COME ONE, COME ALL/ May 7
by Carolee, Deb & Jill
It’s show time! It’s our first “Starts-Friday-But-Lasts-All-Weekend-Come-one-Come-all” gathering!
It’s time to post your original poem, written in response to Monday’s wonderful prompt 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.)
So leave a link to your blog post, or leave your poem itself, in the comments!
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: https://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.
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.
- Share/Bookmark
We’re so glad you’re here! (And we’ll be checking the spam filters often!!) Be sure to read the About if you have any questions. Or send us a note to info (at) bigtentpoetry (dot) org.
Welcome, welcome!!
me too vivienne!
hi, ladies! the spam filter was holding all of your attempts for me when i signed in. i rescued the original comment (or tried to) so you should be all set!
How does someone get a picture to go along with one’s poem? Inquiring mind wants to know.
Mary, I think like so many WordPress blogs it pulls the picture from a Gravatar account linked to the email address you input when you leave a comment. Go to http://en.gravatar.com to get your own.
Thanks, Dave. That’s exactly right.
I assumed the persona of Lorca
Daredevil’s Dread
My persona is Miss Artoria Gibbons, The Tattooed Lady.
Sad Little Clown
hi, rob! i’m trying to read your pieces but your blog won’t load. :( i’ll try again over the weekend.
Hi Carolee – don’t know why? All is well with my blog… ;)
I was just publishing tonight’s new prompt on Writer’s Island, and I had both Image & Verse and Writer’s Island open — maybe that’s why it wouldn’t load for you??
it works for me now. yay!
The Fire Eating Tight Rope Walker
http://www.emotionalorphan.net/2010/05/06/the-fire-eating-tight-rope-walker/
I started off being silly, then real playfulness settled in: http://jasonriedy.wordpress.com/2010/05/07/not-all-the-time-but-at-least-once/
Perhaps someday I’ll manage titles for things. Doubt it.
I am a clown for today
http://poemsotherwise.blogspot.com/2010/05/clown.html
Couldn’t find where to comment on your blog…so here it is.
Your delving into clowns (something I find very creepy) was done very well. It showed the humanness, and all the flaws, which the costume and greasepaint attempt to cover. Good work!
What a great first line, Jeeves: “I hold all the blood in my round nose.”
Thanks for joining the Big Tent fun.
Jeeves,
You certainly do capture the human side of a clown.
Pamela
“you shall only talk about happy faces” was the line that most grabbed me. thanks for joining the circus! :)
Hopelessly oblique, and it came out in prose: “Ermine.”
http://koshtra.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html#655914727924824964
My cotton candyness awaits you at http://lindagoin.com/2010/big-tent-first-attempt-at-poetic-license.html
hello, hello, hello
…to join the circus is my poem
new blog theme, I hope you can read it
I took an elephant’s point of view:
Bred to a Circus, I’m not
My circus poem is titled “PARABLE”
It combines requirements of this BTP prompt with the first WWP prompt, which is to write about boxes.
http://bozone-bw.blogspot.com/2010/05/side-show-freaks.html
I’m joining the circus.
living in a big tent
Here’s my act!
http://melrosemusings.blogspot.com/2010/05/fun-of-fair.html
Hi Derrick…I wrote a poem as a sequel to yours. Thought I would let you know as I am unable to get my poem on this site. Cheers. Rall
scroll down, circus-goers! R’s link is below. :)
OK, then. I guess I’m in with Step Right UP at Scrambled, Not Fried
Here’s mine
‘The Lion King Twins’
Rallentanda
http://rallentanda.blogspot.com
yay!
here’s mine — http://another2doors.wordpress.com/2010/05/05/circus/
Three circus poems bubbled right up. I couldn’t help it. You can find them here:
Jade Page Press. They are entitled Bearded Lady, Make ‘em Laugh, and Gorilla Suit Guy.
http://mothersparrow.wordpress.com/2010/05/06/circus-act/
My web address is a selection of poems & podcasts hosted by a local blog for where I live in Spain…. http://www.iainkemppoetry.com
The poem for this prompt: “Acrobat” is now available there
Best
Iain
I love what you did for the prompt.
Pamela
Thank you
Iain
Hi Iain, thanks for joining in the Big Tent fun. I’ll leave my comment here (rather than registering for the site, okay?):
I really liked the idea that the narrator is “more marionette/ than acrobat.” And how the poem makes that so clear. Well done!
Thank you ver much.
How do I add a photo to my posts?
Iain
Hi Iain, I’m going to copy what Dave told Mary above:
I think like so many WordPress blogs it pulls the picture from a Gravatar account linked to the email address you input when you leave a comment. Go to http://en.gravatar.com to get your own.
