It's The 2025 Poem-A-Week Challenge Discussion Thread

[Angeline]

Sisters by @Angeline is a beautiful rare poem. It flows with purity. It will always be felt in my heart.

Thank you 42. It's a triolet.

 

[42BelowsBack]

Thank you 42. It's a triolet.

It just keeps getting more and more beautiful. Thank you for sharing that.

 

[Angeline]

I have been working on a longer, interrelated poem. I entered it as one poem broken into three.

Last time I wrote three separate ones.

I dunno if that was the right answer or not. Love to hear your opinions.

Hi Wonderer. I really like that you're putting these connected pieces together. You may eventually discover you have a whole bunch of poems that weave around the same theme and thus a chapbook is born.

Like Smiling Lez (another NJ homie ), I have fond memories of the State Fair (when it was in Trenton) and 4H clubs. More recently I'd go to the Bucks County Ag Fair which always has a big 4H presence. So your poem resonates for me, especially the contests (congrats on that mega sunflower!) and the tractor pulls.

I like the idea of titles although i think an overall title would work better. The separate poems are self-explanatory, but overall the poem is about the fair, right?

The poems are good. They have movement and some strong imagery. My only query is who are these poems for? If the answer is you and your wife then fine. If you think there might eventually be a wider audience then you may want to comb through the poems and edit anything that isn't relevant. But that's just food for thought.

 

[Wonderer67]

Hi Wonderer. I really like that you're putting these connected pieces together. You may eventually discover you have a whole bunch of poems that weave around the same theme and thus a chapbook is born.

Like Smiling Lez (another NJ homie ), I have fond memories of the State Fair (when it was in Trenton) and 4H clubs. More recently I'd go to the Bucks County Ag Fair which always has a big 4H presence. So your poem resonates for me, especially the contests (congrats on that mega sunflower!) and the tractor pulls.

I don’t recall the state fair, but we would go to the hundred and County fair at the old racetrack ever since I was a kid. Great memories!! We did go to Trenton for the races but I don’t think we ever went for the fairs.

The poems are good. They have movement and some strong imagery. My only query is who are these poems for? If the answer is you and your wife then fine. If you think there might eventually be a wider audience then you may want to comb through the poems and edit anything that isn't relevant. But that's just food for thought.

I don’t really know who the poems are for. Mostly for me and my wife. For me, it’s just a good creative outlet.

I really wouldn’t know how to start editing them, although I do edit them down considerably.

I simply like the fact that poetry seems to have very few rules. Sort of works for me.

 

[Wonderer67]

I just read your poem. I don't think you need the titles of each individual part. I enjoyed it very much having been to many a 4H fair when I was younger

Thanks. I did not really know if I should break them apart or keep it the same poem. Maybe I could retitle the whole thing three days in August.

I like them yet feel a bit dissatisfied at the whole. Hmmmm.

 

[Wonderer67]

In one line " flowers and punkins...." : I think you meant " pumpkins". I loved ur' poems!!!

Thanks ash. I wrote punkins deliberately!

https://imgur.com/a/ygvrYwZ

 

[Ash999]

https://www.literotica.com/p/a-parents-lament
My poem on schools was actually allowed by Moderators in Non Erotic , even tho' it is starkly political.....it was first published here on Poem A Week challenge here

 

[Ash999]

Thanks ash. I wrote punkins deliberately!

https://imgur.com/a/ygvrYwZ

Oh Wow: didn't know of this spelling!!!

 

[Angeline]

Oh Wow: didn't know of this spelling!!!

Hi Ash.

Punkin isn't technically an alternate spelling. It's more an American dialect thing that you see in casual uses and folk tales, etc. I'm sure there are analogs in Hindi, Marathi, even Urdu right? (I won't even try to name any more of the bazillion languages and dialects on the Indian subcontinent!!!)

 

[Angeline]

I don’t recall the state fair, but we would go to the hundred and County fair at the old racetrack ever since I was a kid. Great memories!! We did go to Trenton for the races but I don’t think we ever went for the fairs.


I don’t really know who the poems are for. Mostly for me and my wife. For me, it’s just a good creative outlet.

I really wouldn’t know how to start editing them, although I do edit them down considerably.

I simply like the fact that poetry seems to have very few rules. Sort of works for me.

If it's working for you that's all that matters. Otoh I do think you could publish your poetry if you polished it up some and I always try to suggest that path....though I'm not sure why because, Literotica aside, the publishing game can be a huge pain in the ass. And of course it's really easy now to self-publish. But I'm just thinking out loud!

So yes the NJ State Fair used to be in Hamilton Township. I think it moved to the Meadowlands in the 80s. It was off Nottingham Way, where the Grounds for Sculpture is now. It was a big deal with the racetrack, a huge midway, the ag halls and competitions. Dick Clark used to bring a big rock and roll revue show every year. And school-aged kids would get free tickets and a half day off to attend at the start of the school year. They'd have big concerts there too. I saw The Band there when I was around 14.

