by Deb Scott
It’s Thursday, and time to post links to the poems you wrote for us this week (or leave us your entire poem in the comments).
Did you find you favored other people’s words? Did some give you fits? (And if you wrote using some other inspiration, that’s OK, too. You never have to write to the prompt. We are not like that around here.) Whatever you did, or didn’t do, share it. And come back tomorrow for the next great prompt.
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Deb Scott is a community director for Read Write Poem and co-manages our Virtual Book Tour. She admits to loving Wordles if for no other reason than to admire all the offerings. Deb blogs at Stoney Moss.
I ended up continuing the one I did for last month’s Wordle; finally, The Zoetrope Comes to Rest.
Here are the two poems that I wrote. I was so much taken in by the colours magenta and turquoise, they unearthed memories that I could not bypass. The first poem is ‘Magenta Tattoo’-http://umaathreya.blogsome.com/2010/03/13/magenta-tattoo/, and the second poem is ‘My Friend Disappears In A Turquoise Halo’ – http://umaathreya.blogsome.com/2010/03/18/my-friend-disappears-in-a-turquoise-halo/
Sorry, link for the poem ‘Magenta Tattoo’ got missed out. Here it is http://umaathreya.blogsome.com/2010/03/13/magenta-tattoo/
A troupe of Wandering Minstrels
The motor coach with its load of weary characters
Rolled through the mists of the hot desert night.
The strumpet, relaxed in her seat, studied her mirror
And added a few touches of magenta to her eye shadow.
In the seats in front of her, Romeo and Juliet were doing
Their homework by the light of a large flashlight.
The flashlight belonged to Lady Macbeth who used it
To encourage her potted fern to stay alive.
Across the aisle Lady Macbeth and Othello were playing
Poker. The humming of the coach was quiet enough for
The strumpet to hear the slap of the cards. She and Lady M
Had agreed to watch Romeo and Juliet, the new Romeo had
Wandering eyes and hands to match. Lady M also played
The role of Juliet’s nurse. The strumpet was the strumpet’s
Favorite costume. The skirt was bright turquoise, long,
Shiney with a slash almost up to her waist. Now she was
Aware of furtive glances cast her way. Iago was at it again.
If only she didn’t have to play Desdemona. Iago’s hands
Creeping from her waist to her breasts made her sick.,
It should be time for a rest stop, they could go outside, stretch,
Eat and walk a bit. This time of night, few people would be
Around to notice the odd line of characters at the rest rooms.
Their next performance was in New Mexico. A new auditorium,
Its acoustics system nonpareil – perhaps some people might show?
After that, who knew? They were the Flying Dutchmen of
Shakespearean actors, doomed to travel the highways of
America and bring the Bard into every hamlet, no matter
How small. Their best performances were given when no
Audiences were watching.
barbara_y replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Wonderful cast. I do like the ending.
Nicole Nicholson replied:
March 19th, 2010 at 7:45 am
A wonderful use of the words and some excellent storytelling, Marian.
Karen replied:
March 20th, 2010 at 5:39 am
You have created a great story with your troupe. Great mood and point of view.
derrick replied:
March 21st, 2010 at 6:58 am
Never a dull moment on this motor-coach, I’m sure! Many strolling players would recognise themselves here.
I don’t seem to have titled the poem, but the post is Bible Sales Wordle
http://briarcat.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/the-bible-sales-wordle/
this was fun and right up my cheffy alley!
http://tmi-chef.blogspot.com/2010/03/read-write-poem-prompt-118.html
I combined last week’s and this week’s prompts for some pie.
Pie
You’ll find mine here:
http://beyondtheblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/14/illness
Lacie and racy, Ooo La La Magenta Lace
Marie replied:
March 19th, 2010 at 9:02 am
I’m blushing in magenta.
Magenta Cheeks. I feel a little derivative of Rob.
I really like this wordle, it’s bold bawdy and wonderful, it’s racy lacy and seductive – and if you didn’t go in that direction — YOU’RE CHICKEN!!! buk buk buk-caw
Deb Scott replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 6:59 am
Don’t pay him no mind folks! Write as you will.
barbara_y replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 11:17 am
sometimes the chicken WANTS to cross the road
rob kistner replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Sorry, at 63, I guess there’s still a bit of randy left in the rooster — or it might be my new medication…
E Stelling replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
I agree- LOL!
vortex
This week’s words suggested something lighthearted, so here’s my bit of fun!
http://melrosemusings.blogspot.com/2010/03/works-outing.html
Marie replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:46 am
It is lighthearted and fun. I’ve been waiting in line behind tour groups like this one many a time, wondering at the clandestine interactions, and how their bums might feel.
