Artist's Way Journal - Week Ten (Nine), Day Seven

What a weekend.  Two Thanksgiving dinners and three times to the gym.  And not much writing accomplished.  

Today I led the launch for the new weight routine.  It'll get better the second and third time I teach it, and I'll figure out where I might have made some changes.  This always happens.  I'll probably always find ways to improve what I've done.  That's why there's a next time.  

DD and I did some more driving, which ended up in Port Gamble, and then Poulsbo at the Village Bakers.  A pear and almond tart and a Napoleon, with Egyptian chamomile tea and some Chai.  It was good to get out, and that's probably the closest I will get to an Artist Date for the week.  In Port Gamble we visited an antique store, Dauntless Bookstore, and the Artful Ewe.  The antique store was too quiet, I got a phone call while in the bookstore so missed most of it, and the yarn store was filled with lovely colors and fibers.  Most of the stuff looked to be handspun, and there were some gorgeous felted blankets and sweaters, some knitted, some straight from unspun fibers.  

Here's an example of the gorgeous stuff they have there.  Reminds me why the seasons were always so distracting to me when I was spinning and dyeing and designing my sweaters - the colors of nature are so incredible to me that I was always imagining various combinations as yarns...

Sample of unspun fiber and the finished product, a two-ply handspun from the Artful Ewe site~

The rest of the day was taken up with hashing out medical insurance stuff, which always makes me crazy.  Finding paperwork for DH when he is in a "mode" is nerve-wracking, to say the least.  It makes me snappish and cranky.  We did make some headway, though, without much drama, (a little swearing at the current insurance agent for lying to us when he signed us on in the first place), and spent the rest of the time looking up alternatives online.  

DS, I found out, had more homework than he'd realised.  Tonight is, of course, the last of a four-day weekend, and the last minute to be doing homework.  So, what else is new?  I sat up with him to work on math until he just couldn't hack it any more (in part due to ADHD, and also the fact that he was at the neighbor's for an overnight).  I know how it is for him to try to concentrate when his brain has stopped cooperating, so I sent him off to bed.  I'm thinking Gingko might be good, if it doesn't mess with his diabetes.  I need to do some more research on that.  I know it can mess with Type 2; just not sure about Type 1.

Another shot of the shop--The Artful Ewe.  Quite tasteful and very enticing.  I will have to get my crampy fingers and pinched nerve under control so I can do this stuff again.  At least the knitting...

Oh, and here's the last poetry prompt:

For today's prompt, I want you to write a resolution (or lack of resolution) poem. This is the poem that puts THE END on your collection. Maybe you can wrap it up with a pretty bow, or maybe it's open-ended. But today is definitely Day 30 of the challenge--and your last poem of November. Great job!

Artist's Way Journal - Week Ten (Nine), Day Five

Today was more Thanksgiving.  I did the turkey this time, and had left-over sweet potatoes (yams) from yesterday.  These are really good, and different from previous years.  One difference: no marshmallows on top!  Instead I put in two eggs, some grated orange and lemon zest, cream, and pie spices. Butter and milk figure in there somewhere, too.  

We also had homemade rolls (DH made these), cauliflower casserole (from our friends who also brought roasted potatoes and an extra turkey drumstick and some very good cake), green bean salad with mustard dressing and red onions, homemade whole berry cranberry sauce, in-the-bird and out-of-the-bird stuffing, wine and sparkling cider.  Maybe tomorrow I'll upload the pie photo I took yesterday.  Pie's gone now.

Prompt:

Okay, with 3 days left, it's time to write a top-of-the-world or celebration poem. Even if your overall collection is a downer, try to find something related to your theme to celebrate. After all, you have 2 more days to get back to your overall mood.

I just finished the dishes, and the dishwasher is humming.  I'm going to head to bed asap so that I can fully enjoy the sound while I write.  There is something very soothing about that.  

Artist's Way Journal - Week Ten (Nine), Day Four

So I'm waiting right now for DH's sourdough to come out (first), then the cinnamon rolls he made (next), before I start in on baking the sweet potatoes (first), and the pumpkin pie (after that).  I've got until 8:30, then it's total focus so that everything is done and ready to ferry (literally) over to my DM and DDad's for dinner.

DD(aughter) was up until past 11:30 last night (!) washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen.  She even swept the floor, which isn't her norm.  She was mad, and waiting for the rest of us to go to bed before she started in on the rest of her work.  I have to say, the kitchen looked good.  Better than normal.  I guess she was showing us.  

So, I tried to find a good photo of pumpkin pie, and got a cool chair instead.  I'll just have to take a photo of my own pie, which is preferable, since I am making a pie.  I have one more sugar pumpkin to bake, but that'll wait for a bit.  

Today's poetic prompt (Robert, you're amazing.  Now go eat):

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem that could be the climax of your collection. This is the take-no-prisoners poem you've been working toward all month. You get to decide how you're going to approach this poem, but keep it focused on your theme--and make it climactic.

Imagine that if people read the poem you're about to write that their faces would melt off from the brilliance of it--and that they'll all get together (at least the ones who are still alive) and sing praises to your poetic brilliance. No pressure.

I've got my work cut out for me.  People wonder why we do the things we do, on top of the other things we do, but I think this is because if we didn't try to cram in that "one other thing," we'd feel incomplete.  At least I do.  If I don't do something that resembles writing of some sort, I feel like a part of me has atrophied.  And, in a way, it has.  So these Morning Pages (and yes, today it truly is a Morning Page) are very good for me.  Best when I've given myself enough time to do them.  

I'd better go cut butter and put it in the freezer.  I totally forgot to get lard.  (Gasp.)  I'll have to use butter exclusively.  Well, I did that last Sunday, and it worked just fine.  I don't use shortening.

Question:  Do most people still automatically hit the space bar twice after each sentence?  I do.  But in my poetry group it came up in discussion that now the "norm" is to hit it once.  I don't know how long it will take me to "reform," or if I will even try.  Something to think about, anyway.  

On to butter things...  Back soon?  Maybe...

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Pie
Originally uploaded by The Crimson Ribbon

Wow, in looking for images of Pumpkin Pie, I found this. Here's a link to take you to the website.

Pumpkin Pie

Read all about it at my website The Crimson Ribbon.

Cool.

