by the Read Write Poem Staff
First up on our prompt-writing roster is Donna Vorreyer, who answered our call for prompts with immediate enthusiasm. Thank you Donna; thank you to all our members who provided prompts!
Donna says she uses this idea all the time for both herself and her students to force new language and connections into drafts.
- Put your iPod or iTunes (or other mp3 player) on shuffle. (If you don’t have a music player that shuffles, you can choose CD or album titles at random from your collection by writing several titles down on little slips of paper … works the same way.)
- Write down the first five titles that come up. No cheating allowed!
- Use all five titles to draft a new poem. They have to be used intact — you can interrupt them with punctuation, but you may not remove or change words.
Shuffle away — the more eclectic your music collection, the better!
Reminders for everyone
Read the Read Write Poem NaPoWriMo Challenge Kickoff post for details on how the challenge works — and how you can engage with Read Write Poem this month, no matter what your personal writing challenge is for the month of April.
Please read this page to find out how Read Write Poem’s prompt posts work. Remember that work linked from any post this month is shared in precisely that spirit: sharing, as opposed to critiquing. If you haven’t done so already, please read all the pages under About in the navigation bar.
Fun but harder than I thought. A first attempt:
http://www.alienfireworks.blogspot.com/
Surfin’ U.S.A. – The Beach Boys
I Feel the Earth Move – Carole King
Beth – Kiss
Surrender – Cheap Trick
Lush Life – John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman
http://www.dansbait.com/?p=112
Here we go
“Weaving Threads of Shuffle”
http://jdmackenzie.blogspot.com/2010/04/weaving-threads-of-shuffle.html
With respect to R.E.M, Chris Botti, Indigo Girls and Billy Joel.
I wrote my poem for today, April 1. My poems can be found on my blog, http://richelledodaro.blogspot.com
http://wintermintfruit.blogspot.com/2010/04/hide-seek-i-am-only-there-if-somebody.html
Wrote it before I got home to see the prompt, so an off-topic day~~ I’ll try to be patient from here out |Y
Look for my April 1 post at http://1965footprints.blogspot.com
‘Used today’s prompt and the resulting poem (or attempt at a poem) is on my blog at http://revolutionarysweetheart.blogspot.com
Here is my Poem for April 1st:
Falling Down
http://brokeness.blogspot.com/2010/04/falling-down-napowrimo-1.html
This will be more difficult than I expected. http://makeda42.livejournal.com/59061.html
i totally tried to get this in before midnight..does it count if i’m 12 minutes late posting???
http://boxofchocolates29.wordpress.com/2010/04/02/shuffle-poem/
I didn’t use the prompt today; 29 more chances to get it write, I suppose.
Closer Than They Appear
April 1, 2010
Spring break slips
into the rearview mirror:
sunshine, simplicity,
smooth roads and
easy streets.
Summertime awaits
just beyond the horizon:
blooms, blossoms,
forest paths and
flower beds.
Between the two:
the twists, turns,
and narrow, winding roads
of twelve weeks
without a map.
I’m on vacation in New Orleans, and the five songs were ones playing while we were eating dinner at Jacque-Imo’s on Oak Street.
http://lanijo.com/poetry/five-songs
ps: the five songs…
1. Losing My Religion, R.E.M.
2. Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone, Bill Withers
3. All Apologies, Nirvana as covered by Sinead O’Connor
4. Makes Me Wanna Hollar, Marvin Gaye
5. Halah, Mazzy Star
Thanks to Donna Vorreyer for the prompt! At first I was thinking, “oh no, how is this going to be anything but hokey?!” And maybe my poem is, but the prompt was challenging and really effective, especially considering the writers’ block I’ve been having lately — this is the first poem I actually finished (albeit unrevised still of course) in about four months. ‘Infinite gratitude to Donna for helping me break that rut.
Poem #1:
“Letting Go”
Songs:
What Goes Around–Dave Holland, Zoom–The Commodores, Milestones–Bill Evans, You’ll Never Know–Barbra Streisand, Why Let it Go–Barbra Streisand)
Poem #1. “Come Close, I Called.”
http://troysworktable.blogspot.com/2010/04/napowrimo-1.html
My poem “Letting Go” is posted at:
http://www.shewrites.com/profile/NancyHatamiya
(Songs: What Goes Around–Dave Holland, Zoom–The Commodores, Milestones–Bill Evans, You’ll Never Know–Barbra Streisand, Why Let it Go–Barbra Streisand)
The Five Songs:
1. Silvio by Bob Dylan
2. Come Monday by Jimmy Buffet
3. Only The Lonely by The Motels
4. Handbags and Gladrags by Mary Coughlan
5. Mr. Completely by Trey Anastasio
Nigh
Silvio wears a nametag,
no introduction necessary.
He shuffles back and forth
from streetlight to trash can
with a tattered sign
warning that come Monday
it’ll all be over. He does this
every weekend, shouting
how only the lonely few
who repent will be saved.
Oh, and all penitence
must be in haiku form –
Silvio’s God loves brevity.
He roots around in his pile
of handbags and gladrags,
newspapers and fast-food wrappers
until he finds the masterpiece
he always uses as an example:
“Mr. Completely
saves spring each day with his words.
