Poetry Prompt Day 4: Poet: Be Gentle with Yourself

 

First – I wanted to give you another hearty "Welcome!" to OctPoWriMo2013. It is a delight to be writing alongside you for this unique poetic event in October 2013. Remember, you and your friends may join us at any time. Just hop in and begin writing… and then link up to your daily poem.

 

Second – I wrote a Poetry Writing Tip early in September that was titled "The Poetry Tip I Never Got (But Oh I Wish I Had)" with a theme that went something like this: “Be gentle with your poetic self and forgive yourself now for any perceived short comings lurking in the hallways of your poetry yet to be written.”

My hope is you will remember this – as I hope I remember this – during those moments of doubt which may pop up for some of us during October.

This brings me to our first opportunity to write together on the same theme: Be Gentle. Even more focused is Be Gentle with Myself (or you may use Be Gentle with Yourself.)

Some thought questions to get you started:

What does it mean to you to be gentle?

Who are some gentle people?

What animal is the most gentle?

How do you feel when you encounter someone who is gentle toward you?

Coupling with “I remember….”

I remember my gentle teacher…..

I remember my gentle heroine…..

I remember being gentle with….

Your personalized 'I remember'....

Sometimes I wish someone would show me gentleness by…..

Some of you will immediately begin to write a poem – this is fine.

Some of you will start with some free writing – this is also fine.

Some of you will sit back in your chair and look out the window, pondering – this is another example of a fine way to go about birthing a poem.

I encourage you simply to begin. Perhaps carve out fifteen minutes to read the poems others have posted (if it isn’t early in the day!) and then allow your gentle spirit to coax your pen, pencil or fingers on the keyboard to flow along with the words that want to be sculpted into your poetic take on Being Gentle.

 Some additional inspiration for you:

Quotes: “All those writers who write about their childhood! Gentle God, if I wrote about mine you wouldn't sit in the same room with me.”          

                                     Dorothy Parker

“Life is like the river, sometimes it sweeps you gently along and sometimes the rapids come out of nowhere.”

                                             Emma Smith

Word Prompt: Gentle or Being or Being Gentle

Sentence Starter: The gentleness of touch reminds me…..

I look forward to reading your poetry, whatever theme you choose!  

                               -- Julie Jordan Scott