Oh!  I almost forgot to get the prompt for today's poem!  Here it is:

For today's poem, I want you to write a call-to-action piece that is related to your theme. Your call-to-action can be stated directly in the poem, or a more powerful way to attack this poem is to do it indirectly. Think of how The Jungle led to the establishment of the FDA and Bambiled to an interest in animal rights.

And by the way, these are just excerpt from the Poetic Asides website.  To view the whole thing, which I highly recommend, go here:

http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides/

Cheers,

TKC

Artist's Way Journal - Week Ten (Nine), Day Three

Writing with a sore arm.  I've been having chiropractic work done, and it has produced several releases in my neck and down my spine, which is a good thing.  But, my arm is still suffering from a nerve pinch.  Sometimes okay, sometimes not.  

We spent much of the day brainstorming about reconfiguring our living room space, which then extends into the computer/laundry/bathroom (future den), and in turn radiates out into the little added on room in the back which will become (some day) our laundry room.  Of course, taking out the little bathroom in the computer/laundry room will mean putting it in it's new intended space: the mudroom.  

All this started with talk about putting in a dividing wall between the main thoroughfare from the front door to the stairs going up to the second floor.  And moving the woodstove.  But, if we move the woodstove and push the wall back toward the computer/laundry room, then where will the piano go?  Well, where the television is now.  And that?  Where the piano is now.  All of this will make sense somewhere down the line.

I have to admit, this talk has occurred intermittently over the past few years.  DH's idea, and I've always been reluctant, either because I liked things the way they were, or because it just sounded like too much to deal with when the kids were younger, or...  Today I felt much more interested, and am quite willing to give it a go.  Where will the computer go?  Out in the main area, around the corner from where the woodstove is now.  And the fish tanks?  Ah, well, I don't know.  At least I know that, when the woodstove is moved, we'll have a pantry/broom closet to house the broom, and all the stuff that litters our kitchen counters on a regular basis.

Perhaps what makes me more willing now is having gotten this far with Artist's Way, and the discussion about making the work space more inviting.  I think change figures into the picture, too.  I'm ready for a change.  Of course, doing all this means that we will be getting rid of some of our accumulated junk.  I just hosed out the knitting book shelf, and rearranged our music cd's, stacking the cassette tapes carefully in the spaces I created by getting rid of some of the the books.

Which is why my arm is sore.  Sitting in the corner, going through stuff to find things to get rid of, sometimes sitting on my feet, and often leaning in one direction too much.  

DD is upstairs.  I think I hear her coming down to do the dishes.  She's peeved, because DH either didn't cut her any slack with the dishes that are harder to clean, or commented rather gruffly that she needed to get them done, which means drying some to make room for others.  So, I ended up standing in the hallway, alternately reasoning through DD's locked door, and cajoling DS to take his Lantus (his long-acting insulin) for the night.  Now, a half hour later, DD is washing dishes.  DS has taken his Lantus (about half an hour ago), and is back up in his room reading either Eclipse, or New Moon.  (His math teacher said he really should read whatever comes after Twilight.)

I read Chapter Nine last night, finally.  I need to do some of the exercises now.  And, as I'm getting up early to make pumpkin pie (cooked pumpkin is in the fridge) and baked sweet potatoes, I think going to bed is definitely in order.  Hopefully DH is in a better mood. He'll probably be asleep, since (he thinks) he burned the section of the paper with the crossword in it.

Artist's Way Journal - Week Ten (Nine), Day Two

What that means is, I'm in Week Ten, but am doing Week Nine because I didn't do it last week.  So, what's the first topic in the chapter?  Fear.  And that "blocked artists are not lazy.  They are blocked."  It's not laziness that makes me 'not-do,' its fear.

Fear of failure, or fear of success...  crap!  Well, this is true if I think about it.  I worry that my work won't be accepted in the journals I want to be in, and then when something *does* work out, I'm fearful that those who know me might wonder about the poem.  

I remember when my first chapbook was due to be published, and I was working with the publisher, proofing and find-tuning, I got fixed on one poem.  I worried that my family might take objection to it, because it was probably totally obvious who it was about, when in fact I'd gotten the idea from that person, but took off from there into a slightly fictitious direction.  True, I did steal real bits and pieces from two family members--character traits, dress, and a dog--but I ran with the details.  I had fun doing the poem, and it was published in a couple of places, but I got cold feet and asked the publisher to replace it with another poem.  

Three years later my second chapbook was due to be published, and that poem was once again in the collection.  This time I just left it, and didn't have quite the panic attack I had the first time.  And, nothing was said from any of the family I expected to hear from.  Well, I didn't name names, so...

There's that kind of fear.  Any big success carries with it a responsibility, and that can make one fearful.  Will I be able to pull this off again?  What will people start to expect from me in the future?  That kind of thing.  Truthfully, I'd really like to be in that position right now!  

---> To the Universe At Large:  I wish to publish my full manuscript within the coming year.  By a known and respected publisher~  Please.

I had good experiences with my chapbooks, but am now wanting to go for the full glossy book at this point.  Vanity?  Somewhat.  Recognition?  Yes.  Proof of self-ability?  Uh huh.

But, right now I'm really not doing much at all with my poetry, either with submissions, reconfiguring the book mss, or, well, writing.  Okay, that last bit isn't true at all.  I *am* writing almost daily now.  I have written, for good or for worse, 22 poems this month.  (Poem-A-Day)  I've written on this blog, and in my leather journal.  That's better than before.

Okay, I don't see yet that this could stem from childhood, at least not in the way mentioned.  My grandparents, whom I lived with mostly, always nurtured the arts, coming from that background themselves.  No one acted hurt by my interests, except for when those interests took precedence over some other things I needed to get done, like other school work.

Feeling guilty?  Yes, that hits the nail on the head.  "Setting impossible goals creates enormous fear, which creates procrastination (uh huh), which we wrongly call laziness."  Um.  Okay.

"Use love for your artist to cure its fear."

Enthusiasm:

Renaming 'discipline' as 'play.'  

Creative Work = Joy + Play.  

*   *   *   *   *

So, on I read.  And think.  And now for today's poetic prompt:

Today, I want you to write a something-overlooked poem. Think about something that is often overlooked--as it relates to your theme--and then shine some light on it.

