COME ONE, COME ALL/ August 6

August 6, 2010
By

by Carolee, Deb & Jill

It’s show time! It’s time to post your original poem, written in response to Monday’s prompt — one that hopefully mixed up your recent writing life — or any other inspiration from the week. (We love it when you write to our prompt, but we also love it when you write on a whim. We all know how fickle that muse can be.)

Leave a link to your blog post, or leave your poem itself, in the comments! And remember: Although we love seeing our badge in the sidebar of your blog, we would appreciate it if you would also link back to the site in each of your poem posts. Linking within your post helps people travel back and forth from your site to the Big Tent Poetry site, and it helps perpetuate Big Tent Poetry “findability” in Google searches — and that helps us all.

Let the show begin! This post is “sticky” — it will stay right here in the spotlight for you all weekend.

Here’s how prompts work under the Big Tent

You’ve got all week to write your poem, based on this week’s prompt. Come Fridays (today!) you’ll find a “Come One, Come All” post (this one!) where you can 1) leave a link to your poem or 2) leave the poem in its entirety.

We want to give you all weekend to post your work and read each others’ work. Take your time. Enjoy all the poems that are new to the world.

Some hints

Hint: We’ve set Big Tent Poetry to Central Time.

Hint: An easy way to check on new post comments is via a RSS reader, if you use one. Here’s the address you would add to your reader: http://bigtentpoetry.org/comments/feed.

Hint: Since we’re a new site, and you’re new to it, your comment(s) will be held for moderation for your first few posts. We’re checking the filters often, so don’t despair! That said, if it takes more than a half a day to see it come live on the site, do email us at info (at) bigtentpoetry.org. (But be patient, okay?)

Circus etiquette

We figure you know how to play in the poetry community, but here are the basics:

Be nice. Have fun. Remember we aren’t a critique forum. We want to support each other as we bring more poetry into our lives. Only provide critique if someone specifically asks for it.

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67 Responses to “ COME ONE, COME ALL/ August 6 ”

  1. rob kistner on August 6, 2010 at 12:09 am

    I usually write free verse from the first person perspective — this piece is not…

    • rob kistner on August 6, 2010 at 1:00 am

      …a second new piece I’d like to share this week, it’s off-prompt: Still

  2. Rachel on August 6, 2010 at 12:11 am

    Rather than one long poem, here are six short ones for this week.

  3. Elizabeth on August 6, 2010 at 12:15 am

    here’s mine:

    Dance of Veils

    http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/

    Elizabeth

  4. Francis Scudelari on August 6, 2010 at 12:33 am

    I tried second-person, unstructured, prosaic…
    It’s merely evilution, my dears

  5. Cara Holman on August 6, 2010 at 12:34 am

    Come to my blog and add to my renga!

    http://caraholman.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/add-to-this-renga/

  6. barbara on August 6, 2010 at 1:01 am

    Didn’t do a very good job of it, but I did try something a little different
    wolfskin

  8. pamela on August 6, 2010 at 1:10 am

    that would be `different` not `a different` oops!

    • Elizabeth on August 6, 2010 at 10:49 am

      Couldn’t leave a comment at your site. Like the compact feel of this one. Packs a punch.

      Elizabeth

      • pamela on August 6, 2010 at 12:49 pm

        Thanks Elizabeth!
        Pamela

  9. Stan Ski on August 6, 2010 at 1:33 am

    Here’s mine – my first Villanelle: INVESTIGATION

  10. vivienne blake on August 6, 2010 at 1:51 am

    I did my best, but it still seems identiiable as a Viv poem! I did enjoy the exercise, though, and learned something. http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/astronomy-for-big-tent-14/

  11. Lindsey on August 6, 2010 at 1:58 am

    I usually write things that don’t go very deep into my soul. This one does.

    http://dishwaterdreams.com/2010/08/all-the-tomorrows/

  12. derrick2 on August 6, 2010 at 2:46 am

    I had a go at a prose poem – with rhyme!

    http://melrosemusings.blogspot.com/2010/08/hero.html

  13. Mary on August 6, 2010 at 2:50 am

    And here is mine:

    http://inthecornerofmyeye.blogspot.com/2010/08/wind.html

  14. Diane T on August 6, 2010 at 2:58 am

    Something different for me:

    http://troublebeingstrong.blogspot.com/2010/08/illumination.html

  15. gautami tripathy on August 6, 2010 at 3:26 am

    This tinme I didn’t write in first person:

    http://firmlyrooted.blogspot.com/2010/08/now-it-there-no-it-isnt.html

  16. Ron. on August 6, 2010 at 4:47 am

    Mr Freeverse gets all sonnety at Scrambled, Not fried

  17. neil reid on August 6, 2010 at 4:53 am

    What one wouldn’t do alone, two would do. A joint poem prompt response.

