Friday Writings #120: A Touch of Formality

 

Hello, dear Wordsmiths, and happy writing to you! I'd like to take us somewhere a little different today.

I have had the notion that, since we widened our scope to include storytellers as well as poets, we couldn't offer any form prompts, but only subjects. Easy enough to suggest poetic forms, in all their rich proliferation – but how can one ask for a particular form of prose in only 369 words? OK, very short stories would work, but that about exhausts the possibilities. Things like plays, essays and articles need longer development.

Then I bethought me that all our regular participants are both poets and prose writers; I don’t think there’s anyone who writes only prose. In fact, poetry predominates. Indeed, many of us do employ various poetic forms when following the subject prompts.

And then I also realised that there are three forms which combine poetry and prose: the prose poem, the haibun, and tanka prose.

So, for this week’s prompt, I invite you to use one of those three to write on any subject you like.

Guidelines:

As always,  the prompt is optional. You may use it or ignore it as you wish – or you might choose to write on formality, as your subject, rather than in a particular form.

Another option you're welcome to take, if it appeals to you, would be to use either or both of the images below – both quite formal, in different ways – for inspiration.

Word limit: 369 (excluding title and BRIEF notes).

Link ONE post per person on Mister Linky: the particular post, not your whole blog.

If you can, enjoy what other people share this time, and leave an encouraging comment – not forgetting to return for those who post later in  the week.

Next week, Magaly will invite us to write poetry or prose inspired by the following quote: “Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art.” ~ Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

 

Two different approaches to form in digital art:
1. Amanda  2. Bang a Gong   © Phillip Barker 2016
(Used with permission; please do not reproduce or re-use –
except on your blog, with due accreditation, if you decide
to use either both as inspiration.)

Friday Writings #119: In Memoriam

 

Hello, word artists and admirers! When I took a look at the hosting schedule, I noticed my one of my turns landed on the exact anniversary of the death of a good friend of mine. I thought about trading off hosting duties for a moment. But I decided to lean into it in the end. So this week’s optional prompt is to write about something (person, place, thing) that is gone.

Lord of the Rings was one of her favorite things

Please keep your entries to 369 words or fewer and one entry per person.

Next week, Rosemary will ask us to either write in one of the following three forms that combine poetry and prose: the prose poem, the haibun, and tanka prose or to write about formality as a topic.

 

Friday Writings #118: Strange Springs

 

In my bit of the world, Old Man Winter is melting away and the Spring Maiden is blooming in. There are so many things I love about this time of year: starting seeds, celebrating my birthday, visiting graveyards… If you think the latter strange, you aren’t alone. I’ve been visiting graveyards, to celebrate the arrival of spring, for many decades. And every year, at least one person tells me: “You’re very strange.” Fine, they don’t always say it aloud, but I can hear it in their eyes…

I don’t mind the reactions one bit. I delight in strange. And for that reason, my dear poets and storytellers, for today’s optional prompt, I invite you to write poetry or prose inspired by strange spring traditions. Nothing peculiar springs to mind? Well, you can find some inspiration HERE and HERE and HERE.

Required: Add the direct link to your response to Mister Linky. One post per participant, please, 369 words maximum (excluding title), for prose and for poetry.

Optional: You may share old or new pieces of poetry or prose, and you may write to the prompt or to a topic of your choosing.

Requested (not compulsory but recommended): Visit other poets and storytellers. Read their contributions. Let them know what their words bloom out of you.

for next week, Rommy will be asking us to find inspiration “In memoriam”: write about a person, place, or thing that is gone.

photo by elmimmo
from The Shinto Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus)

 

Friday Writings #117: Sensual Clothing

 

Hello, dear Wordsmiths –

and a happy change of season to you all! With, hopefully, relief from extreme weather. Here in Australia we’re much looking forward to Autumn bringing an end to stinking heat and violent rain. In the Northern Hemisphere, I expect you are glad to get out of the cold as Spring begins.

Meanwhile, a friend just sent me a startling message. Going through her past poems, she was disconcerted to find an erotic ode to a new sock! (Begging the intriguing question of why ONE sock and  not the pair – she has two feet) I realised I could easily wax lyrical about my latest bedsox.

How about you?

(Then I read my friend's sock poem and understood why it’s just one – the sock is addressing the foot, enumerating the services it will give and the comforts it offers, and even noting that it must bring its sister too. It’s a brilliant and wonderful poem, which I am not sharing with you here as she plans to publish it at some point.)

Your prompt this week is to write a sensual piece about an item of clothing.

Guidelines:

You’re free to write to the prompt or to ignore it and give us something else.
We accept poetry or prose, new or old.

Word limit: 369 (excluding title and BRIEF notes).

Link ONE post per person on Mister Linky: the particular post, not your whole blog.

 Next week, Magaly will invite us to write poetry or prose inspired by strange spring traditions. Don’t happen to know any? No problem! According to her, we can find some interesting choices HERE and HERE and HERE.

My sensually satisfying, warm and tender bedsox.

Friday Writings #116: Lasting Impressions

“People will walk in and walk out of your life, but the one whose footstep made a long lasting impression is the one you should never allow to walk out.” ~ Michael Bassey Johnson

Wonderful advice, unless… the long-lasting impression in questing is a terrible one. Can you imagine trying to hold on to someone who scarred your soul and/or spirit? I would kick that person so far out of my life that the dirt under my boot won’t even remember that they ever existed. But what about those individuals whose actions/words touch us in ways that shape our lives and souls for the better? I have one (or three) of those in my life—some have passed away, others remain in the world of the breathing, both occupy the warmest places in my heart.  

For today’s optional prompt—birthed out of the mind of our dearest Rommy—I invite you to write poetry or prose about someone who made an impression on you as a child (for good or ill).

Required: Add the direct link to your response to Mister Linky. One post per participant, please, 369 words maximum (excluding title), for prose and for poetry.

Optional: You may share old or new pieces of poetry or prose, and you may write to the prompt or to a topic of your choosing.

Requested (not compulsory but strongly recommended): Visit other poets and storytellers. Read their contributions. Share your impressions on their words.

for next week, Rosemary will ask us to write sensual poetry or prose about an item of clothes (in case you are wondering, the answer is yes: my immaturity and I are totally giggling. We can’t wait to read what spills out of this one).

(some impressions’ claws are sharper than others *cough*)
photo by Jasper Garratt, on Unsplash