The Thursday Think Tank - #42 Love

Warning

Upon entering this week’s prompt you may feel a bit of dizziness and nausea. Any side affects due to the gross cheesiness of this prompt cannot be used against Poets United or Robert Lloyd in any way.

Due to the nature of this week’s prompt we will understand it if you just want to sit this one out.

Should you choose to read more please be aware you will be entering a gag zone.

The Poetry Pantry Is Now Open - #35

For the first time ever The Poetry Pantry is going up on a day other than Sunday.  As you may notice things are little quiet around here.  I am within 7 days of my wedding and it’s so very busy that you folks have been a bit neglected.  After next week and a minimoon all that will change because I am sure I will need alone time.  Tonight starts what the guys (my friends I think?) call “Man Weekend”.  I am slightly excited and afraid all at the same time.  Anyone seen the movie the hangover?  I hope Mike Tyson doesn't punch me.  I was honestly thinking I could still manage posting the pantry on Sunday and then thought to myself “Who am I kidding?”  Most likely I will be writhing in pain and severely dehydrated when I usually put that post up.  So to ensure you get you regular dose of the Pantry I am putting it up today.  See everyone soon and have a great weekend!!

The Poetry Pantry

2nd Chance Poems or 1st time shares

Anything goes!! All Poems, all Poets, All Week!!

Do you have a poem you would like to share? Something that you just felt inspired to write and want others to read. Perhaps it’s a poem that didn’t get as much exposure on your blog as you would have liked. Maybe it’s a poem that you wrote a long time ago that you would like people to revisit. That’s what this section of Poets United is for.

The Thursday Think Tank - #41 Uniforms & Service

Every third Thursday (I know this is the 4th) we bring you a music or movie inspired theme usually chosen by signed...bkm. She never ceases to amaze me with her suggestions.

Suggested by signed... bkm

"Who in their infinite wisdom decreed that Little League uniforms be white? Certainly not a mother. "

~Erma Bombeck

What is in a uniform? Typically it represents a person of authority, respect and or importance or service. There are so many people in uniform out there I can’t begin to imagine being able to list them all and tehy all do great things. You have your standard Military ones of course heroes no doubt and you have the cops that protect and serve but you can’t forget firefighters, the Maytag repairman, nurses and the list goes on and on. Is a clown in uniform, are plumbers issued their plumber's cracks (My best friend runs owns a plumbing comapany and I ask him taht all the time lol)?  What people in uniform or service do you remember or think of first?

Whatever your pleasure write something that has to do with someone in uniform. Maybe as a child you wanted to reach for the stars and be an astronaut. Maybe you dreamed of being a knight in shining armor that too was a uniform. Whatever you decide your poem should be we can’t wait to see what adventure you take us on and what might inspire your words.

Poetry Blog of the Week - Deeper Linings (21 March 2011)

At poets united we are all about our community so please take the time support your fellow poets by visiting our blog of the week.

This week our bog of the week is:

Dennis Go @ Deeper Linings

We Suggest the following poems for your reading pleasure:

Someone Told Me To Love  (18 Spetember 2010)

Lazy Finger (8 December 2010)

For Naomi To My Wife (1 February 2011)

Every week at Poets United we try to introduce our members and readers to a poet and poetry blog found here in our community. Poets United is about reading, writing and enjoying one another’s poetry and this just one more way to show our support for one another.We would love to hear your comments on this poet’s blog and poetry so please come back after visiting the blog of the week and let us know your thoughts.

We hope you enjoy visiting the highlighted blogs. Thank you for supporting your fellow poets and I am sure we will soon see your blog highlighted here.

Poets United

(This blog was selected by Mary Kling.  She is currently one of our contributors and poets found here at Poets United.  Her hard work and help with Poets United can be found in nearly every corner of this site and for this we are grateful. If you would like to learn more about Mary or read some of her own poetry you can visit her blog "In the Corner of My Eye" or keep an eye out for more of her posts.) 

The Poetry Pantry Is Now Open - #34

The Poetry Pantry

2nd Chance Poems or 1st time shares

Anything goes!! All Poems, all Poets, All Week!!