Only nametags lie.”
I’m beginning to think
some truth is nigh.
1. every morning
2. gotta go my own way
3. keep the customer satisfied
4. fun & games
5. let it be
http://1986-present.tumblr.com/post/490509391/1-late-again
I don’t particularly love it but I did it–
http://eyemachine.xanga.com/724625561/napowrimo-metallic-mouth/
Not a huge fan of mine either but here we go…
http://kyleakoyote.tumblr.com/
Mine was tough too…but check it out.
http://kyleakoyote.tumblr.com/post/490551208/napowrimo-1
Here is “worth leaving” http://sky-lined.blogspot.com/2010/04/napowrimo-1-worth-leaving.html the songs from my player are linked there. It was sort of difficult, esp with the beach boys thrown in the middle >w< " .
sara swanson replied:
April 2nd, 2010 at 12:36 am
Also, I live in Mountain time, so it’s still 11:35 to me! And if anyone wants to critique, feel free~.
REAR VIEW MIRROR
(in a minor key)
I was the last one in line,
a girl on the verge,
with a twisted inventory
of stories and promises
lobbed over barbed wire.
“I’ll shoot the moon for you.
I’ll give you sex and music.
I’ve been waiting for you
all my life.”
You know, all that jazz
from the book of love.
You were standing
just across the borderline,
freezing the frame,
holding the moment,
as if your life depended on it.
GIRL ON THE VERGE
TWISTED
SHOOT THE MOON
SEX AND MUSIC
ALL MY LIFE
ALL THAT JAZZ
THE BOOK OF LOVE
ACROSS THE BORDERLINE
FREEZING
AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT
(I wanted to go on, so I added five more songs)
Ok – here are my songs:
Father and Son – Cat Stevens
Comptine D’un Autre Ete: L’apres-Midi – Yann Tierson
White Daisy Passing – Rocky Votolato
Gong Gone Gone (Done Moved On) – Robert Plant & Allison Krauss
Swimming Pool – Lemongrass
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Another Summer
Another white daisy passing through
Another sunspeckled summer
Father and son both gone
gone gone (done moved on)
Past the picnic tables, sticky popsicles
Past the blue swimming pool
They paused for a moment
Lit upon this world like fireflies
Comptine d’un autre ete:
L’apres-midi
I’m away catsitting and don’t have an iPod (am I did only one who doesn’t have an iPod?) Anyways, here’s mine.
napowrimo april 1
Just in under the wire…
http://scrapsandsass.blogspot.com/2010/04/napowrimo_01.html
Here’s mine!!!!!!!!
http://self-intoxication.deviantart.com/art/Kennedy-159235382
#1 4.1.10
Here it is. Two minutes to spare.
http://vinniekinsella.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/napowrimo-1b/
Ok. I know I’m late. But here is #1
http://lotuspapillon12.blogspot.com/2010/04/cat-bird-napowrimo-1.html
Posted on my LJ on the 1st but I forgot to post it here.
Daffodils in Council Plantings
In the midst of a crowded market
where people barge past
without an ‘excuse me’ or an ‘I’m sorry’
or a ‘Did I just smash your ankle with my pushchair?’
there are people with eyes full of tears;
people with the haunted look
of walking in the silence of an unknown name
and despite the gay tarpaulins
and the snap of canvas in the wind
they walk through dappled sunlight
without seeing a smile
or the light touch of a hand on an arm
and instead see the puddles from last nights rain
and chewing gum on the cobblestones.
angie werren replied:
April 2nd, 2010 at 5:12 am
wow.
yes.
rallentanda replied:
April 2nd, 2010 at 10:51 am
I see this too.Sad but a poem that needs to be written.
http://scriptophobe.blogspot.com/2010/04/napowrimo-1.html
Just catching up on posting requirements….!
http://mothersparrow.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/meadow-walk/
Pet Sounds—Beach Boys
Ferocious Pocket—Bangs
How Many Lights Do You See-Bright Eyes
Here We Go—Arab Strap
Mold-Northern Liberties
Reintroductions
In the corner, she heard a hiss like a cuss—
Territorial in a ferocious pocket,
The tortie’s pet sounds triggered
The larger cat to flee into the back room.
Upon inspection,
“How many lights do you see?”
There were two yellow beams
Defiantly defecating in the bathtub.
