A Comfy Kind Of Restless

How Do?!

This was a fun prompt:

“Today, I’d like to challenge you to write an abecedarian poem – a poem in which the word choice follows the words/order of the alphabet. You could write a very strict abecedarian poem, in which there are twenty-six words in alphabetical order, or you could write one in which each line begins with a word that follows the order of the alphabet.” [from here]


Another
Bleedin’
Crafty
Dafty
Ever so drafty,
Flight into the
Galloping
Hullabaloo that
Is my creative mind.

Just hold onto your hats, peeps!!
Keep your
Limbs inside your vessel at all times
Melissa didn’t and we’ve
Not heard from her in…
Oh..? A
Plethora of
Quarter moons.

Righty-o then,
Shall we away?

Trust nothing, especially those
Unbelievably cute things over yonder:
Vicious they are, rabid, and curiously
Wibbly. Distantly related to the
Xenopus.

You, at the back there!
Zip up that life jacket, things are about to get slimy…

I wrote a poem using this format for NaPoWriMo 2019 (see here) which was even more nonsensical, so I feel I am improving ;-P

Catch you tomorrow for Day 19!

Monty X

[Image by G.C. from Pixabay ]

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Copyright © 2023 Montaffera All Rights Reserved

Please do not use any of my content (posts, pictures, poetry etc) without my permission, but feel free to link back to my blog if something catches your eye. Thank you!

Good Day!

Welcome to my Day 6 attempt at meeting the NaPo prompt.  Well…my FIFTH attempt at meeting this prompt, actually! Let me explain what I was asked to do…

“Take a look around Poetry International for a poem in a language you don’t know… Now, read the poem to yourself, thinking about the sound and shape of the words, and the degree to which they remind you of words in your own language. Use those correspondences as the basis for a new poem.” [from here]

So I tried poems from a few languages, but then decided to go with this Dutch poem by Eva Gerlach. What came out was not what I usually would advocate! I blame this violent turn on the fact that my newly-ten year old was playing a beat-em-up game on the opposite side of the table from me! (plus ‘het’ repeatedly appeared in the original poem, of course…)

I’ve screenshot the original poem below:

One can hit from habit and hit

With heft or as if green.  Hit

Not at all or with attitude

To mar or just warn away

Hope. He is nothing.

The hit times the hitter’s goals. Mar

Some in calm violence, like you’re being hit still,

The stand I know I took means nothing, opt

To tip toe when you come. Grief. It nicks,

Making all beg for tangible reckoning.

(Goals can’t redeem us while they wane)

A hit is virtuous.

I don’t know if it even works as a poem, but I must confess that after trying to make five other poems bend to my will, off and on for hours, I am TIRED 😉  I don’t remember the writing being this hard  the last time I tackled a similar prompt but having read the ramble around that poem, it seems I did find it a bit daunting after all!

Anyway, see you tomorrow for Day 7 where I’ll be trying to write around our Eldest celebrating becoming a teenager!  We now have two kids sporting double figures – and increasing attitude – eeek! 😉

Monty X

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Copyright © 2023  Montaffera All Rights Reserved

Please do not use any of my content (posts, pictures, poetry etc) without my permission, but feel free to link back to my blog if something catches your eye. Thank you!

How Do?!

Today’s was a fun prompt!

“Find a shortish poem that you like, and rewrite each line, replacing each word (or as many words as you can) with words that mean the opposite” [from here]

The sun is shining today so I thought I would turn Philip Larkin’s This Be The Verse on its head and write a positive poem! I kept the syllable count for each line and also the rhyming scheme, but it did end up sounding very different in tone to the original 😉

They set one straight, hand-picked non-fam,

Intentionally geared for good.

They siphon off all virtues’ shams,

Just leave one feeling understood.

And they are raised up all the time,

By wisdom in new age attire –

Full advocates, partners in crime,

Calm masterminds when one aspires.

Humans disperse joy through the world,

Can lighten up the greyest skies;

Participate, wings full unfurled,

Accept each other, harmonise.

The more I read of Larkin, the more I think he really needed the company of more zany friends to shake him out of his doldrums 😉

Catch you tomorrow for Day 4! Ta-ra for now!

Monty X

[Image by Michal Jarmoluk from Pixabay]

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Copyright © 2023  Montaffera All Rights Reserved

Please do not use any of my content (posts, pictures, poetry etc) without my permission, but feel free to link back to my blog if something catches your eye. Thank you!

Hello! How are you?!

It’s day 1 of NaPo agaaaain! Yaaay!

