

THE MATADOR REVIEW: An alternative art and literature magazine is now accepting submissions for the Fall 2017 publication. “We publish poetry, fiction, flash fiction, and creative non-fiction, inviting all unpublished literature written in the English language (and translations that are accompanied by the original text) as well as many forms of visual art. The call for submissions will end August 31.

“Our purpose is to promote ‘alternative work’ from both art and literature, and to encourage the new-wave of respect for online publications. In each issue, we offer a selection of work from both emerging and established artists, as well as exclusive interviews and book reviews from creators who are, above all else, provocative. For us, alternative is a way of voice and experience. It is the distinction from what is conventional, and it advocates for a progressive attitude.”

Submission information can be found at: www.matadorreview.com/submissions
Submissions can be sent to editors@matadorreview.com
Questions and concerns can be sent to contact@matadorreview.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matadorreview
Twitter: https://twitter.com/matadorreview

MAGNUM OPUS: A Poetry Anthology of Universal Oneness to be published by Authorpress, New Dehli, India has an open call for submissions, which will close December 31, 2018. Publication scheduled for 2019. Editor: Dr. Vivekanand Jha. Details HERE.

ARTEMISpoetry, a publication of Second Light Network of Women Poets,  Issue 19, November 2017  Editors for Issue 19 are: General & Artwork – Dilys Wood and Katherine Gallagher; Poetry – Anne Stewart. All submissions: submit paper copy initially to Dilys Wood, 3 Springfield Close, East Preston, West Sussex, BN16 2SZ. Please write “ARTEMISpoetry” on your envelope. (Enquiries only: e-mail Administrator editor@poetrypf.co.uk) Poems: Issue 19 deadline – August 31, 2017.Poems by women of any age. Poems should be typed, or if written, then very neatly. Each poem should commence on a new page, headed “Submission for ARTEMISpoetry”. Please SEND TWO COPIES.  Include your name with each poem and include your name and full contact details in your submission. Long poems are considered. Submit up to four poems to a maximum of 200 lines in all. Artwork: Black and white photographs or line art. Submit up to four pieces to Dilys as above.

COMPETITONS

Opportunity Knocks

GFT PRESS, A Philanthropic Literary and Art Press has an open call for its 2017 GFT Press Chapbook Contest.  English language poetry manuscripts only. Deadline: July 31st. Details HERE.

THE BITTER OLEANDER PRESS CONTEST offers an award of $1000 and  publication of the winning manuscript. This contest is English and translations are not eligible. Entries “may be sent through the US Postal Service, but do not send it certified with a return-request receipt. Include a stamped self-addressed postcard for receipt notification purposes.” Online submissions will be allowed through Submittable format when the competition closes on June 15th, 2017. Details HERE.

RIGHT OUT LOUD MILESTONE POETRY COMPETITION 2017 welcomes submission from all over the world. Entry fees and cash prizes. Deadline June 31, 2017. Details HERE.

SECOND LIGHT POETRY COMPETITION for Long and Short Poems by Women 2017 – Deadline Tuesday, August 15th JUDGE MYRA SCHNEIDER will read all entries. Myra Schneider’s latest and recent books are Persephone in Finsbury Park (SLP), The Door to Colour(Enitharmon); What Women Want(SLP); and the writing resource, Writing Your Self (with John Killick). Myra is a Poetry School and Second Light regular tutor. More at Myra Schneider website. Entry fees are: £6 each per long poem and short poems are £4 each or £9 for 3, £14 for 8. Enter by post (2 copies) or online. Members are entitled to one free entry into the competition. Join now to be eligible.** (see About Second Light/Joining) Rules & Entry direct link to payment at poetry p f online shop. The competition results will be posted on the website by September 30th. Once winning poems (or extracts) are published in ARTEMISpoetry, they will be available to read there.

EVENTS

KILLER NASHVILLE  is hosting its twelfth annual writing conference, Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference on August 24-27 in Nashville. $375 admission fee. This is a “forum for all genres incorporating mystery, thriller, and suspense.” Details HERE.

SECOND LIGHT NETWORK OF WOMEN POETS Festivals: Bookings open for AUTUMN FESTIVAL in mid-to-late August. This Festival is scheduled for November 17 & 18 this year. Bookings open for SPRING FESTIVAL in mid-to-late February 2018. This Festival is scheduled for May. Exact dates to be announced. Details HERE.

NEWS AND INFORMATION

Jamie’s THE WORDPLAY SHOP: books, tools and supplies for poets, writers and readers

ABOUT THE POET BY DAY

From anywhere in the world, you are welcome to send announcements to thepoetbyday@gmail.com These may include calls for submissions, contests/competitions, events, book launches, awards, poetry readings, classes and other news and information of interest to poets and writers. Publication is subject to editorial discretion.