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Let’s Talk About…

Tamara Woods 7 Comments

Once a week, I’m going to bring up a topic about poetry and open the floor for you guys to chat about it with me. As a community, we need to communicate more and not just with me talking at you.

This week I found an online poetry class for free. It’s called “How writers write poetry” and it’s through the International Writing Program. 

I enjoy learning and I’ve been missing being in the higher education realm. I’m finding myself buying more guides and educational writing material as days go by.

However, when I was younger, I only took a few courses on writing fiction and poetry. I was afraid if I would learn more about the structures and how other people thinks poetry is then I would lose my creativity. My spark. My essence. I’d just sound like everyone else.

Now I’ve realize that I have my own style and voice. Learning new things won’t change me. It’ll enrich me.

What do you guys think? Do you like to learn more about writing techniques for creative write specifically, or do you prefer to go it your own way?

And if you decide to take the course, let me know on my Facebook page. I’m thinking about doing some type of weekly check-in over there once the class starts in March.

Have you considered submitting to our Write for Us segment? We’d love to feature your work here on The Reverie! Click here for more information…

And keep your eye out for the official date for the zine release in March!

I’ll see you in the comments!

The Writer in My Head

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The writer in my head has a name
But it is not mine
The person I saw buried six feet under
Lives behind my soulful eyes
In my blood I feel him
As I write the words that he has given me
I feel my feet hit the ground
But its to his kind beat
He is a leaf cascading to the ground
as I watch it with the eyes he gave me
He is the thought in my head
As I write down these words
And sing his mournful song

I like to keep my blog anonymous, as there is personal luggage on it that shouldn’t have a name attached to it. I write mostly about what I see and what inspires me. I believe that simplicity has more complexity than people may realize. My poems aim to extract the complexity and show the beauty in the rubble. The poem I submitted is about the person who inspired me and who continues to posthumously. You can find more of WordsAreDeadly’s work on their blog, here.

Photo credit: xmansonettex on deviantart / Design credit: Laura A. Lord

Inspired by…

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Let an old poem inspire sometihing new and interesting from you. http://thereverjournal.com

It’s February and in the United States it’s Black History Month. Sunday was Langston Hughes‘ birthday and Google made a Google Doodle to honor him. This made me think about the Harlem Renaissance and how that influenced poetry.

But what does all of this have to do with you?

Well, my dear poet, let’s write something a little different this week. Let’s try writing a poem inspired by someone else. It’s not necessary to write about the same subject matter. I don’t want you to write something disingenuous or forced. It’s more interesting to read about your journey, your struggles. Make this one personal. Delve deep my friends.

Read this Langston Hughes’ poem, let the words seep into you…and see what comes forth.

Here’s The Negro Speaks of Rivers:

Poetry by Langston Hughes http://thereveriejournal.com

And here’s a song from The Harlem Renaissance to get you in the mood.

We aren’t doing the voting on Fridays anymore, however, we’re still reading and sharing each other’s work. That’s what this community is all about. Share this post with other poets, so we can grow together.

 

Beautiful, Brazen, Bold

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Let us gather those purple passion orbs
(The vineyard is ripe and ready)
We’ll weave the vines and crown ourselves
The leaflets to cover our glory

Let us drench ourselves in precious oils
That our bodies glisten and shine
It is unto Bacchus
We give thanks for the laden vine

As the ancients of classical Greece
Whose myths never grow old
We’ll dance beneath the harvest moon
Beautiful, brazen, bold:

Intoxicated on life are we
Free from all restraints
Living less complexities
Void of any complaints

O’Prunty lives is a small town amongst the rolling hills of West Virginia, USA.  Her works have been published by Middle Island Press, with two chapbooks, “Selected Snippets” and “Unfolding Hearts” her credit. Her poem “A Fleeting Moment” appear as in an Anthology of Poetry: “Sketches of the Soul”.She has also been published in a variety of ezines, newspapers and collaborations.