Apparently it is the 20^th year of this poetry challenge (and I think it is my…sixth?…time participating in it?) so I hopped over to Maureen Thorson’s site as soon as I got up, and read the first prompt:

“They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but they never said you can’t try to write a poem based on a book cover — and that’s your challenge for today! Take a look through Public Domain Review’s article on “The Art of Book Covers.”… With any luck, one or more of these will catch your fancy, and open your mind to some poetic insights.”

I zoomed down the pictures and alighted on this one:

Then my brain put together a story for the woman throughout the rest of the day…

She fanned the flames of discontent,

An eye for detail always bent

On foraging a social scene

For fodder, so she could be mean.

Natur’lly tall and slim was she,

Formidable and uppity –

She sneered at, then looked down on, most

Smiled for (but despised) her hosts.

Influential, old-moneyed,

Dismissive around those in need;

She could not countenance do-gooders,

And dodged obsequious new ‘suitors’.

Dancing, singing, art or craft,

To this closed woman all was chaff;

She had the skill but not the inkling

For poetry or iv’ry tinkling.  

Her gifts horticulturally,

Served her in society,

For people came from miles around

To wander in her estate’s grounds.

With unguessed generosity

Her household would provide the tea,

And many tables would be set

For contemplation, tete-a-tete.

She’d transform in those hallowed beds –

Pruning, wat’ring, deading heads –

Skirts all muddied, boots fair caked,

She planted, dug – dreamed as she raked.

Her flowers were her source of pride:

With others’ children by her side

She’d give free lessons, proffer Latin,

As sim’lar ladies discuss satin.

Many kind schemes she let take place

Enveloped in her work’s embrace;

However inadvertently

Benevolent she came to be.

And when at last, care-worn and grey,

The Good Lord took her far away,

The vicar was then inundated

With eulogies for the belated.

Adults with children of their own

Reminisced about the things they’d grown

When that ‘sweet lady’ held their hand

Gave time to help them understand.

Her passion scattered smiles and seeds –

Enthusiasm roots and breeds –

Although oft adults peaked her ire

Children thrived around her fire.

I had meant to ease myself into the first prompt (as I am pretty busy this weekend), but obviously that is not what happened 😉 I even got a bit emotional about this fictional character, haha!

Take care, and I hope to catch you tomorrow!

Monty X

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Please do not use any of my content (posts, pictures, poetry etc) without my permission, but feel free to link back to my blog if something catches your eye. Thank you!

Heylooo!

On this, the last day of NaPoWriMo 2018, I wrote three jaunty verses to fulfil the prompt of: “write a poem that engages with a strange and fascinating fact” 😉

In Sweden it’s illegal

To vote for Donald Duck

(So if you’re slightly quackers,

I guess you’re out of luck)

‘Robot’ is a Slavic word

For ‘slave labour’ – it’s true!

(So think of this the next time

Your Roombas suck crumbs for you)

And octopus intelligence

Is crafty and profound,

They’ll sneak onto a fishing boat

Munch crabs without a sound….

I hope you have enjoyed my journey through my first national poetry month – it’s been fun coming up with pieces every day!

[Pic is from here]

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Copyright © 2018  Montaffera All Rights Reserved

Please do not use any of my content (posts, pictures, poetry etc) without my permission, but feel free to link back to my blog if something catches your eye. Thank you!

Hi!

I’m on the penultimate poem of my first crack at National Poetry Month!  Wow!

The prompt was to go and pick a Silvia Plath poem from the selection linked, and write my own piece that related to it in some way.  I chose The Courage Of Shutting-Up which I read for the first time this evening and love 😉

Here is my response:

COWARDLY CATERWAUL

I knew it!  I knew it!

He’s done it again,

I’m rubbing my nails on my top;

Shining the claws

Before digging them in

(With teeth just behind them in line)

A worm-turn,

A blasting,

A full-throttle ride out

Of everything I think is true.

A cartoon-like rattling,

A pepp’ring of flesh;

And a dead man: tripped up and confused…

[Pic is from here]

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Copyright © 2018  Montaffera All Rights Reserved

Please do not use any of my content (posts, pictures, poetry etc) without my permission, but feel free to link back to my blog if something catches your eye. Thank you!

Hello!

The optional prompt for today was to write a prose poem as if it was to go on a postcard.

