I’ve always appreciated the poet who can say so much in such a limited space and word count. The lilt and rhythm entrance me and makes me want to do the same.
I’ve written a couple of poems here and there but would never call myself a poet. The few I’ve done were more like manifestations from above as they fell out the ends of my fingers and on to the page. (A beautiful experience by the way–as thought is taken away and the creation flows through).
A couple of months ago, on a whim, I entered a 48 hour poetry challenge. It’s held annually trough the journal of Contemporary Verse: A Canadian Journal of Poetry and Critical Writing.http://www.contemporaryverse2.ca/en/poetry
The organizers of the contest chose ten word that had to somehow be woven into the poem. I’ll admit when I first saw the list my immediate thought was I can’t do this…it’s too hard.
I didn’t know what some of the words meant but that was part of the exercise to push ourselves.
I found it to be such a refreshing challenge as I played with words and placements. The meanings placed in odd context but still doing what they were meant to do. I’d recommend this contest to poets and non poets. It run every year in the spring. Open internationally.
The contest results still aren’t released yet so I won’t post my poem but maybe you can see what you can do with this list.
It was very challenging. The word list this year:
- vinegar
- carpace
- paperback
- bootlegging
- lethargy
- eggplant
- bin
- muscle
- octothrope
- peristeronic
And if you want even more challenge…here’s the list form 2019
1. velour 2. pickerel 3. ensorcelled 4. scissor 5. toboggan 6. weave 7. gorge 8. cluster 9. serpentine and 10. gnathic
And 2018…
- pitch 2. roric 3. feckless 4. transpire 5. commodious 6. coifs 7. rust 8. tub 9. frisson and 10. judge
Personally, I think the year that I chose to enter (2020) had the most difficult words to put together into a poem. lol…Actually they’re all pretty out-there. I guess if nothing else I’ve improved my vocabulary.
Enjoy. Anything, anyone, and anywhere can be poetic. Go spread some poetry around the world and see if you can use some of the words above. Stay safe. Stay healthy.
These kinds of poetry contests are very challenging. I’ve done them before as well.
I would have liked to see how you wove the words into a poem.
Hi Denise. Oh man, it was really challenging. We had 48 hours and I froze for probably half of it. Once I let myself go tho it was a great challenge and accomplishment on finishing. xoxo Thanks for dropping by. Always appreciated.
I hope you’ll share it someday soon.
I sure will.
Interesting, and it is probably a good exercise for the brain.
Hi Svet. It was so difficult. I stared at it for hours. lol. At first none of the words made any sense but then I starting play…that was the fun part. It was really a learning experience. If you ever get the chance to participate in a challenge like this …go for it.
I’ve written a poem or two that was juvenile at best, so I can appreciate a poet who does it well. Love that you took up the challenge, because I’d probably butcher those words in attempt to shoehorn them into the poem.
Am looking forward to read yours when the results are announced!
Hey Thanks for stopping by Stuart! Yes. It’s taking a long time for this judging to be complete. I’ll put up my poem after. Hope all is well and life is treating you well.
Hey Stuart. Thanks for stopping by. I love the description of “attempt to shoehorn them into a poem”…lol. That’s exactly how the exercise felt until I let things simmer for a while…It was definitely difficult but a true sense of accomplishment. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.
Octothrope! In a poem ! What a good idea to get going on a poetry writing journey. I’m intrigued
Hi. Yes. isn’t that a great word to challenge yourself with. Post back and let me see what you did. Good luck.