Artist's Way Journal - Week Ten, Day One

It doesn't seem possible.  But, as is happening with a friend who is doing this at the same time, we really are a week behind.  I still have Chapter Nine to do.  I wonder why it's so difficult, and why I procrastinate?  I think it is partly to do with the snippets of time I have, and don't have, and I fill those with more mindless things like Scavenger Hunt on Facebook.  (Oh, my! Another time sink.  But, I do like it.)

I need a poem.

Today, Robert is prompting us to :

Today starts our final week of this challenge. So, appropriately, I want you to write a hopeless or blues poem. We’re almost there, which is reason to celebrate, as well as reason to get the blues.

Sometimes I think this won't be too hard!  I'm shocked at the way the time has flown by this month.  (I just typed, and undid, "blown," but I'm thinking that that works just as well.)

Still need a poem.  DD had to read and analyse Billy Collins' poem "The History Teacher."  So, here it is, from Billy_Collins.com:  

http://www.billy-collins.com/2005/06/the_history_tea.html

The History Teacher - Billy Collins

Trying to protect his students' innocence
he told them the Ice Age was really just
the Chilly Age, a period of a million years
when everyone had to wear sweaters.

And the Stone Age became the Gravel Age,
named after the long driveways of the time.

The Spanish Inquisition was nothing more
than an outbreak of questions such as
"How far is it from here to Madrid?"
"What do you call the matador's hat?"

The War of the Roses took place in a garden,
and the Enola Gay dropped one tiny atom on Japan.

The children would leave his classroom
for the playground to torment the weak
and the smart,
mussing up their hair and breaking their glasses,

while he gathered up his notes and walked home
past flower beds and white picket fences,
wondering if they would believe that soldiers
in the Boer War told long, rambling stories
designed to make the enemy nod off.

And now I need to go up and "nod off" too.

Cheese Biscuits

Cheese Biscuits
Originally uploaded by Romantic Home

These look pretty darn close, too. I think this might be one of my creative endeavors this week. (Well, every week for the past 5 or 6...)

I just found a great blog called "and no cheese."  I was looking up Cheese Biscuit Poems, and that's how I found it.  

Here's a little bit from a blog entry from the 21st:

Simply can’t escape the poetics today, it seems.  Except that I haven’t found much of them in my head yet.

“I desperately, desperately need to write a poem,” I said, after I’d waffled on about the wild blue mountains of the North.

“Never mind.  You can have two ginger biscuits with your coffee when we get home and then perhaps you’ll feel better.”

The ginger biscuits were lovely.  They’d have been even better iced with a good stiff poetic frost but,– give me time.

Have a look-see, and click on some links for biscuit recipes.  I'm all over trying out the ginger ones now...

Artist's Way Journal - Week Five, Day Seven

Last day of Week Nine.  I may have to redo this past week.  I never even got there.  One of the other women in our group didn't get to complete last week, so I think we're in the same boat.  There is so much activity going on right now--DS and DH trying to figure out the carbs for DS's bedtime snack (3 cheese biscuits and a half cup of yogurt: 63.5 carbs).  Since we finished dinner a little less than 2 hours ago, a blood sugar reading wouldn't likely be very accurate.  And we were very happy not to get up in the middle of the night for the first time.  

I'm going to see if I remember the recipe for cheese biscuits.  They're very good, and I'm testing m memory.

Cheese Biscuits

1 1/3 C. flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 C. grated cheese

1/4 C. chopped green onion

3/4 C. buttermilk

3 Tbsp. oil

Preheat oven to 450.  Mix dry ingredients together and add grated cheese and chopped green onions.  Blend together the buttermilk and oil and add to dry ingredients, and mix until just blended.  Drop onto greased baking sheet into 8 equal mounds with a spoon.  Bake 9 to 11 minutes.  

*   *   *   *   *

Sometimes we leave out the onions and dry mustard, and have plain cheese biscuits for breakfast.  They're relatively quick to make, and nice and light if you don't over mix the wet and dry ingredients.  Each biscuit is equal to 18.5 carbs.  

They kind of look like this.  These have dill in them, and can be found here:

http://www.companyscoming.com/recipes/2007/4/295/

________________________________________________________  

So, no energy left.  I'm going to go up to bed, and maybe read some first.  I am so behind in poems!  That makes me grumpy.  I'm still getting some Pages done most days, so that's some kind of record.  But, I want to have 30 poems this month.  I better get busy!!!  

Is it possible I'm just taking on too much?

************************************************************************

Forgive me, Robert, for glomming onto your poem prompts, and also Thank You, at the same time for providing them.  Here's today's"

Today’s prompt is to write a poem that I’m calling the “Been Everywhere” poem. If you’re doing locations, it would be a poem that gives a shout out to all the places you’ve been. This can be made metaphorical, though.

 

For instance, if you’re writing poems about cancer, you could write a poem about cancer cells that have traveled through different parts of the body. If you’re writing cooking poems, you could write from the perspective of a cook who talks about all the meals he or she has cooked. Definitely keep doing what you’ve been doing and get creative with it and bend the rules to your theme.

Okay, so Up I Go!  To write!  To write!

Artist's Way Journal - Week Five, Day Six

Here, before I forget, is the next prompt for Poem A Day:

For a collection (whether poetry, music, or whatever), I really like it when the individual pieces communicate with each other. So, for today’s poem, I want you to pick one of your earlier poems from this month and write a poem that is a response to that earlier poem.

 

To make it very immediate, you could write a response to yesterday’s confessional poem. Or you could reach back to Day 17’s Love Poem, Day 7’s Myth Poem, etc. I’m sure those reading along would love it if you include to which day’s poem you are responding, too.

 

*   *   *   *   *

Saw the Crucible tonight--very well done!  The cast was made of up mostly High School students, and some middle school, too.  Very powerfully done, with a great set and costumes.  The set was simple, with a sort of netting backdrop that allowed images of the forest to show through, and a black stage.  Two somewhat cross-shaped posts and beams on either side, and wooden benches as the only props.  The costumes were black dresses and black shoes, white shirts and tan vests.  The only really fancy attire was that of the Reverend, the Judge and Deputy.  Very striking indeed.  

This will be the first night of no 2 am check.  This will be strange, and weird to go through the night without interruption, save getting up for a bathroom break.  This will be good, especially as I turned off the alarm one night very recently, and didn't have any recollection of hearing it, or doing that.  Getting clever, my tired self is!

So, I'm off to bed now.  Good thing, too, as I'm running my words together, and have to back up and redo too often.  

