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Walk the Word
Poetry
Main Entry:
po·et·ry
Pronunciation:
..ˈpō-ə-trē, -i-trē also ˈpȯ(-)i-trē..
Function:
noun
Date:
14th century
1 a: metrical writing : verse b: the productions of a poet : poems2: writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm3 a: something likened to poetry especially in beauty of expression b: poetic quality or aspect poetry of dance
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As you can see, poetry can be whatever you make it. There is no true or better form of poetry, no one or only way to write it. It doesn't have to rhyme or to make sense to the reader, as long as it expresses a feeling or paints a mental image. Poetry doesn't have to be a daunting task or something you simply "just can't do".
Everyone can write poetry. Even you!
Everyone has feelings and can paint mental images with words. Poetry can be funny or serious, honest or fake, squishy lovey dovey or hard-edged hate, spring-like colorful or drab and dreary or anywhere in between. Poetry can be anything you make it and it's different for everyone.
While I host and participate in Charlapalooza, I don't consider myself a poet. I write poetry to challenge myself, to challenge my brain to think outside its natural strict and linear box. I ask you all to provide the topics because very seldom can I think of my own place to start. People write poetry for so many reasons and avoid it for so many more.
Stop avoiding. Walk with us.
Walk the Word is a poetry challenge; a personal challenge for each and every one of you. I will provide five words and your job is to create a poem that includes those words. Your poem can be anything you want it to be. As long or as short as you want, as simple or as involved, as structured or as free.
My former wonderful Charlapalooza volunteers; Medussa, Danielle Rose, PG, DJ Myke, Lainey and I will be judging your poetry. While everyone is a winner because you've managed to break outside your box and have tried something new, the person chosen to have written the best poem this round will receive a prize from me.
The prize options offered the winner are a personally addressed postcard from the beautiful city of Denver, CO, a hand colored and personal Mandala greeting card, or a pimp blog written about you or the blogger or charity of your choice. If you have any suggestions, toss them in the mix. I would like to make this a regular event here, like (but not to replace) Charlapalooza.
There are only a few rules to Walk the Word.
1. You must have written the poem. No plagiarism.
2. All five words need to be used in the poem, no variations, pluralizing or changing the tense of the word in any way.
3. The words can be used in any order.
4. Either post the poem here in the comments or send your poem to my inbox if you wish to remain anonymous. I will take anonymous submissions. Know, however, that if you submit to my inbox anonymously, I will post your poem in my blog comments. So your poem will be seen, but only I will know who wrote it.
5. You will have 40 hours to submit your poem on my blog or to my inbox. That means you must submit your best poem by 10 PM (Mountain Time) on Wednesday 8/20. After the time allotted to write, the judges will gather 'round your poetry and chose a winner.
6. The winner, announced in my blog one week from the original posting date (today Tuesday 8/19), will be notified via email and get to pick their prize.
***Suggestion Only***
Take down the five words and leave my page without reading other submissions. Approach your poem without other's expectations or interpretations.
Once you've posted your poem, please feel free to comment on the other poems! Give each other encouragement!
That's it. Simple. Here are your five words for the second Walk the Word.
Pander Feral Bleak Just Six
www.m-w.com (online dictionary for your reference if you need it)