During the next three weeks, a crazy guy named Ed DeCaria at ThinkKidThink is hosting a bracket of 64 poets to stand up to the test of writing a children's poem with a word given at random, and competing in a bracket (a la the March madness basketball tournament). He may be a basketball fan, but is possibly even more of a poetry fan. Crazy me, I joined the group, and if there really is safety in numbers, there are sixty-three others whose names are also on that bracket. Want to know more? Click on the blog's link. Those in the first round received their word last night, but I won't receive my word until tonight. Thanks to everyone who is slicing for through your words I'm learning to be a better writer every day. I need all the help I can get!
I have anxiety attacks
when contemplating
competition.
(What if they are so much better?)
I want my performance
to be
the
very
best.
(But when the phrases bend left,
and the rhymes feel stretched)
I wonder how others
will perceive words
I have written?
(Will there really be a gold star?)
Then,
I tell myself:
Settle down,
relax,
(Take deep breaths, or is it deep kneebends?)
Write only for
improvement.
The formal slip states:
It is permitted
to be less
than perfect.
I earn
a large pat
on the back.
(Better than disquiet,
better than worry.)
I have grown a little more.
Wow, Linda, I am impressed. Just have fun with it!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like cool activity to participate in, good luck.
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds like fun. You are up to the challenge!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great challenge. You will shine! I am anxious to see your poems. The reflection one was lovely. I guess anxiety is always hanging out when we take a risk.
ReplyDeleteWhat a brave lady you are...I look forward to reading some more of your poems.
ReplyDeleteIt is permitted
ReplyDeleteto be less
than perfect.
Often required, simply as a bi-product of being human.
"less than perfect" is perfection to me. After all when you reach perfection there is no where to go but down or backward:) Have fun and enjoy...I think I would love to join a challenge like that.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so neat. Good for you Linda for taking the leap! Have fun.
ReplyDeleteIt is permitted
ReplyDeleteto be less
than perfect. Wow. I think I'm going to make myself a little sign with those words and hang it in my room. Good for you Linda. I love that you are always trying new things. I'll have to check this out!
Oh Linda, how can you keep up with so many challenges? I am amazed! You will knock this one out of the park, your poems are always engaging. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteYou must be feeling the need for challenge, these days. More power to you! I have enough stress with the writing challenge. What a great way to stretch yourself.
ReplyDeleteYou are one brave (and inexhaustable lady)! I can't imagine taking on another challenge, but YOU do...and then come up with (as others have noted) something wise and wonderful like this:
ReplyDeleteIt is permitted
to be less
than perfect.
Bravo to you!
Linda- Your poem expresses the anxiety I'm feeling too. I am trying to tell myself it will be fun, but what others think of me is always in the back of my mind. I can't wait to see your poem. I get my work tonight, but I won't get to work on it until tomorrow...maybe during my lunch or planning period. We have a break in our testing tomorrow, but it starts up again on Thursday. Lots to do!
ReplyDeleteLinda, I can't wait to read your creations, your masterpieces, your words that flow like music to my ears. Your reflection was perfect. Best of luck - you'll do marvelous!
ReplyDeleteOne more challenge? Then again, having read your writing I know that words are your friends and take any form and shape to express your ideas and feelings. Gold star indeed.
ReplyDeleteLove your poem Linda. It hits it to a tee. I wrote about the poetry madness as well. Good luck, can't wait to see what you wrote.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
Deletei found you at Two Writing Teachers at the slice and then saw you were participating in the March Madness. "Break a pen or pencil on your challenge!"
I love the way your poem demonstrates what it feels like to share writing with others! The last line of your poem is my favorite -- growth is always the result of that process! When I first started blogging, I felt that way about all of my writing, but I've gotten more confident thanks to all the encouragement from you and others in the SOL community. I hope you share here the poem you write for the challenge -- I'm sure it will be awesome!
ReplyDeleteYou can do anything, Linda. I'm not surprised you're up for this challenge - you're just on fire. I hope we get a glimpse at some of the poetry you write in the course of it all.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like fun. I will look forward to following the challenge. You ask, "I wonder how others will perceive my words." Always write for yourself first. :o) Continue to write from your heart because that is what keeps bringing us back here day after day.
Good luck,
Cathy
I can't wait to read your bracket poems! And the one you shared today gets at the center of those feelings of anxiety when we might be judged by others and we forget why we were doing what we were doing in the first place.
ReplyDeleteHey, Linda, I'll meet you at the poetry challenge! I was a fill in if someone else didn't show...so I get my word late tonight, if I can stay up that late.
ReplyDeleteLoved your poem above. Happy writing!
Hi Linda, I have no doubt you'd do great. Words words words. And poetry. Cryptic thoughts wrapped in verse. I am very excited for you. :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, that is a delicious challenge...but too challenges at once?? You are brave, but I am sure you are up for it! Your comments often wax poetic. Those other poets will have no idea what hit 'em!
ReplyDeleteMy wish for you is that your poem will surprise you, as mine did me, and as many of the others have...when you look at the prompt and see how the poem turned out.
ReplyDelete