COME ONE, COME ALL/ August 20

August 20, 2010
By Big Tent Poetry

by Carolee, Deb & Jill
It’s show time! It’s time to post your original poem, written in response to Monday’s prompt — a Wordle based on words from a respected poet’s poem* — 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.)

(*Want to know who the poet is, and which poem the words were borrowed from? “Last August Hours Before the Year 2000,” by Naomi Shihab Nye. You can find it here.)

What did you write? Please 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

Tags: ,

73 Responses to “ COME ONE, COME ALL/ August 20 ”

  1. Joseph Harker on August 20, 2010 at 12:01 am

    Another August poem… had no idea that the original had August too!

    Half Past Four on a Lurid August Day

    Reply
    • Deb on August 20, 2010 at 8:15 am

      :-) It was the only word in her poem I purposely avoided.

      Reply
  2. Tiel Aisha Ansari on August 20, 2010 at 12:04 am

    Here we go… Deep-Dish Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

    Reply
  3. Paul Oakley on August 20, 2010 at 12:08 am

    My poem this week is titled: “HAWAIIAN REVERIE”

    I admit, though, the moment I saw the Wordle prompt for this week, I thought to myself, “How can I write a poem to that when it’s already a poem, taken left to right and top to bottom: ‘baked cars blown hose deep in pineapple pots stream summer zeroes moistening dry silk plants.‘ I mean, wow, man!” Then I read Rachel Barenblat’s poem and realized, once again, just how much was possible. Even so, this one is rather a departure from my norms. Maybe worth a grin?

    Reply
    • Deb on August 20, 2010 at 8:14 am

      Ah, you’ve said it so well, and it’s exactly why I love Wordles. A kaleidescope doesn’t have that many colors or shapes in its lens, but …

      Thanks for playing along. :-)

      Reply
  4. Rachel on August 20, 2010 at 12:10 am

    I only took a few words, but here it is: Salamanders.

    Reply
  5. Cara Holman on August 20, 2010 at 12:11 am

    I also did one involving pineapple upside-down cake. :)

    “Pineapple Summer”

    http://caraholman.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/pineapple-summer/

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth on August 20, 2010 at 12:32 am

    Mine isn’t to prompt but is about celebration

    Circles For Little One

    http://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/circles-for-little-one/

    Elizabeth

    Reply
    • Elizabeth on August 20, 2010 at 5:41 pm

      Did do the Wordle, it’s beneath my celbratory poem. Couldn’t resist this one.

      Elizabeth

      Reply
  7. Mary on August 20, 2010 at 12:59 am

    Here is mine:

    http://inthecornerofmyeye.blogspot.com/2010/08/this-summer.html

    Reply
  8. Diane T on August 20, 2010 at 1:04 am

    Here’s my wordle:

    http://troublebeingstrong.blogspot.com/2010/08/serenity-summer.html

    Reply
  9. barbara on August 20, 2010 at 1:13 am

    sort of a prose poem Lemon Grove Achers

    Reply
  10. Francis Scudelari on August 20, 2010 at 1:35 am

    Funny how different poems can be that use the same words :). Here’s my long-winded take on the prompt: celebrating the superficiality of all things being made equal

    Reply
  11. Lindsey on August 20, 2010 at 1:39 am

    This poem was inspired by Janis Joplin’s version of Summertime.
    http://dishwaterdreams.com/2010/08/summertime/

    Reply
  12. Stan Ski on August 20, 2010 at 2:16 am

    Here’s mine: ISAN HEARTLAND

    Reply
  13. irene on August 20, 2010 at 3:26 am

    Mine’s got pineapple in it too.

    summer solstice

    Reply
  14. vivienne blake on August 20, 2010 at 3:30 am

    I combined mine with the picture prompt in We Write Poetry: http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/idyll-for-bigt…write-poems-15/

    Reply
    • Paul Oakley on August 20, 2010 at 7:42 am

      “404: Page Not Found”
      Your idyll was missing from your blog when I tried to retrieve it. I hope it’s up when I check back later. Look forward to reading it!

      Reply
      • Paul Oakley on August 20, 2010 at 9:47 am

        Found it! The full URL is: http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/idyll-for-bigtent-16-and-we-write-poems-15/

        Reply
    • Cynthia Veach on August 22, 2010 at 4:09 pm

      Vivien, thank you for your comment on my poem. You are so perceptive as I was envisioning an African girl fetching water… so glad that came through. Best, Cindy

      Reply
  15. derrick2 on August 20, 2010 at 3:48 am

    I’m in holiday mode!