I used all the words, though I made an anagram out of one of them:
Mirror Universe Bible
‘Strumpet Champ’ 2010
http://rallentanda.blogspot.com
I didn’t use all the words — here’s turquoise:
http://another2doors.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/turquoise/
oops! forgot to log in — trying again with turquoise:
http://another2doors.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/turquoise/
Rob K, how you make me laugh! Here she is…Harlot in the Closet…
http://ofheart.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/harlot-in-the-closet/
You will find mine here. Thanks for the prompt!
http://flaubert-poetrywithme.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-always-about-you-rwp-118-digging.html
Great word cloud — it led me in new directions!
Sleepwear
http://velveteenrabbi.blogs.com/blog/2010/03/another-mother-poem-for-readwritepoem-prompt-118.html
Sorry Rob, I chickened out on the seductiveness angle.
Jewellery Box House — I’m not illiterate; that’s the Canadian spelling.
rallentanda replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 7:05 am
It is also the same spelling in Britain Australia,New Zealand and South Africa.
Nice word ‘jewellery’
Well I seem to be making my own paths of late, and not a wordle word in my two poems this week. But something to share…
Miles to go before I sleep
Some hints toward happiness
Here’s my offering for this week:
Crucify
I’m going to be really busy the next few days, but I’ll try to read as many of my fellow RWP’er’s poems as possible.
-Nicole
Didn’t use all the words, but the ones I did use are here: http://poemblaze.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/rwp-118/
could not do just one…
http://motherveg.wordpress.com/2010/03/18/tri-and-try-as-one-might-thrice-118/
I used all of the words and they were fun!
http://tmi-chef.blogspot.com/2010/03/read-write-poem-prompt-118.html
Marie replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 9:03 am
To read it was fun, too!
My chosen word from the list is mist and the poem, welcoming in Spring, is “Oriole.”
http://yourinnerceo.blogspot.com
I used a lot of words from the wordle:
http://firmlyrooted.blogspot.com/2010/03/now-close-now-open.html
Well, I have no idea where this came from, but here it is! I used all the words, for better or for worse.
“Mrs. Wilson”
Mrs. Wilson adjusts the fern upon her desk and yawns
As the 8:35AM bell rings yet again
Signalling the start of another school day
She grasps her coffee cup and brings it to her lips
The steam mists up her glasses
Like a mirror in the locker room after P.E.
Sometimes there just isn’t enough caffeine for Monday morning
Especially when she’s been up all night with a teething baby
And discovers her toddler painting the walls with jam
Mrs. Wilson furtively takes attendance
Also pretending that she doesn’t notice
The adolescent strumpet adjusting her thong
The football players smooth their turquoise and magenta jerseys
As much in costume as the girls who paint their lips and nails
They all fumble with their Norton Anthologies
Mrs. Wilson remembers learning Thorton Wilder
In fishnet stockings and black eye liner
Half-asleep at a desk that barely contained her coltish legs
Did her own teachers ever imagine
That the girl who drew on her binder instead of taking notes
Would someday stand before a class with such passion?
Will her own sons spend Grade 11 carving angry song lyrics
Into the covers of their ancient textbooks
Like every student before them?
For now, though, there is only first period English
The smell of ancient sneakers
And a lesson on metaphorical journeys
Mrs. Wilson is nonpareil
Teaching teens about Pullman cars and motor coaches
Competing with IPods and secret notes
Armed with only iambic pentameter and chalk
She coaxes short attention spans towards her
And presents literature as exotic delicacies
Like a ninja creeps across a movie screen
Mrs. Wilson passes through young minds
Artfully leaving behind information like throwing stars
A lone English teacher before a class
Speaking over the cacophony of hormones
Inspires a generation to take out their books and read
Marie replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:48 am
You capture the essence of English class, plus you used all the words! A+
Beth replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Thank you very much, Marie!
derrick replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:12 am
I’m sure many of us have a lot to thank the Mrs Wilsons of this world for, Beth. I enjoyed this!
Beth replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:45 am
Amen! Three cheers for the Mrs. Wilson’s of the world!
I’m so glad that you liked this poem, Derrick! Thank you!
jmcneely replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Beth, that is fantastic, great job. You found a great and natural way to include the words.
Beth replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Thank you very much! It was certainly quite the challenge to use all those words!
rob kistner replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
A day in the life of a teacher, a most important, and unappreciated calling…
…rob
Image & Verse
Uma Gowrishankar replied:
March 19th, 2010 at 1:07 am
Beth, I love your poem. Like these
‘The steam mists up her glasses
Like a mirror in the locker room after P.E.’ and
‘the cacophony of hormones.’
barbara_y replied:
March 20th, 2010 at 12:20 am
ninja. I think that takes the cake. very cool.
Karen replied:
March 20th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Thank heavens for the Mrs. Wilsons of the world. I love Mrs. Wilson!
Motherveg replied:
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:06 pm
nice universal capture…you hit the nail on every head…
I tried to use all the words but only got 9. I found an alternative meaning for nonpareil which I based the poem on.