    red wolf

  18. Elizabeth on August 6, 2010 at 6:20 am

    Since I usually play with space a lot, I restricted myself to a prose poem today: Rain Forest Trialog

  19. Donald Harbour on August 6, 2010 at 6:21 am

    When in college one of my professors said at the beginning of a fall semester; “Each of you will write a poem for each of the fifty types of poems on a list I will give you.” God I hated that man. I dearly love rhyme, narrative, villanelle and several other forms. While I don’t care that much for vers libre (free verse), that seems to be the choice of our time. Lately most of my writing appears to be free verse, aarrrggg! It doesn’t make much difference what subject from life as a cherry pit, or becoming gristle in a hamburger, to the glorious delirium of gout, as long as it is free verse, ahhh…it’s wonderful. I have always found beauty in the rhythm of rhymed words. So in anticipation of the prompt (sort of) here is some rhyme for you about birds.

    Life of a Blue Footed Booby
    Where the Robins fly

  20. Susan B on August 6, 2010 at 6:36 am

    Very challenging prompt. Here’s mine.

    http://beyourownstory.wordpress.com

  21. Donald Harbour on August 6, 2010 at 6:44 am

    Yo fellow tenters, today is the birthday for Wayne Pitchko, poet laureate of the British Columbia tundra. Happy Birthday Wayne.

    • Diane Truswell on August 6, 2010 at 7:47 am

      Happy Birthday Donald! Where’s your poem? I am formerly from British Columbia, too, but not the tundra, LOL.

    • Diane Truswell on August 6, 2010 at 8:28 am

      Sorry, I mean Wayne Pitchko! Happy Birthday to you… Happy Birthday to you… Happy Birthday dear Wayne… Happy Birthday to you!

      • pamela on August 6, 2010 at 10:03 am

        Happy birthday Wayne!
        Cheers!

        • Elizabeth on August 6, 2010 at 6:23 pm

          Wayne, depending on the age reached, and how you personally feel about achieving it, I don’t know if I should sing, cheer, or offer my condolences. So, I’m settling for hoping you have whatever constitutes a really good day for you.

          Elizabeth

          • wayne on August 7, 2010 at 7:41 pm

            72 I guess is an achievement of some sorts….but it is GOOOOOOOOOD…..and thanks

    • Diane Truswell on August 6, 2010 at 8:30 am

      Sorry Donald! I was reading backwards, LOL. I see your poems now!

  22. Joseph Harker on August 6, 2010 at 6:45 am

    Could I interest you in a poem called Évora?

  23. Flood | Amputated Moon on August 6, 2010 at 7:13 am

    [...] Big Tent Poetry’s [...]

  24. Pam on August 6, 2010 at 7:15 am

    OMG I fretted over this prompt all week. Here is my first attempt at a prose poem – let me know if you think it works. . .

    Flood

  25. Diane Truswell on August 6, 2010 at 7:21 am

    Hello, this is a different style than my usual narrative style. Hope you enjoy!

    Illumination

    http://troublebeingstrong.blogspot.com/2010/08/illumination.html

  26. Linda Watskin on August 6, 2010 at 7:30 am

    I started thinking about words, how i use them and from there I simply ended up here—
    http://word-painting.blogspot.com/2010/08/space-at-end-of-poem.html

    Linda

  27. Weasel on August 6, 2010 at 7:46 am

    http://systematicweasel.blogspot.com/2010/08/pulse-new-outlook-big-tent-poetry.html

    I wrote four short poems for this prompt. Normally I have a rather lengthy piece, but sometimes, shorter is better. :)

    -Weasel

  28. brenda w on August 6, 2010 at 7:48 am

    Here’s my piece.
    http://bozone-bw.blogspot.com/2010/08/metaphor.html

    Thanks Deb, this was a fun one!

  29. Deb on August 6, 2010 at 7:51 am

    Mine is short and to the point: Unwanted Advances.

    Glad to see you all here so bright and early. Thanks for playing along!

    Ed note: fixed link!

    • vivienne blake on August 6, 2010 at 9:12 am

      All I found was the Come One Come All page. And I really want to read about Unwanted Advances!

      • Deb on August 6, 2010 at 10:59 am

        Thanks, Viv. I fixed the link.

  30. Cynthia Short on August 6, 2010 at 8:00 am

    Something has stolen my mind…It’s “Arachnophobia” and you will find it here:
    http://cynthiashort.blogspot.com

  31. Rallentanda on August 6, 2010 at 9:29 am

    Mine is titled ‘Haiku Splashes’

    I never ever write in haiku, tanka or renga format. They are flimsy vehicles designed for the ethereal fragile and pastel coloured poets.

    http://rallentanda.blogspot.com

  32. Shayla on August 6, 2010 at 9:48 am

    I didn’t go through the whole exercise, but I did make an effort to stray from my usual format, write about an inanimate object and try to restrain my use of the word “like.”

