7-Minute Poetry Challenge #20-We are the Balloon
Intake! Outtake!
Writing…even poetry… is like taking a ride in a hot air balloon—soaring up! uP! UP!
If we think of the product— the words, the thoughts, the story—as the basket, then we, the creator are the. . .
Balloon
Make it stand out
Which means, due to changes in elevation, exertion, weather…
or maybe a tear or leaky value, we all need a refill.
An infusion of fresh air. That’s why today is . . .
Memorize a Poem Day!
Reading poems helps you feel the rhythm and rhyme (if there is one) and forces you to look at each word more closely. Reading poetry fills you with fresh ideas, fresh ways of writing, of thinking about creating.
When you memorize a poem, you internalize it—really take it inside—like you are sucking in deep, refreshing gulps of fresh air!
Once you’ve memorized a poem, it’s stored in a tiny secret pocket of your brain. You can pull it out whenever you want, recite it to get through a tough time, put someone—maybe yourself—to sleep, inspire, remind…Amazing the uses!
Poetry Challenge #20
We Are the Balloon
Today, instead of writing a new poem, read some favorites and pick a verse or two or the whole thing to memorize.
Say it aloud!
Say it in your head!
Say it while walking or doing chores or waiting in line.
Some of favorite poems—and ones Cindy knows some or all of—include C.S. Lewis’s “The Walrus and the Carpenter”, lots of Robert Frost (“Fire and Ice”, “The Road Not Taken”, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”), Tennyson’s “The Lady of Shallot”, Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.”
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge at least 2800 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem. Scroll down and click on the comments!
Want the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge sent to your email? Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
7-Minute Poetry Challenge #18-Moody Blues
In the mood? Not in the mood?
What gets you in the mood?
It’s sort of a Catch 22 question isn’t it?
Frankly, deciding what will get me in the mood depends on what I want to be gotten into the mood for?
That’s true for most of us, right? You know what else is true…
Our moods can be changed, affected, swayed, moved by tone.
I call this image “Moody Blues.” Get it?
Poetry Challenge #18
Moody Blues
Pick two vowel sounds. Make a list of words that use each sound.
Write two verses of a poem—use one vowel sound in one verse and the other in the second. Try to use that chosen vowel sound it in as many words as you can in the verse.
What mood does each sound create for your poem?
Do you want your end words for each line to rhyme or not?
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
Moody Blues Playlist:
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge at least 2800 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem. Scroll down and click on the comments!
Want the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge sent to your email? Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
7-Minute Poetry Challenge #16-You Call This Cold!
Thanks for saying YES! to this Challenge! (or at least to looking at it…) In case you have qualms about the value of SSSSSTTTREEEEEETCH read what gazillion-times published author Jane Yolen writes about her ongoing poetry challenge. (BTW: Did you know you could read a different one of Jane's books every day for a YEAR!)
“I started writing a poem a day seven years ago as a personal challenge. I didn’t expect to be happy with any poem on the first draft. But I did it for three reasons: 1. Finger exercises 2. Brain exercise 3. Sales: This was an unforeseen plus. I’ve gotten at least a half dozen picture books out of those poems and sold a hundred or more to journals and anthologies, and used them in books of my own. My writing had taken a huge step forward. I have no plans to stop.”
Poetry Challenge #16
If You Think This is Cold…
Brrrrrrrrrrrrr! If you, like me, are feeling a bit chilly today, when after a few glorious bright spring days, it’s back to gray. It’s time for a refresher.
If you’re not:
Go to the refrigerator
Stick your head inside the freezer compartment.
Now you’re ready!
Write a poem about the cold.
Begin with the line:
“You know it’s cold when…”
Think of all the things that make you know it’s cold. Hope you’re wrapped up in a blanket!!
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge at least 2800 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem. Scroll down and click on the comments!
