Welcome to Poetry Friday, this week hosted by the talented poet and children’s author Kat Apel, who hails from Australia, HERE. Thank you for hosting! I look forward to seeing what’s new down under.
I got lost in enjoying the summer here in Central New York. So I allowed myself enjoy being outside and contemplate my writing ambitions. But in September, feeling a bit out of it, I was glad to attend a small Zoom meeting with Jone McCullough and a few other poetry friends.
It was awesome seeing everyone! We talked about the market and, yes, the difficulties therein, but also just enjoyed chatting and laughing. I need to get on-line more regularly because I miss seeing friends, hearing of submission opportunities, getting book recommendations and especially showing support for the kid-lit community.
So now I’m renewing my engagement in poetry. I discovered this 2021 craft book, HOW TO WRITE A FORM POEM, by Tania Runyan. There are many placed to learn about forms, but this is an excellent book, covering the nuts and bolts and a form might be useful.
So, I chose to write a Villanelle this week. Runyan suggested that waiting for something, anything, might bring to mind a villanelle. So I wrote about waiting to say goodbye to a loved one who lives far away.
BACK TO THE WEST COAST Phil is going to leave today, Sometime, perhaps around two, Exactly when, he didn’t say. Grown-up offspring cannot stay— of course, that’s nothing new. Philip’s going to leave today, return to California, far away, with all its stunning views. When he’ll return he doesn’t say. Outside the sky is gray, though our family seems renewed— yes, he’s going to leave today. I hide twinges of dismay, hug him as we always do. When he’ll return he couldn't say. Someone is waiting; he can’t delay whatever he must do. He said he’s going to leave today. When he’ll return he didn’t say. © Janice Scully 2022
