It's been a while and almost April. Time has most certainly flown but I have paused: I have been to the exhibits and let the artwork inspire me.
Last December, I wrote "Love" for the Tupelo 30/30 Project. It was inspired by Ann Alston's painting that I had previously seen at one of the exhibits in 2024 at the Broward Art Guild.
At the Abstract Exhibit in March, I was inspired by Natalia's painting "Darling Salazar" then at Mary Palato's Exhibit at the end of March, I was inspired by "Treasure Under The Sun."
April 5, 2025 is the opening reception for the Exhibit "For The Birds". What artwork will inspire me? Will an artwork inspire you too?!
In the 4th week with 2 more poems to go! Keep in minds, these are my first attempts. There are definitely some that I want to finetune. Any recommendations on which I should choose?
If there are some poems, that you think will do well in a publication, let me know and I will surely submit. Thank you for participating by reading the poetry of my cohorts and myself in this December 2024 Tupelo Press 30/30 Project. I hope you found some great nuggets that left an impression on your soul.
It's also end of year and if for tax purposes, you need to make an end of year contribution, consider Tupelo Press. Tupelo Press is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that relies on public support to assist with fulfilling a mission to publish extraordinary writing.
This 3rd week was even more challenging as I tried not to repeat themes of prior weeks; I want to keep the reading interesting and hope to appeal to a diverse audience.
Day 15 - I wrote a sonnet called "Sonnet For My Cousin." I followed the rhyming scheme as closely as I could with sometimes employing near-rhymes such as rhyming "trend" with "experience." I hope that readers enjoy the flow.
Ahead of the curve, always on trend Wanting to try a dining experience Seen in one of your favorite Netflix series When friends would eat at a restaurant.
Day 16 was a struggle and I had a hard time starting to write so I thought of going to paint. Then I came across my unfinished Artwork and an idea emerged.
I think the poem captured my mood. Share your thoughts?!
Day 17 - I had received a flyer for the Winterfest Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale. It had already passed but I was like a drowning person clutching at anything and why not the boat parade. Although I didn't go, I am familiar with the route from taking the Water Taxi before so I dreamt with words of the spectacular board parade. Read poem here!
Day 18 - I decided to use one of the prompts that the National Director of the 30/30 Project had suggested in a prior communication. It was an interesting experience and I hope readers are receptive.
Day 19 - I really struggled on this day so I used another of the prompts where I had to write a poem about pictures on my phone. Considering I use my phone for reminders such knowing where I parked, it was another interesting experiment. Read poem here!
Day 20 - It's my birthday so I decided to write a letter to my favorite poet. I hope you enjoyed it!
Day 21 - I was wasting time again, watching YouTube when idea struck. Write limericks about dumb criminals.
I am in the 2nd week of writing daily and boy,oh boy, have I met some challenges.
Day 8 - Blue Bird Thank you little blue bird for coming to the front and using the bird bath because you came to mind again and I was inspired to write a ballad. Of course, I still didn't get your picture!
Day 9 - Mindless Games The next night I was playing games on my mobile phone and wondering what to write. Then when I played Wordscape, I wondered what a word meant then I played Cryptogram and I had a plan: Write about "Mindless" games being enriching endeavors.
Day 10 - Belling In The New Year The following day, I read the news about the Tik Tok Ban and decided that I would incorporate into my next poem. I also incorporated lines from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Bells" and a line from Dylan Thomas' "Do Not Go Gentle Into The Night."
Day 11 - Cryptogram Daily Challenge For the next poem, I went back to my inspiration of playing games on my mobile device. Although I thought it was nice and I could have written maybe another poem on the origins of Santa Claus for Nuutupukki, St. Nicholas to Haddon Sundblom, I realized that I needed more diverse topics to really embrace this experience.
Day 12 - Bomb CycloneSo, I challenge myself next to use some found poetry techniques where I found an article then traced the map of New England on it and used the words from within New England borders.
Day 13 - Floating Space Work then panel discussion in the evening limited the time to create so I reached back to a time when I felt vulnerable and alone then someone made me feel welcome.
Day 14 - Dansa in the A.M. I have been emailing and texting people to go to the Tupelo 30/30 page and peruse the poetry. A back and forth text chat inspired a poem.
December is my birth month, and as I start another year of life, I embark on a journey with poetry with this 30/30 project this December. Pre-pandemic, I hosted a monthly poetry open-mic reading. Post pandemic, I participated in Broward Art Guild's Art Around Town where I showcased my paintings with my poetry. As I take on another year, I dare to refocus on poetry with this 30/30 project. You are invited to read some poetry (mine and the other 30/30 project participants) and donate to support a worthy indie press: https://tupelopress.networkforgood.com/projects/237695-suzzette-dawes-s-fundraiser