Can You Say COLD? Playlist:
Baby It's Cold Outside: Idina Menzel & Michael Buble's Sweet Video
Want the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge sent to your email? Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
7-Minute Poetry Challenge #13--Smell That Smell . . .
P. U. what stinks?
Which sense is most important?
My Internet research session determined, that the sense of smell wins hands-down . . .
Or, should we say noses-pinched . . .
Why? Smell lingers longer in our minds, and is more closely linked to memory than our other senses.
"Smell is the sense most linked to our emotional recollection."
It follows that tapping into our sense of smell would inspire a more visceral response to our poetry, and this give it more impact.
Easy to say, but hard to do, right?
Why is it so easy to describe things in terms of how they look, feel, taste, sound, but so hard to describe how they smell? Beats me. Let’s give it a try anyway.
Poetry Challenge #13
Smell That Smell . . .
Take a moment to recall a smell.
Now write a poem describing it—without comparing it to another smell.
I agree, this challenge stinks…
Futhermore, or What Curious Minds Want to Nose:
For some science behind smells, click here: Psychology and Smell http://www.fifthsense.org.uk/psychology-and-smell/
For a Rockin' inspirations, click here: Lynyrd Skynyrd Band singing Smell That Smell
For 19 more about smells, click here: "Fascinating Facts About Smells"
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 2700+ days ago. Now we take turns creating prompts to share with you. Our hope is that creatives—children & adults—will use our prompts as springboards to word play time. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
Want the 7-Minute Stretch sent to your email? Click on SUBSCRIBE to receive email notification when entries are posted on Kelly's Fishbowl
7-Minute Poetry Challenge #12-I Like . . . I Love . . .
Brown paper packages tied . . .
I like it! I love it! I want some more of it!
That song by Tim McGraw popped into my head when I read this week's poetry challenge. (I hope that's what you're thinking too, if you clicked over for this week' challenge!) And then, after reading the challenge, Julie Andrews, the Von Trapp kids and a thunder storm chimed in--image the cacophony!
Whiskers on . . .
If you're just joining us, welcome! (And if Tim McGraw's song's not your speed, dial up some Sound of Music, grab a pen and let's go:
Raindrops on . .
Poetry Challenge #12
I like…I love…
List five small things that make you really happy. It could be a thrush singing, hot fudge, a puppy, anything. Add specific details to each thing. Make yourself smile. Try to use alliteration (same beginning sounds). Rearrange them until they’re in the best order for your poem.
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
For Inspiration take a listen:
*Cindy and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 2700++ days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge be sure to let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem, in the comments!
Want the Poetry Challenge sent to your email? Click on SUBSCRIBE to receive email notification when entries are posted on Kelly's Fishbowl
Poetry Challenge #9-Time for a Cool Change
The Spring Clock is ticking! Blossoms are busting out all over North America! It’s almost time. This Sunday, March 10, Daylight Savings Time 2024 begins.
Saturday night tick-tock change your clocks! Spring Forward!
Once the clocks reach 2 a.m. CST, they will "spring" forward to 3 a.m.
(Or if you live in the few places in the US that don’t Spring Forward take note.)
If you wonder why these places don’t observe DST, here’s the reason. As for the rest of us . . .
Yes! Daylight Savings Time, Spring Forward does mean you’ll lose an hour of sleep…
. . . But you will also gain an hour to what???
Poetry Challenge #10
Time for a Cool Change
Spring is a time of change, regrowth, renewal.
When you think of spring changes that are coming…or changes you might make…what springs to mind?
Let’s celebrate by crafting a five-line pyramid poem.
A Pyramid Poem is a five-line poem, growing in line length, 1-2-3-4-5, so the finished poem is shaped like a pyramid. That’s it…
But not so fast! We’ve added some specific instructions for each line. (Note: by definition a Pyramid Poem doesn’t have to have these specifics, but we’re changing things up.)
