Are we having fun yet? The third step in our poem building exercise is upon us. Today, we put some parts together. Choose one of your titles written in exercise #2. Now, starting with that title and nudge, write your poem. BUT…. you CANNOT use the original line that the title is based upon in your poem. You must fit one of your OTHER lines into your poem. Make it work. What we once deemed as disassociated, does have a link after all. You can write in a poetic form, or not. Have a rhyme scheme or not. Count your syllables or not. This one’s on you to find the beauty in your process.
WALT’S MASH-UP:
EVER-SEARCHING
It seemed that he spent his life,
looking for the one to complete him.
There’s plenty of fish in the sea they said,
so he would cast his line in the hope
of catching his prize. His eyes
were ever searching. Each time
he threw his heart out there,
it got trampled underfoot.
so, the search continues.
(c) Walter J Wojtanik – 2019
POETIC BLOOMINGS 
Responses
Great combo there, Walt! How absolutely natural!
I came up with about 12-13 variations. I hope to write another one before the end of this prompt, and set aside the rest for whatever Walt has next!
I live in a nursing home with primarily black staff who have become dear to me. I asked the opinion I trust – not about the quality of the poem, but it some would find it offensive – I could see her answer before she spoke. I said, “Perhaps?”
“You could put it that way.” “Yes?” She nodded sharply. Oh, well, those who know me know my heart and for the rest, perhaps it will open dialogue. I trust your judgment.
Sorry, Darlene. I was trying to edit on my phone and lost your last comment. It wasn’t refreshing correctly. I removed your initial poem per your concerns. Our works will not please everyone. I tend to write to please myself with hopes others will enjoy them.
A very interesting process, Walt. I thought I was blocked at present. Apparently not, after all! Thank you. (My second-last line in this poem is the one previously written, but not for this title.)
Wild Weather
It’s wild as in mad –
not bitter and blustery,
not perilous, not extreme;
just wrong for this time of year,
this particular season.
It’s a warm winter,
bright sun high
in rich blue sky: the soul
feels like soaring.
Yet you are going away.
I want rain, I want storms.
The time and the event
both demand protest,
both should engender a chill.
Instead that sun is inanely smiling.
Nevertheless, I am tossed
as if in a brittle wind
and water blinds my eyes.
Oh, throw your arms around me again!
(As if you would keep me from the cold.)
Thanks for the comment and this contribution, Rosemary. I try a lot of different utilities when the words stagnate and they seem to help. Words never desert us. They just doze off now and then. Walt.
“I want rain, I want storms.
The time and the event
both demand protest,
both should engender a chill.
Instead that sun is inanely smiling.”
Love this Rosemary!
Trace Elements of Ego
Making intentional changes,
choosing conscious choices,
I see how my life arranges,
hearing those still, small voices.
(Sometimes life throws me softballs,)
as I notice how my life supports me,
yet even when an obstacle calls,
I stay open to the Good which I see,
as I take what affirming action I can,
knowing hope alone is not a good growth plan.
Excellent take here, Daniel. We find how life can be “life supporting”. This is encouraging.
Remind Me
A long walk, a hike, snow-shoeing, climbing
makes me feel alive. Someone one remind me
that when I’m indoors with chores or rhyming
I need some time outdoors to be happy.
There are things I want, need or like to do.
Most days my to-do list’s filled end to end.
I aim to get things done all the way through.
There’s so many projects and tasks to tend.
While I’m inside a cool wind is blowing,
the sun is shining, the mountain calling,
bikes to be riding, boats to be rowing.
All of these, my projects are forestalling.
Someone remind me, in order to thrive,
to drop what I’m doing and play outside.
Great advice, Connie. We need to admonish ourselves and say, “GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!” I too, am guilty of sequestering in lieu of seeing the inspired world.
I am blushing with guilt at those last two lines.