Artist

Artist's Way Journal - Week Nine, Day Five

A quickie.  I seem to be later and later, and pretty soon I'll be signing on just a hair before midnight!  Next thing you know, it'll already be the next day.  

So, I added a lot to my street style blog.  Been having fun with that.  I'm finding some great photos.  Also got a couple of instant poems *starts* in my head, and wouldn't you know it? I didn't follow up right away, so lost a little of the momentum.  In the words of Charlie Brown, "rats."

Well, I did get the laptop out and fiddled with my two starts, and they are currently both residing in the same poem, becoming one.  I'll look at it in the morning and see what I think about that whole situation.  

Meanwhile, I'm up far too late for one who's going to be on night-duty.  Although, I'm thinking we are going to be able to stop this getting up at 2 am pretty soon.  DS is really leveling out with his insulin and blood sugar readings.  It's nice.  The one thing I've got to look into now is whether gingko biloba is okay for Type *1* diabetics...  I know that for some diabetics gingko can lower insulin levels.  Just want to be safe...

Robert's poem prompt is simple today:

Today, I want you to write a confessional poem. And then, get to enjoying your weekend.

So, I'll try to do that in a moment.  Tomorrow is the haircut--my Artist Date.  The other thing is to take DD out driving so she can get some experience before her next drive with the instructor.  And tomorrow evening is a school play, "The Crucible."  I'll report in tomorrow after I'm back.

I'm off to bed...

Artist's Way Journal - Week Nine, Day Four

I think my Artist's Date will have been one of two things this week:  yesterday's trip to the chiropractor, or my up-coming haircut on Saturday.  I found a photo in MORE magazine with a cut I like, but am not sure it's "me."  It would be "me" if I get it cut that way--"me" getting used to something different!  I'm in the mood for something different.  

My date at the chiropractic office was interesting.  What I thought was initially going to be an hour ended up being over two hours.  I haven't had an adjustment in 2 1/2 years, and have been feeling pinched in the next and stiff in the lower back.  Pilates doesn't bother it--rather, it feels good.  However, later on in the day I get stiff and sore again.  I know that because of the stress of life lately that I've been holding a lot of tension, and typically much of that gets stored around my spine.  I tried out a new chiropractor, and so far I think this will work.  He's close to home, and seems to be very on top of things.  What he had to say made sense to me, and I learned a few things, which is always nice.  You know when you're up on things somewhat when your physician/health practitioner becomes more relaxed and excited about imparting knowledge, spouting off more medical terminology, knowing you can handle it.  I got more intimate with the workings of the spine and the nerves that radiate out from it, and how some of my vertebrae are either in decent alignment, or are off, and pinching my nerves, compromising other normal functions in my body.

So, that was yesterday.  Tomorrow I go back for a 20 check-in and tweaking.  Fine with me.  I'm all for getting my spine back in to optimal health.  Next is the massage.  Another Artist Date idea!  

So, I'm behind in my poem writing.  Here are the next two prompts I haven't done yet:

So today is when we try to complete an experiment in poetry collection writing. On Day 3, I asked you to write a refrain poem that would be a shorter version of the poem you would write on Day 20. Well, it's Day 20, so let's see if this works.

Of course, it has occured during this month that it would probably make more sense to write the longer poem first and then cut the refrain out of that, instead of building upon the refrain to make the longer one. Yeah, that's what would make more sense, but I guess that's why we experiment, right?

Anyway, here's a link to Day 3, so that you can easily find your effort from that day and see how I went about doing this. Feel free to take it in a completely different direction than I have.

http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides/November+PAD+Chapbook+Challenge+Day+3.aspx

And yesterday:

A week ago, I had you write a poem focused on a tiny detail. Today, I want you to write a poem that shows the big picture. You can still get very specific, but I want you to try incorporating a big picture concept related to your theme. For instance, if you're writing war poems, you could write a poem focused on the leader of one of the armies and through his specific concerns cover the full scope of what's happening.

So, for today, back up and soak in the big picture.

So, I'm off to bed.  Hopefully I can do a few AW exercises, and get a good long Morning Pages entry in!

Artist's Way Journal - Week Nine, Day Two

I'm putting today's Poem-A-Day prompt on now, and will catch up later:

Again, here's the website for Robert Brewer and Poetic Asides:

http://blog.writersdigest.com/poeticasides/

For today's prompt, I want you to write a point-of-view poem. Write from the perspective from someone or something obvious (or not so obvious) related to your theme. If you're writing a series of accounting poems, then today is the day you can write a poem from the perspective of your spreadsheet. If you're writing a bunch of baker poems, time to share the voice of your dough (or even your apron). If you're writing a series of poems from the perspective of an accountant for a bakery, then, well, I guess you have some options.

Be back soon~

Artist's Way Journal - Week Nine, Day One

Well, I haven't given up yet.  In what little I've accomplished with regards to Chapter Eight I've realised that within my own family I've mostly been given encouragement with regards to artistic endeavors.  Especially from my DGM, and my DF.  Both were/are creative in many ways.  DF hasn't done much with his creativity in the last few years, though, and that might be due a lot to depression on and off.  He really is good, and I know that when I'm feeling most creative/doing creative things I feel better.  

I want to submit more work this week, and get on top of whatever deadlines might be coming up for book manuscripts.  I also need to write my poem of the day.  Also, I want to get to the business of writing the Morning Pages much earlier.  My DS will be home for the next two days, so this will be challenging, as he likes to be on the computer more than he will admit.  I can take my time, but not without interruption.  Its conference week, and his appt. is tomorrow before I go to work.  

Also, I'm beginning a new class session tomorrow, with some new students.  I hope the tension surrounding the class times/available spots for participants/etc. has calmed down.  I want to be able to focus just on the class and not the politics of the gym at this point.  I really like the people, and don't want to change the mood.  I want people to enjoy being in class, and to be able to utilise the time as best as possible.

I'm going to look for a poem to retire with...