Do you have a poem you would like to share? Something that you just felt inspired to write and want others to read. Perhaps it’s a poem that didn’t get as much exposure on your blog as you would have liked. Maybe it’s a poem that you wrote a long time ago that you would like people to revisit. That’s what this section of Poets United is for.

Classic Poetry - (There Will Come Soft Rains) Sara Teasdale

There Will Come Soft Rains

There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground,
And swallows circling with their shimmering sound;

And frogs in the pools singing at night,
And wild plum trees in tremulous white;

Robins will wear their feathery fire,
Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire;

And not one will know of the war, not one
Will care at last when it is done.

Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree,
If mankind perished utterly;

And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn
Would scarcely know that we were gone.

~ Sara Teasdale

Sara Teasdale (August 8, 1884 – January 29, 1933)

Sara was a wonderful poet who lived a sad life. There is not much about historically that I know save for the fact she was Sylvia Plath before Sylvia was Sylvia. She ended up committing suicide at the young age of 33.

A slightly odd fact about this poem is that it inspired a story by science fiction writer Ray Bradbury. His story was then used in many adaptations with her words echoing through them all. The story is about an automated house that after an apocalypse still serves and assists its dead family. Although it seems morbid and grotesque the actually is quite intriguing. If you like sci fi it is a quick and decent read. For more about the Ray Bradbury’s inspired story please read here.

In the video below the poem is found in a video game called Fall Out 3. It is a post apocalyptic game in which after many hours of playing you can stumble on a house where a robot recites this poem.



What are your thoughts on this poem? What are your thoughts on Sara Teasdale? Do you have any poems or anything else written by her you prefer? Please feel free to share your thoughts on either the poem displayed here or whatever you wish about Sara Teasdale in the comment section below.

Poets United posts a classic poem once weekly. We want to do this to introduce classic poets and their poems to our members. It is also a way to display different styles, genres and approaches to poetry. Our intent is to further expand the world of poetry while educating ourselves.


If you have a classic poem or set of prose you are fond of please let us know by emailing it to us at poetsunited@ymail.com

The Thursday Think Tank - #40 Hope

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

~ Albert Einstein

"Hope" is the thing with feathers

"Hope" is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—

And sweetest—in the Gale—is heard—
And sore must be the storm—
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm—

I've heard it in the chillest land—
And on the strangest Sea—
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb—of Me.

~ Emily Dickinson

Typically at this time of the month we are treated to a prompt by signed…..bkm and we had one ready, but in light of the recent events in Japan we thought more fitting to tap the general feelings of poets around the world. We wanted to use a very important word for this week. That word is hope.

Currently many people hope that things get better, hope that their families are ok, hope they can recover, hope that more disasters are avoided and hope that they can persevere. Poets United also hopes with and for them.

This week write about hope. You don’t have to write about the events in Japan you can tell us about what hope has done or will do for you, your family, your friends or people you don’t even know. We look forward to reading your inspiring words on hope.

Please Welcome Our 200th Member Pearl & Other New Poets!

Can you actually believe it? There are 200 of us that come and go in this wonderful community. We are 200 people who willingly pursue a passion of writing and sharing that writing. We have come a long way from and upstart community and I think each and every one of you deserves a huge congratz!! Keep writing sharing and visiting and we look forward to growing more with each one of you!

As of March 14th, 2011

We Currently have 200 Active Writing and contributing Members !

Please don't forget to tell your poetry friends about Poets United and are awesome home for poets!

Below you will find a few links to the most recent members who have joined our community here at Poets United. Please give them a warm welcome by stopping by their poetry blogs and reading some of there creative offerings. All blogs are linked and will instantly open in a new window for your viewing and reading pleasure.

Sarath Unnithan @ Mindwaves

Bonnie Anderson @ A daydream a day

Lola Mouse @ Mouse Droppings

Yun Yi @ Poetry For Beauty

Isabel Doyle @ Written In Exile

 Harry Nicholson @ 1513 fusion

And Number 200 is........

Pearl Ketover Prilik

 PKP/ Pearl Ketover Prilik  @ Imagine 

The Poetry Pantry Is Now Open - #33

The Poetry Pantry

2nd Chance Poems or 1st time shares

Anything goes!! All Poems, all Poets, All Week!!

