  Poetry
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I so enjoy this time of year; even though it's also a season of sorrow ("Season of Sorrow" ) for my husband and me, we have so many blessings, so much for which to be thankful.
A week from Sunday will be the first day of a New Year, and I hope you have good memories of 2005 to pack in your mental keepsakes box.
Viv
Next week's editor will be Becky Simpson 
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Poetry from the Past and for the Future
As we look back at 2005 and forward to 2006, what have we accomplished in poetry, and what goals do we have for the future?
I asked people on the scroll to email me their comments, and I posted messages on several forums asking the same thing. I'll share the results with you; then I'll give my 2005 poetry memories and hopes for 2006.
kittiara first answered my plea for comments: My own little bit about my poetry writing this year *smiles*. Hope it helps!
I think I have grown as a poet, over the last year. I owe a lot of that growth to being on Writing.Com – I have learned so much from the feedback I have received, contests I have entered and reading other people’s work.
It has not been easy, though. My muse is temperamental and I am not where I would like to be, yet (and I guess we all keep learning and growing, all the time). But I think my work is definitely becoming more mature and I like that a lot.
I need to get better at imagery and try out different forms. I’d also like to write an artistic poem, so to say, but I seem incapable of that. My poetry tends to be simplistic and rather straightforward. Getting better though, I
think.
One goal I did not meet this year is get some of my poetry published. I’d love to have my poetry in a collection with other poets, or perhaps publish my own collection. Something to keep hoping for and maybe, one day, that dream will come true.
Next, Amyaurora  sent the following comments: In 2005 I managed to try to write more poems. I didn't accomplish any that were differnt than what I have done before. One goal for 2006 is to practice
more styles beyond "free verse".
reblackwell says: My goals concerning my poetry for 2005 were:
1) To continue to learn more about poetry, including certain forms and how to
use meter.
2) To further refine my writing "voice."
3) To complete the publishing of my first free verse collection.
4) To compile and publish a Christian poetry collection.
Thanks to my time in Writing.Com, I have seen a variety of different forms of poetry crafted by writers of varying levels of talent. These are too numerous to recall now, but I enjoyed that horizon-broadening experience.
I also learned how meter works, thanks to a halpful treatise on the subject I found at http://nv.essortment.com/metricalfoot_rxjm.htm. This allowed me to understand how rhythms should work. A good example of this can be found in the following poem: "Invalid Item"
As regards refining my voice, I found four effective ways of doing that.
* Reading others' poetry is essential; by learning how others use words to form their own voice, I got a feel for what is natural for me.
* Keeping in practice by writing as often as possible allows me to keep my mind open to anything that inspires me.
* I found one trustworthy person to share my writing with, who knows her English, knows what a good poem looks like, and will tell me what is right instead of what I want to hear.
* I participate in two writer's groups, and that allows me to share some of my poetry with a larger number of people.
I fulfilled my goal of publishing a Christian poetry collection in April 2005 with the release of Sunshine for the Soul. It is a self-published title from Lulu Press. My free-verse collection, My Flying Dreams, remains in production from PublishAmerica; my new goal is to see that book released during Spring, 2006.
That brings me to my other 2006 goals. The first two from 2005 carry over; the quest of writing poetry must always involve continuous improvement or else the gift will stagnate. In addition, I would to participate in at least one
reading and one book-signing during the year.
GG very happy sent her comments, too. As to what I've accomplished this year with poetry, I've started to write it and to feel enough confidence to show others what I've written. I was disappointed though that I didn't develop much form with my poetry, so my goal for next year is to develop those skills.
Another member, Crys-not really here  , wrote: I took an advanced poetry class in college this year, and it not only helped me
to become a better poet, but also helped me appreciate some great modern American poets. For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm really, truly good at something, and that's helped me decide to pursue an MFA in Creative
Writing.
I also won 9th place in the Writer's Digest Writing Competition's Non-Rhyming
Poetry category, which was icing on a very yummy cake!
What did I want to, but didn't, accomplsh? Get published in a national
publication . . . I tried like mad but haven't gotten there yet.
What are my poetry goals for 2006? To continue to write poems that I am proud
of, and to be published!
autumnlady says: The most important thing I have learned..... and it may sound silly...... but I realised that I have a totally different style to other poets. I had been comparing myself to some really wonderful poets and feeling that my poetry was not good enough. I wanted to write wonderfully flowery pieces in the Shakespearian vein. I came into the realisation that I simply don't write that way. My style is more blunt and to the point. When I realised that, I was able to stop trying to write like someone else, and just write like me. I realised that not everyone will like my style. Some people like Blues, other people like
jazz.... or rock n roll...or hip hop. Poetry is like music. It's all music, but just different styles.
Mr. Storoem, Harry  , adds his comments: I published my second book of my storoems and poems, which gave me a lot of satisfaction. In the process I had to re-edit some 180 pieces of my work. This made me examine my past work more analytically and see the room for improvement.
I failed to maintain my level of productivity and got away from my daily poetry writing. This was due to a family situation, as well as to marketing efforts for my two books published in 2005. I lost my poetry muse for the last few months, and my output during the past few months has been rather meager.
