Poems from Elle's perspective

NaPoWriMo

My early poems lacked mood and convention,
there was little left over for tone and/or tension.
I had no idea what meter even was,
but they usually rhymed, well, just because.

I wrote things like 'No! I do not want to know!
The truth hurts me too much.' Oh dear.
No pretty metaphors or similes,
just a real beginner, that was clear.

'The world is adrift,
mindless and mental.'
What was I thinking?
That's neither pretty nor gentle.

'Now everything's got hidden meanings,
From a greeting to a rhyme.'
Well, yes, Elle, they do,
it's sophistication, not a crime!

Thankfully some kind folks took
this wannabe poet in hand.
First it was Hannah and the PDG,
who helped my skills expand.

Amalie taught me
about rhythm and meter,
and synaesthesia was her challenge,
but I was determined to beat her.

'Forgotten crumpled papers
crudely blanket gritty ground.
Slithering pungent vapours
hiss, a faint whisper of sound.'

I won an award
and that gave me hope,
I wanted to learn more
and broaden my scope.

Then it was Mandy
and her Muse Masters class,
we had to leave our comfort zone
if we hoped to pass.

I learned acrostics aren't stupid
as I always thought that they were,
and I learned how to review,
though I'm no connoisseur.

I wrote seven poems,
in just one week, er, well, one day.
They were all different forms,
it was hardly child's play.

I wrote a rondeau, a saraband,
and a decuain, I think.
I even wrote a sonnet,
wait, let me find the link.

A Living Metaphor
- is there any form that's duller?
The sestina was so difficult,
'in our world of colour'.

There was a kyrielle and free verse,
not the easiest of choices.
'He creates a symphony of anguish,'
and 'He gathers a chorus of lost voices'.

I managed to complete the Harvest
with my seven poems done.
It was a real sense of achievement,
I truly felt like I had won.

Kas always cheered me on,
with comments and awards,
she encouraged me to enter contests,
and reap some sweet rewards.

She never doubted me, never,
at least, that's what she always said.
I had to learn to follow
where muse (or inspiration) led.

But with 'A stage adorned with silken strands.'
unlikely as it seems,
I placed second in Aundria's Shadows,
'and dares the world to steal her dreams.'

Aundria's patient expectations
as she waited for me to soar,
as if she knew I'd find the way,
achieving more and yet still more.

She never said that they were great
when they were only mediocre versed
so when I finally met the goal
it was real and not coerced.

Then Marci set a challenge,
thirty poems in thirty days.
I thought if I could do it,
that truly would amaze.

One down, two down,
twenty-eight to go.
I almost despaired
if I'd ever find the flow.

But one by one I wrote them,
and even entered contests here and there.
'War of words'⁹, 'literary caress',
but I had to laugh at 'tidy mess'.

I won first place in the tarot contest
with day ten's poetic mission.
I wrote about a tarot card
in a poem - The Magician.

'Insubstantial dreams and determination',
I wrote for Whispers of the Soul,
nearly halfway there,
I might be on a roll.

I wrote a couple of haiku
as Marci suggested for us to do,
I search high and low for inspiration,
yes, 'NaPoWriMo's tough, it's true.'

I wrote one for the Cramp
and even won, but more than that,
I was actually starting to think
I might have this thing down pat.

'Plucking of strings
picks out melodic recollections'.
Sometimes the words just seem to flow,
but some definitely need corrections!

Charlie and Cinn both inspired me
to experiment with visual appeal.
Oh, and Rob's review too,
so I started experimenting with zeal.

BIG FONTS, little ones,
and moving things around,
proved poetry isn't always
just about the sound.

I finally finished them all,
this one is the last.
I've had a blast, learned a lot,
now possibilities are vast.

Ooh, I'm even finishing early,
it's the 29th here as I write,
yes, you may detect some smugness
or simply pure delight.

Thank you to all who have given time
and advice and expertise,
it's to all of you I dedicate
every one of these.


Free verse with ABCB rhyme scheme. Written 29 April 2015.

Mentioned: Hannah ♫♥♫ , Amalie Cantor - We Got This! , Mandy , Fi , Angels in my Ear , Marci Missing Everyone , Charlie ~ , Cinn , Rob G. ~Led by the Master~