Practically Laura

Autumn Poems, Part C

Anatomy of an Epiphany

 By Betty Collette 

 

Observe.  Think.  Create.

I am a writing teacher.

                                                            Do you write?

Embrace those special memories

Close to your heart.

                                                            Do you write?

Dig deep –

Unfold

Those small moments.

                                                          Do you write?

Remember.

Compose.

Share.

Rejoice!

                                                         Do you write?

Sure…

                                                         What?

Examples…

                                                          From your heart?

Well…I have…

                                                          When?

When I was a teen,

Poetry…      

                                                          Now?

Memories.

Thoughts.

Opinions.

                                                          Write?

No time…

                                                          Not important?

YES! 

They are!

All kinds of thoughts and ideas and memories

Come to me in

The bathroom

And I think…

I should write these down!

                                                           What are you waiting for?

 

 
Anatomy of an Epiphany

 

Why I like this poem:  I like the challenge Betty sets before herself and all of us...to not just muse on a project but to be brave enough to put ourselves out there creatively.

Betty earned an honorable mention for her entry.  Thanks for your poem, Betty!

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB

Silver 

by Suzy Tarnowski

 

Yesterday is spread out across my dining room table

A paper thin layer

To catch the dust

Today we will polish

Because my life is tarnished

Because all the pretties in my china cabinet are turning black

Because my mother says so

Yesterday is piling up before me

Serving spoons and piggy banks

Everything in life that’s lost its luster

Even the platter on which it came

My mother sits down across from me

Rag in hand, a ripped cloth diaper four decades old

She will rub life back into these precious things

She will make me shine

 

Silver

 What Suzy says about her poem:  “Once or twice a year my mother and I sit down together to polish silver, a day that I both look forward to and dread.  Often there is a bottle of wine involved.  The smell of Hagerty’s Silversmith Polish will linger in my house for days – and will forever remind me of my mother’s slender hands and magic touch.”

Why I like this poem:  It takes the everyday and makes it meaningful.  Suzy was the first person to submit a poem for the contest; when I read it…I felt it was incredibly special, and I'm glad Melissa agreed. 

Suzy won first place in the Autumn Poetry Contest.  Thanks, Suzy!

Autumn Poems, Part B

Doll

by Udo Hintze

You were a lucky flower
plucked
from the countryside,
and into a strange new
farmland.

There your natural beauty,
was cleaned up and refined
for Hollywood eyes;
bleached hair and teeth,
so you could fit in
their suitcase.

They carried you
around the globe,
showing you off
like a coin operated toy;
They pull the string
and make you sing
and dance,
at the appropriate times.

Your old friends back home
walk by,
see you among your sorority,
speaking a new
American sign language;
the sudden jerk movements-
on the big screen television
behind the store front glass-
saying nothing.

******

Udo won second place in the general public category.

What Udo says about his poem: "About female pop singers who come from humble beginnings and get 'the Hollywood treatment.' I wrote this about a specific singer who produced albums before she became famous and did not sing or look the way she does now." 

Why I like this poem:  It rightly bemoans the loss of innocence...the using of those we should be protecting.  Weren't they (the talented) better without the gloss of some ill-concieved, under-thought, tacky and potentially harmful reworking by those whom will sacrifice anyone but themselves in the quest for money and power (um...Sorry for the rant.). 

Thank you, Udo, for sharing your poem.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Untitled

by Jeremy G. Smith

Why is it I repeat?
I started with nothing and began to collect.
Then I gave it all to a person I met.
When that was done I had nothing again.
Then, slowly, the moss began to grow
But I met someone else
And gave her all my things.
Now I have nothing again...
Next time I hope she's a brunette!
Stuff is overrated.

 

******

 

Jeremy earned an honorable mention with his poem.

 

 Why I like this poem:  It's funny, honest and hopeful.  What could be better!  Thanks, Jeremy.

Author's note:  Photos courtesy of photobucket.

Here are the links:

http://gi131.photobucket.com/groups/p302/PGC5O29QGJ/DSCN2062-2.jpg

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt160/emo_rawr_5038/photography1751.jpg

 

Autumn Poems, Part A

Choices

by Robin Walls 

A moment not too soon

She chose her way

Different than the current stream expected.

