Category Archives: Full Grown

24 July 2011

PROCESS VS. PAYOFF

By Poetic Bloomings

I blame the heat.

Rants and raves abound on other “private” sites about poetry. Read private as “closed group” of poets who have become acquainted on certain sites to develop this craft we
propose. Where claimed as supportive and nurturing, there appears to be a bit less of that out there.

There is a certain process for which we all as poets strive. Developing and instructive, yes, supportive and sharing. We all want that I’m sure. And though finding success through recognition or possible publication is the end game, it should not over-ride the process.

The truth is, we are poetry sites. We are not truly a “garden”, or a “street” or bloody brothel, although it’s cute to think so simplistically. As our masthead says, “Poetic Bloomings is a blog to nurture the poetic spirit in a supportive and inspired way. All poets are welcome to add their “poetic blooms” … bring the beauty of the written word to the world, one expressive bouquet at a time.” And so we will remain.

We propose poetry. It was mentioned early on in the planning of this site for a POSSIBLE anthology if the support and commitment were there. There are no promises offered here. We are “Unconditional Poetry” in a pleasant setting without any one voice dominating the conversation. Every voice is important. HOWEVER, rancor and vitriol are not AND will not be tolerated here. There is an editorial policy in place here that has never needed to be used and I hope it remains so. As Marie Elena and I have stated, we are here to suport and promote you the poets who have chosen to post to the prompts at Poetic Bloomings or wish to follow their development.

All poets here know that as fact and I’m sure appreciate that. So if you need reminding, click the WELCOME and re-read our introduction. We’re all gifted poets. That is our badge of honor. Enjoy the process. The payoff is the exposure to your and other poets finery.

ON A SOMEWHAT PERSONAL NOTE: Marie Elena is the most caring, nurturing and supportive person I’ve never met. But the friendship that has evolved from our association with poetry is very strong. That’s all we’ve ever needed to say about it. You are all aware of her manner and temperament. So take any criticism of her here or at any other blogs with a BIG grain of salt. One of the finest human beings and poets I’ve ever had the honor to share not one, but two blogs with. And that loyalty extends to each poet here with the above idea in mind.

That being said, we welcome you to post to the Week #13 prompt for a Goal-oriented poem.

This Wednesday will offer In-Form Poet with a new poetry form highlighted.

Saturday, we present our “Beautiful Blooms” selections for the Goal Poems.

As always, a new “Seed” will be planted every Sunday. Poem to the People!

Walt

13 comments | posted in Beautiful Blooms, best of a bad situation, Blossoms, Features, Friends, Full Grown, healing, House-keeping, Inspiration, Instruction, Rules

3 July 2011

A FRIEND INDEED – Prompt # 10

By Poetic Bloomings

In the states, we will celebrate our independence day this week. Around Buffalo there is a celebration that spans from Buffalo to Fort Erie, Canada. Called the “Friendship Festival” it pays tribute to our Fourth of July celebration and Canada Day (July 1). Write about a friend and their influence on your life.

As a “wild-card” prompt, write an Independence Day poem. (For our friends outside of the Continental US, write about the big celebration from your locale)

Marie Elena’s Good work:

Changed for Good

“We’re just friends,” you said.
“We’re just friends,” said I.
And I believed you,
And you believed me.

“We’re just friends,” you said.
“We’re just friends,” said I.
But you doubted you,
And I doubted me.

Came tickles and pokes,
And glances and notes;
Then gazes and hugs,
And lingering goodbyes.

“I love you,” you said.
“I love you,” said I.
And I believed you,
And you believed me.

“I love you,” you said.
“I love you,” said I.
No doubt on your part,
No doubt upon mine.

“For richer, for poorer,
In sickness and health”
Eternally altered,
Our lives intertwined.

Walt’s Tale of Brotherhood:

BROTHERS BEFORE FRIENDS

Four abreast, a test
of our mother’s resolve.
That we would evolve
into the men we’ve become
is a testament to her temperament.

We came from the same womb,
shared the same room; bunk beds.
And instead of pulling together,
we fought to tear apart what
was expected of us.

Our fight was not without gain.
Dominance was the grail
in our never fail battle to rattle
our foundation. We were brothers
but our mother’s worst nightmare.

Grown to adulthood, it would stand
to reason that our seasoning would bring
a camaraderie that would meld us
into a band of unlikely souls
filling the holes that gaped our bond.

Now the friends that once tattered the fabric
have become strong and impenetrable,
iron-clad lads with a lot of bad blood
to transfuse. We can all use its soothing balm,
to calm and bring us healing.

Healing from the inside out,
there leaves little doubt that
being brothers brought us to be
the friends we always needed.
Brothers are friends indeed.

29 comments | posted in Features, Full Grown, Good from bad, healing, Mother, prompt

28 May 2011

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS – PROMPT # 4

By Poetic Bloomings

We’ve come full cycle to reap the benefit of our hard work. We have amassed a good group of poets who are extremely expressive and soulful. The “Garden” is a great place to see the beauty on display. We thank all for planting your words here to grow and flourish. Now for Week #4’s “Beautiful Blooms”:

Marie Elena’s “Beautiful Bloom”:

Generally, I am most captivated by few words that say much. Kimiko Martinez’s “BLOSSOMING” is a smart example. This three-line piece sets an outdoor morning scene in my mind. The choice of “tending” terms speaks to me of care and attention, and I envision a well-manicured garden. The next line jars my location, as well as my impression. I am no longer in an outdoor garden. I am face-to-face with myself. I have become both nurturer and object. Much has stimulated my senses in only two lines. Yet, Kimiko unsettles my footing yet again with her final line, “… that does not reflect the truth.” Oh, how many meanings can be gleaned from this statement? What began for me as a physical, hands-on garden, and literal interpretation of the prompt, now has me contemplating a cosmic matter. Brilliant, Kimiko.

“Blossoming” by Kimiko Martinez

Every morning I prune and preen
in front of a mirror
that does not reflect the truth

Walt’s “Beautiful Bloom”:

We’ve all been there at one time or another. The words seem to dry up and abandon our muse. The best way to battle through is one word at a time.

This “process” is described very well in Shannon Lockard’s “Writing My (Unpublished and Maybe Unpublishable) Novel”. The comparison of writer’s block to car troubles depicts the frustration and angst inherent within. I can relate to this as well as I’m sure other poets can. Thanks Shannon.

“Writing My (Unpublished and Maybe Unpublishable) Novel” 
by Shannon Lockard

It was easy in the beginning.
The words magically appeared
in my head and ran through my
fingers to the keyboard and
jumped onto the screen.

But in the middle the words stalled,
a broken down car in the middle
of the intersection.
I looked both ways
and began to push.

Slow and steady,
pushing with all my might.
A few words beating out with each step.
Each shove building momentum
until that car really began to move
and I was running to keep up.

Each character began making
her own decisions and
I was merely recording their
lives as they unfurled.

Typing the last word felt like
winning the lottery until
I realized I was only just beginning.
Draft and draft after draft,
asking myself, “Does this make
sense? Do I need this part? Should
I change this word?”

Each decision painful.
Each drastic cut like severing a limb.
I wasn’t just the author
I lived through each character.
The story was me.

The story is me.

2 comments | posted in Beautiful Blooms, Full Grown

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