Dear friends, thank you for taking the leap and writing with me every day (or most days, or some days) during the month of February. I’m astounded by the number of people who participated this year. The poems everyone shared were a marvel. I loved seeing resonances and echoes between the poems every day, just as much as I enjoyed the outliers, the outside-the-box poems.
It is Leap Day, the 29th and last day of our month-long daily writing project.
This year’s theme has been FOUND OBJECTS. For those of you who are finding this project for the first time, please read my introductory post. You’ll find more information and all of the Week 4 FOUND OBJECTS at this post.
A few notes before we get to today’s poems:
I will continue adding poems to each day through Wednesday, March 2 only. If you’d like to catch up on a few days you missed, now is the time.
I will post a wrap-up of the project on Friday, March 4 for Poetry Friday. That post will include a working list of poets for each day of the project. It’s up to you whether you want to double check or not. Please get corrections to me no later than Monday, March 7.
I will post a list of the prizes this Friday, and winners early next week. I hope that covers everything. On to today…
FOUND: CARNIVAL TRUCK
Thanks to Diane Mayr of the blog Random Noodling for sending in a celebratory object for our last day. Whether you consider this a functional object or a toy (aren’t toys functional objects?), I hope you enjoy writing about it today.
Let’s start with Diane’s poem, since she found our source of inspiration for today.
I have to agree with Diane when she says, “I’m glad the month is over, but I’m also sorry that the challenge has ended.”
In the Kingdom of Strip Mall
By Diane Mayr
Two ponies rest in
a pick-up bed while
the giant, weighed down
by bags of trinkets, trades
out a tarnished royal
carriage for a tethered
helicopter. Not even
a bereft child dares
to question the actions
of this prince of a man.
***
Mary Lee Hahn left a lovely note for all of us. “It’s been a great month of writing, and for that, I thank you, Laura, for a fabulous challenge. To the other writers, I express my regrets that I didn’t have more time this month to be a better community member. I read all of your poems, but my praises and comments to you stayed inside my head and my heart.”
Circulation
After a lifetime spent galloping in circles,
I’m finally going to put some actual distance beneath these hooves.
I’ve got this chance to move forward,
and I’ll enjoy the ride before the next place I park.
The blur of landscape as we roar down the road
is an art I admire, but have never been able to achieve.
©Mary Lee Hahn, 2016
***
I’m enjoying all of these end of project notes. Here is Linda Baie’s: “I’ve loved reading everyone’s poems, and they have always served as lovely inspiration. Thanks all for a beautiful month, plus a leap day, too!”
The Past We’ve Lost
That fifty cents took a long time saving-
penny by penny plopped in a jar.
Papa said I’d grow up to be a banker.
If I knew about money, I’d go far.
Now all I wanted was to ride the horses,
go round and round, pretend I was tough.
I did chores for Mama to earn the pennies:
swept, washed dishes till I had enough.
They pulled into the park last Saturday.
I had to eat breakfast, was ready to run.
Two shiny quarters appeared from Ma’s pocket.
She sent me with a smile, best wishes for fun.
Yep, those horses galloped like the wind.
Up and down, and round and round I went.
I was a whoopin’, hollerin’ cowboy,
appreciating the value of my fifty cents.
Linda Baie ©All Rights Reserved
***
Drawing by Jessica Bigi
Thanks to Jessica Bigi, not only for this acrostic poem, but for the drawing that goes with it.
Carousel
By Jessica Bigi
C alligraphy horses marching
A B C –1 2 3
R acing rhymes across paper
O utlines of a story
U sing imagination
S entence horseshoes
E nchanting endings
L etters laughter learning
***
Charles Waters has a rhyming poem today. The rhymes themselves make me think of carnival music.
Merry-Go-Round
By Charles Waters
Candy colored poles,
riding up and down,
horses prancing,
people dancing
above ground …
Merry-go-round.
***
The title of Carol Varsalona’s digital creation is perfect for today.
***
Donna Smith noticed the word “Library” on the building and used that in her poem.
Carousel
I wanted to go get a book,
So I hopped upon my horse
The horse went round and round
But I got no closer, of course.