Very good. Kind of a metaphor for an unhealthy love, isn’t it…I really enjoyed the piece.
I posted the link to mind this morning, but it doesn’t seem to have arrived. I had two goes at the prompt, and you will find them here:- http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com
[...] dave bonta, jillypoet, poetry by Carolee Today’s a big day! It’s our first “Come one, come all” gathering at Big Tent [...]
(Nice to see some friends from PAD here!) I love dogs, so this will be my circus persona:
Circus Dog Trainer
Circus dog trainer
that’s what I’d be
in the circus of my mind.
Give me purebreds or
mixed breeds, old
or very young.and
time to work with them,
treats in hand, to teach
them to jump through
hoops, climb stairs, walk
ropes, do back and front
flips, walk on only two feet.
I’ll have them jump rope
ride little bikes or trucks,
climb a ladder too.
Dog trainer par excellence
my circus persona, time
to run away with dogs!
Oh, wouldn’t that be fun, Mary! Nice take on the prompt!
Thanks for joining our little circus. It’s great to “meet” you.
Nice to meet you too, Deb! Looking forward to visiting often.
i actually have thought of running away with the dogs. :) so glad you joined the circus, mary. welcome!
I know of course how much the circus dogs would delight in having you for a trainer Mary – Dog lover that you are. Thanks for inviting me to join you in the circus. THis is going to be fun.
I decided that I am a carny in charge of the sideshow.
What the Carny Says
Great prompt!
The Bareback Rider
I point my toe and stretch to the big top,
leg arching, twirling, a figure skater spiral
on a galloping rink. We are one, Nadia and I.
Balancing on one foot, I bow to her withers,
curls and mane entwine as I inhale her barn
sweat smell. We circle the ring. Next trick.
Sliding to the side I feel her ribs and muscles
against mine. We breathe in unison, a fetus outside
the womb, connected by a leather cord. I pull
on the reins with fingers like Mama’s touching
homemade pasta, flour-covered ribbons, sliding,
slipping into boiling water. The spotlight moves.
I really like
“a fetus outside/the womb, connected by a leather cord. I pull/on the reins with fingers like Mama’s touching/homemade pasta, flour-covered ribbons,”
Thank you! I appreciate the comments!
Great imagery & sensations. I like what Derrick pointed out, too.
I also like the idea that the rider does what a skater does, but on a moving horse.
Thanks for joining the circus! It’s nice to have you here.
i’m pleased that there’s so much that’s tactile about this! very often we think about the visual in the circus … this adds texture! so glad you joined us!
Got there at last, Iain – but what a complicated site! Good job I’m not a quitter…
Bravo for the poem.
ViV
Once the site is used to your name, commenting won’t be a problem.
I deleted your posted poem, since you didn’t like that the formating was lost. And since the link is up. If you want me to put it back in, just say so.
Remember to be patient. It will take the spam filter a while to know you are not spam, especially if you post a lot of comments all at once. :-)
Thankyou very much Deb. I feel such an idiot (my nickname is the silly old bat). No, please don’t put it back…
ViV
Hi! Will try and link my poem.
my poem
Melanie
THanks Viv,
The site is where i am published weekly, both in print and podcast, it’s not actually my blog. The .com was birthday present yesterday, collectin all my posts together with a domain name link…sorry its a bit long-winded.
I liked both of yours but especially the second. well done
Best
Iain
oh, i am so happy to see you all!!!! can’t wait to read.
here’s mine. my narrator as lion tamer.
I am just so happy to be able to join this circus with all my friends!
You will find my prompt poem here: http://cynthiashort.blogspot.com
howdy, y’all! remember: until the site learns who you are it will mark your comment as spam. if you enter it more than once, it *really* believes you are spamming. please be patient as we fish them out. it *should* only happen until we tell the filter: “hey filter, that’s not spam, that’s a circus-goer!”
if you don’t see your comment after half a day or so (we ringleaders have to sleep sometime), send us an email. the address is on the main page.
oh! and if you’re having trouble navigating or figuring things out — we can also help!
I decided to take on the persona of The Fortune Teller, read all about it here http://stacylynnmar.blogspot.com/2010/05/monday-prompt-writing.html
I went with the master of escape artists himself…
Houdini
Lovely, just lovely!
Here is my poem, so glad to gather under this tent – http://umaathreya.blogsome.com/2010/05/07/shenbagam/
Great to see the community still alive and kicking!
“On Decomposition”
http://poemsaboutnothinginparticular.blogspot.com/2010/05/on-decomposition.html
So exciting to see everyone under the big tent! I can’t wait to read everything!
My poem is The Lovely Survivor on the Flying Trapeze.