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

    Reply
  16. rob kistner on August 20, 2010 at 3:51 am
    Reply
    • rob kistner on August 20, 2010 at 3:53 am

      Ooops, here is a corrected link: Wilt

      Reply
  17. brenda w on August 20, 2010 at 5:21 am

    I did two pieces this week. Thanks for the wordle. It was a fun one!

    http://bozone-bw.blogspot.com/2010/08/dispersal.html

    http://bozone-bw.blogspot.com/2010/08/huh.html

    Reply
  18. Rallentanda on August 20, 2010 at 5:24 am

    I’m in a holiday mode too!

    ‘Summer’

    http://rallentanda.blogspot.com

    Reply
  19. nan on August 20, 2010 at 5:42 am

    I really enjoyed this Wordle prompt! Thanks for sharing the source poem. What an amazing poem that is! Here is my submission this week: the computer programmer’s daydream.

    Reply
    • Deb on August 20, 2010 at 8:09 am

      So glad you enjoyed the prompt and the source!

      Reply
  20. Rachel Barenblat on August 20, 2010 at 6:08 am

    I managed to use all of the words in my poem, which feels like a victory!

    I wrote

    Mother psalm #7
    http://velveteenrabbi.blogs.com/blog/2010/08/another-mother-psalm-7.html

    Reply
  21. Linda on August 20, 2010 at 6:19 am

    I never moved beyond the word summer!
    http://word-painting.blogspot.com/2010/08/summer-reading-i-once-ordered-tube-of.html

    Reply
  22. the odd inkwell on August 20, 2010 at 6:38 am

    http://theoddinkwell.com/2010/08/18/score/

    Reply
  23. River Urke on August 20, 2010 at 7:03 am

    This is my first Monday prompt. My name is River and I start with a goofy poem with an underline meaning. :) http://adventuresinpoesy.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/pineapple-quest/

    Reply
    • Deb on August 20, 2010 at 8:08 am

      Hi River, welcome to the Big Tent!

      Reply
  24. pamela on August 20, 2010 at 7:06 am

    Thanks for the wordle

    http://flaubert-poetrywithme.blogspot.com/2010/08/summertime-big-tent-poetry-16-wordle.html

    Reply
  25. gautami tripathy on August 20, 2010 at 7:40 am

    I used almost all the words..:)

    Here is mine:

    http://firmlyrooted.blogspot.com/2010/08/dance-of-zeroes.html

    Reply
  26. RevAllyson on August 20, 2010 at 7:58 am

    I think I used all the words except pineapple. LOL…

    How Did I Get Here?
    http://ambertemple.blogspot.com/2010/08/big-tent-prompt-wordle.html

    Reply
  27. Cynthia Short on August 20, 2010 at 8:21 am

    I had more fun than imaginable writing this piece! Hope you all enjoy it, too.

    http://cynthiashort.blogspot.com

    Reply
  28. EKSwitaj on August 20, 2010 at 8:26 am

    The words were definitely summery, but I think I ‘ve taken a less optimistic slant on it (now there’s a surprise): Last Summer

    Reply
    • Mary on August 20, 2010 at 4:56 pm

      I tried to comment, but it would not take my comment…said something about spam. Oh well, I tried.

      Reply
  29. jinksy on August 20, 2010 at 9:22 am

    Here’s a short and hopefully sweet offering, too small for a post of its own! :)

    Drought

    Summer-dry pineapple
    begs us moisten
    its deep, sun-baked plant-pot.
    Car’s blown hose
    has no silk stream
    of water on offer,
    only zeroes on the clock.

    Reply
    • vivienne blake on August 20, 2010 at 10:55 am

      Very clever, Jinksy Short, but definitely sweet.

      Reply
      • jinksy on August 20, 2010 at 2:53 pm

        That would be the pineapple, then! :)

        Reply
        • Elizabeth on August 20, 2010 at 8:56 pm

          Wonderful and compact as heat seems to make everything feel.

          Elizabeth

          Reply
    • derrick2 on August 20, 2010 at 11:14 am

      A daunting prospect, Jinksy!

      Reply
      • jinksy on August 20, 2010 at 2:56 pm

        I daunt like the sound of that! LOL :)

        Reply
        • pamela on August 20, 2010 at 7:45 pm

          Nice one Jinksy!

          Reply
    • Deb on August 21, 2010 at 2:47 pm

      Begs is the perfect verb for the dog days of August!

      Reply
  30. Weasel on August 20, 2010 at 10:18 am

    Combined a few prompts for this one. Mine is called Pensive Stream.

    http://systematicweasel.blogspot.com/2010/08/pensive-stream.html

    Reply
  31. Marian Veverka on August 20, 2010 at 11:01 am

    Poem removed at Marian’s request.

    http://marianv.blog.co.uk/2010/08/20/poem-for-bog-tent-poetry-9213385/ is the complete link to the poem.

    Reply
    • derrick2 on August 20, 2010 at 11:13 am

      Passionate belonging to the land, Marian. So many people survive these inhospitable landscapes.