Here's one by Gwendolyn Brooks:

Kitchenette Building

We are things of dry hours and the involuntary plan,  Grayed in, and gray. "Dream" mate, a giddy sound, not strong  Like "rent", "feeding a wife", "satisfying a man".  But could a dream sent up through onion fumes  Its white and violet, fight with fried potatoes  And yesterday's garbage ripening in the hall,  Flutter, or sing an aria down these rooms,  Even if we were willing to let it in,  Had time to warm it, keep it very clean,  Anticipate a message, let it begin?  We wonder. But not well! not for a minute!  Since Number Five is out of the bathroom now,  We think of lukewarm water, hope to get in it.  Gwendolyn Brooks  Oh, and the prompt for Day 17 of Poem a Day: Today's prompt is to write a love poem. This may or may not gel with some poets' themes, though I'm sure if you bend the rules enough, anything is possible. Your poem can be pro-love, anti-love, confused-love, love-it-or-leave-it, etc. Your poem, your rules. (Thanks to Robert Brewer!!) --TKC

Artist's Way Journal - Week Eight, Day Six

Missed a day.  Still haven't read the whole chapter.  It *was* a busy week.  I know I should make more time for Artist's Way, but this week I'm being stubborn.  Partly because of the choreography work, and partly because of the middle night break in sleep and being tired.  

I actually did take time yesterday to send in two submissions.  First time in at least a month and a half.  I realised that I didn't submit anything in October, which is very unheard of, seeing as this is prime time.  I haven't even sent a mss. out since the end of Sept.  So, I prepared two subs--one to Bellingham Review, and another to Quarterly West.  I'll cross my fingers.  I'm still waiting to hear from some other journals, and a trip to the post office box today yielded no returned SASEs.  Sigh.

Time to catch up on Robert's Poem-A-Day prompts.  

Today:

Posted by Robert

Did you sleep well last night? That’s too bad, because I want you to write a nightmare poem today. You could write an actual nightmare, or present a nightmare scenario related to your theme.

And yesterday:

For today's prompt, I want you to write a warning poem. Offer some kind of caution or warning related to your theme. Like, maybe, watch out for bad traffic. (Did I mention my trip starts off with driving through Atlanta? O, geez!)

So, it's the next day already, and I managed to write two poems.  One for each prompt.  I don't know that they're all that good, but they're written.

I'm now reading about mourning the loss of my creative past possibilities.  I'll get back to how I'm dealing with this, hopefully shortly.

==TKC

Artist's Way Journal - Week Eight, Day Four

So, DH is watching "Baseball" on PBS, DD is home from youth group, DS is finally off the computer, and I'm relaxing from having finished my gym choreography.  Phew!

The choreography demo went well today.  It seemed like the other instructors liked it, and liked the music.  I used a lot of older songs, like "Sunny," which is a total remake made for exercise, "Eye of the Tiger," which is just plain good, "Rock You Like a Hurricane," "Too Much Time on My Hands"...  A couple of new ones thrown in: Rihanna's "Don't Stop the Music" and "Hella Good" from No Doubt, for balance.  I think it'll end up being a fairly good workout.  

I also started a new blog two days ago, called "One the Street Style," which already got hits the first day.  Go figure.  

These are my creative outlets currently.  I'm doing these blogs, and enjoying it, and I'm working with designing weight-training moves to music, which is another love of mine.  I've always enjoyed music, and interpreting moves and timing comes fairly naturally to me.  That isn't to say that this choreography was a piece of cake!  It was more difficult than the last time, but now that it's done, it feels very rewarding.  I like the good feedback, and encourage suggestions for ways to make it better.  

I never thought I'd teach fitness.  This is another way to be creative, and over the years I'm finding different ways to teach and it's all becoming more natural to me.  I enjoy the people a lot, and it is gratifying to see the same faces week after week, and some smiles, too.  You get to know the members, and they get to know you, and we keep up with each other's lives, which makes this job all the more intimate.  And for a somewhat shy person teaching is good practice, and it is also a way of stepping out into another character.  Nice thing is, over time that character is really not anyone different from your own self--just an extension.  That other character, if you are honest, is genuinely you as well.  Over time what seems like an act at first becomes a part of you, and very real.

I hope that makes sense.  It does to me.

I didn't write a poem yesterday.  When I got to bed, DH was asleep, and I just reached over and turned off the light.  So, I've got to catch up.  I'm determined to get all 30 poems in this month!  So, off I go in search of Robert's new prompt for the day.  I shall return momentarily.

_____________________________________   

For today's prompt, I want you to write a "By the Numbers" poem. That is, I want you to write a poem that somehow incorporates numbers. Sure, this might've made more sense on 11/11 when a few of us got talking about math and numbers and such--but, hey, who says poetry has to make sense? (Or numbers for that matter?)

Make numbers a large part of the poem or small part, but make sure they get factored in somehow.

______________________________________ 

Okay, that's it.  So, I'm going to sign off and get at least one poem out. I think that tomorrow I'll actually have a good portion of the day to work on my own, in quiet.  Just the gurgling of the fish tank, and the cat coming to check on me. Yes!

--TKC

Artist's Way Journal - Week Eight, Day Three

I've been working on a deadline for work, and took time to stuff envelopes this evening for CCR.  It was really nice to get together with the women who make this journal what it is--good to be in the midst of their creative energies.

So, I'm not so good on doing my pages!  I am still hanging on to the Poem A Day thing, though, and no, I'm not letting the Artist's Way go, either.  But, since I'm heading to bed asap, here are the prompts I've neglected to work with:

November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 12
Posted by Robert

For today's prompt, I want you to write a poem that focuses on or discusses a tiny detail. It could be a tiny detail that is often overlooked, and you'd like to call attention to it. The detail could be one that if overlooked can cause good or bad things to happen.

I like this one from yesterday--and remember how I used to create equations from house address numbers, trying to find ways to make them all balance.  

November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 11
Posted by Robert

Today is 11/11. What a mathematical day! (As some of you know, Tammy and I were married on 08/08/08 at 8:08--so I don't take numbers for granted.)

I also don't take these prompts for granted. For instance, today's prompt is to write a deep thought or observational poem related to your theme. The poem can be long and persuasive--or short and profound. Think about your theme. And then, think about your theme some more. And some more--until you find some deep thought or make an observation that others may or may not have considered.

Monday's prompt is:

November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 10
Posted by Robert

Hooray! Once you finish your poem today, you will be one-third of the way to completion. Isn't that awesome? And isn't this month speeding by so fast? Possibly even, too fast?

Well, it's not over yet. Today, I want you to write a "survival of the fittest" poem. Try to come up with a poem relating to your theme that plays around with the idea of the survival of the fittest. If you think about it long enough, you may be surprised with what you discover.

Okay, I'm armed with ideas now.  I really appreciate Robert's poem exercises, especially when my brain is somewhat akin to mush right now.  Cheers!