On a side note, I did once take a circus arts course on aerial acrobatics using ropes. It’s even more difficult than I would’ve imagined.
I really liked the line “oil/boiled in flasks and plexiglass/”
It was a perspective of someone who took a course!
Cool.
Wow. I’m sure I don’t have the huevos to even try aerial acrobatics.
I thought this prompt would be easy since I hate clowns but I ended up writing 3 different drafts. One about a clown, one about a trapeze artist and one about a fat lady. So instead I ended up with this. Thanks for the prompt and it is nice to everyone here.
http://flaubert-poetrywithme.blogspot.com/2010/05/all-in-crystal-ball-big-tent-poetry.html
Thanks for this new site! Mine is a “whim” poem.
(I fixed your link. :-) )
I’d love to be up on the flying trapezes, but I’d have to work through some serious fear first.
General anxiety vs. The flying trapezes
Just posting something which is not upto the prompt:
http://firmlyrooted.blogspot.com/2010/05/silent-alphabets.html
This one took a dark turn: Untamed.
Thanks for the new site! It’s wonderful…
Barking for Stars
(Okay, now I’ve got the “post on Friday” concept…)
Probably my most personal poem, in the little over a month I’ve been consistently writing them – “The Freak Show”
http://novaheart.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/poem-5410-the-freak-show/
Acrobat
I’d love to be a circus acrobat
soar through the air on trapeze
trade spots with another acrobat
flip from arms to toes, somersault
high above the crowds, use my
balance, flexibility and determination
to succeed at such a daring task.
An acrobat defines my personality.
hi, diane! so glad you’re writing with us!
Thank you Carolee. Looks like a great group!
It’s fun Diane, to have a new place to play together. Acrobad toes define your personality indeed, bold and graceful with a touch of mischief.
Thank you Victoria… I loved your gypsy poem, especially the last line!
The trapeze artist could be code for a poet, and a group a collaborative poem. Intriguing!
Welcome to Big Tent, Diane. Enjoy!!
Thank you Deb! I will enjoy!
Dear Readers,
Here is my offering for the week.
Cheers, Buddah Moskowitz
Buddah Moskowitz’ Crying Circus
Hurry! Hurry!
step right up, folks
for the most
miserable, self hating display
on Earth:
it’s Buddah Moskowitz’
Crying Circus!
Thrill to the high wire acts
as Moskowitz tries to walk
the tightrope of fame and humility
high above
the flaming pit of embarrassment
without a net!
See Moskowitz gamely try
to tame the lion of insecurity
and self-doubt!
You’ll feel the hot breath of flop sweat
as he places his head
into the lion’s mouth
and you’ll roar with laughter
when the beast closes his jaws,
crushing his unprotected head!
Watch the parade of clowns
as they tumble merrily
out of their miniature car
of Failed Romantic Notions:
there’s Darra,
the Psychotic with a Heart of Gold,
LanAnh,
the War Refugee turned Crass Materialist,
Kim the PsychoBitch,
with her hilarious false rape allegations
and who can forget Teresa,
the Professional Victim?
And no trip to the
Circus of Misery
would be complete
without a visit
to the
Moskowitz Freak Show!
See the Man without a Spine
and the Mother who Made him that way!
Thrill to our Strong Man
fueled not by magnificent muscle
but by anger and years of paternal neglect!
Laugh at the antics of
teenage David,
our Half-Man Half-Woman,
as he finds no place to fit
into high school!
Drop by our snack bar
and get your
Cotton Candy Promises
to munch on –
it’ll take the sting out of your day
for just a second,
and really pack on
those pounds
that’ll last a lifetime!
More fun that the Ringling Brothers!
More entertaining than Barnum and Bailey!
More frightening than a Tod Browning nightmare!
Buddah Moskowitz’ Crying Circus
coming to an empty parking lot
near you soon!
(No animals were harmed
in the making of this poem.
Lucky animals.)
Excellent Buddah!!! Good to see you here!
Iain
i love this: “their miniature car/ of Failed Romantic Notions”
Loved it Buddah! “Cotton Candy Promises to munch on”
my favorite…
I do, however, hope that I am not “Kim the PsychoBitch”.
Any resemblance is purely coincidental.
Creative viewpoint.
Welcome to the site, Buddah!
Your parody of life is darkly whimsical!
Hey gang,
Bank-robbin’ clowns. What’s not to love?
Read or listen to “Insane Clown Posse” here:
http://jasoncrane.org/2010/05/03/poem-insane-clown-posse/
Enjoy!
Jason
A fun prompt. I couldn’t decide on one circus job so I contemplated several—including being a barker.
My poem can be found at: http://word-painting.blogspot.com/2010/05/whats-happening.html
Linda