“Here we go!” I am never going to try
To mold a new cat, too young
Or old, to soil our chaotic home,
To force them to introduce too soon.
http://estherpoyer.wordpress.com/2010/04/02/mercy-3030-day-1/
I didn’t follow the prompt on day 1, but I did write. http://avniously.blogspot.com/
I left a comment last night with a link to my blog with my poem inspired by the readwritepoem shuffle a poem prompt. Can’t find it, though. So here goes my second attempt at leaving this comment. I wrote a poem called “Burying Stilettos” inspired by my brother’s itunes.
http://typewritelove.livejournal.com/
Airline to Heaven
~ after Woodie Guthrie, Wilco and Billy Bragg
ears eyes remind me of you
you have your ticket in your hand
take me home
to the clouds
to the skies
give me your hand
before it’s too late
you can find your way to heaven
turn your eyes to me
to the clouds to the skies
alot of people preach
some say yes
some say no
you surely know
how to leave this world behind
alot of speakers speak
the only earthly way
fly to heaven on time
to the clouds to the skies
take the airplane
it’ll take you home again
take me home again
to the clouds
to the skies
you gotta take this flight
daytime or night
you can’t see if you’re blind
take me home again
to the clouds
to the skies
http://seashelllz.livejournal.com/112232.html
Here’s a link to the poem I wrote, “Sunset in that Lonesome Valley”
http://lizshine.blogspot.com/2010/04/read-write-poemday-1shuffle-poem.html
Mine turned out surprisingly coherent (once translated).
http://tasmith1122.wordpress.com/2010/04/03/read-write-poem-napowrimo-day-1/
late but I did it!
wow, now if I could remember to post the link:
http://meetinggrace.wordpress.com/2010/04/02/napowrimo-1-2/
1 & 2 both written day 2, posted day 3 wee hours
http://vanessavaile.posterous.com/1-nawripomo
I can’t find the page for yesterday or today. PLEASE HEEEELLLLP!
April 1’s poem: “The Voices of Spring” ~ http://treasures.edublogs.org/2010/04/01/readwritepoem-april-1/
This was challenging!!! Late, but I like where I ended up. Thanks!!
Cattitude
5 Albums:
E.badu – penitentiary
Carly Simon – revelation
Paris Lounge – Paris By Night
Compilation – Voices of Forgotten Worlds
Black Bottom Collective – Peoplemover
I think i posted mine in the wrong place on day 1, so adding it here just in case
Electricity
The boy wanted to know what electricity was,
peered into sockets to see currents flow hot as blood,
or cool rivers of neon, fluid as faces, spilled as milk.
But even his father didn’t know what he worked with
looked like, a man who could fix anything with a screw,
every sound of the house connected to his coiled grin,
a twitch at the corner wired to a switch in his hands
and a Danger: High Voltage sign flash in his eyes.
The boy looked for trails of electric but saw only white
pour into the night, the colours of day fuse into one
nuclear blur. He saw an instrument of power’s presence,
lamps off and on, flicked quick as moods/
an eggshell skirt shudder and cling to her legs
when father comes home/ opens the fridge.
No one explains it/something not visible still there/
the light of the fridge goes on, then out
like mother closes a door on small bright sparks,
brilliant parts of herself she keeps in the dark.
(my songs were- Electricity- apoptyma beserka, into the night- siouxsie and the banshees,electric- the cult (though i got that wring i found later as its the name of the album!), danger hight voltage- electric 6, the river- joe bonamssa- which in ed lost the the.)
DJ Vorreyer replied:
April 9th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
There is no “wrong” – you still used the random phrase in the piece! I really like an eggshell skirt shudder – great sound there!
Too late again
http://stiletto.crisopeya.eu/2010/04/03/napowrimo-1-shuffle-a-poem/
here it is with graphic (I think)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4499264&l=aa9085e2d1&id=638476499
http://legacyleonard.blogspot.com/2010/04/napowrimo-1-selfcity-prayer.html
http://ingeborgsblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/napowrimo-aril-1st-leaving-on-jet-plane.html
Fair Damsel
Awake late into the night, I slipped A Knight’s Tale into the DVD player
a terrifying scritchity-scratch growl and grumble
reminiscent of mail-and-chain armor of a horsed
errant Knight Ride
betwixt and between verdant English wooded dales,
down centuries old cobbled lanes in search of a tryst (or two)
seeking
The Primrose Lady/Molly from Langfort; the Four Kisses
success of medieval dreams.
The Spirit Within – love everlasting, magic mornings, evening desire – has not dulled over the centuries
knights and damsels, ladies and gents, men and women from the
Streets of Philadelphia to those who Thank God I’m a Country Boy
fall in love whether they should or not
and give this lurching-along world
new lovers for new times.
Glad so many people found the prompt a challenge – it usually pushes people outside of the box! I just returned from a weeklong trip where I completed my first 5 poems -they will be posted later at
http://djvorreyer.wordpress.com
I’m not the Same Girl
when I Party Like a Rockstar,
Forever enveloped in the smog of a back alley nightclub.
I rock like the cool kids,
not thinking of the Karma
that will visit me in the AM.
Universe Diamond God
Angeliad of Surazeus
2010 04 01
http://open.salon.com/blog/surazeus/2010/04/01/universe_diamond_god
Androgynous – The Crashtest Dummies
You Don’t Need A Reason – Monte Montgomery
Italian Leather Sofa – Cake
Crazy She Calls Me – Rod Stewart
Get Over It – OK Go
This is a hoot!
That old man river
sings his February song
with the days ahead
telling me it’s love
I must have had brains for breakfast.
http://jazzandpoetry.com/2010/04/napowrimo-1-shuffle-a-poem/
Shuffle poem:
- Panic
- Two tickets to Paradise
- When Doves Cry
- The Great Escape
- Runner
http://shannons-words.livejournal.com/153094.html