 

And though she may be labeled

Quite old-fashioned

Peace is the companion she respected.

 

A joyful journey

Favored all her own

Simple, self-effacing and sublime.

 

Value not determined

By her sister

Left her both lonely and alive.

 

The badges pinned for glory

Are not hers

Truth revealed itself to her this way.

 

Now she can move forward

Few will follow

For one’s choices are not easily unmade.

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

Robin's poem, Choices, won third place in the general public category.

Why I like this poem:  It speaks about what may lay beneath the obvious...it reminds us not to judge based on petty outward appearance.   On the other hand, we must sometimes accept the notion everyone may not understand the path we choose.  Thank you, Robin, for sharing your poem.

Choices

 

An Autumn Haiku

by Lisa Estep

Light rain, a quiet house.
In response, our spirits stir.
We survived summer.

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

Lisa's poem, An Autumn Haiku, won first place in the family category.

Why I like this poem:  For me...especially this past summer...living in an overly hot, sustained, dry summer felt as a heavy weight which would never be lifted.  Lisa's poem speaks of the rebirth or relief those of us in hot climates feel as we begin to experience the slight cooling of the autumn weather.  You think rebirth happens in spring...not for us.  Thank you, Lisa.

An Autumn Haiku, Photo by Lisa Estep

Autumn Poetry Contest Winners

I'm so excited to announce the Autumn Poetry Contest winners.

In the general public catagory, they are:

1.  Silver by Suzy Tarnowski

2.  Doll by Udo Hintze

3.  Choices by Robin Wall

Honorable Mention:  Anatomy of an Epiphany by Betty Collette and Untitled by Jeremy Smith

In the family category, the winner is:

1.  An Autumn Haiku by Lisa Estep

Thank you to all the entrants; Melissa and I are so impressed with your poems.

Please be on the look out; I'll be posting the entries a few at a time over the next three weeks...I'm thinking over photographs to illustrate the work as I type.

Une mille merci, Laura

Once I recieve their permission, I'll post the Autumn Poetry Contest winners and, eventually, their poems! Thank you to all who entered.

Contest Deadline: It's Over!

Thank you to those whom have submitted poems for the contest.  I'm incredibly happy with the results; the quality of the submissions was more than good overall.

I was even happier because a few of the entrants said the contest encouraged them to sit down and work their creativity.  What could be better!

I'll be submitting the poems to Melissa in a few days (Oct. 1st); then I'll be announcing the winners around the 8th.

Again...thank you for surprising, inspiring and brightening me with your creativity.  Hugs!

The Last Poetry Contest Reminder: Allergy Monday

So...here's my final plug for the poetry competition and it's Allergy Monday (No background music can be heard over the sounds of all the pollen in the air):  Achooo!  I...achooo!  Wa-wa-want...achoo!  you...achoo!  Oh, forget about the plug.**But don't forget to submit your poetry entries by midnight tomorrow night (Tuesday).  For contest details click on: http://lauraisinconsistent.typepad.com/laura-is-inconsistent/2011/09/autumn-poetry-contest-kick-off.html

Broken Blade, etc.

Dull, red-chipped armor snarling, cutting, moving forward

One green-tinted blade, shallow-rooted, starving

Surrounded by other brave companions

All slightly brown

Yearning for water

But the fight's gone on so long; forever

Crisp and prickly, knowing the sword is coming

But waiting to be cut down; Knowledge all is lost

Remaining steadfast even so

The cutter approaches, overwhelming ROOOAARR!

Standing tall in the face of Red Death on wheels

Sword passing, heart-stopping

Then, miraculous, Green Blade lives…but is diminished.

Next the rain comes

 

I wanted to encourage you to be thinking about a submission for the poetry contest.  The contest is very informal (I wouldn't have it any other way)...it shouldn't be a scary thing...because Melissa and I are gentle souls (always for her; 98% for me), and we'll treat your creations with respect.

Additionally, please pass the information along to your children.  The creativity of children and teens never ceases to amaze me...they don't usually have the inhibitions and fears we have a tendancy to befriend as we gain experience.

In the meantime, think about shedding your inhibitions...losing some of your baggage...in a small way.