    Shoes

  33. Marian Veverka on August 6, 2010 at 10:54 am

    I tried to be different….The result is on http://Marianv.blog.co.uk

    • Elizabeth on August 7, 2010 at 9:02 am

      Tried three times to leave a comment, but couldn’t. So, will leave it here:

      Like it for all the reasons already stated. This is lyrical and sings from the page and makes me think of all the songwriters and poets and dreamers who have tried so hard through the centuries to capture what you have made look so easy and flowing.

      Elizabeth

  34. maria on August 6, 2010 at 11:18 am

    This was a challenge. I gave it a try. Not happy with the results, but as they say, it’s the process that matters ( I hope… :) )

    http://www.smallchangeblog.com/smallchangeblog/2010/08/no-poetic-feat.html

    • pamela on August 6, 2010 at 1:00 pm

      Marian I can never leave a comment on your blog!
      This poem is very nice.
      Pamela

  35. Paul Oakley on August 6, 2010 at 11:33 am

    Good to be back after stressful time away. My offering this week may or may not be to prompt. It is titled:

    A DAY IN THE LIFE

  36. wayne on August 6, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    thanks for BD wishes guys and gals…still trying to get over the huge 70th party…this a quiet one at home…in the mountains…lunch by our creek…then a wondeful supper on the deck…a few mojitos and gin and tonics along the way…3 maybe 4 at the most…then to be “a” differnt as Pam would say…A DIFFERNT poem..later on in the day….happy trails to ya all in the BIG Tent.

    • Weasel on August 6, 2010 at 10:19 pm

      Hey Wayne, Happy Birthday! Hope it’s excellent one!

      -Weasel

  37. Ruth on August 6, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    I’m getting away from what has been a predominant theme for my work – dark, memoir-based pieces, with death a frequent tag for both poetry and prose. This new ‘poem’ is focused in now (as opposed to past) and, as well, I allowed it to assume a less structured form than I usually give my poetry… It felt good to do so, thanks for the nudge. :)

    what still small voice?

  38. Julie Jordan Scott on August 6, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    So, a poem sort of following the prompt. I hope all who read find some level of enjoyment in it, anyway…

    http://juliejordanscott.typepad.com/jjspoetry/2010/08/father-for-iinspired-big-tent-poetry.html

  39. Peggy Goetz on August 6, 2010 at 3:28 pm

    Blogger seems to dislike my posts these days. I will try again here without putting my web site above, just here in the message. Maybe that will work. Here is my response to the prompt to branch out and try something out of your ordinary scope. I have not tried this one for a long time. (look for the message in the first letters of each line).

    http://ponderingspeggy.blogspot.com/

  40. Rinkly Rimes on August 6, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    http://rinklyrimes.blogspot.com/2010/08/oh-watering-can.html

    My first time here. I tried a sonnet in response to another meme.

  41. Tumblewords on August 6, 2010 at 7:58 pm

    Thanks for the prompt – and the site!

    Other

  42. ms pie on August 6, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    happy to participate in the challenge…. not like yesterday

  43. Kelly on August 7, 2010 at 12:40 am

    I discovered that I almost always write my poems in complete sentences and use lots of punctuation – must be the editor in me. I tried to break free of that here, but not entirely sure I succeeded…

    The morning says I do
    http://www.starsandwillows.com/2010/08/the-morning-says-i-do/

  44. mory on August 7, 2010 at 7:33 am

    Here is the poem i wrote in response to the prompt http://teslawall.blogspot.com/2010/08/carpe-diem.html

  45. Rachel Barenblat on August 7, 2010 at 7:40 am

    Chiming in belatedly to share a link to what I wrote this week — my response to the prompt took me in a new direction for sure!

    Throne of glory
    http://velveteenrabbi.blogs.com/blog/2010/08/another-mother-poem-ode-to-a-changing-table.html

  46. wayne on August 7, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    my big 70th bash was 2 years ago…..now 72 this was a quiet one….preparing for 75th bash…anyways here is mine…in stanza form and rhyming….OUTSIDE the tent for me
    http://waynepitchko.blogspot.com/2010/08/poets-birthday.html

  47. Deb on August 8, 2010 at 11:44 am

    From Irene: Hmmm…I did one that’s not my usual style.

    Boat in the dark

  48. Iain D. Kemp on August 8, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    Oh my!!! I write in so many different ways…it’s very confusing! I hadn’t writen one of these for a while and did one this week…part of my Cats’ Poetry & Death series… the link is http://almerimarlife.com/forum/topic/961/cats-poetry-death-42-gone-but-not-forgotten-a-poem-by-iain-kemp/

    Cheers all

    Iain

    • Deb on August 10, 2010 at 5:35 am

      I’m a sap for poems about cats, Iain. And this is no exception. The unknown is hard to reconcile, and that comes through in this lovely poem.

      • Iain D. Kemp on August 10, 2010 at 11:25 am

        Thanks Deb

        Iain

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