Hello friends, firstly, I wish to spotlight the website of a new acquaintance who
received the featured participant recognition on Day 1 of NaPoWriMo.
“The Cat’s Pajam,” writes Maureen, “gives us a dreamy, sensual, and mysterious
poem in response to the “story about the body” prompt.”
I ask you to click on the link to view it and hopefully drop her a comment. I loved
it and in the spirit of camaraderie, wish to share it with you. Enjoy.
The Prompt: Today, I’d like to challenge you to write a poem based on a word featured in a tweet from Haggard Hawks, an account devoted to obscure and interesting English words. Will you choose a word like “aprosexia,” which means “an inability to concentrate”? Or maybe something like “greenout,” which is “the relief a person who has worked or lived in a snowy area for a long time feels on seeing something fresh and green for the first time”? Whatever you choose, happy writing! Kindly click on the link to see it in its entirety as it comes loaded with information about online magazines and such. And links. Very informative.
As for me, my chosen word is Déjà vu from the thread under Haggard Hawk’s
top thirty tweets of 2021, and fresh out of having one of mine published, I
pulled that one out and tweaked it for the prompt to present to you here today.
You need not be in settings hallowed by grandeur You cannot prepare for it but in your soul But when it comes, the echo will be the medium To open wide your heart to let it flow We've been only half alive for half of this year already But the electricity is changed from the epoch point Of one whole calendar month ago This one's proud, inclusive of the human mettle The spirit of East Europe balled in one blue & yellow flag The atmosphere, heady, giddy— smells of freedom, You can't but candidly feel it grow And rising over the memory of young lives —raped & stolen, barbarically — Leonard Bernstein, the Jew, raises his baton While on the side stands Volodymyr Zelenskyy, The sixth and current president of that great land Beethoven's "Ninth" its chorus, vocalists, Its "Ode to Joy" sonata style Expands, blossoms, and rises to heaven Becoming more than anyone around Lo! The emotional embankments drop, Like tears at the bittersweet celebration Tossed elation, grief & sadness, and healing Find the sacredness of a home-- Home to the nightingale and the brave, Here, in the music, in the freedom That nimbly, artfully belongs To all inhabitants, regardless of where A déjà voodoo of déjà vus *** © 2022 selmamartin.com This poem was first published in Move Me Poetry on the Medium platform with the title of Dejavú: From Schiller, Beethoven, Bernstein, to Zelenskyy (A forward-looking poem of camaraderie and hope triumphing),
Banner/button image Maureen Thornson
Bernstein Photo credits By Bart Molendijk / Anefo — http://proxy.handle.net/10648/ad64d330-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73166900
Thanks for reading my 2-min long poem this happy second day in April.
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I’m in awe of your Day 2 poem Selma. I have to read it a few times like one listens to an arousing melody on a loop to let it all sink in. Wow!!
You— you’ve made it all worth it for me today. Thanks for doing this. The encouragement will help me tomorrow and I’ll think of you and whisper a prayer. Stay sweet. I bless you. xoxo
A rousing song of freedom, Selma!
Yes. That it is. Thanks for getting me. Stay sweet. XoXo
Brilliant work Selma!!
I so appreciate you looking this over. Your words are precious to me. Thanks. xo
Wonderful write, Selma! xoxo
Jeff. Thanks. I appreciate your precious words. Be well. xoxo
You’re welcome, Selma. Always. xoxo
What an excellent ending!
I like to hear you say that. Makes me feel accomplished this time. Thanks, my friend. Be well. xoxo
I’m so behind everybody’s poems. Rather overwhelmed and so busy. Will catch up. I hope you’re loving it.
Day 4– please calm the overwhelm dear friend. Be sure to breath slow deep breaths. And I don’t think you’re behind. You’re right on day 4. I’m loving it, yes. Hope you are too. Breathe. XoXo
“Lo! The emotional embankments drop,”
“A déjà voodoo of déjà vus”
So many mixed emotions and parallel moments in this. Beautiful write, Selma <3
Sunra, thanks. Your encouragement is the best. TY xo
Gorgeous Selma, it holds the spirit of the warrior
Deb, thanks so much. yes, the spirit of the warrior. I want to manifest it as such SOON. I declare world peace. xoxo
wow, great write Selma!
💖
“Expands, blossoms, and rises to heaven
Becoming more than anyone around”
So happy when you catch me and add fodder to my efforts. I thank you so much. I am blessed. I bless you Xo
It’s a pleasure always Selma!! 💕♥️🙏
This is absolutely fantastic, Selma! Wow!
I’m so happy to know your thoughts. Truly honored to have you reading. I bless you. xoxo