Line 1: 1 word (a noun)
Line 2: 2 words (include a description)
Line 3: 3 words (include sensory)
Line 4: 4 words (include action)
Line 5: 5 words (surprise)
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
For inspiration here’s the Little River Band singing “Time for a Cool Change.”
Want the Poetry Challenge sent to your email? Click on SUBSCRIBE to receive email notification when entries are posted on Kelly's Fishbowl.
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 2700+ days ago. Now we take turns creating prompts to share with you. Our hope is that creatives—children & adults—will use our prompts as springboards to word play time. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
Poetry Challenge #3-Party Time!
Hurrah! Happy to have you with me. You know the drill (and if you don't it's easy enough): Grab a pen, a paper, your timer, and--why not!--a party hat!
Poetry Challenge #3
PARTY TIME!
In honor of poet, singer-songwriter, cartoonist, screenwriter, and children's author Shel Silverstein's whose birthday isn’t for months (Sept 25, 1930) but we are celebrating now anyway, just because…
Write a silly-funny poem about a made-up animal--or the perfect birthday party.
For inspiration, read one of Shel Silverstein's Birthday poems:
Set the timer for 7 minutes
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it!
Write a poem, paragraph, or story. If the prompt moves you, follow it. If it sparks something else, go with it! Our 7-Minute Poetry Challenge is not about writing great poetry; or writing what is expected; it’s not even about writing anything good. It’s about one thing, writing IT!
And, if you do join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge be sure to let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem, in the comments!
And for a real treat, celebrate by reading one of Shel Silverstein's books!
Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
Poetry Challenge #1-First Things First
I've got a proposition for you. A challenge. A dare. AGAIN!
Three hundred and twenty-nine weeks ago, we began sharing the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge with you all, dear subscribers & friends. Some of you have taken up the gauntlet and joined us in the committing 7 minutes a day (sometimes less, sometimes more) to giving the sometimes stagnant creativity pot a stir.
Some have even shared them.
But few if any of you, Cindy and myself aside, even saw those early Challenges (called The Seven Minute Stretch Back then.) So, to kick off a brand new year of creative living, quixotically on the 2nd week of 2024 we are giving those early prompts and second go around. Looking forward to seeing what we—and YOU—come up with!
First things first—Challenge Rules:
Read the prompt.
Set the timer
Write a poem, a paragraph or a story —creator’s choice!
Don't think about it too much; just do it. If the prompt moves you, follow it. If it sparks something else, go with it! Our 7-Minute Poetry Challenge is not about writing great poetry; or writing what is expected; it's not even about writing anything good. It's about one thing, writing IT!
Gavin & Keira's 1st Day of School 2017
Gavin & Keira (yes the same now bigguns featured in last week’s Christmas jammies post: Festival of Sleep) were our guinea pigs for that first shared 7-Minute Challenge, Sept. 6, 2017. Weren’t they cute!
For a treat, you’ll find a snap of Keira and Gavin’s results afterwards. But first, the prompt:
Poetry Challenge #1
The First Day
On the first day of school what things do you bring? A backpack? Pen? Paper? Maybe you’ll wear a new pair of jeans or shoes?
Think about it: Not only will it be your first day of school, it will be that “things” first day of school too. How do you think those “things” feel about going to school for the first time? Write a “First Day of School” poem from the point of view of one of those things.
Note: It can be the first day of anything. Just tell the story from the point of view of one of the thing you bring with you that first day.
For Inspiration read: SCHOOL'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL by Adam Rex, illus. by Christian Robinson (Roaring Brook Press, 2016), the story of the first day of school as told by Fredrick Douglass Elementary—a brand new school building!
Set Your Timer for 7 Minutes
Start Writing!
Don’t Think About it, Write It!
And now the promised treat: Gavin's Binder shared. Keira's dress was "shy" on that first day:
Happy Creating! We look forward to reading you!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 2700+ days ago. Now we take turns creating prompts to share with you. Our hope is that creatives—children & adults—will use our prompts as springboards to word play time. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .