The POM Reading Event: Night Three
Sharing my experiences and progress on the Reading Event
To join in on this POMpoet event:
I thought It would be nice to share my experiences with this Reading Event. I created the event because I feel it is so easy to share our work, promote our work, and simply move on to the next piece we want to write. All of the output is great for us creatively, but ultimately we are missing some of the benefits poetry has to offer us if all we do is create it. Also, as poetry will likely never be a priority on the platform, we have to work a little harder to uplift poetry and poets here on Medium so that our work gets attention as well. When we read the work of others, not only are we supporting them, but we are getting something as well.
- We can look for inspiration.
- We can study the work of others and learn about the craft of other poets.
- We can use the reading of poetry as an opportunity to identify poetic device and practice analytical skills.
- And we can let poetry move us emotionally, intellectually, and creatively.
This event supports the work of poets specifically in The POM publication.
Here’s my progress on my night three of checking off items on the “checklist.”
There are 4 items on my checklist and I will do all 4 today since I technically missed night three/ yesterday. Today is the final day of the Reading Event so I will wrap it all up today. (As a result, you’ll see several posts from me today. But it’s a quiet, cloudy day and a good day for poetry!)
Spend ONE WHOLE HOUR reading work from The POM. Can you find some favorite poems or a new poet that inspires you?
- Three-Pointed Feet by Jorge Vallejo This poem is a pantoum, a form new to me. I may use this poem in one of the other reading activities below and write a pantoum today! Thanks Jorge for introducing this form to me. And with birds. I love birds!
- Man’s Wanderings by Chinelo Orji This poem exemplifies that constant battle between man’s need for progress and the earth’s bearing of that weight; responding, some might say, in retaliation. Many interesting points of thought in this poem as well as some beautiful lines like this one:
The hole of his navel a seed of his skin. Be still, be still. The sun will dance. Again. — excerpt from Man’s Wanderings by Chinelo Orji
- Sun Pours Dreams on the Day to Come by David Majister This poem is a good example of leaving out all of the superfluous words and getting down the the imagery, the action, the descriptive jewels of the poem. Enjoyed this poetic description of the dawn (A time I rarely see, being such a late-morning person myself.)
- Send Flowers by Jehan Senai Worthy This poem resonates with me right now, hard. I too am walking around a place experienceing the absence of someone I have loved and cherished for a long time. Her poem inspires me to fill my apartment with flowers — and somehow, I think that will help to ease the pain. I loved the floral touches on this poem, sweetening the undercurrent of sadness. The empowering ending of the poem; I could use a little of that today, and yes, flowers.
- Spring Forward, Fall Back? by Hazel Flaxen poses a very real question through prose poetry — I invite you to read and consider Hazel’s question in your own life and community.
- Like A Saint And A Noose by Anna L. Shtorm This was a perfect poem to read right after the previous poem Breathe. I went from a poetic mantra, shaking off the worries of this world, straight into a celebration of connection with the universe and all around — it was the perfect transition.
- Astronaut’s Soliloquy by Alex Kilcannon Stole my breathe today and took me on a glorious journey through space, humanity, connectedness. The descriptive writing is lovely but I was particularly impressed with the pacing. When you allow the narrative to unfold at a pleasant pace for the reader, they are able to take the journey with you. It was beautifully written.
- The Mischief Maker by Alexandra Forsyth is an American Haiku for the alert and skeptical ones out there, navigating life with a bit of wisdom and guardedness. A warning, of sorts. Beware those mischief makers…
Find a POMprompt that inspires you and write your own response poem.
OK since I actually write the POMprompts, what I did in lieu of this exercise was to begin 2 new POMprompt posts inspired by today’s readings. I’ll flesh them out later for the POMpoets. Get ready for:
- POMprompt # 23 — Breathe / Release / Celebrate (Coming soon!)
- POMprompt #24 — Take Me on a Journey (Coming soon!)
Find a poem on The POM that you really enjoyed and write a poem from the inspiration. Tag the poet and their work in your post to let them know their work inspired yours.
I think I will go with my original idea of writing a pantoum. (Be right back. Off to write one!)
OK — here goes. Hope you enjoy:
Lastly, do a write up about why you love being a part of The POM family. It can be as simple as a Tweet or Facebook post, or you can write a Substack post, blog post, or a Letter to the Editors. Tell others about our pub/group and why it is important to you.
I did a Substack newsletter (please follow me there if you aren’t already):
That brings me to the end of my Reading Event for The POM
I have enjoyed this very much. I hope to host more events like this for the POMpoets! Let me know how you enjoyed this or provide some feedback if you can.
POET ON!