Do you have a poem you would like to share? Something that you just felt inspired to write and want others to read. Perhaps it’s a poem that didn’t get as much exposure on your blog as you would have liked. Maybe it’s a poem that you wrote a long time ago that you would like people to revisit. That’s what this section of Poets United is for.

Classic Poetry - (To his coy Mistress) Andrew Marvell

To his Coy Mistress

Had we but world enough, and time,
This coyness, lady, were no crime.
We would sit down and think which way
To walk, and pass our long love's day;
Thou by the Indian Ganges' side
Shouldst rubies find; I by the tide
Of Humber would complain. I would
Love you ten years before the Flood;
And you should, if you please, refuse
Till the conversion of the Jews.
My vegetable love should grow
Vaster than empires, and more slow.
An hundred years should go to praise
Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze;
Two hundred to adore each breast,
But thirty thousand to the rest;
An age at least to every part,
And the last age should show your heart.
For, lady, you deserve this state,
Nor would I love at lower rate.

But at my back I always hear
Time's winged chariot hurrying near;
And yonder all before us lie
Deserts of vast eternity.
Thy beauty shall no more be found,
Nor, in thy marble vault, shall sound
My echoing song; then worms shall try
That long preserv'd virginity,
And your quaint honour turn to dust,
And into ashes all my lust.
The grave's a fine and private place,
But none I think do there embrace.

Now therefore, while the youthful hue
Sits on thy skin like morning dew,
And while thy willing soul transpires
At every pore with instant fires,
Now let us sport us while we may;
And now, like am'rous birds of prey,
Rather at once our time devour,
Than languish in his slow-chapp'd power.
Let us roll all our strength, and all
Our sweetness, up into one ball;
And tear our pleasures with rough strife
Thorough the iron gates of life.
Thus, though we cannot make our sun
Stand still, yet we will make him run.


~ Andrew Marvell

What are your thoughts on this poem? What are your thoughts on Andrew Marvell? Do you have any poems or anything else written by him you prefer? Please feel free to share your thoughts on either the poem displayed here or whatever you wish about Andrew Marvell in the comment section below.

Poets United posts a classic poem once weekly. We want to do this to introduce classic poets and their poems to our members. It is also a way to display different styles, genres and approaches to poetry. Our intent is to further expand the world of poetry while educating ourselves.


If you have a classic poem or set of prose you are fond of please let us know by emailing it to us at poetsunited@ymail.com

The Thursday Think Tank - #39 Ghosts

This week’s prompt was inspired by a poem I read when visiting the Poets United blog of the week Poesia Torta by Kenia Cris. It kind of stuck with m e for a few days and I figure it would make an interesting prompt. The poem is below.

Sitting with ghosts

It's all in the way we live our lives
and the way we sit our ghosts
at the dining table.

We hold hands,
say our prayers
and eat together
from a choice of fear and angst.

We eat together and chat
about nonsensical dreams
of days to come.

They laugh.
We laugh.
We don't always get the joke,
still it seems the right thing to do
when you're
sitting there with ghosts.

~ Kenia Cris


What are ghosts? What are your ghosts? Are they the literal specters of souls who are not willing to leave this earth yet? Maybe they are your haunting memories of times gone by, or as I took from the above poem they could be the secrets we keep from one another. Ghosts can be interpreted or exhibited in many ways from the creak and cold of night to the ghosts we create in our head. This week share your ghost with us, made up or for real. We look forward to reading your haunting words.

Life of a Poet – The Tired Monk

This interview was Written and done by Sherry Blue Sky

Well, kids, time for the Big Reveal! Is the Tired Monk really tired? Is he really a monk? Does he wear those robes he writes about? Stay tuned, because today we are sitting down with Old Ollie of Humbucker Poems, to get the real scoop! (I so want to believe he is real, I hope he doesn’t burst my bubble. It would be like finding out there’s no Santa Claus!!)

