Ella's Edge

Hello Toads, hope the New Year is off to a great start for you~  I have been cleaning my FROG=Furnished Room Over Garage, lol. Frog is not a bad word. They are our cousins after all.  I am going through some of my things-it is time to reorganize, let some things go and sort through my supplies.  I was looking at  some magazines and found this, when this article jumped out at me.  The Power of Wow-written by Anne Lamott.

".....Wow, is often uttered with a sharp intake of breath, when we can't think of another way to capture the sight of shocking beauty or destruction, an unbidden insight or unexpected flash of grace."

What do you think of when you think of wow?  When did you last say the word?  Was it in an awestruck way or due to destruction?   Things Anne mentions that are wow:  volcanoes, a bird's song, the veins in a leaf, the northern lights, and a teen's reaction to a car at Christmas.  Anne expresses that wows come in all shapes and sizes, lowercase and uppercase.

Then there is the scary wow of storms that create sadness, death and destruction.  We are a loss for words and all that comes out is "wow".

She reminds us to look at what emerges from the wreckage.   She reminds us that love falls and it rises and pools around those affected.  "Love pulls people back to their feet and we heal.  After a forest fire, with time grass grows again and the sun rises!  Wow..."

I want a poem about wow!  Your choice on the size, shape and form of it.  Remember to wow us with your words~   ( I know I thought "Wow" when I read Corey's n' Shay's collaboration...didn't you ;D)

Hello Toads, Kerry stepping in here to take the opportunity to thank Ella for her wonderful prompts (18 in total! Wow!) which have been a part of Real Toads since its inception in July 2011. This is her last formal contribution, but we will continue to enjoy her company as a valued member of the Imaginary Garden.  

Ella's Post

                                Dickens' writing style is florid and poetic, with a strong comic touch.


Did you know Charles Dickens developed his characters, by using symbols. Yes, he shared many details of a character's humble abode.  In these details, he developed his character's personality and traits.  Miss Havisham of "Great Expectations"  comes to mind.

When, I think of Miss Havisham, I can see wild grown weeds, her lavish home, and how her home was in disarray.   Dickens show us with hints:  "Miss Havisham's house, which was of old brick, and dismal, and had a great many iron bar to it. Some of the windows had been walled up; of those that remained, all the lower were rustily barred. There was a courtyard in front, and that was barred, so we had to wait, after ringing the bell, until some one should come to open it....    We went into the house by a side door, the great front entrance had two chains across it outside,-and the first thing I noticed was, the passages were all dark, and that she had left a candle burning there.... But I saw that everything within my view which ought to be white, had been white long ago, and had lost its lustre and was faded and yellow."    

I think of her perhaps having a split personality and being socially withdrawn.   Dickens'  style was noted by a term called  Dickensian. 

I want you to write a Dickens inspired poem. If you want to follow through in English form, then by all means write a sonnet.   I would be thrilled, but it is not required.


Please make your character vivid and share a lot of details about their home, what it looks like, sounds like, smells like, etc.   And here is the twist, yes an Oliver Twist, lol.   You will write a poem about the home of another Toad!  Let's try to highlight key elements that we love about this Toad member. Where do you imagine this poet lives?!   I do not what you to share, until the following morning who you have written about.   Let's have fun visiting each others' homes and guessing who the Toad is!   I know you can do florid and poetic, but let's also add a bit of comedy~   Yes, do several and have fun!  If anyone feels left out-email me. I plan on writing more than three.  ;D   It will be a marathon day for me. I have a post at Poets United, here and also am part of IWSG=Insecure Writer's Support Group!   Yes, I will be playing Leap Frog, lol.   I have great expectations and look forward to your poems~

Hallow's Edge

Well Toads, I am beyond thrilled to be the one to share a prompt with you today!  I love Halloween. I love dressing up, I love the mystery, the fun and candy.   Today,  I was going to enchant you with a spellbound type poem, but then I thought about ghosts.  Do you believe in ghosts?  I have had two occasions where I have felt an odd, almost a chill in the air.   Have you had an encounter?