As you may have noticed above...my own poetry isn't earth-shattering, but in thinking it up...it keeps my mind active...it helps me to process the things around me.

So write something funny, sad, angry, sappy, sarcastic, bittersweet or all of the above.

Tell a story...or not.

But I have to say...I'm so ready to admire what you create.

Autumn Poetry Contest Kick-Off

I’m terribly excited…today’s the day!

Yes, I’m kicking off the poetry contest.

But (and I’m sure you’ll soon be breathing a sigh of relief) I plan on being as brief as possible.

Rules and Information:

Categories and Prizes:  There will be two entry categories which have nothing to do with poetry (Ha!).  One category is for the general public; one category will be set up for family members to participate.  If you are in the general public category, first prize will be a $50 gift card, second prize will be a $30 gift card, and third prize will be a $20 gift card to the business of your choice.  If you enter under the family category, first prize will be a $50 gift card; there will be no other place winners in the family category.  If you receive an honorable mention in either category, I will publish your poem on the blog…just as I plan on doing with the poems which place. 

Judging:   I will be whittling down the entries, but my friend, Melissa Studdard, has graciously agreed to do the final judging in the general public category.  Melissa is one of our local creative writing/English teachers (Lone Star College).  She’s recently published her first book, Six Weeks to Yehidah, and has published numerous poems.

Eligibility:  There will be no age limits on the contest (no limits of any kind), but if you’re under eighteen, please consult your parent or guardian before you enter.  If you place or receive an honorable mention, I’ll need written permission from your parent or guardian if you’re under eighteen (email is acceptable) to publish your poem.

Rating:  As I mentioned in my previous post, please keep it clean and kind (G or PG to use movie terminology).   Reading my previous contest post will probably clear up any questions you may have in this area.

Deadline:  I must receive your poem via email no later than midnight on September 27, 2011 (two weeks from today).   I plan to begin posting the poems to the blog soon after Oct. 8^th.

Submissions:  Submit your poem via email to lauraisinconsistent@hotmail.com.  Include your full name, age (if you're under eighteen), and your email address with your poem.  Your poem should be unpublished and your orignal work (of course).

Word length:  Poems must be 100 words or less. 

Format:  Fly, be free…or not.  If you want to use rhyme and meter that’s perfectly acceptable, but there aren’t any rules on format.

Questions or Suggestions:  Contact me at lauraisinconsistent@hotmail.com.

My goal:  To encourage you to be creative.

Just to let you know, over the next few days, I’ll be posting a few more thoughts about the contest…so, if you plan on or are considering participating, please keep an eye on my facebook wall or facebook blog page (Laura is Inconsistent) for announcements.  You can also follow my blog postings on Twitter under VariableLaura.

Please share the contest information with anyone you feel may be interested.  Thank you!!

 
Inspiration in Every, Little Thing

Autumn Poetry Contest

Isn’t autumn a poetic word?  Actually, I think poetic words are all around us; they’re falling gracefully from our lips and pages; their bright flags of color scream to be grabbed…

Okay, okay…you get the point.

Next week, I’ll be launching my first ever blog contest; I’ve decided to focus on poetry.

Now…I don’t really consider myself much of a poet, but let’s face it…writing poetry is fun!!!  And it doesn’t necessarily take a lot of time (unless you’re a perfectionist)!!!

So I want you to place this information in your head to start processing it.  I want you to start looking for inspiration around you.

But please don’t look for inspiration in a way which might cause your spouse to consult an attorney or cause you to lose a long-time friend.  Please don’t submit something which most of society would find inappropriate or violent because I’ve self-rated my blog as PG (at the most).  After all…Honesty, the sweet lady, if led correctly, can be a beautiful darling…but she doesn’t like to be mishandled for selfish purposes.  She would rather enrich those around her.

And I Promise (with a capital P) I’m thinking up some awesome prizes…something to do with gift cards, of course. 

With your permission and if you place, I’ll publish your poem on my blog with your name and any other information you would deem worthwhile…or your parents allow, but you can choose to be anonymous as well.  If you receive an honorable mention, but don’t place…I’ll still publish your poem and credit you (however you wish).

The best part:  No rules other than common decency to confine your creativity!!!

All ages welcome.

I’ll officially launch the contest next week.