 

[Wonderer67]

If it's working for you that's all that matters. Otoh I do think you could publish your poetry if you polished it up some and I always try to suggest that path....though I'm not sure why because, Literotica aside, the publishing game can be a huge pain in the ass. And of course it's really easy now to self-publish. But I'm just thinking out loud!

So yes the NJ State Fair used to be in Hamilton Township. I think it moved to the Meadowlands in the 80s. It was off Nottingham Way, where the Grounds for Sculpture is now. It was a big deal with the racetrack, a huge midway, the ag halls and competitions. Dick Clark used to bring a big rock and roll revue show every year. And school-aged kids would get free tickets and a half day off to attend at the start of the school year. They'd have big concerts there too. I saw The Band there when I was around 14.

Wow! That must’ve been cool seeing the band.

I wish I’d been to the fair, but we did go to the races there: the modified race of champions and once the Indy car races where I saw Gordon johncock and AJ Foyt race. It was really cool. I think k AAA was still the sanctioning body for the race. Yeah, that aaa!

Good memories. I’ve been to the grounds of sculpture.

Trenton had a great shaped track, complete with a right turn. It was bean shaped.

I digress. I miss the olden daze.

https://imgur.com/a/uDK7lhQ

https://imgur.com/a/uDK7lhQ

 

[Angeline]

If you haven't discovered her thread yet, I highly recommend you read Moochienanu who posts her poems in the Hangout here. She is really, really good. Start with her most recent post, which is an absolute wow!

 

[Ash999]

Hi Ash.

Punkin isn't technically an alternate spelling. It's more an American dialect thing that you see in casual uses and folk tales, etc. I'm sure there are analogs in Hindi, Marathi, even Urdu right? (I won't even try to name any more of the bazillion languages and dialects on the Indian subcontinent!!!)

U're so right , Angie: every district of India has a distinct dialect, spelling, pronunciation quite different from neighboring district...

 

[Ash999]

https://ibb.co/Csp3sMPQ
I think this is the real reason Lit Moderators R rejecting political poetry in non erotic thread

 

[Angeline]

So. 2025 is moving inexorably to an end. And that means an end to our poem-a-week challenge. We've all done really well thus far. Sure we've missed weeks, some more than others. I think the stalwart Tzara is the only poet who hasn't missed a week (correct me if I'm wrong), but folks are coming back and trying. I count that as a win. And if you're not feeling the muse lately (count me in that group), give it your best shot anyway. For me the challenge is about writing among friends and lovers of the art. Some of us have written more than one poem each week (Land has at least two chapbooks worth already!). And some have been more active lately (glad to be reading more from you Ash ). If otoh you haven't been posting lately know that we love you all and hope you'll be back. Really.

Which brings me to 2026. It'll be here in a few months. I am inclined (because I'm crazy: y'all have figured that out by now right?) to repeat this challenge. What say you? Bear in mind that, like the current challenge, no one will think less of you if you miss weeks or post poems that make you wince even as you write them.

Of course we can always do other challenges, maybe a monthly same title challenge for example, or even some form prompts. And lest you think that's too ambitious we can always allow a poem from Challenge Whatever to count as your poem-a-week entry.

Just think about it and let me know your thoughts, ideas, recommendations. And thank you for being here and making this forum an oasis of creativity and support in an often troubled world.

 

[SmilingLez]

Being new to literotica, I am enjoying this challenge. Having no rules/guidelines allows me the freedom to "color" outside the box, inside the box, make new boxes (or triangles, circles, pentagons, hexagons, parallelgrams, etc.) or throw my words against a wall and see what sticks. I look forward to 2026.

 

[Wonderer67]

So. 2025 is moving inexorably to an end. And that means an end to our poem-a-week challenge. We've all done really well thus far. Sure we've missed weeks, some more than others. I think the stalwart Tzara is the only poet who hasn't missed a week (correct me if I'm wrong), but folks are coming back and trying. I count that as a win. And if you're not feeling the muse lately (count me in that group), give it your best shot anyway. For me the challenge is about writing among friends and lovers of the art. Some of us have written more than one poem each week (Land has at least two chapbooks worth already!). And some have been more active lately (glad to be reading more from you Ash ). If otoh you haven't been posting lately know that we love you all and hope you'll be back. Really.

Which brings me to 2026. It'll be here in a few months. I am inclined (because I'm crazy: y'all have figured that out by now right?) to repeat this challenge. What say you? Bear in mind that, like the current challenge, no one will think less of you if you miss weeks or post poems that make you wince even as you write them.

Of course we can always do other challenges, maybe a monthly same title challenge for example, or even some form prompts. And lest you think that's too ambitious we can always allow a poem from Challenge Whatever to count as your poem-a-week entry.

Just think about it and let me know your thoughts, ideas, recommendations. And thank you for being here and making this forum an oasis of creativity and support in an often troubled world.

I enjoy this format.

Like smiling lez sez, I like to wander and wonder thru words w whatever structure or format my head thinks is right at the time.