My father had died suddenly, my first year in college.  I commuted daily and worked in the evenings at a local movie theater.  One night, not long after his death I was driving home, when I was nearing the darkest part of my ride.  Moosepoint State Park is so dark and yes, moose have been known to cross the road there.   I could feel the presence of someone sitting in the passenger seat-I was alone.  It felt as if I was being stared at. It was such an odd feeling, I turned the light on.  When I did my headlights went out...I'm at the darkest part of my trip, with no headlights.  It is 10:40pm.  I'm freaking, I'm scared...the lights come back on.  I can feel a presence, as if someone was sitting next to me in the passenger seat-I was alone.  I rode home with the light on.  I finally relaxed a bit and said, "Thanks Dad, I love you" and kept driving. When I got home, my Mom was up and I told her, what had happened.  We agreed the next day, after school to get my car to the garage. I did, I was told nothing was wrong. They couldn't find anything wrong with my lights, or switches or any loose wiring. It never happened again.   I do believe it was my Dad saying good-bye.  I still can feel this experience, as if it happened a month ago. It was that vivid!

 The other ghost encounter was a couple of years ago.  My daughter and I had heard there were a few homes, in our area considered haunted.   One is about a mile and half from my house.  She went with me. We drove the car and parked across the street, at a local church.  We walked near the home and snapped some photos.   When I uploaded the photos, I thought the door looked odd.  So, I enlarged it...Do you see her?  Do you see the ghost?

Here is the house:

 L@@K again...

 I have asked many people, what do you see?  Some say trees and some see a ghost. What do you see?   Click on it and look~


When Kerry mentioned the Sunday Mini Challenge, before Halloween...she also mentioned wanting to do a ghost type prompt.  I told her this is what i was thinking,  too.  She was gracious enough to let me have it, even though I told her to go ahead.  I could do a spellbinding type prompt, instead.  So Toads today in the garden you have a choice.  YOU can write a poem that is spellbinding, think Harry Potter, witches and their spell books, etc or you can write a ghostly tale.  It wouldn't be Halloween with out a TRICK!   You must use a line from a ghost poem in your poem.  Here is a list you can select from:   Click  HERE

I look forward to your spooktacular poems!   Damn, I tried a spellbound poem and it is working...
I'm turning into a Toad!    Beware I think it is the eye of newt... 

Hope you and yours have a bewitching holiday full of magic, a bit of enchantment and lots of candy!

Ella's Edge

I found this quote and thought I would share it with YOU!

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening. "Coco Chanel

 This mansion is smack dab in the middle of downtown.  It is amazing, to see!  It is near my library~



I gave you a hint about this post, on Monday.  Yes, I did take teenagers shopping, yes I did play Ninja Stylist in the store.  Oh, for those of you that don't know what that means, I use to decorate windows in college. I still decorate!  I arrange a setting or an outfit and leave it in a place to be seen, where I shop.  I am sleuth like. I did get caught one time, but the owner of the shop liked my creation and let me leave it.  I'm blushing again, thinking about it.  My one n' only time caught. I  know, I'm on cameras now, but I am clever.  I usually wait a month, before I return to the scene of my fashion/stylizing crime.  I mean adventure.  I do not take anything, I just rearrange it ;D

 YOUR ASSIGNMENT:  No, I'm not going to make you become a Stylized Ninja, lol.   I do want you to pen a poem inspired by this quote. 

#1 You can do just as Coco suggests, find fashion in the sky, street or in the way you live and share it with us.  It would be great if you could share a photo, too.  I posted some photos to inspire. YOU may use my photos if you like! 

#2 You could take a photo of something you love that is fashionable and pen a poem about how it inspires you.

#3 Pick one of the fashion trends from your past and share how it made you feel! Were you hip n' cool, groovy?   Do you look at the photo now and wonder, 'what was I thinking?'  Don't forget you can use hair, your glasses, make up, your vehicle.  Anything goes!

(I was hoping for a slick black number, but this is what I captured yesterday, when I was downtown.)

#4 Write a poem about one of your ideas, share your creative insight with us.  Maybe you have an idea for a  new recipe, a new style of shoes or a special belt. 

Embrace fashion. Do you love trends, break the rules, own a favorite piece of clothing you want to discuss with the memory tag attached.  Do you collect something, shoes, rings, cuff links and you want to share your unique collection with us?!   How ever you want to do this, have fun! No, it isn't Project run away, lol.  You pick your fashion, which will help design your poem!  Remember to inspire us with your view, your world,  and your insight! 

 I love how this Poppy looks like a fabulous dress!