In 2006, I want to return to my schedule of writing poetry every day and recapture my
poetry muse. I want to write a poem or storoem that makes me feel that I have improved or grown in my poetry over my past efforts. I want to write that poem that makes me say, "Now this is what I want to be remembered for!" In short, I
want to show improvement as a poet.
From daycare we read: I became published which meant a lot to me. Walking the Earth is filled with pieces that are sure to please most anyone. The diversity of style and technique, would satisfy most readers.
I love simplicity. It shows in all my work. I write about the experiences of every day life. I would have to say I am happy with all I've accomplised this year.
My goal is to keep on writing. I have a hard time with "free flow." I hope to experiment with different ways of writing poetry. I think more contests are in order here, too.
According to Sara  , I accomplished part of what I wished. I am not sure if you wanted responses from seasoned professional poets; it's been just a few months since I have restarted my writing. I had a writer's block for years. I was facing a lot of stress this year, and the block suddenly shifted. Since then, I have been, well... breathing and writing!
As goals for 2006, I would like to be able to publish 2 collections of my poetry.
The final person who replied wasb_boonstra. Looking back at the year 2005 I feel blessed that I am able to write in the first place. I have mastered a form or two, wrote an explanation or so, and most important, I managed to inspire people to challenge themselves. Challenge, really, as it is quite a project to write a poem for every form available within Writing.com.carlton607 managed to do it! Another author is working on a series of love poems in private - those two made me speechless. I also had to learn to accept that even I have limitations to work with - in my case when my right hand acts up, and I can't write.
My goals for 2006 in poetry are not that amazing. I'll continue my tour through Poetry Land and try to master more forms, as what I have achieved now is just a third of all the poetry forms used in English. Just a third. I am also planning to play along in a few contests, and Poetry week will hopefully continue in 2006 as well. (This depends on my giftpoint status.) Through Poetry week I have noticed that I am broadening the horizon of many poets here on Writing.com. And this is good in both ways - as Jesse usually says: understanding the facets of poetry makes you a richer person. I am glad
that the art of poetry touched me in 2001 and got me this far.
I don't have the goal to publish any work thus far - 2006 will become my play year in poetry.
Personally, I edited and had poetry included in a collection of poems with seven other writers, Walking the Earth. Other than that, I've not written as much poetry as I usually do; life has been hectic and full of personal detours.
Next year I hope to write more poetry and perhaps publish another book. Having a book of just my own work would be fulfilling. However, seeing the one written with other talented people is exciting.
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Comments for Readers and Issue Contest
Only one person reviewed two items highlighted in The November 23rd Poetry Newsletter for the contest, but he didn't email me to let me know. If I hadn't noticed his reviews on the public page, I wouldn't have known that he had. However, since I saw his reviews, I'm rewarding him 1,000 gift points. The contest for this issue will be located after the reader feedback.
sharonbythesea
Enjoyed every line of this newsletter. I have spent my entire Sunday morning with it. NOW, I MUST get to my "to do" list and leave the world of poetry and words. It HAS been splendid!!
sharon by the sea
I'm very glad you enjoyed the newsletter. Thanks.
stardragger
I enjoy reading these newsletters and I thought I'd point out a mistake that confused me. "On October 2, 1879 Wallace Stevens was born in Pennsylvania. Stevens went to Harvard from *1807* to 1900, but did not graduate." Anyways, looks good.
I'm not sure which editor you wanted to receive this information, but I don't remember ever using Wallace Stevens in any of my newsletters. Hopefully, the editor who did, will read your comments.
Just a suggestion, if you would use the handle of the editor in your comments, it will help him/her get the message. Thanks.
Moody Blue: Needs an Upgrade
Hi Viv,
I have always wanted to ask this question: How do you write a free verse poem? I was always taught that poems rhymed. That is how I have written my poems. Now, I would like to know how to write free verse. Can you help me?
Regards,
Shadowpup
Perhaps a previous newletter would help you,
Mavis Moog
You put a lot of work into this newsletter. Gathering opinions from other members takes time and forethought. Thank you for sharing this wisdom with us.
I'm glad you liked it. Finding what others think helps me better understand what to use in m other newsletters, too.
scribbler
It seems to me that poetry must be a very special thing for it to affect so many different people, from all walks of life, of all ages, in such a powerful way. It must be a gift if it means everything and anything all at once. It can be your solance, your redemption, your fun. The meaning of poetry is as endless and the number of poems written, And for that I am thankful.
I'm thankful, too.
daycare
Excellent newsletter Viv. I think it is great to hear things from a member's POV. You have picked most of my favorites here. Myself included. Kidding!!! Good introduction and wonderful pieces. Keep putting them out, and I'll keep reading. Wendie
I'm glad you enjoy the newsletter. Thanks for the praise.
Contest for this Issue
The first twenty people who send me their goal in poetry for 2006 will receive 1,000 GPs. Please send in the text box at the bottom of the newsletter.
Please continue reading and writing beautiful poetry.
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Poetry: December 21, 2005 Issue [#763]
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