Poets United: Ollie, so much fun to sit down with you today! Yay! Robes!!!!!!! Pull back your hood just a little, okay? Tell us, is there a story behind the name of your blog? Humbucker Poems

Poetry Blog of the Week - Poesia Torta (7 Mar 2011)

At poets united we are all about our community so please take the time support your fellow poets by visiting our blog of the week.

This week our blog of the week is:

Kenia Cris @ Poesia Torta

An interesting tid bit about this blog and Kenia is all her poems are written in Portuguese and English.  She possesses a wonderful talent that can be discovered in two worlds.

We Suggest the following poems for your reading pleasure:

Untitled #156 (4 Spetember 2009)

Sentado com fantasmas | Sitting with ghosts (24 December 2010)

Untitled #437 (31 January 2010)

Every week at Poets United we try to introduce our members and readers to a poet and poetry blog found here in our community. Poets United is about reading, writing and enjoying one another’s poetry and this just one more way to show our support for one another.We would love to hear your comments on this poet’s blog and poetry so please come back after visiting the blog of the week and let us know your thoughts.

We hope you enjoy visiting the highlighted blogs. Thank you for supporting your fellow poets and I am sure we will soon see your blog highlighted here.

Poets United

The Poetry Pantry Is Now Open - #32

The Poetry Pantry is by far the most popular activity and post found here at Poets United. Thank you all for making this such a wonderful community to belong to. As it currently stands we have over 190 poets who are writing daily. Please make sure to take the time to visit some of those poets. It is through these visits that you meet new and wonderful people while exposing your work to them. It’s a share and share alike kind of process. When you comment on other poets blogs they are more than likely going to stop by and take a look at your poetry. Don’t forget to leave a comment here after posting. We get way more links than comments and we would like to hear a little form you. Tell us about the poem you are posting. Tell us why you are happy today. Tell us joke. Tell us something.

Congratulations to all our poets who were recently featured in our anthology The Poetry Pantry: Thoughts That Breathe. It has been a roaring success so far.

The Poetry Pantry

2nd Chance Poems or 1st time shares

Anything goes!! All Poems, all Poets, All Week!!

Do you have a poem you would like to share? Something that you just felt inspired to write and want others to read. Perhaps it’s a poem that didn’t get as much exposure on your blog as you would have liked. Maybe it’s a poem that you wrote a long time ago that you would like people to revisit. That’s what this section of Poets United is for.

Classic Poetry - (I am Lonely - George Elliot) Mary Anne Evans

I am Lonely

The world is great: the birds all fly from me,
The stars are golden fruit upon a tree
All out of reach: my little sister went,
And I am lonely.

The world is great: I tried to mount the hill
Above the pines, where the light lies so still,
But it rose higher: little Lisa went
And I am lonely.

The world is great: the wind comes rushing by.
I wonder where it comes from; sea birds cry
And hurt my heart: my little sister went,
And I am lonely.

The world is great: the people laugh and talk,
And make loud holiday: how fast they walk!
I'm lame, they push me: little Lisa went,
And I am lonely.

~ George Eliot

Mary Anne (Mary Ann, Marian) Evans (22 November 1819 – 22 December 1880)

If you search on YouTube there are 6 parts of a BBC special on this lady.  I have placed the first one below to pique your interest.  It is about a famous male poets who turns out to be a woman.  Forgive the subtitles but it is in English and well worth watching.




Now here is a very interesting lady!!  Mary Anne Evans wrote as George Eliot so that she could be taken more seriously as a writer.  She has many poems under many names.  She was a big fan of pen names but mostly used them to avoid the problems she created with her writing.  If you have not heard of "George" you really should look into her as she was a trailblazer and lightening rod for controversy.  A woman willing to take risks.  What are your thoughts on this poem? What are your thoughts on Mary Anne Evans (George Eliot)? Do you have any poems or anything else written by her you prefer? Please feel free to share your thoughts on either the poem displayed here or whichever version of the lady poet you wish in the comment section below.

Poets United posts a classic poem once weekly. We want to do this to introduce classic poets and their poems to our members. It is also a way to display different styles, genres and approaches to poetry. Our intent is to further expand the world of poetry while educating ourselves.


If you have a classic poem or set of prose you are fond of please let us know by emailing it to us at poetsunited@ymail.com

Its Ready!! Are you? Download your FREE copy today!