  

Ella's Edge

I would like to  share with you an art process I discovered. It sounds odd, but I love the results.   I found this product called CitraSolv. It is a natural cleaner and degreaser made from orange essential oil.  Yes, my art smells great, lol.   You can read more about it HERE.  This cleaner removes ink on  National Geographic magazines.  The ink their publication uses reacts to the chemical compounds of the cleaner. My photos show the results. I thought about doing a before n' after, but I didn't want to worry about copyright issues.  Anyway, I though this would make an interesting prompt. I think of the art as being like an Indian Spirit Walker.

An Indian spiritwalker is one, who walks with the spirits to receive guidance and wisdom to use for his people's benefit.  Various techniques are used to achieve a trance-like state such as fasting, rhythmic drums and songs, psychotropic drugs, isolation or sensory deprivation and dressing in animal skins and masks. The journey to the spirit world helps to seek answers to questions on community issues such as famine, disease or individual healing; dream interpretation or weather prediction, etc.   Native Americans believe that their guiding spirits meet the spiritwalker in this trance and pass on the wisdom their tribe needs.

Your challenge is to pick a photo and see what wisdom speaks to you and share your wisdom in a poem~

    Big Sky Road

 

Wishing Tree

Soul's Wing

Spirit Guide

Unfulfilled Dreams

I hope if you try this art experiment,  you will tell me. I would love to see what you come up with :D
It is fascinating how it manipulates the ink and blurs the lines.  I hope the photo you pick, speaks to you, guides you.  I look forward to your insight, I mean poems~    I know I wish we could all meet someday and have a big Toad Pow wow!  ;D   Did you know if you see a toad, it is a good omen~

Happy Leap Day Toads

 Lily Pad by ~AstaMarionette



How fun a day about us, Toads ;D  An extra day to leap about, in our beautiful garden.  Have you noticed any new signs in the garden, seasonal pulls that are urging you to go outside and investigate?

Julia Cameron, writer and multi-talented creative being, suggests that artists take a day once a week, for an Art Date.  This is an exercise in her book, "The Artist's Way".  It can be the museum type variety or a walk in your city.  I sometimes go downtown and walk around snapping photos.  It is a way to refill your well of inspiration.

For today, I want you to try this Inner World Date. This is from a book called, "Inner Excavation" by Liz Lamoreux.  Go to your favorite spot in your home, grab something to write with or type on.

"Write a paragraph about what you see asking yourself these questions":

What color is your morning?
What are the shapes of your day?
What are the smells of your evening?
What are the textures of your favorite piece of clothing?
What are the sounds you hear right now?
What nourishes you?
What do you see when you open your eyes and really look?


Answer the question in words, or write a paragraph, or both.  Then pen your answers in a poem. You may notice one question grabs your attention, go with that...  You may leap, I mean skip questions, whatever works for you!  Just try to go with the flow and  see what comes out of your world. You may be surprised :D
   

I  look forward to seeing what your Inner World Date reveals.  YOU can always tweak this to a specific moment of your day.  Happy Leap Day Toads, hope you get a chance to do something special for yourself on this extra day!

Ella's Edge

Sorry, toads I didn't mean to disappear. I am taking a few courses online.  I will try today to make a come back and pick several prompts and post. I hope to regain my footing in the Imaginary garden. I have missed all of you!  I will be back to play leap frog, I mean catch up! There have been so many amazing prompts, I can't wait to jump back in.

My prompt today is about the movies, no not a particular movie! YOU get to pick...
My father co owned a Texaco station, by day he wore a star and by night he showed them on the silver screen. He was a part time projectionist. My parents actually met at a movie theater. She was the candy girl and ran the concession stand. My first job was selling tickets.  I love movies!  Don't you?!  So many art forms rolled into one. The magic, the escape, being entertained, enlightened, or scared, can be yours. when you get your ADMIT ONE ticket.

You can do this either way.  Go to this Movie Quote site and use a quote in your poem OR you can use the title of a movie in your poem.  The poem does not have to be about the movie, but it can be if you want.  So, grab your popcorn, your favorite candy, a beverage and pick your movie or quote. Frankly toads, I do give a damn!   And now it's time for the show!

Art of Assemblage

I found this unique book about artist, Annie Lockhart. She writes poetry and builds soulful "Objects of Reflection". She talks about gathering elements that resonate with you. Don't we as poets do this to convey a feeling, share our view.  Her art speaks to you in three-dimensional messages. She uses a lot of wire, E6000 glue or Liquid Nails(clear) to artfully arrange  her work.  As I looked further, she shared poems and a lot of them were inspired by her assemblage.  I wonder did the gathering come first or the poem?   Don't worry I am not going into the chicken or the egg theory.  Her process intrigued me.  She also shares with each work of art a list of how the objects were interpreted by her. Her gathered bits are from hardware stores, antique shops, collections, flea markets and yard sales.

Most of us don't have this type of loot to select from.  I do love the idea of taking objects and renaming them, symbols to use in writing a poem. I thought this could add another element to our poetry.  No, you don't have to build an assemblage,  but what you can do is look around your living area. With pen in hand, make a list of some of your beloved items. Do you collect anything? I collect tin containers. Spend a few minutes walking around, any room or rooms of your choice and make a list of 10-12 favorite items.  Rename your objects or add adjectives that describe their meaning. Yes, pen a poem with your list; a list of some of your favorite things.

Here is one of the artist's lists. She chose a word to explain what her objects symbolized:

1. Flowers-bloom
2. Birds-soar
3. Shells-heading south
4. Leaves-new growth
5. Prisms-sunshine and rays of hope
6. Spring-dreams
7. Nest-leaving home
8. Leather purse-many travels and many stories


Her poem:   FLY

new growth is blooming
a rebirthing of letting go
budding branches to
build upon, skies to soar
upward winds rush
with rays of hope
new growth is blooming
heading south, warm
journey to the sea
new seedlings are
showing off
grab your bags
new growth is blooming

A Gift

For many of us, this is the season of giving. I think of poetry as a gift, a way to express our soul, a hidden language,  a way to paint with words.  Here it says:  Poetry  is lofty thought or impassioned feeling expressed in imaginative words. I love the take on this word.  

I was wrapping some Christmas gifts and thought of our prompt.  For me, nature is a huge muse, a gift. I always find inspiration, when I go for a walk. The wardrobe of the season is constantly changing.  There is so much visual poetry in our lives. I want you to pen a poem, using a form of visual beauty that speaks to you, as your own personal gift. Or you could share how the gift of poetry arrived in your world.  I don't mean the first rhyming poem in elementary.  I mean the first poem you read that meant something to you, felt like a secret language, only you understood.  Or you can do both, the choice is yours.   Think of it as a little gift.

Memory Bowl

Sorry for the delay, between appointments, then Firefox kept shutting down on me.  It has been an interesting day. Today,  I discovered an idea  that I thought would make  an interesting poetry prompt. Suzan Stoddard is an Interior Designer and Organizer.   She was recently featured in "Where Women Create" magazine. I found Suzan's idea intriguing.  "When organizing I often discover small items that are disjointed".  She suggests taking a container, a bowl and place a variety of special finds to be discovered. Objects that might tell a story.  Gather up favorite small items, photos, etc. and arrange in a container, set in a location where they will be noticed. See what stories they conjure up.  I thought this might be fun to do for a poem. I just made a tiny memory bowl. You can make up your own bowl or use the photos I have listed. Whatever works for you; it will be fun to see what you come up with.  I would love to see photos of your memory bowls, if you care to share.  Think of all the possibilities~

This was made by artist Lauren Mumford~

An Exercise to explore

October has been a crazy month for me. I apologize for my lack of involvement. I do love all the exercises and prompts.  I am going to go back and see what I have missed and pick 5 exercises to tackle. I think the horror type poem, Kerry posted might just be up my alley.  I had surgery this month, my son had a car accident; he is fine, but has no wheels to drive. When his friends can't pick him up to go to college.  I'm the taxi picking him up from college, running him to and from work. This is also revolving around my daughter's involvement in Color Guard. It has been a bit hectic, to say the least.  Since we have so many wonderful exercises involving form. My exercise is to expand your view, sounds intriguing right?!  ;D

I would like you to try Guerilla poetry; what is that you say?  Well, there is such a thing as Guerilla Art. There is even a book about it, "Guerilla Art Kit" (Everything you need to put your message out into the world)~ Keri Smith      The author wants you to explore, put yourself out there. Some of her exercises involve writing a beloved quote in a public place with chalk, hanging fortune cookies from a tree or leaving a love letter you would like to receive in a public place.  I want you to write a poem and leave it in a public place. If you aren't comfortable with that, then write and leave one of your favorites. The Urban Dictionary term above it very brave; I'm not going there, but you can if you like.  Write it neatly and leave it on a table at the library or lightly crumble it and leave it in produce at your local grocery store, or on a park bench. You could punch a hole and tie it with string, so it won't blow away.  Leave it where someone can find it and enjoy it.  If you can watch and see the  and see the reaction; come back and tell us how it went.  You can post about it if you want to.

I found this Post it tape at my office n' supply store. You can remove it and stick it somewhere else.
I am going to write a poem on it and leave it on a park bench.  I think poetry needs to be explored. I think doing this exercise we may make someone else intrigued in the written word.  I challenge you to be brave and try this...Think of it as a way to express  beauty, a way to share something you love with someone that may not have been exposed much to this medium~  A gift, if you will....  I am going to leave my poem in the park tomorrow.  I will post about it on my blog and share it with you.  Many of us will not be published, so here is your chance to put your voice out into the world.... We might just inspire someone!
I'm still undecided about leaving my name; I will let you know what happens. I might try several approaches, since I do have to go to library and grocery store :D

1DR *w*

Texting is finding its way into our daily language.  It is a form of communication and even if you don't use it, you will discover and learn new words, via social media, family and friends. OMG-oh, my God , I have heard on TV, movies and read it in books.  The title of this post is :  I wonder(1DR) *w*-is a wink ;D  how this will affect the world of poetry.  Check out this article, young poets are  influenced by this language, I think we should explore it, too.  Be open to what is going to be part of the future. What do you think of this language and the idea of it already being poetic?
In case you don't like feel like reading the article; check this out:

BARD ENGLISH: SHAKESPEARE TEXTIFIED

'Shll I cmpre thee 2 a smmrs dy

Tho art mre lvly + mre tmprte

Rgh wnds do shke da drlin bds of may

+ smmrs lese hath all 2 shrt a dte

smtmes 2 hot da i of hvn shnes

+ oftn s hs gld cmplxn dimmd

+ evry fair frm fair smtms dilclns

by chce r ntre's chngig corse untrmmd

Bt thy eternl smmr shll nt fde

nr lse pssessn of dat fair tho owst

Nr sll Dth brg tho wndr'st n his shde

whenin etrnl lnes 2 time tho grwst

so lng as mn cn brthe or i's cn c

so lng lvs dis + dis gvs lfe 2 thee'

 I think we should write a Textified poem...don't panic if you don't have a cell phone or know this language. I have provided a link, scroll down and you will see some of your choices. Your poem doesn't have to be like this one above. Just use some text words in your poem, mix it up, play with this form. Have fun! It is the wave of the future.   

Here is your guide: Text Abbreviations 

and here is another site with Texting slang. 

GTG GL(got to go  Good Luck)

Poetic Exercise

 I love all the unique post and the exercises! Lately, I  wasn't feeling inspired, till I went for a  walk. It provided a different view. I then decided to try Grace's exercise, the Triolet. Thank you, I really enjoyed it~

I do yoga on occasion and thought it might be fun to try an exercise involving the third eye.  Chakras are basically spinning wheels of energy, located at different points in the body. There are seven energy fields. The third eye is called the Brow chakra, it is located between your eyebrows. It is the area of intuition, imagination and your spirit.

This is for fun; I thought I would share with you a visualization. It will quiet your mind and you will discover what to write about.  I want you to write your poem based on your answer. You don't have to share the details, but can if you like.  It is like taking a time out, it just quiets your mind for a moment.





Begin by observing your breath inhale for a count of 4, hold your breath for 4, exhale for a count of 4 and hold your breath for a count of 4, exhale.   Repeat this a few times, until you feel your mind becoming calm.


Imagine you are walking along a beach, your favorite beach. You see a path in the sand that leads you to an old cottage.  You walk up the path to the cottage and come to a door.  There is an odd symbol on the door, as you look at the door, it opens.  You step inside into a long hall way, it is lined with books.
You walk along this hall way, until you come to a room where a wise old man or woman is sitting at a desk. This person hands you a book, it is midnight blue with gold writing on it. Your name is engraved in gold on the book. You take the book and sit at a large desk. The book falls open to a page, what do you see, what stands out?   Sit quietly and reflect on this word or image.  Think about this for a bit and then gently bring your awareness back to you, sitting in front of your computer.  Take a deep breath and write the poem based on your word, image or how it made you feel. Whatever comes to mind. If we all write about peace, I will be surprised ;D

Please try it, it is just a different way to find a focus to write on. Does anyone do yoga?  I became interested in it, when I saw a good friend had great results doing it.  There are  exercises, that  help different areas of your body. If you want to know more, check out this site, Yoga Journal.