Dear _____

Come take the kids from us, they’re not enjoying it! I could retire here today!  I’m coasting on seagull wings, soaking up atmosphere…they’re making it all drain away 😉 Our cottage is beautiful, right by the harbour, there’s even a village phonebox! (We’ve taught the boys chess as a small calming measure – genteel ‘battles’ make the noise drop).  There’s sunsets! And seascapes! A tooth-like ruined castle! A lighthouse just under Skye bridge!  I’ve bought myself yarn, and our beach-trip was roasting – the boys got first use of their suits. Wish I could print out these vistas to tack on my window! The week is ZOOMING to a close.  I’m SO sad this experience can’t be enjoyed more…wish my two ‘selves’ could be whole…

[Pic is from here]

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Copyright © 2018  Montaffera All Rights Reserved

Please do not use any of my content (posts, pictures, poetry etc) without my permission, but feel free to link back to my blog if something catches your eye. Thank you!

Hey 🙂

I was tasked with choosing a Tarot card to write about for this piece.

Oh majesty!

Turning in five different directions,

Crown a heavy burden,

Weary of this life

Through all the worried gratitude;

Convinced the sacrifices were worth it

Even if

Your subjects fail to guess

The price you still weigh up.

[Pic is from here]

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Copyright © 2018  Montaffera All Rights Reserved

Please do not use any of my content (posts, pictures, poetry etc) without my permission, but feel free to link back to my blog if something catches your eye. Thank you!

Howdy!

I was to write a poem that engaged the senses today.  I was rushing it though, because the kids were finally in bed and Hubby and I were feeling nostalgic and had decided to watch our wedding DVD.  Somehow we have been married for ten years tomorrow!

We are hoping that both kids can be safely deposited behind the school gates so us adults can slope off to the hotel we got married in, and have a bacon roll 😉  It’s been a looong, semi-cloistered, couple of weeks of illness and bad tempers around here!  It’s the second year running we have not been ready to embrace the new school term after Easter. 

Silly germs.  Begging the universe to grant that that’s us clear now and we stay healthy for the rest of the year!!

That day

I awoke to sunshine,

And the happy warmth

Of anticipation.

I went to the spare room

Just to bask in the splendour,

Tell myself all this was finally real.

The beads glistened

From the bodice

When I pulled down the zip.

Tea tasted decadent

In an empty house

On the brink of chartered chaos.

I pondered again

The best scent to layer

In the shower.

Was I supposed to take a bath?

Was I supposed to be this measured?

I laid out the pastries,

Read heating instructions,

Checked the bubbly was cooling,

Swiped at crumbs,

Straightened cushions;

Tamed my hair whisps.

When the women arrived,

All excitement and voices,

It still seemed flamboyant

To be made such a fuss of

No matter the date.

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Copyright © 2018  Montaffera All Rights Reserved

Please do not use any of my content (posts, pictures, poetry etc) without my permission, but feel free to link back to my blog if something catches your eye. Thank you!

Hey there 🙂

I have been enjoying this month of writing, and have written a poem for every prompt so far, unfortunately my menfolk have been ill so I have become a little behind on my posting!  I will be endeavouring to catch up over the next day or so.

Today’s prompt was to write a warning label – for myself!

I think mine turned into more of a pamphlet…

Keep unit away from excessive noise.

Feed every 3-4 hours.

Do not let this device come into contact with Arachnids

or those experiencing nausea,

as may short-circuit.

Take to places of beauty frequently.

Air well.

Allow device to wash itself at least once a day.

Protect from strong sunlight after

half an hour’s exposure.

Unit is waterproof, but may not function well in heavy rain

or snow.

Ensure to store within easy reach of interesting books,

lots of craft materials,

a comfortable chair, a bathroom

and an internet connection.

Recharge for at least 8 hours a day.

If unit appears sluggish:

1. Try giving it fresh air and/or a nap.
2. If that fails, administer chocolate and a therapeutic environment.

N.B: Keep away from children for at least an hour,

then test carefully.

Do not rile: may become sarcastic.

Approximately once a month, this model can display

prolonged crying sprees;

hugs will greatly help in this situation.

(Manufacturer can also be called, in extreme circumstances)

Manufacturer may visit

up to once a week to check unit function

and provide backup facilities.

These visits will be negotiated on an ongoing basis.

Handle with care.

Provide unit with ample opportunities

to exercise, eat, maintain its appearance

and feel that it is autonomous;

and it should serve you well for years to come.

Clothing and make-up etc sold separately.

May require more food than pictured.

Model shown is not indicative of the size

your unit may choose to maintain.

Come visit the Facebook page and follow @ComfyRestless on Twitter

Copyright © 2018  Montaffera All Rights Reserved

Please do not use any of my content (posts, pictures, poetry etc) without my permission, but feel free to link back to my blog if something catches your eye. Thank you!