Off to write in the little leather journal, and to sleep!  Tomorrow is a big day at the gym for me.  Three classes... 

--TKC

BTW--the above photo was taken in San Francisco, in a gift shop.  I am always amused/amazed by shelves filled with multitudes of trinkets and shiny junk.  So, there we are.

Artist's Way Journal - Week Eight, Day Two

Short check-in.  Day off for the kids.  I'm supposed to be finishing the choreography for work, and I'm so way behind!  I think I'm going to read right now, and get a good start tomorrow for sure... 

Yikes!

Artist's Way Journal - Week Eight, Day One and a Half

I've just taken the bread out of the oven, and photographed it.  It was a charmed day for bread all around.  DH's two sourdough loaves look gorgeous, and mine now smell really good.  I'll include a couple of photos.  Wish I could imprint the scent!

I love texture, and color, and used to spend hours in the color darkroom at the University if others didn't show up for their time slots.  Stumbling in near total darkness to find the paper safe, setting up the enlarger, doing tests with paper and feeding it all into the color machine.  It took roughly 12 minutes to see the results, and then determine whether the exposure time was right, and if the color balance was good.  Most fun was feeding though large photos--20 x 24--and enjoying seeing the first ones emerge.

But there is something gratifying about digital, and being able to work with the images on the computer.  Other textures I love are tree bark, the surface of stones, moss and lichens on tree limbs, the fluidity of stream water in early spring.  A carpet of fall leaves.  The crispness of the lily close-up, the pollen on the stamens, that subtle iridescence and powder along one petal.

Now the yogurt is incubating, and should be ready to refrigerate when I get up for the 2 am blood sugar check...

--TKC

Whole Wheat Bread

Whole Wheat Bread
Originally uploaded by double.reed

Here's a great image that sums up what my kitchen (or a small portion of it) will look like in a few hours. And here's a recipe that came with the photo I'm using from Flickr. If I get my act together, I'll also post the recipe I will use. All the amounts will have been calculated so we can count carbs for DS.

Be back soon!

Oh, here's that recipe (with thanks to double.reed):


Whole Wheat Bread

Homemade bread fresh from the oven.

Ingredients:
2 pkg. dry yeast
1/2 c. warm water
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tbsp. salt
1/4 c. vegetable oil
2 1/4 c. warm water
2 to 3 c. bread flour
4 c. whole wheat flour

Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup water. Stir in brown sugar, salt, oil, 2 1/4 cups water and 3 1/2 cups flour (2 cups whole wheat flour and 1 1/2 cup bread flour). Mix on low speed with hand mixer. Add enough remaining flour by hand until dough is easy to handle while kneading.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth (approximately 5 minutes). Place in greased bowl, turn to oil and leave greased side up. Cover with cloth and let rise until double (approximately 3 to 4 hours).

Punch dough down. Divide in half and roll each half into rectangle. (For smaller loaves divide into 4 pieces.) Roll up and place seam side down in greased and floured loaf pans. Cover with cloth and let rise until double (approximately 2 to 3 hours).

Bake at 300 to 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Loaves will sound hollow when tapped. Remove from pans and brush with butter.

Uploaded by double.reed on 12 Nov 07, 7.18AM PST.


--TKC

Artist's Way Journal - Week Eight, Day One

Yesterday the stars came crashing down, and today they are realigning.  Don't know yet what Chapter Eight will bring, but I know that the roller coaster has leveled out somewhat after yesterday's upset.  Sort of like these damned markets, up the day before the election, down again afterward.  I'm going with the up-swing.  I like those times: when I can breathe fully (that in-breath that has a satisfying peak before breathing out), when the weight lifts, the air clears, the sun comes out, and life makes sense again.  If briefly.  But, if that's the way of things, so be it.  I'll take those up times gladly, knowing they are all the more precious when interspersed with the down.

I'm going to make bread now, and will resume shortly.  And, I want to take a moment to thank all those who have been checking in regularly.  I don't know who you are, but I know you're out there, and that makes all the difference.  And if you have a blog I can visit, let me know.  I'll gladly stop by.

*  *   *   Whole Wheat Bread Baking Break   *   *   *  Whole Wheat Bread Baking Break   *   *   *  

Okay, the dough is in the bowl.  These are my ingredients, roughly:

3 C warm water

pinch of brown sugar

2 generous tsp. yeast

(Let this activate if you want to; not totally necessary if you know you've got good yeast, however, some people really like to see their yeast go to town and get nice and frothy.)

Add to this:

1 T salt

1/4 C oil   

       ** DH likes to add olive oil; I think canola is good, too

1/2 C honey   

***  If you put the 1/4 C oil in the 1/2 C measure before you pour it into the yeast     mixture, then pour the honey into the oiled 1/2 C after that, most all of the honey goes into the bowl, and doesn't stick to the measuring cup.  Nice for those who like just a little mess.

1/2 C non-fat milk powder

Mix well.

To this, add:

4 C whole wheat bread flour

1/2 to 1 C rolled oats

1/4 to 1/2 C millet or quinoa

1/4 C wheat germ

4-6 C of unbleached white bread flour

Knead until smooth, elastic and nicely responsive to your touch.  Tuck into a ball and place in a large lightly oiled bowl to rise to double it's size.  This may take an hour and a half, or it may take longer, depending on the temp in you house, whether you have the woodstove going, or have been making chicken stock on the stove, are drying apples in the dehydrator, etc.  

When the dough has doubled, gently press it down again and let rest for 10 minutes, after which divide the dough into two even pieces, and fold into two loaves (or rounds if you prefer) and place into two clay loaf pans to rise again.  This rise will be shorter, about half the time of the first rise.  Don't let it go too long, or the gluten will become exhausted, and the bread won't "spring" in the oven.

When risen, bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.  If you have a baking stone in your oven (for pizza) and the breads are firm enough, take the loaves out of the pans and place on the stone for another 10 or so minutes.  If you don't have a stone, just bake for 40 minutes, or until the breads are nicely browned, and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.  Set to cool on racks. While warmish, but not *too* warm, cut and enjoy.

