I Wrote 31 Poems In The Month Of July

This is what I learned…

I felt so confident after taking on this challenge last year with only missing two of the 31 days in July but making up for it and writing a total of 31 poems at the end of it all. I wrote some of my favorite poems to date and I figured why not give it a try again this year.

This year felt a bit different for me. I wanted to approach it this time around with a narrative type of poetry. Almost like they would all connect to tell the story of one person. I started off strong but then after a few days I just started to write what inspired me that particular day. This is a common thing to happen to me during my writing process. I did miss a few days but was able to make up the poems at the end of the month to still finish the challenge having written 31 poems for the month of July.

Some things surprised me about this process and I want to share and also encourage you if you are interested in trying out some sort of poetry challenge.

1. Inspiration strikes at different times of the day. This was so true for me. I could be waiting in line at the grocery store or watching a show on Netflix and I get one or two lines pop into my head that caused me to stop what I was doing and write it down.
2. I did find myself racing against the clock and writing a lot towards the end of the evening just forgetting to write during the day. Being distracted by day to day tasks.
3. I found it really challenging on the days when I had no inspiration at all. I just wanted to skip the days all together but tried my best.
4. I didn’t want to make any edits to the poems once the day was over. I might go back and rework some of them now but we will see.
5. I found it helpful when I just took the pressure off myself. I realized that I didn’t have to share these poems with anyone else if I didn’t want to. So that gave me some freedom to just write and not let the worry of others sit in the back of my mind. Does anyone else run into this when they are writing?
6. Now looking back at the 31 days, it shocks me how quickly it went by. I started the month and was like “okay here we go” and ended the month with “oh man it’s already done?” I think I might do more challenges like this in the future because it forces me to sit down and write.
7. I didn’t realize how much I really enjoyed setting aside some time to write for just me and create something that was unrelated to anything else.
8. I love being able to look back at what I wrote and almost walk back through the process of it all. I know I don’t remember all the poems from each day so when I got to sit and re-read them, it was like little surprises of poetry.

At the end of the day write for yourself and see what you can create. The imagination is endless and who knows you might just write your favorite thing yet just because you challenged yourself. Maybe it opens new perspectives into your own writing and your process. It could help you find your writing style or even what you don’t like to write.

Keep writing. Keep working towards your passions. Try new things. Be present in the experiences and enjoy the journey. You got this!

If you are intimidated by the thought of writing something new just remember that you can write it first for yourself and then if you want to share it you can.

I am going to share two of the poems that I wrote during the month of July. [The poems shared are the original works of myself, Kassy Menke. Please do not share, copy or use without reaching out to me first and gaining permission to do so. Thanks so much!]

This was my Day 5 Poem: Title: Identify

Passing through time Means reflecting on the moments unseen

Creating a world to live in And not just floating through a dream

I travel through memories, miles and reading between the lines Who knew we would give ourselves deadlines?

I hope you can see the moments that discourage me The ones that inspire me

The breath that consumes me Struggling in the sea of uncertainty

I always come back to finding myself Identifying me

Hopefully you can see yourself too If not, what is one to do?

This was my Day 12 Poem: Title: Vantage Point

Sitting on top of what feels like the entire world

Can take your breath away if you are not careful

It’s almost sinful to have this view

Everything all at once

Thinking of all the things you could do

Holding out for just the right moment

Trying to prove something to you

To myself more specifically

Not sure what the best thing is to do?

So take in a breath

Breathe in the cold air

Watch the stars shine

And the city lights share the horizon of the meeting point between the two

The world’s collide

But I am still holding onto you

How is this fair?

To let myself be

Suspended in the space

Between hope and reality

I really can’t believe the impact you had on me

Maybe one day we will meet

Like shooting, sparkling, wished upon stars

Creating light in a dark galaxy

Or at least I hope that’s what we would be

Thank you so much if you took the time to read this article or any of my articles! If you would like to read more of my poetry, please let me know and I will consider writing more articles on this topic.

If you want to become a member of medium, think about using my link down below. I hope you all have wonderful memories coming your way.

[All the images shared are all original works of myself, Kasandra Faith Photography. Please do not share, copy or use without reaching out to me first and gaining permission to do so. Thanks so much!]