Tag Archives: writing poetry

Poetry Prompt #20

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Poetryprompt20

Are you feeling creative? Are the words already chasing each other around in your head? I hope so because I can’t wait to see what you come up with in response to this one. It’s always a thrill to read the submissions to the weekly Poetry Prompt, so thank you for taking part in this creative exercise and please keep them coming. Don’t forget, if you’ve missed a prompt, you can catch up any time. Send your poems to traffa-m@bigpond.net.au as a Word document attachment and add a personal note about why or how you chose to write this particular poem.

Happy writing!

Teena

Poem of the Day

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To a T

My thought paused where paths intersect,

it knew which way was right

but what was left to know

was much more interesting that night

‘tis true that to the right

was where all sensible thoughts would turn;

avoiding less trod tracks, devoid of facts

where questions burned

but this thought had a mission;

to discover poetry

and he risked the world’s derision.

That way suits him to a t

Walter de Jong
  • Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #2

Prompt2

Walter’s cloud theory: A cloud should fulfil its purpose of conveying something of substance which, upon precipitation, may nurture growth in the earth. A cloud should be impressive in itself; beautiful, awesome and individual; it should evoke feeling. A cloud should engage its audience and inspire them to find an echo of their own imaginings and create their own personal meaning. And in my own creations I will aim to emulate the clouds.

Poetry Prompt #16

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Poetry prompt 16

 

There’s something about this photo that sparks my imagination. Perhaps it’s the branches reaching out like clutching fingers or the moodiness of the cloudy sky. Does it inspire you to start stringing words together? Let’s see what you come up with this week. Send your poems as a Word document attachment to traffa-m(at)bigpond.net.au and add a line or two about your writing process or how you tackled this week’s creative challenge.

Happy writing!

Teena

News update

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New poetry anthology

Our Home is Dirt by Sea coverAn anthology of children’s poems which had a very long and sometimes tenuous path into being has been released this month. Our Home is Dirt by Sea (published by Walker Books) features poems selected by Dianne Bates.  The book is dedicated to the late David Bateson and Veronika Gervay and includes poems by Anne Bell, Janeen Brian, Robert Adamson, Rodney Hall, Doug
Macleod, Elizabeth Honey and many more. RRP $16.99

 

Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards

Australia’s largest schools competition for poetry is now open. There are six individual and two schools’ categories plus a Multicultural NSW Award. This year’s optional theme is ‘Waiting’. Judges for 2016 are Sophie Masson and Stephen Whiteside. Entries close on 30 June and the winners will be announced on 2 September at the national Presentation Ceremony in Gunnedah, NSW. Visit www.dorothea.com.au for details.

Poetry pointers

Where do you get ideas? How do you write a poem? Do poems have to rhyme? What makes it a poem if it doesn’t rhyme? Who publishes poetry? How do I become a children’s poet? What is your top tip for writers who want to write poetry for children?

These are among the myriad questions asked by writers who want to write poetry. How would you answer them? If you have a poetry pointer to share, email me at traffa-m@bigpond.net.au

Poems wanted

Please keep submissions of poetry coming in for the Poem of the Day. Your submissions are much appreciated and I’m enjoying them immensely, particularly the responses to the Monday Poetry Prompts. If you’re a poet who is still thinking about whether to submit, please do! Poems are always needed and get posted so long as they are suitable for children (including teenagers). Previously published poems can be submitted provided you still retain copyright. Email traffa-m@bigpond.net.au

Articles, events, information and interviews

ACP is also happy to accept information about children’s poetry activities and events in Australia and overseas, poetry links, competitions, interviews with poets or publishers, poetry book reviews and relevant articles.

Poetry Prompt #15

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Poetry Prompt15We had a welcome storm last night…thunder, lightning and a deluge of rain. There’s no mystery about what prompted this week’s subject! What images does winter conjure for you? I love being indoors, cosy and snug, while the man in my life revels in a walk along the beach path, undeterred by chill winds and icy rain. I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with. I love reading your pooems. If you’ve missed a prompt, you can catch up any time. Send your poems to traffa-m@bigpond.net.au as a Word document attachment and add a personal note about why or how you chose to write this particular poem.

Happy writing!

Teena

Poetry Prompt #14

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Poetry Prompt 14

It’s that time of the week again – I hope you’re feeling creative and ready to play with words. What images and emotions does ‘Yesterday’ conjure for you? I’m looking forward to your responses. Thanks to everyone who has already submitted poems inspired by these poetry prompts. I’m having fun coming up with them and I’m so impressed by what you’re producing. Please keep your poems coming in. I love reading them. If you’ve missed a prompt, you can catch up any time. Send your poems to traffa-m@bigpond.net.au as a Word document attachment and add a personal note about why or how you chose to write this particular poem.

Happy writing!

Teena

Poetry Prompt #13

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PoetryPrompt13

A single word this week to spark your creativity. What images does it conjure? Follow those thoughts and see what you come up with.

Send your poem as a Word document attachment to traffa-m(at)bigpond.net.au and add a line or two about your writing process or why you opted for your chosen poetic style.

Happy writing!

Teena

Poetry Prompt #12

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Poetry Prompt 11

 

With Easter on the horizon, I thought it timely to use this special occasion as the poetry prompt for the week. Thanks to everyone who has already submitted poems inspired by these weekly creative challenges. I’m so impressed by what you are producing. Please keep your poems coming in. I love reading them. If you’ve missed a prompt, you can catch up any time. Send your poems to traffa-m@bigpond.net.au as a Word document attachment and add a personal note about why or how you chose to write this particular poem.

Happy writing!

Teena

Poem of the Day

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Am I a poet?

by Jenny Erlanger

 

Today we had to write a poem

and so I took the time

to think of all the words I could

that sound as if they rhyme.

The teacher said, “Don’t worry

finding special words to fit,”

then read us out a funny poem

that didn’t rhyme a bit.

So then I worked at trying to rid

the rhyming from my head,

to concentrate on verse

that didn’t rhyme at all instead.

At first I didn’t have a hope,

the rhymes kept coming back

but I tried really hard

and wrote the poem

you’re reading now,

but somehow

it just doesn’t

sound right.

  •  Submitted in response to Poetry Prompt #5

Prompt5

 

Jenny says: Writing rhyming poetry has played such a big part of my life since childhood, that despite my own efforts to break out of the mold at times, I keep returning to it as a means of self-expression.

Poetry Prompt #11

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Write an alphabet poem

poemhandEach line must start with a letter of the alphabet in order. Play with the idea. Use all or some of the letters, but wherever you start your poem, the first letter of each line must follow the order of the alphabet. Do you feel challenged? Inspired? Let’s see what you come up with this week. Send your poems as a Word document attachment to traffa-m(at)bigpond.net.au and add a line or two about your writing process or how you tackled this week’s creative challenge.

Happy writing!

Teena