A fresh start | Poetry Prompt

It's that time of year where we're Spring cleaning. The year isn't quite as new anymore. There's talk of resurrections and shedding of the old and trying out the new. I've been thinking about this a lot this month. About the things that have been holding me back, whether it's old expectations or fears. There's so much in life to gain, to see. Maybe it's time to shed the old skins and start anew.

Poetry Prompt:

Write a poem about someone shedding something that's holding him/her back. This thing is the literal abatross around her neck. Help her to shed it so she can come back refreshed and renewed. If there's something in your life that you need to shed channel it through this poem. Give yourself freedom to let go and start over.

Word Prompts: 
Starting over
Shedding the old
Rebuilding
Resurrection
New beginnings
Renewed

Musical Inspiration:

Tamara Woods writes, because she can’t imagine any other life. She grew up in the poorest state in the U.S., West Virginia, as a laid-off coal miner’s daughter. She learned from this that money isn’t the root of all happiness, but it sure makes it easier. One fateful summer at a youth workshop she learned both the art of stolen kisses and being open in her poetry: lessons she’s never forgotten. Tamara’s poetry is spoken word with a heavy emphasis on things that we all know and do. Her fiction hits on darker, uncomfortable subjects, because she’s a firm believer that stories can be beautiful without being pretty. She is the Editor of The Reverie Journal, online poetry site. She is the moderator of #writestuff a writing tweetchat that's every Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST. Find her poetry on her blog PenPaperPad. Connect on Social Media: Follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook, and check out her book and writing videos on YouTube.

Better Late than Never

Happy Friday, fellow word artists!

First of all, I want to apologize for not having my prompt ready and shared with you on Monday. I'm currently in art school and the last couple of weeks have been CRAZY getting work prepared for our student art show while continuing to work on new projects for class. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

I decided to embrace my tardiness in posting this week's prompt by making TIME the motivator for our words. Also, since our time until the next prompt is limited, let's consider using a very short and very contemporary poetic form - micropoetry. For those who may be unfamiliar with this form, here's a good website to explain it, full of original micropoem examples: The Micropoets Society.

In addition to our usual linkup, if you'd like, please share your micropoem on Twitter and tag me @ladywithadream.

Word Prompts: time, first time, next time, this time, early, late, prompt, last time, overtime, just in time, yesterday, today, tomorrow, right now

Suggested Form: Micropoem

Enjoy your weekend!

Amy McGrath

Prompt: Allow, Invite, Trust and Know - A Poet's Affirmation and More

A Poet's Affirmation:

I allow myself to be pure,
raw and completely myself.

I invite myself to
grow with each word I write.

I trust myself as a
poet and as a person.

I know my right readers
connect with my heart message no matter what
shape or direction my poetry
takes today.

= = = = =
Our deepest feelings yearn to be expressed.

I am not talking about red-hot-anger or
lack-based-ranting, I am talking about heartfelt,
truth-filled and sacred responses to life.

A story, today, to invite your words onto the page --

The little bunny slowly scampered towards
its home. It wasn't hampered by fear of me
or my blonde-curly-furred dog.

I had never seen anything like it.

I greeted the bunny and moved along.

All of a sudden there was an identical relative
to the earlier bunny.  It was neither quick nor
concerned. He stood watching us and was
apparently as intrigued by our presence
as we were with his presence.

Sandy wagged his tail in delight, not pulling
on the leash or chasing the little
furry-fluffy-cutey.

We kept walking.

We saw another bunny. And another bunny.
And another bunny. We saw
so many I stopped counting.

As we rounded a corner, two larger bunnies
darted down the hill. I could feel their little
hearts palpitating in distress.

My heart responded with a like, fast,
staccato rhythm for just a
split second.

I would rather be the first bunnies. These
bunnies had not yet learned a fear response.
Instead, they held their moments in their
awareness. They watched  Sandy and me
and saw we didn’t pose a threat. They
released any concern and hopped
peacefully home.

I am a person who is curious, calm, and
deliberate in movement. My tendency is
towards courage, of intentionally not
choosing to be afraid. I want to be like
the courageous bunny, not a person
who races fearfully from a perceived,
non-existent threat.

Some might look at those baby bunnies
as foolish and naive.

I see them as gatherers of right information.
They witnessed what was so and released
any need to be fearful.

They chose peace.

What are you choosing today?

What will you choose to write today?

Word Prompts:

 Allow, Invite, Trust and Know

Thematic Prompt:

Write a Poem of the Bunnies - naive or brave, courageous or gathering information.
Write from the perspective of the Bunny or the perspective of the human, watching the bunny.

Perhaps weave in the word prompts.

Repeat the Poet's Affirmation as often as you feel compelled this week - see what it awakens in your poetry and prose.

Most of all --- enjoy the process

= = = = =
Add your poem here: 

Poetry Prompts - Dare to Love Yourself...

“Dare to love yourself as if you were a rainbow with gold at both ends.” ― Aberjhani, Journey through the Power of the Rainbow: Quotations from a Life Made Out of Poetry

Photo courtesy of PublicDomainPictures.net by Axelle B.

A lot of people are walking around wanting love from someone else but haven't figured out how to love themselves.

Poetry Prompt:

Write for ten minutes about what it means to love from the inside out. Or, write a poem to yourself.

Word Prompts:

Love

Compassion

Self Care

Boundaries

Saying Yes

Saying No

Possible poetry type: 

Shape poetry

Music Prompt:

Have a great week exploring poetry.

Peace,
Morgan Dragonwillow
Read, Dance, Write, Repeat.

Morgan Dragonwillow is a poet, author, encourager, and facilitator of magical circles. She is team leader at @StoryDam, #OctPoWriMo and #PoetsonthePage You can find her Playing with Words and dancing on her blog.

Yes she is on Google+ too!

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