 

[_Land]

So. 2025 is moving inexorably to an end. And that means an end to our poem-a-week challenge. We've all done really well thus far. Sure we've missed weeks, some more than others. I think the stalwart Tzara is the only poet who hasn't missed a week (correct me if I'm wrong), but folks are coming back and trying. I count that as a win. And if you're not feeling the muse lately (count me in that group), give it your best shot anyway. For me the challenge is about writing among friends and lovers of the art. Some of us have written more than one poem each week (Land has at least two chapbooks worth already!). And some have been more active lately (glad to be reading more from you Ash ). If otoh you haven't been posting lately know that we love you all and hope you'll be back. Really.

Which brings me to 2026. It'll be here in a few months. I am inclined (because I'm crazy: y'all have figured that out by now right?) to repeat this challenge. What say you? Bear in mind that, like the current challenge, no one will think less of you if you miss weeks or post poems that make you wince even as you write them.

Of course we can always do other challenges, maybe a monthly same title challenge for example, or even some form prompts. And lest you think that's too ambitious we can always allow a poem from Challenge Whatever to count as your poem-a-week entry.

Just think about it and let me know your thoughts, ideas, recommendations. And thank you for being here and making this forum an oasis of creativity and support in an often troubled world.

I quit counting LOL I spend a good portion of my days writing poetry and articles.
I will be publishing before the end of the year as well which is a huge accomplishment for me.

I love the thought process of being consistent with writing it forces you to be creative in moments where you don't always feel it.
It stretches your capacity for creativity and thought.

I really happen to like this challenge

 

[42BelowsBack]

If you haven't discovered her thread yet, I highly recommend you read Moochienanu who posts her poems in the Hangout here. She is really, really good. Start with her most recent post, which is an absolute wow!

Things that stand out about Moochienanu’s poetry, she never posts a dog of a poem. Everyone since read, is tightly woven. Moochienanu masterfully writes in incomplete sentences, perhaps it’s her topic, easily and readily imagined. Perhaps she trusts her reader’s end of line imaginations, before completing the image in the next line? Regardless, the incomplete sentences add anticipation. Clever and skillful writing. Love reading poets that show me something in action.

 

[42BelowsBack]

So. 2025 is moving inexorably to an end. And that means an end to our poem-a-week challenge. We've all done really well thus far. Sure we've missed weeks, some more than others. I think the stalwart Tzara is the only poet who hasn't missed a week (correct me if I'm wrong), but folks are coming back and trying. I count that as a win. And if you're not feeling the muse lately (count me in that group), give it your best shot anyway. For me the challenge is about writing among friends and lovers of the art. Some of us have written more than one poem each week (Land has at least two chapbooks worth already!). And some have been more active lately (glad to be reading more from you Ash ). If otoh you haven't been posting lately know that we love you all and hope you'll be back. Really.

Which brings me to 2026. It'll be here in a few months. I am inclined (because I'm crazy: y'all have figured that out by now right?) to repeat this challenge. What say you? Bear in mind that, like the current challenge, no one will think less of you if you miss weeks or post poems that make you wince even as you write them.

Of course we can always do other challenges, maybe a monthly same title challenge for example, or even some form prompts. And lest you think that's too ambitious we can always allow a poem from Challenge Whatever to count as your poem-a-week entry.

Just think about it and let me know your thoughts, ideas, recommendations. And thank you for being here and making this forum an oasis of creativity and support in an often troubled world.

I agree with everyone else. A collective space to write as individuals is vital. We can always have impromptu unofficial challenges inside thread, as per individual want or seasonal occassion. Or not. If you’ve read this far, fuck off and write something (if that offends you write a poem about it).

 

[Ash999]

https://literotica.com/p/raatkali-ek-khwaab
I am delighted to report the Circa 1972 love ballad I translated and posted in Poem a Week Poetry only thread has been published in original Hindi in Audio with Poetry section. Wud be prepared for whatever reactions ---- Brickbats or Bouquets or even Bullets à la Utah in all humility!!! If fellow poets wud deign to listen to my singing

 

[42BelowsBack]

https://literotica.com/p/raatkali-ek-khwaab
I am delighted to report the Circa 1972 love ballad I translated and posted in Poem a Week Poetry only thread has been published in original Hindi in Audio with Poetry section. Wud be prepared for whatever reactions ---- Brickbats or Bouquets or even Bullets à la Utah in all humility!!! If fellow poets wud deign to listen to my singing

Don’t know about listening to you singing but I do know you deserve applause translation is an art form.

 

[Angeline]

https://literotica.com/p/raatkali-ek-khwaab
I am delighted to report the Circa 1972 love ballad I translated and posted in Poem a Week Poetry only thread has been published in original Hindi in Audio with Poetry section. Wud be prepared for whatever reactions ---- Brickbats or Bouquets or even Bullets à la Utah in all humility!!! If fellow poets wud deign to listen to my singing

I agree with 42. Translating is an art in itself. I enjoyed reading your poem when you posted it in the challenge thread. Yesterday I listened, voted and commented on the audio poem on your publication page. I don't know a word of Hindi but I thought you did a great job of it. This is your second foray (that I know of) in performance poetry. It was a year or two ago (right?) that you posted a ghazal you sang. Also a fine job Ash...well from what little I know listening to it.

Hope others will click on your link and give your translation a listen!