Writing poetry since the tender age of ten, weaving of words has always been her true passion.  In the words of the poetess, “life has been my greatest teacher, experience is now my guide”. You can find O’Prunty’s blog here.

Photo credit: Marcello-Paoli on deviantart / Design credit: Laura A. Lord

Holiday Madness by Vlad Teodor Petcu

Tamara Woods 3 Comments

On this very land, in future’s time of afar,
When three moons rise and entomb every star,
There is a legend that will be told
With gory voice, as the land embraces the eternal cold:

On the paths of corpses, at one and any crossroad is lit
A candle with darkness around which all undead could orbit,
And they will all be led by the alluring shade of Akasha, the goddess,
In lights torn by twisted laces of pleasures…
They walk to the residence of The Snow Queen, unjust ruler and duchess,
March to the New Toy Shop, the North’s ruins and only standing fortress.
Here, on the first day of Hanukkah in 2016*, the last battle takes place.
The Vampire king, awakened and victorious, will bring to his daughter a face:
The head of Santa Claus; then leave this forsaken space.
Dragons stand on guard here from the last Kwanzaa,
When they collect the humans as matunda ya kwanza**.

The whole family gathers around the crystallized white tree,
Exchanging gruesome presents with binds of flesh;
The noise of madness echoes throughout the festive holiday
As white and blue flames of ice scintillates a glimpse of doomsday.

“Say your unholy prayers in Christmas’s skin!
Let the weeping music play and the feast begin!”,
Thundered the Snow Queen, then she gives the cue:
“Wrap Red Nose Rudolph from the dungeons! Put him on the barbecue!”

*The first day of Hanukkah in 2016 is on the 24th of December
**Matunda ya kwanza (Swahili) = first fruits of the harvest

Congratulations to this week’s community favorite, Vlad Teodor Petcu . You can find the original piece on his blog, here.

Be sure to check in Monday for the newest prompt.

Photo Credit: fotoman228 on deviant art/ Design Credit: Laura A. Lord

Holiday Voting

Tamara Woods Leave a comment

It’s almost Christmas! I know my household is in an excited tizzy over here, as I’m sure plenty of others are. The children are out of school and the tree is up and I’ve spent entirely too much money.

So reading your holiday poetry has been fun and fantastic and put me right into the spirit. Go read some awesome poetry and vote for your favorite! Only one vote this week, so use it wisely.

Also, with the upcoming holidays, we’re taking some time off to enjoy our families and vacations. You should do the same! We’ll see you again in the New Year! Happy Holidays!

Holiday Madness by Vlad Teodor Petcu

A Mini Ode to Christmas by Franz

I Have No Tree by Billygoat Gruff (in the comments)

 

Holiday Madness

Tamara Woods 9 Comments

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…or so they say. Are you up to your elbows in wrapping paper? How many scratches are on your arms from the stupid fake needles on your tree? Is your grocery list for the family meal ten pages long?

However you celebrate (or if you don’t) this season seems to be full of activity. It’s a time when families come together and all of us question whether escaping to Hawaii the next year wouldn’t be easier.

No?

Just me?

We want to grab all those holidays feelings up (the good, the bad, and the ugly Christmas sweater) into something amazing. Share a piece of your holiday with all of us.

Here are some words to inspire you:

Christmas
holiday
Hanukkah
Kwanzaa
presents
tree
feast
family
wrap
noise
music
lights
candle

Good luck and Happy Holidays from all of us at The Reverie Journal!

And have you considered submitting to our Write for Us segment? We’d love to feature your work here on The Reverie! Click here for more information…

Remember, all entries must be linked back to this post with a pingback or by commenting by Friday at midnight EST. Saturday is the vote and Sunday the winner will be featured. The winner is also entered for a place in the spring edition of our magazine.

Photo credit: Abakum on deviantart / Design credit: Laura A. Lord