Poetry Round Up
Everything that I have is probably more than you need
I’ve fallen into a ritual with poetry. Every Sunday morning, I write a poem in response to a prompt project led by fellow writers on Instagram. It’s an easy, nonjudgemental practice. I write what’s on my heart that day, affix it to an image and am on my way. I have found that it opens me up to write and share more poetry.
That’s why there’s a lot here. Please accept my apologies for the inundation.
07.07.24
A powerful, self-contained flame was my first thought when I saw the most apropos of prompts, Heat Wave.
07.14.24
I have lived most of my life in the rain. Born to a city known for its constant drizzle, a downpour doesn't deter me. But I know there are some places that hunger for rain so much that they require being taken over from time to time. A necessary inundation, if you will.
That was my spark for "Downpour," the theme of this week's writing prompt.
07.21.24
When I went outside to write for this week's prompt, "Storm Cloud", the sky was gray but the plants were parched. Then as I began to jot ideas in my notebook, rain came down in fat, glorious drops.
I love moments like this, when the world seems to wink at you. Could I regard it as a coincidence or perfectly predicable weather? Of course. But I like to find wonder in the everyday.
07.28.24
What inspired me the most about the weather in this week’s prompt, "Hailstorm", is the sting of it. Both snow and rain can cause destruction in mass, but no other weather hurts from the outset quite like hail.
How does it feel when we welcome the pain, choosing to let it excite rather than frighten us? That question was at the center of my writing this week.
The Ghost of Last Summer
I spent last summer writing ghost stories, treating the page like a seance to ask the dear why they departed. But I am no longer interested in spirit sentiments or of being haunted by maybes that rise from the grave of someday. My hand deserves to hold something more solid than a specter. And this summer I plan to seize it.
07.31.24
I wrote this poem in response to a different prompt project, one that spanned the month of July. The title of this piece was also the prompt that inspired it.
At the time I wrote it, I was thinking a lot about how, if we’re not careful, we can keep living the same moments again and again. I was on a vacation at the time and hungry for a new ending to the same circumstance. This poem was written from that hopeful place.
This isn’t set against an image like others in this group because it was read, rather than written. If you like, you can listen to it here.
Gift Me a Story
There is nothing more precious to me than a row of pearlescent nouns strung together on silken verbs. Please knot adjectives between each glowing orb to keep them from knocking together. Then clasp it with humor and a twist I didn’t expect. I will wear it so long and with such love that the words will disintegrate into the sand they began as — invisible grit that will bury itself into my skin until your story is a part of me.
08.08.24
I wrote this poem for my birthday. It was part request and part grateful reflection on the unparalleled joy I’ve felt upon receiving stories in the past.
This was another one that was read, rather than written. If you like, you can listen to it here.
08.11.24
I have not always believed in magic.
A younger, cockier version of me felt that being unimpressed was a sign of maturity. Basking in wonder felt too childlike. But as I've gotten older, I have come back to my delight in the everyday. Our lives are filled with magic if we're willing to see it.
That's why I am so grateful to have poetry prompts. Poetry feels like an invitation to fixate on the wonder of the world. Having a weekly reminder to do so is a blessing.
08.18.24
After a few days at the beach, this week's writing prompt felt especially apt.
08.25.24
In my humble opinion, seahorses are an oddly named creature. Its head has only a slight similarity to its namesake if you squint just right. That poor approximation is what inspired my response to this week's poetry prompt, Seahorse.
If you’re reading this, wow, thank you. You made it all the way through an absolute onslaught of poetry. For that I’m grateful.
My guess is that if you’re here, you already subscribe to my newsletter. But hey, if you don’t, have I got a button for you…
Leave all your poetry, Sara. It’s very powerful and thought provoking. 💕