It’s the closing day of Muri’s Poetry Month Challenge, and I’m down to the final prompt: 10. Write a Blitz poem
I saved this one for last because it’s my favorite. Blitzing is quick and easy, with a minimum of rules. In 2017, I led a poetry seminar at the public library. I chose this as our class exercise because a Blitz can be completed handily in ten minutes, and it’s a stream of consciousness technique where writers spontaneously reveal a lot about themselves.
I insisted that the participants not erase, but simply go with whatever came to mind. Reading their poem aloud was optional, but most did. It’s a getting-to-know-you exercise far superior to the kind where you tell your name, where you’re from, and your occupation. For the Blitz below, I began with the word spring. You don’t get to choose the title;
it is derived from specific words in the poem: (the first word of Line 3) (preposition or conjunction) (the first word of line 47). In this case, it was a very apt sign-off at the end of a super challenge. Thanks, Muri!
TIME FOR GOOD-BYE
Spring has sprung
Springtime
Time to get up
Timepiece
Piece of cake
Piecemeal
Mealtime
Meal ticket
Ticket taker
Ticket to ride
Ride operator
Ride it out
Outside
Out of the loop
Loophole
Loop around
Around back
Around the bend
Bend me, shape me, any way you want me
Bendable
Able-bodied
Able to reach
Reach out
Reach for the stars
Stars in the sky
Stars in Hollywood
Hollywood couples
Hollywood Squares
Square meal
Square deal
Deal with it
Deal on the table
Table tennis
Tabletop
Top Dog
Top Gun
Gunmetal
Gunpoint
Point a finger
Point taken
Taken away
Taken for a ride
Ride into the sunset
Ride a wave
Wave crashing
Wave good-bye
Good-bye for now
Good-bye forever
Forever
Now
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I hope that line 47 is the one that says “Good Bye for now”! I’ve enjoyed your poems, and look forward to more!
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Thanks, Slmret. This is just the end of the poetry challenge. Stay tuned. 🙂
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I’ll let my comment be a blitzing stream of consciousness: I like your poetry, it’s fun to read. I hope it’s not goodbye forever. Keep the rhymes and rhythms coming. Prosody is powerful in the pen of your hand.
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Thanks, Tippy. I am a bit of a prosodist, aren’t I? One of the best things about writing the way I do is turning people like you into poetry lovers. It warms my heart to see you begging for more! 🙂
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So enjoying the journey
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Thanks, Joyce. This is the first poetry month challenge I’ve ever completed, glad you have you with me on the journey. 🙂
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I like this Blitz form, I’ve never tried it. It is almost goodbye to glorious spring time where I am, and hello to air conditioning! Well done, and happy blitzing Joan!
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Thanks, Lana. Blitzes are fun and fast, and can be quite telling. I think there’s a link in the post to instructions on how to write one. I’m a little sad to see the poetry challenge end; it was a great motivator. Our weather is perfect right now for having the windows open, chilly mornings, 65-70 degrees by afternoon. I’ve also been able to use my clothesline on sunny days. 🙂
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Sorry for being obtuse, but I didn’t understand the Line 3 and Line 47 part. Please explain. And, maybe, slowly.
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When you write a Blitz, 227, the poem’s title is predetermined; it is the first word of line 3 joined to the first word of line 47 with a preposition or conjunction. The fact that mine came out as TIME FOR GOODBYE, on the last poem of the challenge, was pure serendipity. Are we good? 🙂
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We’re good. Thanks. Now I can try this out for myself.
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When I led the poetry seminar at the library, it was Tax Day (April 15) so we started with the word “tax.” Try it, or use whatever word you want. Post it, and I will psychoanalyze you. 🙂
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Yep! You nailed it good! As for the examination of your psyche – I’d say you love to have fun and the warmer the weather the more fun you have!!!! I’m so happy that you participated in my poetry challenge for NPM! Thanks tons!!!
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You’re welcome, it’s been fun. We’ll have to do it again next year. I’m more introverted than fun-loving, and I hate hot weather more than cold. Spring and fall are perfect.
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