      Reply
      • Elizabeth on August 20, 2010 at 9:17 pm

        Marian, although stark and vivid with deep distress, this still remains a beautiful piece of writing. It speaks of honor and loyalty in ways many people no longer know or would recongize. Thank you for sharing this.

        Elizabeth

        Reply
  32. Marian Veverka on August 20, 2010 at 11:19 am

    Can you please remeove the poem from this site . It is in the wrong place, I left a link to my blog http://Marianv.blog.co.uk
    THE POEM CAN BE FOUND THERE.

    PLEASE REMOVE IT FROM HERE11 tHANKS, mARIAN

    Reply
  33. Nathan Landau on August 20, 2010 at 11:19 am

    Just spent two days taking the Empire Builder train from Chicago to Portland. This, among other things, came out of it:

    Lounge Car: Becky

    Reply
  34. Ruth on August 20, 2010 at 11:25 am

    What a great prompt, thank you! Here’s my response:

    http://turtlememoir.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/summer-suns/

    Reply
  35. Brian on August 20, 2010 at 11:44 am

    http://hummingbunny.wordpress.com/2010/08/20/friday/

    I never know what I’m going to write.

    Reply
  36. Tumblewords on August 20, 2010 at 12:12 pm

    Sometimes it seems the cosmic tap is wide open…:)

    Summer Reflection

    Reply
  37. Diane Truswell on August 20, 2010 at 8:48 pm

    Oh, oh, in comments I called you Tumbleweed, lol. Sorry I meant Tumblewords!

    Reply
    • Tumblewords on August 22, 2010 at 4:30 pm

      No problem – I can ‘role’ either way! :) Thanks for the comment!

      Reply
  38. Cynthia Veach on August 20, 2010 at 9:56 pm

    It was fun – inspired me during a week of writer’s block…

    Reply
  39. wayne on August 20, 2010 at 10:12 pm

    here is mine using some of the wordle words… DALAI LAMA A CITY LIGHTS
    http://waynepitchko.blogspot.com/2010/08/dalai-lama-at-city-lights.html

    Reply
  40. Kelly on August 20, 2010 at 11:51 pm

    I love wordles, but for some reason the words didn’t spark anything. Maybe they just need more time to germinate. I used a prompt from Poetic Asides this week instead.

    Land of Crazy
    http://www.starsandwillows.com/2010/08/land-of-crazy/

    Reply
  41. Deb on August 21, 2010 at 12:38 am

    Here’s my poem, a little dark for all those summer words: “I don’t have an August garden and it’s too hot to weed.”

    Reply
    • Kelly on August 21, 2010 at 9:45 am

      Deb, your link doesn’t seem to be working…

      Reply
      • Deb on August 21, 2010 at 10:15 am

        Thanks, Kelly! I think I fixed it.

        Reply
  42. Cynthia Veach on August 21, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    http://52poemsproject.blogspot.com/

    I should probably have included a link to my blog above. Sorry, it’s my first time submitting.

    Reply
    • Deb on August 21, 2010 at 3:14 pm

      Welcome to the Big Tent, Cynthia! And the link will help others find you, so thanks for coming back to post it. :-)

      Reply
  43. Christine on August 22, 2010 at 12:34 am

    I enjoy your site and the weekly prompt concept! I am brand new.

    Reply
    • Deb on August 22, 2010 at 9:38 am

      Welcome to the Big Tent, Christine!

      Reply
      • Christine on August 23, 2010 at 12:19 pm

        Thanks, Deb! Can’t wait to explore!

        Reply
  44. Leo on August 22, 2010 at 7:12 am

    First time at Big Tent Poetry.. found it through a fellow poet.. :)

    Summer’s Gala for Big Tent Poetry

    Hope I’m not too late..!

    Reply
    • Deb on August 22, 2010 at 9:38 am

      Hi Leo & welcome! You’re not too late. :-)

      Reply
      • Leo on August 22, 2010 at 1:14 pm

        oh m glad :D i had fun with this, and managed to use all the words too..
        the original poem is a beaut as well..! its Monday here already where I stay, so lookin fwd to the next round of inspiration too!

        Reply
  45. Christine on August 22, 2010 at 7:58 am

    http://ibrewhaiku.blogspot.com/
    I’m submitting again to make sure my link comes through; don’t see it in my original comment. :-)

    Reply
  46. Iain D. Kemp on August 22, 2010 at 12:23 pm

    Hi Folks,

    I’m a little late to the party but it’s been a hectic weekend.
    My poem for the prompt is “Life Like a Kaleidoscope”. I like these wordles so I used all the words. The link is: http://almerimarlife.com/forum/topic/982/life-like-a-kaleidoscope-a-poem-by-iain-douglas-kemp/

    My podcasts and the rest of my blog available by cloicking my name (best way to comment too (a bit simpler)

    Cheers all

    Iain

    Reply

Leave a Reply