Maine Lakes
Maine boasts of three thousand miles of oceanfront
But much of that is mobbed, especially in summer
I’ll leave that to the tourists
And instead spend my days at
One of our three t housand lakes
Where I can walk to work to each morning
From my bed to my desk
A sturdy pine table on the front porch
I join the crowd around the lakeshore
A raccoon family scurries by
I’d met their parents last summer
A moose cow noses through the woods
Her calf has grown tall now at mid-summer
Chickadees sing for joy
Winter’s hardships a distant memory
The scent of coffee as dark as the deep foliage
And dew the flavor of the king’s pines
Freshen my mind
I open my laptop and get to work
`
I enjoyed many Maine lakes while growing up in The County. I was baptized in Deering Lake in August of ’73, and the water was still cold. So many great Maine lake memories. Thanks for stirring the mind.
I was baptized in Lake Maranacook myself! In August of 1964.
My parents actually lived by the ocean but this was a fit for t his prompt and fits my memories of the lakes at camp and family trips.
I had an uncle who lived in Kittery and we would alternate visits every other year. I remember some details, it live vicariously through such pieces. It brings it back to me.
I’m loving this exercise, Walt.
Lovely poem, Darlene!
Summer Softens
All around us,
bright hues–
little girls
in hot pink
t-shirts, opening
buds of lavender,
burgundy grapes popping
with juices, mango
smoothies sliding
down your throat–all
things that make finding
the sweetness easy.
A sweet vignette, Sara. You paint a colorful picture here. Nicely done.
Thanks, Walt!
Well, wasn’t expecting that curve ball, Walt. But you know how to spice up a challenge.
Life’s Song
We slid unwittingly into this life
with nothing but a birthday suit
and a need to be loved and taken care of
And there was music
Sweet, sweet music
Lullabies and nursery rhymes
I can still remember them
Then came our school days
where we grew from our smallness
into what we thought was invincibility
And there was more music
Louder and often with attitude
Messages of life as we thought it should be
Many word for word imprinted on our brains
Ah, then came the days of love
where nothing mattered but the
happiness of the one whom we adored
Love songs filled our ears and hearts
As we replaced names with our own
Of course there was that one special song
That will forever and ever bring tears of joy
Then life slaps us silly with work and
family and the woes of responsibilities
that we thought we could avoid altogether
There the music changed
Where did the good tunes go and
What was that noise our kids were listening to
Sure glad we still had our musical memories
Suddenly the nest was empty
and what we thought would be a blessing
turned out at times to be filled with lonely memories
Thank God we still had each other
And grandchildren to sing to with all the
Lullabies and nursery rhymes we remembered
We passed on the music to a new generation
Then the day came when we
rocked on the front porch overlooking
the emerald green morning mist that covered the lake
Life’s song was coming to the end
And what a wonderful song it has been
Each familiar note brings a tear and a memory
It was a song that only a loving God could write
© 2019 Earl Parsons
All part of my wicked plan for poetic domination, Earl! It does tend to get you thinking outside of the parallelogram. You did well with this leg of it!
Very well done, Earl!
LIFESONG
There is nothing more fragile than an ego.
We drag it with us wherever we go.
We think we’re the center of all things
and wait for our dreams to find wings.
But ever more often it seems
reality doesn’t match with our dreams.
The earth is not centered, it’s clear,
on the fact that we are living here.
Let go of all matters of self,
and put your own needs on a shelf.
Now try to recenter your life
on what truly is causing us strife.
It could be that by looking outside
you will find what your ego would hide.
There are others whose needs are unmet,
By helping a new standard is set.
The discovery may give you a clue
that life is not just about you.
The life that you lived all along
turned out to be selfish and wrong.
But every day gives us a chance
to improve on our own song and dance.
Much wisdom here, Linda. It flows nicely and the rhyme scheme works well here.
Congratulations to all who came up with these fascinating pieces as a result of the exercise! It’s one to remember.
Walt, I just wanted to let you know I got another poem out of all the left-over lines and titles! I saw that I could arrange them in rhyming couplets, leaving two titles over to combine as one for the resulting piece. It ALMOST makes sense, lol. (I think I could get away with calling it a contemporary ghazal.) So thanks again!
Ageing: a Dialogue
The walk to the gate became harder.
If I eat this carrot, will it make me see you better?
The lake was flat and glassy, and full of cloud.
Autumn is so changeable, she said.
I wanted to go slowly but you turned it into a race.
The wind surrounds me in a startling embrace.
After the song was sung, and the music tidied away …
The ego is a fragile thing, they say.
Going on from there – oh, if only.
Star-crossed reflections, you and I.