Once in a Blue Moon

We have all heard and undoubtedly used the expression, "once in a blue moon" to signify the rare, unlikely or even absurd.   I was however disappointed to discover that the moon does not typically take on cerulean glow.  Well...Unless there happens to be a volcanic eruption leaving the sky full of large dust particles that refract red light making the moon appear blue (there were reports of blue moons caused by the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980)

The second full moon in a month, referred to as a "blue moon" occurs every two to three years.

This month however we are treated to a rare lunar event...

https://www.goodfreephotos.com/albums/astrophotography/blood-moon.jpg

a super blue blood moon...

"A rare celestial event will grace the skies during the coming week when a blue moon and lunar eclipse combine with the moon being at its closest point to Earth, resulting in what is being called a “super blue blood moon”.

The trifecta will take place on 31 January and will be best visible from the western hemisphere. The last time the three elements combined at the same time was in 1866

A “super blue blood moon” is the result of a blue moon – the second full moon in a calendar month – occurring at the same time as a super moon, when the moon is at perigee and about 14% brighter than usual, and a so-called blood moon – the moment during a lunar eclipse when the moon, in the Earth’s shadow, takes on a reddish tint."

*Courtesy of Guardian News & Media Ltd https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/jan/28/super-blue-blood-moon-stargazers-gear-up-for-rare-celestial-event

So will this bring out the wild ones who frolic in the burnished glow?  Or will the Orb tickle the muse's fancy and run amok with her frilly unmentionables?   

One thing that is sure to happen, and only happens once in that proverbial blue moon - both star and cell phone gazers alike will not be able to resist watching the sky.

Prompt:  

Take a few moments to look at the full moon in a few days, watch the eclipse if you can.  Let the earthshine inspire some words...  

or..

Peruse the lunar glossary for some terminal inspiration

Moon Glossary

Word Prompts:

Lunacy
Blue Moon
Blood Moon
Eclipse
Tides
Eruption
fantasy


Please share the link to your poem in the comments below. Or go ahead and post your poem. We're looking forward to reading your work.

Jenny Astramowicz is a writer, poet and aspiring wellness coach.  She resides in San Francisco where she works at the local university and trains for endurance events.  Her long term dream is to live in France with her two cats.

Not all who wander are lost...

#OctPoWriMo  #NaPoWriMo #NaNoWriMo #Poetsonthepage

Find her on  Google +  Twitter Instagram

You can read her poetry at https://zwabisabi.blogspot.com

                 

Poetry Prompt: "Well, That Didn't Go As Planned"

Image by kai Stachowiak on Public Domain Photos

I don't know about you, but the final weeks of 2017 and the first weeks of 2018 have been full of surprises! We were planning to move to a new space in February, but things happened very quickly and we had to move before Christmas. I also received a financial settlement this past week that I'd been waiting five and a half years for. I've also had several days where I made plans for myself only to find out my husband had made plans that included me.

The unexpected, the unplanned can affect us in different ways. We can sometimes get angry or upset that want we wanted didn't happen (or didn't happen as we envisioned). Or we can embrace the chaos as just a part of live, roll with it, and trust that the Universe is working in our best interest.

The Prompt:

What unplanned or unexpected things have happened in your life? How did you react/respond? What was the ultimate outcome? Free write for 10 minutes about the unexpected, unplanned things that have occurred and see what comes up.  Look back through what you've written and see if something appeared on the page that you didn't anticipate. (See what I did there?!?)  Turn something you find into a poem

Word Prompts:

Unplanned
Unexpected
Surprise
Chaos
Magic


I wish you words,
Amy McGrath

What Did You Actually Do?

Juneau, AK zipline bridge
Photo by Annis Cassells

It’s that time again. The time in our lives when we review the past year and evaluate how we did. Most often, we lament the things we didn’t accomplish. We can tick them off, especially if we dared to write “New Year’s Resolutions.”  Focusing on those things is a real drag.

As we begin the New Year, I invite you to recount the things you DID accomplish in 2017. Regardless of life getting in your way from time to time, I can imagine there are many successes. Make a list.

Maybe you fulfilled a dream or wish—or at least took action toward making it a reality. Maybe you undertook a new job or hobby, or finished a project. Perhaps you began taking even better care of yourself and now see a difference in how you feel or your “numbers” at the doctor’s office. Maybe you stepped outside your comfort zone and learned that it wasn’t so uncomfortable after all. Make your list.

This week’s poem suggestions:

• Write your poem about a 2017 accomplishment (or several). 
• OR make your list into a poem. 
• OR free write “Though I didn’t _____, I _______ed” and find the poem within.

Word Bank Prompt:

Success

In spite of

Achievement

Elated

Unexpected

Photo Prompt:

Coos Bay, OR Prefontaine Memorial Run
Photo by Annis Cassells

Please share the link to your poem in the comments below. Or go ahead and post your poem. We're looking forward to reading your work.

Poetry Guide:
 
The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry

ISBN-13: 978-0393316544

ISBN-10: 0393316548

From the nuts and bolts of craft to the sources of inspiration, this book is for anyone who wants to write poetry-and do it well.

The Poet's Companion presents brief essays on the elements of poetry, technique, and suggested subjects for writing, each followed by distinctive writing exercises. The ups and downs of writing life—including self-doubt and writer's block—are here, along with tips about getting published and writing in the electronic age. On your own, this book can be your "teacher," while groups, in or out of the classroom, can profit from sharing weekly assignments. (Amazon.com)

Annis Cassells is a writer, poet, life coach, and teacher.  She divides her time between Bakersfield, California and Coos Bay, Oregon. She is a member of Writers of Kern, a branch of the California Writers Club. See Annis’s blogs at www.thedaymaker.blogspot.com and www.poemsbyannis.blogspot.com and her website at www.connectionsandconversations.com