*  *  *     *   *   *     *   *   *     *   *   *     *   *   *

So, last night DH got up to do DS's blood sugar check.  It was 66, or something like that, so DH stumped downstairs to cut half a piece of homemade sourdough (this is his project), and gave it to DS to raise his BS (blood sugar, in this case).  Then we stewed about the number, and about the fact that we didn't give him juice first, so DH went down again and got the juice.  We stewed a little more about the fact that the juice came *after* the bread, and that it would likely get absorbed by the bread and not get into his blood stream fast enough.  This made (first) DH, and then me, after the anxiety nerve-squeeze thing hit, go back downstairs and consult the diabetes book we got at the hospital, to see what range we should be most comfortable with.  This whole process took until after 3 am, and then I (and most likely DH, too) was up for at least another half hour, just trying to settle in again.

This morning I got up to make breakfast for DS, and start the process of prying him out of bed.  He was, as one would imagine quite easily, very tired at this point.  I was thinking how criminal it seemed to make him go to school today.  Tomorrow is a holiday, and DD has both days off.  Somehow it felt that there was no justice, and I looked at DH and said, "this sucks."  He agreed.

Fortunately, after teaching this morning (DD attended my class: weight-lifting) I started feeling better.  The teachers I contacted over the weekend about DS's mountain of back-homework finally got back to me (both out of town the whole weekend), DS's diabetes kit we thought was left in the carpool car was really in his backpack, with plenty glucose strips in it, and an issue with British Airlines and Continental we had re. a trip over the summer, is seemingly coming to a close.  

That deep breath in is more satisfying--reaching that apex where the lungs feel nicely stretched--and feels fuller.  Even the lack of sleep we've accumulated doesn't seem quite so bad today.  Let's hope it holds for a few hours.  Then I can get started with Chapter Eight of The Artist's Way.

--TKC

Artist's Way Journal - Week Seven, Day Seven

Last day of Week Seven.  I'm about to head up to bed, after a day of doing.  Doing what, I don't know.  Well, it started out with church, and washing dishes after coffee hour.  Then a fit of anger when I felt (as soon as I walked in the door) that I was being criticized.  Much stewing and tears ensued, during which I folded the laundry, stripped the bed, and started some more washing.  Then the talk about what was up, and the moving on to better things.

I'm going to be brief today.  Getting up in the middle is taking a toll on my well-being.  But, I really would miss it if I didn't write at least a little something.  I think these daily pages are good.  Truly.  And church was good.  A lot of smiling going on, and a little singing never hurt anyone.  And standing around with a plate of someone's deviled eggs as a coffee hour offering afterwards was well worth it.  It's a great way to start small conversations.

So, up to hand-write a little, and do my 9th poem of the month.  At least that is something I have kept up with!  Now I can't stop...  Here, courtesy of Robert Brewer of Poetic Asides, is Prompt #9:

For today's prompt, I want you to write a dream poem--or dream-like poem. This may or may not work with certain themes, so remember: You don't have to follow every prompt if it doesn't jive with your theme. In the meantime, I think I just heard the stove beep that it's at 350 degrees. Gotta run.

*   *   *

--TKC

Artist's Way Journal - Week Seven, Day Six

At this point, I find this diabetes thing is getting to me.  It's hard on DS, it's hard on DH, and DD, I'm sure.  Not to mention the fact that DS is getting behind on his school work.  And I find myself wondering if his teachers are really "getting" the situation.  And if the teachers wonder if *I* get it.  All I know is, we have good days, and bad days, and we are just plain behind.  Getting used to diabetes with a 13 year old, and trying to figure out the financial part is damn tough.  It's downright stressful, and very tiring.  We're still getting up at 2 am for blood sugar checks.  I want a break!!!  And, so does DS--the one who's life has changed most dramatically.

So, I think my Artist Date was the meeting for C C Review I attended this morning.  It was a bright spot in my day, and the women who are in charge are wonderful.  We had a good meeting about the up-coming issue, and great conversation afterwards. It is so nice to be able to talk about things in common that might not be so "common" to others.  To explore possibilities beyond the normal scope.  Definitely feeding the creative being.  Our talks left me feeling more than ever the desire to be better in touch with my senses.  

I haven't done all the assignments in the chapter, but have read them all.  I have been so taken over by figuring out all the diabetes paraphernalia we need to have for DS, including getting the Novolog in cartridge form so that he can use the pen instead of syringes at school.  DD started driving lessons yesterday.  I am getting closer to being finished with the choreography for the gym.  This doesn't leave much time or brain power for creativity!  But, I am still writing a little poem a day, and that in itself is exciting.

I will admit something--I have a hope that one of my manuscripts will be selected for publication.  There is a press I'm waiting to hear from, and haven't yet.  I so hope they like my work well enough.  I've come so close.  My full-length mss. was runner-up to the winner last year, and it has been a finalist and semi-finalist as well.  I should really take another look at it, and see if there are any revisions that need to be made.  

Now, I'm going to cut things short, and go write my 8th day poem.  First I'll check the prompt.  

Okay, here's what Robert Brewer gave as today's kickstart:

Know how we had a prompt yesterday for a myth poem? Today, I'd like you to write a fact poem. Research a fact (or facts) about your theme and create a poem. Or make up a fact. Or spin a myth into a fact. Or, well, you get the idea.

Okay, fair enough.  Up I go.  But, before I go, a poem~

DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT

Do not go gentle into that good night, 
Old age should burn and rave at close of day; 
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right, 
Because their words had forked no lightning they 
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright 
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, 
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight, 
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way, 
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight 
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay, 
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height, 
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray. 
Do not go gentle into that good night. 
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas

--TKC

One more thing...again

On today's Writer's Almanac:

Following the Road

by Larry Smith

I have left my wife at the airport,
flying out to help our daughter
whose baby will not eat.
And I am driving on to Kent
to hear some poets read tonight.

I don't know what to do with myself
when she leaves me like this.
An old friend has decided to 
end our friendship. Another 
is breaking it off with his wife.

I don't know what to say
to any of this-Life's hard.
And I say it aloud to myself,
Living is hard, and drive further
into the darkness, my headlights
only going so far.

I sense my own tense breath, this fear
we call stress, making it something else,
hiding from all that is real.

As I glide past Twin Lakes,
flat bodies of water under stars,
I hold the wheel gently, slowing my
body to the road, and know again that 
this is just living, not a trauma
nor dying, but a lingering pain
reminding us that we are alive.

One more thing...

