Welcome to the July Poetry Challenge! Let’s talk about what makes us tick as writers, our inspirations. The rain, the sun, our special someone, our cat or dog, our favorite author, or a walk outdoors… The form for this month is the Spanish cuarteto, four lines rhyming ABAB or ABBA. I went to Olbrich gardens this afternoon for inspiration. No entrance fee! After the rain, I found a great place to sit down and write.
Reto poético de julio 2022
¡Bienvenidos al reto poético de julio! Hablaremos de algo personal, lo que nos inspira. La lluvia, el sol, nuestr@ querid@, nuestro gato o perro, nuestro autor favorito, o caminar en la naturaleza… Este mes la forma es el cuarteto español, cuatro líneas que riman ABAB o ABBA. Fui al Jardín Olbrich esta tarde en busca de inspiración. ¡Gratis la entrada! Después de la lluvia, descubrí un lugar bonito para sentarme y escribir.
Example poem: (ABAB)
A botanical living room
constant whistle of bird song
flowered vines on trellis loom
outside where poetry & I belong
Poema de ejemplo
sala de estar botánica
canto de ave sencillo
viña de flores mágicas
naturaleza, poesía y yo
Example 2 (ABBA)
Purple plants in afternoon light
lacy leaves, laughter, and the lake
flowers happy beginnings make
the word yes or no not more right
Segundo ejemplo (ABBA)
Plantas moradas al atardecer
Hojas de encaje, risa, lago
Ni el sí ni el no, vago
la felicidad a florecer
The Challenge
Write a 4-line cuarteto rhyming poem (rhyme scheme ABAB or ABBA) about what inspires you to write, in English or Spanish. Deadline: Sunday 7/10, noon CST. G-rated please. If you are a blogger, please publish your poem on your website with the hashtag #ffpoemapop and link to this page by 7/10. If you are a poet at large, please post your poem below by July 10. I’ll publish a post with your poems next Tuesday, July 12!
El reto poético
Escribe un poema cuarteto de 4 líneas (esquema ABAB or ABBA) acerca de algo que te inspira escribir, en español o en inglés. La fecha de entrega es el domingo 10 julio, al mediodía (Chicago). Para todas las audiencias por favor. Los escritores que tengan su propio sitio web, favor de publicar tu poema en tu blog con la etiqueta #ffpoemapop y haga un enlace a este artículo antes del 10 julio. Los escritores que sean damas y caballeros andantes, favor de añadir tu poema a los comentarios abajo antes del 12 julio. ¡Publicaré un artículo con sus poemas el próximo martes,12 julio!
¡Gracias! ¡Olé! –Rebecca
I’m not a poet – but I love poetry. I look forward to following along!
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Thanks for commenting. We love our poetry readers! Glad to have your support.
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Oooh. Short and sweet isn’t necessarily short and simple. But you’ve as usual set the bar: I love your post-stroll thoughts Rebecca.
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Thanks, Margaret. I enjoyed writing outdoors. Such a peaceful, beautiful space in which to meet one’s muse.
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If the weather picks up, I’ll follow your excellent example. Quite windy for notebooks just now!
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Yes, our imaginations should soar rather than our notebooks.
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Great poetry challenge!!
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Thanks, Carolyn! You know I’m all about Olbrich this time of year. Or is that any time of year?
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Both are so lovely, Rebecca! I love that you found inspiration in the beauty surrounding you.
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Thanks, Sheri. I appreciate your kind comments! The beauty of nature is very meditative.
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Any time. 😊
It’s nice to just sit outside sometimes and let the world ground you, it can be very soothing.
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Yes, the negative energy just evaporates…
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Here’s mine: https://oddsends707138946.wordpress.com/2022/07/06/inspiration-cuarteto-by-britta-benson/
Interesting challenge. Inspiration in four lines… Tough!
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Thanks so much for the first inspiration poem! I really admire the heights to which the snail climbed. Excellent how the poem has us slow down and pay close attention.
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It was tough, wasn’t it. But you nailed it, absolutely!
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Thanks, Margaret. Much appreciated. I like the prompts with ‘tiny’ wordcounts. Quite a challenge, but for ‘wafflers’ like me, exactly what I need.
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Glad they suit you. I like your consistent participation.
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Margaret: I just realized I sent the wrong comment. Should have had my morning coffee before even attempting a reply. Just ignore my ‘waffling’…
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Anyone who hasn’t had a chance to have their coffee can be forgiven for anything 😉
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Thank you for your contribution Mayuri! The rain can be very inspiring.
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New reader here! I can’t wait to read more. Thanks for sharing 🥰
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Bienvenida, LaShelle! Thank you. A warm welcome to you. I liked reading your chronicles of the Badlands.
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Oh I’m so glad! You’ve really made my day today with your thoughtful comments 🥰
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Thanks, LaShelle. So good to meet you.
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Likewise! I’m looking forward to keeping up with your blog Rebecca! 🥰
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I like meeting all the cool people from around the country and world. 🙂
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Me too!
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Catch the writer with her quill in hand… Dos cuartetos!
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I think that was a good idea, two stanzas to develop the image.
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Interesting idea!!!
Let me think of some poet!!
All the poets I know get busy and remaining few don’t reply.
Maybe I should start writing poems.
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Thanks for asking around. You might surprise yourself, a rhyming dictionary on hand… : )
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Thank you for doing this. I always look forward to these challenges by you.
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Thank you, Devang. Would you say that exercising helps give you inspiration?
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Exercising definitely made me free. Now my mind and body are much more active.
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Glad working out has helped so much. It does for me too.
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Hi Rebecca, here’s my effort;
http://lifeafter50forwomen.com/2022/07/07/july-poetry-contest-cuarteto/
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I like how inspiring and uplifting others inspires you. That is beautiful.
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Thank you so much Rebecca. You’ve given me the courage to try new forms of poetry
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That’s such a sweet thing to say, I type a bit tearfully. Sending a hug your way.
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Always my pleasure
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http://writerravenclaw.com/2022/07/08/writing/
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Thank you for your contribution, Ravenclaw! Welcome to the poetry challenge.
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Hello Rebecca,
Happy Saturday blessings.
Here is my entry for your great challenge:
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Thanks, I look forward to reading your poem, Suzette! Saturday blessings to you.
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Thank you. And my pleasure, Rebecca.
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Hooray! I was hoping you’d post this month.
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Thank you Margaret 😊
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My effort:
Great Egret gracefully takes to the sky
Clouds quickly spread apart to welcome it
Below people stare up and wonder why
Such asimple act sets their hearts astir.
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Thank you, Lou. Beautiful poem of inspiration in flight.
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This proved particularly tricky for me. I know that with poetry, less is often more. But in this case….
Getting Ready to Write
The birds? The bees? The flowers? Yes –
but above all, for some success
I need a pencil, not a pen –
a fresh page in my notebook – then ….
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By the way, I tried and failed to post a comment on Diamonds or Light’s entry, but failed. Is it just me?
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As I was typing, the words were behind my profile image in the box, but I was able to post a comment.
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Oh, OK! Thanks.
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What a great way to exercise the poetic muscles! I shall look out for the next challenge 😉
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Thank you, look forward to your poem in August. Welcome to Fake Flamenco!
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