Stanford Pritchard: The Man Whose Ashes Got Lost in the Mail

I found the scene portrayed in this next poem to be particularly interesting. I thought it highlighted how an everyday moment can suddenly take on new, perhaps unexpected, meaning. This poem comes to us from Stanford Pritchard and is entitled The Man Whose Ashes Got Lost in the Mail

The Man Whose Ashes Got Lost in the Mail
The postal clerk showed no remorse,
Hardly thought it mattered,
Said one was as good as another
Way of being scattered.
We who filled the P.O. lobby
Laughed, but were hardly flattered:
Each I think had found his own
Way of being scattered.

Today's challenge will ask you to think outside the box. Or, perhaps, to think as the box.

Write from the point of view of an object. What might you be thinking or feeling? What is your significance to everyday life (even if seemingly insignificant)? What are your uses? Do you have any likes or dislikes? Do people rely on you? Have you ever let them down? On this challenge, let your mind wander into strange places if it wants to. And, as always, have a great time writing!

Anna Groebe: Como un ángel

I found the description of memories in this next poem to be quite moving. This poem reminded me that, sometimes, we have to travel far away from ourselves to see what the source of us truly is. It pulled from the past its images and echoed their significance back out into the world. This poem comes to us from Anna Groebe and is entitled Como un ángel

Como un ángel

When I was fifteen, I went on a mission trip to Cuba. These are a few memories from that trip.

At first I didn’t dance

Ay, chico, no

And I was just fine in my protective shell of silence, thank you.

But then I came home to the most unexpected place

And they sang dame tu mano, sé bienvenido and gave me a kiss

And I gave them my hand, an unexpected welcome guest,

And kissed them back.

She asked me to dance

And I said no, I can’t.

She was worried; ¿por qué?

And the next night she wouldn’t take my two left feet as an answer.

Who knew angels danced salsa?

He wept the last night

Sitting alone in the garden and praying for a way to change what was to be.

I asked ¿qué es el problema?

And they answered you are leaving.

Before we left he gave me a print he made of a woman

And on the front he wrote like an angel

A blessing I hardly deserved.

I can dance now

Dios mío

And my shell gets too cramped to inhabit all the time.

I still come home to that unexpected place

To sing and dance and kiss

Como un ángel, como un ángel.

Poem a day...

... but just a day late. We're poets, not perfect, after all. During the month of April, a writer may opt to challenge him or herself by writing a poem a day. I am all for that! In order to make this process a little easier, I wanted to post a series of "Challenges" (prompts really, but who's counting?). While yesterday's challenge was quite broad, today's will be far more specific.

Today, try writing a poem which responds directly to another poem. Imagine you are a character responding to the character, subject, or idea of the initial poem. Pretend like you are having a dialogue.

Good luck and happy writing!

Don Ford: Seasoned Reminder

I wanted to start this month's celebrations with a light hearted poem. But one which also helped to tell a story or perhaps even give advice. I found just such a message in Don Ford's poem Seasoned Reminder:

SEASONED REMINDER

Don Ford

Please don't look at me like that

Do not turn your face away

You stare, but look right through me

Let's exchange some smiles today

I've lived my life - head held high

I hope you'll listen to me

When I share my seasoned words

There is something you must see

I know I walk much slower

In a wheel chair I may be

I once could run, jump and play

In a tree you might see me

Give age a chance, one more glance

Hold me up in high esteem

Please restore my dignity

In my place some day you'll be

I wanted to start this month with some wonderful news and a challenge: Although the poems we've received so far have been absolutely stunning, we would like to see more! Therefore, the deadline is being extended until April 10th. This is the wonderful news.

Here, now, is the challenge: Make us cry. Make us laugh. Make us smile. Make us feel what you were feeling when you decided that an image was worth echoing with your poetry. Share your poetry like a story so that we may learn something from your experiences.

Thank you to everyone who has thus far contributed to this year's blog. And thank you to everyone we have yet to hear from!

Poetry Submissions

National Poetry Month is fast approaching, and this blog will be accepting poetry submissions up until the very last minute, March 31st at 11:59, to be exact! This, however, is great news for all poets out there who are interested in submitting a something. Poetry is meant to facilitate communication and tell stories about what it's like to be alive, so be sure to submit and share an echo from your life with the rest of the world. We can't wait to share your voice, the power found on your lines, and that from within your pages!

Follow Andrew on Twitter throughout the residency @MwcResidentPoet