Here are the latest two prompts from Poetic Asides:

"Okay, so today's prompt is to write a myth poem. Investigate a well-known myth associated with your theme. Or make up a brand new myth. Be literal, or get surreal. Whatever you do, finish today's prompt and do a one-week celebration dance!"

And here's yesterday's:

"Today's prompt is to write a praise poem. Celebrate or praise something related to your theme (or if you're themeless, pick something random to praise). I would love to praise all the PAD Challenge participants, but as you know, my theme is monsters (and I'm pretty sure there are no zombies or warlocks participating this month)."

So, now I'm heading up to write some more.  Oh to have a whole day in which to do so!

--TKC

Artist's Way Journal - Week Seven, Day Five

I just complete the section on jealousy.  Admittedly, I know I felt cheated out many things when I was a child, however, and maybe because my brain is a little fried right now (lack of sleep, hormonal stuff, etc) I'm having trouble coming up with many things.  I'll recap what I wrote in my leather journal.

Archeology, An Exercise

1. As a kid, I missed the chance to :

* sleep over at friend's houses when I was younger.  I made up for it when I was in late high school, and very much so in college.

* go to friends' houses after school.  They always had to come over to ours, which was okay, but got old after awhile.  That finally changed when I was in about 6th or 7th grade.

2. As a kid, I lacked:

* good self-confidence, boldness

* popular clothing.  I wanted so badly to wear what the other kids wore, and to wear pants when I was in grade school.  I could only wear them when I was sick (to cover my legs), and finally when I was somewhere between 6th and 7th grades.  (Hmm, about the same time I got more freedom to visit friends at their houses...)

3.  As a kid, I could have used:

* an older brother, providing he was nice, understanding, and didn't beat me up.  Or hit me in the arm like What's-His-Name did in the 4th grade.  Ah, yes--Jeff. B.

* less of the silent treatment from my grandfather.  I hated that.  I really don't think it did any good.

4.  As a kid, I dreamed of being:

* a nurse

* an astronaut

* popular, "in"

5.  As a kid, I wanted a:

* house with four floors

* mother who didn't get so mad.

6. In my house, we never had enough

* privacy (sort of).  By that I mean even the garbages were gone though, just in case something important might have fallen in.  

* ?  I really had plenty.  

7.  As a kid, I needed more:

* responsibility, to help me to be a stronger adult.  I still struggle with being on task, getting important things done.

* freedom to make (early) decisions/mistakes

8.  I am sorry that I will never again see:

* my grandmother

* my grandfather

9.  For years, I have missed and wondered about:

* my photo album of punk pictures

10. I beat myself up over the loss of:

* my grandmother.  I didn't "get it" when everyone told me she didn't have long.  I just didn't believe it somehow, and on the day of the week I was to visit, I changed my mind, as I had a little cold; I said I'd go the next day.  I think DA suggested I just come anyway, so I made the trip.  Still, I missed her by two hours.  I think she died while I was on the ferry, or just leaving my house.  The week before I sat with her in the nursing home lunch room, as per usual, with my knitting, and some apples from our tree.  I think she said all of six words, and mostly just smiled and looked tired.  When I was leaving I said, "I'll see you next week."  She just smiled at me.  Looking back, I think "she knew.  And I just didn't get it."

Artist's Way Journal - Week Seven, Day Three

The day after, coming to a close.  I'm relieved the election is over, relieved about the outcome.  Tired, as it took a long time to wind down last night.  I spent half the day working on choreography, and half-listening to the election aftermath on NPR.  The markets were down again today.  So many people are dancing in the street, and here I am, feeling a little blase.  (Can't find the accent mark...)  I don't know why I'm feeling that way, except that I often do after something exciting happens.  

This will be short.  I still have a poem to write.  I've written three so far, so I must be a day behind!  I thought I was all caught up.  Shoot!  No--wait, I've written four.  I'll have to look.  But, I still have to write today's.  I'm not sure what the theme will end up being.  It'll probably become apparent as I go along.  Looking at Robert Brewer's Poetic Asides blog I am realising that he is giving a prompt for each day!  Today's prompt says:

"Today, I'd like you to write a poem that sets a scene. In other words, one that pays attention to the details of the scenery and uses those details to heighten the effect and meaning of the poem. For instance, if you were to write a poem about the election results last night, don't drown it in abstractions and ideas. Instead, focus on the setting of a rally and let the details describe whether the particular candidate won or lost."

This is yesterday's (4 Nov.) prompt, just so I can get in the groove:

For today's prompt, I want you to write a "soap box" poem on your theme. If your theme is food, have an asparagus campaign for less discrimination against veggies. If your subject is parenting, maybe make a case for having one hour or less of TV each night in favor of playing board games or doing a family activity. Regardless of your theme, today is the day you can pull out that soap box, dust it off, stand on it, and take a stance on an issue (or several issues--heck, this could turn into someone's theme).

3 Nov.

Okay, this prompt may be a little out there, but it's inspired by a few albums I've listened to (and loved) over the years. They'll have kind of a foreshadowing or refrain piece that shares a snippet of a song to come later on the album. And I want you to write a foreshadowing piece for a poem that you will fully compose later this month (Day 20, to be precise).

This piece should be short, sweet, and hint at some bigger picture that ties into your theme and the poem that you'll be writing on Day 20. You should think of it almost as a puzzle piece that doesn't become 100% clear until the accompanying poem is read later on in the collection.

2 Nov.

...the second prompt, which is to write a declaration poem: that is, a poem that makes a statement about your theme. A good way to attack this poem may be to write it in the voice of an imagined person or a real person who is not yourself.

For instance, if your theme is food poems, you could write a poem in the voice of Rachel Ray, who makes a declaration about the importance of food. Or if your theme is dysfunctional families, write a poem in the voice of Jerry Springer or Dr. Phil. Or, well, you get the idea.

(And remember, if you're not feeling a particular prompt, don't be afraid to steer yourself in a different direction. After all, our main goal is to have 30 poems at the end of the month.)

1 Nov.

Let's get into today's prompt. For today's prompt, I want you to look at your theme and write a "hook" poem. This is a poem intended to hook your reader on your theme. Think about the beginning of poems like "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" and "Howl." This poem gets right into the meat of your theme, and pulls the reader along. Think of a dramatic situation involving your theme and start there (in medias res). Totally.

Okay, I've got my work cut out for me.  Not to mention finishing Chapter Seven in AW!  I'm just beginning the section on jealousy...

--TKC