WRITE TIME 7/31/2014

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PROMPT 19 - Write a poem explaining how rosebuds "know" to bloom in early May.

LIVE BLOG

While at Poets House, the Poet Outlaw also attended the SHOWCASE where all the poetry books published in the U. S. this year were on display.

This display was called "book on a turntable."

View of Battery Park City from inside Poets House

PROMPT OF THE DAY: Write a poem discussing your favorite stye of poetry, and why.

LIVE BLOG

Had a great time in the workshop at Poets House. Participants on all levels came together for a wonderful weekend of writing and sharing.

And the view wasn't bad either.

PROMPT OF THE DAY: Write an "unanswerable letter" poem. Address it to someone very dear to you.

LIVE BLOG

The Poet Outlaw

The short long story is that my 9:05 PM departure time turned into a 2 hour delay. Bus didn't leave Ohio until 11 PM. Add an additional 2 hour delay in the Pittsburgh layover + numerous traffic delays + passenger pickups and drop offs in out of the way places = a New York City arrival time of 8 PM 🙀🙀😭😭

When I finally got to my cousin's house it was 9:05 PM, exactly 24 hours from my original departure time. WHEW! What a day!

PROMPT FOR THE DAY: Watch the cloud formations overhead for the next few days, then write a poem describing the various shapes you saw.

LIVE BLOG

My poem hunting Expedition #2 started out on the wrong foot. To make a long story short: UNFORSEEN delays at Greyhound has The Poet Outlaw behind schedule.

Expected arrival time in New York City has gone from 11:40 am to 6 pm 😱😱. 

Will fiill you in later. Meanwhile: Finally leaving Pittsburgh

Today's prompt: Write a poem describing what to do when there's nothing you can do.

PROMPT 18 - THE EFFORT

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1 IS THE LONE NUMBER

i am the

lone wolf 

running with the pack

sometimes

running away

refusing to conform

doing whatever it takes to

keep them safe

not always playing

nice being wild

unpredictable always

on the prowl always

looking for new

prey

WRITE TIME 7/16/2014

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PROMPT 18 - Write a poem that describes your "alter-ego," and how it affects your actions/interactions with the daily world.
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PROMPT 17 - THE EFFORT

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IF I COULD TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME...
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i would return to
those days of yesteryear
those times of innocence
when my only worries
were what will                    

i play today or
what mama made for
dinner or
what papa was
gonna bring me back
from town with
that quarter i made
shelling string beans

TALKING POETRY

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BIG NEWS for POETRY in OHIO
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The State Senate is considering legislation that would create the post of POET LAUREATE.
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Speaking of Poet Laureate: Charles Wright has been named the 20th U.S. Poet Laureate, succeeding Natasha Trethewey in that position.

Born in 1935 he is often ranked as one of the best American poets of his generation.

Wright has received the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, the National Book Award for Poetry, and the coveted Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.

To read a selection of his work click on poetryfoundation.org

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"IT'S A POEM IF IT KNOCKS THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD OFF."

                                        -Emily Dickinson-

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THIS JUST IN

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SUMMER DAYS IN CHICAGO
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On Wednesday, 7/23 at 5 PM, at the Chicago Temple, you can drink homemade lemonade and READ your celestial poems at this live poetry reading and open mic session. The theme is SUN, MOON and A STAR.

THEN...On Thursday, 7/24 at 7 PM, at the Poetry Foundation, OHIO'S OWN POET, David Baker joins with the River Song Quintet from LA (as in California), for the premier of several pieces composed just for this evening of music and poetry. 





                                              Music is poetry!

For details on these events click on poetryfoundation.org

WRITE TIME 7/10/2014

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PROMPT 17- Write a poem telling what you would do if you could turn back the "hands of time."
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MY EFFORT AT PROMPT 16

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FREEDOM SOUNDS LIKE


in all things
in all ways
we need freedom
let freedom ring
from restraining
our growth
especially of mind stuff
that slave mentally
syndrome
holding us back
let it ring
from resentment
of days past
of servitude
of yassuh and yasmam
and yes
lest we forget
our minds are still
enslaved still
locked into a semi-conscious
state of lock-down
as we people who
are darker than blue
are locked up
each day and night
of our existence
for being and looking                        
for thinking and acting
like who we are
freedom's children
but don't you hear
that liberty bell
clapping in your ear
it's time to
let freedom ring
so we can
too

                                                     

THIS JUST IN

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FOR NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS, AND THOSE IN THE VICINITY:

The 2014 Academy of American Poets Summer Reading Series presents a diverse lineup of poets sharing their work at historic New York City locations.

For the complete details of locations and participating poets performing during July and August, click on to poets.org

AND THEN SOME...Check this out New Yorkers: I missed this event when I was in the city on May 28th, but...

  MANHATTANHENGE returns this week with the full sun visible on the horizon on Friday, July 11th @8:24 PM EDT and half of the setting sun visible on Saturday, July 12th @8:25 PM EDT. It will be a truly POETIC MOMENT.

Sources say that "It is a rare and beautiful sight."  It will no doubt be an inspiration to all poets. Check it out if you can, and write that special poem.

To learn what MANHATTANHENGE is, why it happens,  and where to see it, click on kinja.amnh.org

WRITE TIME 7/2/2014

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PROMPT 16 - Write a poem using the expression "Let freedom ring." Use it in the beginning, middle, or end of your poem.

MY EFFORT AT PROMPT 15

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FRUITLESS


unable to conceive
much too barren
to receive
fertilization                  

of the soil beneath
which craves
sun rays
to melt
for love
to be felt inside
these are
must needs for
life seeds
to grow