We are happy to announce that The Poetry Pantry: Thoughts That Breathe is ready to go!  We are a bit later than expected on this project but it was well worth the wait.  There are over 55 Poets and Artists of the Poets United community represented in this, our first ever printed book. I wanted a copy in my hand so that I could ensure it was worth your time, money and talent. I didn’t want a book that was garbage. I must say I was fairly impressed by the quality of book Lulu allowed us to produce. I have to thank Mary Kling for turning me on to them and showing me what could be done through their services. It will be exciting to see what we do with our future editions, the next that will possibly be coming out before Christmas this year.

The success of this book is due in large to the wonderful support of you, the members of Poets United, and many others that support this wonderful community for poets. We are extremely grateful for all of you and your contributions.

Please Welcome The Latest Poets To Join Poets United!

As of March 4th, 2011

We Currently have 193 Active Writing and contributing Members !

Please don't forget to tell your poetry friends about Poets United and are awesome home for poets!

Below you will find a few links to the most recent members who have joined our community here at Poets United. Please give them a warm welcome by stopping by their poetry blogs and reading some of there creative offerings. All blogs are linked and will instantly open in a new window for your viewing and reading pleasure.

Matthew John Davies @ The Undersized Shadow

Gaurang Rao @ Gaurang's Poems

Words Asunder @ Words Asunder

A.M. Trumble @ Originals

shaista tayabali @ Lupus in Flight

Please feel free to copy and use either of our banners on your blog or anywhere you like.




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What are you doing today?

If you don't really feel like writing today then just dig up an old poem you have not shared in a while and head on over to The Friday Forgotten.  Any poem collecting dust or cobwebs can be shared here as long as it wasn't written in 2011.  Dusktraveler has set up and old poem gathering project of sorts.  It's a way to get into the deep and dark parts of your blog that are justsitting there and insert some life into.  Find that poem that has not ever been read or commented on and share it here.

The Friday Forgotten - This one is for all of your old writings and art.  If you have an oldie but goodie that needs another look put it there.  Only old posts should be linked any work from 2011 will be removed. The link goes up on Friday and comes down on Monday.  This is a new one so lets see how it fairs. 



Maybe you do want to write but just not all that much.  G-Man has the solution for you.  His themes are classic and fun.  Stop on over and see what he has posted today.  See what it inspires you to write.  Be careful though the trick is 55 words.  Thats all you get to use.  Don't bother with 54, 33, or a whole lot more.  You gotta hit it on the nose. Thats a pretty tough challenge.  Are you up to it?

G-Mans Friday Flash 55 - Here you get 55 words.  No More, No Less.  The Gman posts a photo or two as a prompt and you write the story or poem.  It's a pretty fun challenge hope to see you there.

Magic in the Backyard (Free Write Friday) - A thoughtful and inspiring prompt is put up each Friday by Kellie Elmore.  The object is to write without boundaries.  Your challenge is to be uncut and raw, a ranting prose or poem of sorts.  You can go back later and perfect your words but for this prompt share your original and gritty creativity.

Remember at Poets United we are about the community so if you stumble across a great site that should be included in our Prompt/Meme Directory or posts please feel free to email us about it so we can share it with everyone!

The Thursday Think Tank - #38 Quotes & Quotations

"I quote others only in order the better to express myself."

~ Michel De Montaigne

People love quotes, especially writers. Some of us live by them, some of us laugh at them and some of us say the wise things that are worth repeating. Whatever the reason they are a very involved part of life. I have one I constantly use. “He who laughs, Lasts!” by Mary Pettibone Poole. I like to think that is how I live my life. Laughter and happiness; I don’t spend too much time on the bad or sad stuff.

We use quotes to express things we feel that we simply cannot say any better ourselves. We use them as inspiration. So what will you quote today? What will use as your inspiration?

Today write a poem using a quote. Let it be your title, your beginning, your middle, your end or just simply your inspiration for writing. Whatever you write make sure a quote is what inspires it. The quote doesn’t have to be famous or something everyone knows. It could be something your grandma or daughter said. You can even be so bold as to quote yourself. Please though after you write your poem let us know where the quote came from and maybe why you chose it.