The Nonpareil
Like a strumpet on her maiden trick
Revealing her magenta blush
He displays his colors to the fern
Who shyly hides in turquoise brush.
Immodestly he flaunts his plume
And skirts from branch to branch
And hopes his flaming colors rise
To capture spring’s romance.
His muted bride on darkened limb
Allows his costumed show
To lure her focus gradually
And let her interest grow.
Furtively she watches him
From shade obscured by morning’s mist
She contrasts tempting plumage
With need for faithfulness.
The Painted Bunting mates for life,
His colors none-the-less,
She needs to choose most wisely
How to best defend her nest.
His feathers shine and mesmerize
It’s true, no other one contends
And in his bright alluring air
Her confidence ascends.
And so with rising certainty
She sees his blooming pride
As evidence of his devotion
To his forever-bride.
Emerging from her hideaway
The courtship starts its dance of fate
And soon above the forest bed
The Bunting has his mate.
derrick replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:09 am
I really enjoyed this colourful display, Marie!
Beth replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 10:47 am
Lovely use of nonpareil…and very colourful!
rob kistner replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Bright and brilliant…
…rob
Image & Verse
Marie replied:
March 19th, 2010 at 8:28 am
Here’s a link to see what the Painted Bunting looks like: Its a spectacular bird.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://birdsbybaranoff.com/images/2744-1-painted-bunting-c11x.jpg&imgrefurl=http://birdsbybaranoff.com/prints.htm&usg=__nxsdVlHDAshuO2FkPD8l_BeGWl8=&h=700&w=550&sz=97&hl=en&start=5&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=R9N2B3G5VvEXnM:&tbnh=140&tbnw=110&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpainted%2Bbunting%2Bphoto%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26tbs%3Disch:1
Motherveg replied:
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:10 pm
got the birder in me going-yahoo…do one on a cedar waxwing and I may melt
Marie replied:
March 23rd, 2010 at 2:13 pm
i had a cedar waxwing to my window recently. Such delicate colors. I will try a poem about one!
I believe it was A Victorian Elopement
Marie replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Wonderfully succinct! The words from the prompt lay in your poem naturally-none of it seems forced-and you draw an exciting and emotional scene.
Interesting set of words – this poem came out very, very different from how I expected..!
http://musemesomepoetry.blogspot.com/
I didn’t follow the prompt at all.
http://jimmcneely.blogspot.com/2010/03/you-may-think.html
Mine is here. Thanks!
Dark Fans for RWP #118
Here’s my effort: Beneath the Facade
Deb Scott replied:
March 18th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Did you mean to leave us a link, Susan?
I used all the words in Costume
You’ll need a password to read this and other poems there. If you don’t yet have it, leave a comment on the Welcome page or email me and I’ll send it to you.
Here’s mine: http://www.spiritsoflena.com/2010/03/get-your-poem-on.html
My gal’s a strumpet:
http://keepingsecrets-karen.blogspot.com/2010/03/aurora-redux.html
Marie replied:
March 19th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Lovely use of strumpet, magenta, turquoise and cup. A really lovely poem.
I’m still working on my poem for this prompt – hopefully I’ll have it done in the next day or two. But, like Neil, I’d like to share one poem I did write this week.
Disparity
Looking forward to reading y’all’s poems.
Z.
Hey, y’all! I loved reading your poems but don’t have the time to respond to them individually, as they deserve, or post one myself because I’m in the midst of more intensive classes. Another stint in the Windy City, and I’ll be back in April. I’ll be reading but silent until then.
Marianv,
I really enjoyed this. I love the last line:
“Their best performances were given when no
Audiences were watching.”
Pamela
Beth,
Sounds exactly like many classrooms I have taught in. Love this!
Pamela
Marie,
An absolutely lovely poem!
Pamela
Marie replied:
March 20th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Thanks, Pamela, It means a lot to me to have some encouragement because I am so new to poetry. Its scary to post something! I enjoyed your sexy poem with your naked narrator, too. It seems this prompt was provocative!
Deb Scott replied:
March 20th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Congratulations for posting your poem over the fluttering heartbeats! And a belated welcome to the site.
Thanks for the comments. It was fun writing it & I thought up a few more characters, but it would be too long.
Lovely use of language – a heartwarming, lovely poem. Thank you for sharing.
Folding, unfolding, fumbling the blue edges of a handkerchief.
Looking for the right words to frame too much feeling.
Fingers following the irregular stitching around the scalloped edges.
I don’t mean to avoid your eyes. Uncertain of the space between us.
Sometimes it is a handspan, sometimes a cool distance.
I am unravelled, spilling truth. You throw it back at me,
a mirror refracting pieces which look unfamiliar, improbable.
Out of time so quickly; haiku brevity and intensity.
Ephemeral, impossible, like falling in love with the first day of Spring.