If you don’t have a quote that you want or can use for inspiration that’s no problem below is a link to a random quote generator. Find one that inspires you to write for us today. We look forward to seeing what quotes we have or haven’t heard that prompt you to write wonderful poetry.

Random Quote Generator

(If you dont like the quote just hit refesh and you will get another one)

Thought Provoking Thursday Prompts

Its thursday and we all know this is the point of the week were the day dreams set in.  You been at the grind hadr for most of the week and now you are dreaming about the weekend ahead or Friday night.  Well put those daydreams down on paper.  We will show you where.  Below you will find a short list of all the sites that are live and hot today with poetry and writing prompts waiting to inspire your imagination. At some point today all the communities listed here will be or have already put forward a fresh new idea to spark your creative urges. You can find a brief description for each prompt site below. Once you find the one that tickles your fancy just click on it and voila! It will open a new window that will have taken you right to the prompt or site.

We Write Poems - Each week, wonderful and involved prompts are put up for all to take part in. You have all week to post your responses.

Theme Thursday - An inspiring theme will appear every Thursday. A phrase and a photo inspire your writings when visiting here. Feel free to post at any time until the following Thursday, when a new Theme will appear.

Poets United (The Thursday Think Tank) - A picture and some inspiring words are what you get here. You can post responses all week.

Thursday Tales - Here, every week on Wednesday/Thursday, they offer you a photograph to base a short story on, and no, you don't have to write thousand words!! The rules will be put up in the prompt too. And they hope you have fun writing your story(prose, no poems) on the basis of a picture.(It's harder than it seems.) Any one who participates will be added to their Tales Train.

Remember at Poets United we are about the community so if you stumble across a great site that should be included in our Prompt/Meme Directory or posts please feel free to email us about it so we can share it with everyone!

Poem of the Week - Inside Alzheimer's Disease

This poem can be found at:

Inside Alzheimer's Disease

Isolation

It is lonely in here
there are two of us
who travel together
we seem separate
as trains on different
tracks we pass
not caressing or
crashing


It is lonely in here
he is on a track
going in a straight
line to nowhere
he can't get off
he can't turn around
I am his
passenger

~ Willow (Diane Belleville)

(Note: the authors name, poem title and blog website image are hyperlinked to the poets site. By clicking on any of these a new window will open and you will be taken directly to the highlighted site. )

We hope you have enjoyed reading this week’s selection. Each week we select a poem from one of our members which we feel is a wonderful read. It is the poetry penned by our members and their willingness to share that is the core of our community. If you enjoyed reading this poem we can guarantee there will be many more like it so be sure to stop by next week and read what poem has been selected for your reading pleasure.

Titillating Tuesday Prompts

It seems you have survived the first day of the week because you are reading this right now. Does it mean you need a pick me up?  Does your imagination and pen want a short escape from the daily grind?  If that is the case, this will be the perfect post for you. In this post you will find a short list of all the sites that are live and hot today with poetry and writing prompts! At some point today all the communities listed here will be or have already put forward a fresh new idea to spark your creative urges. You can find a brief description for each prompt site below. Once you find the one that tickles your fancy just click on it and voila! It will open a new window that will have taken you right to the prompt or site.

Magpie Tales - A unique photo prompt is posted every Monday by Willow the talent behind Willow Manor. These photos are always fun, quaint and pen inspiring.  A lynky is supplied for you to share your work and read others.

Carry on Tuesday  - A song, verse or famous phrase inspires your pen here. You are offered a bit of a song, verse from poetry, or famous phrase form somewhere. Use it it all or just bits to inspire your poem and then post it to the Carry On Lynky.  Be sure to visit and comment on other posters as they will yours.

Tuesday Tryouts - A worskshop style prompt to hone your writing skills is what you will find here.  It is hosted by Margo Roby one of our talented Poets United members.  When particpating in these prompts know that they are challenging but fun.


Remember at Poets United we are about the community so if you stumble across a great site that should be included in our Prompt/Meme Directory or posts please feel free to email us about it so we can share it with everyone!