I stuck out my thumb for a bit
And hitched a ride on a truck
And then, my horse and I
Had much better book hunting luck
We made it to the library
Where I found something to read
Then jumped back on the truck
In the saddle of my white steed
We still went round and round
As the trucker took us back;
It’s hard to ride too far away
If the horse won’t leave its track.
©2016, Donna JT Smith, all rights reserved
And Molly Hogan left us a note and a poem today. Thanks for this gift of a poem, Molly!
“Today’s picture was perfect. The carnival may be packed away, but rich memories linger and we’re all winners for having come along on the ride. Thank you!”
Laura’s Carnival
By Molly Hogan
The carnival arrives
on a wintery breeze
A sensory extravaganza
with an open invitation,
but…
“You can’t win
if you don’t play!”
So, dive on in
Ride on waves of words,
rhythm and rhyme,
alliteration and syncopation.
Visit the funhouse
where words twist and twine
into intriguing shapes
and mirrors reflect new images
into eternity.
Try your skill on the games.
Select words like a sharpshooter
Picking off targets.
With all your strength and wit,
set your pen onto paper
with a resounding crash.
“Ring the bell!
Ring the bell!”
Overindulge on tasty terms
and luscious prose.
Wipe the grease from your chin.
Take a spin on the carousel,
up and down,
hang on and enjoy the ride.
But all good things
must come to an end.
It’s time
to pack up the party
shut down the fun
No days left
in this carnival’s run.
Phrases litter the ground
and crumpled papers
rustle in the wind
“Step right up!
Everyone’s a winner!”
***
Just for fun: Here’s a bonus found object to enjoy on your own. I won’t be sharing poems in a post, but feel free to leave them in the comments. I hope you will post them on your own blogs and websites. I’ll give you a little history on this object during the wrap-up.
Interested in what we’ve written so far? Here are links to our recent poems (I will update this list soon — apologies to those I missed):
Sunday, February 21
FOUND OBJECT: Antique Sewing Machine
Poems by: Diane Mayr, Linda Baie, Jone Rush MacCulloch, Jessica Bigi, Matt Forrest Esenwine, Donna Smith, Carol Varsalona, Charles Waters.
Note: You will find links to all of the Week 1, 2, and 3 poems at this post.
Monday, February 22
FOUND OBJECT: Stick Insect
Poems by: Mary Lee Hahn, Donna Smith, Carol Varsalona, Jessica Bigi, Charles Watesr, Jone Rush MacCulloch, Linda Baie, Diane Mayr.
Tuesday, February 23 at BOOKSEED STUDIO
FOUND OBJECT: Library of Congress Cart
Poems by: Jan Godown Annino, Jessica Bigi, Donna Smith, Linda Baie, Laura Shovan, Carol Varsalona, Diane Mayr, Mary Lee Hahn, Charles Waters, Jone Rush MacCulloch, Heidi Mordhorst.
Wednesday, February 24
FOUND OBJECT: Phoebe Nest
Poems by: Jessica Bigi, Diane Mayr, Heidi Mordhorst, Mary Lee Hahn, Matt Forrest Esenwine, Linda Baie, Laura Shovan, Charles Waters, Donna Smith, Carol Varsalona.
Thursday, February 25
FOUND OBJECT: Pearl Harbor Keys
Friday, February 26 at Michael Ratcliffe’s Poetry
FOUND OBJECT: Sun Sign
Saturday, February 27
FOUND OBJECT: Architectural Ruins
Sunday, February 28 at Bookseed Studio
FOUND OBJECT: Garlic Bud
Laura, thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in your poetry project. I’ve learned so much. Today’s picture was perfect. The carnival may be packed away, but rich memories linger and we’re all winners for having come along on the ride. Thank you!
Laura’s Carnival
The carnival arrives
on a wintery breeze
A sensory extravaganza
with an open invitation,
but…
“You can’t win
if you don’t play!”
So, dive on in
Ride on waves of words,
rhythm and rhyme,
alliteration and syncopation.
Visit the funhouse
where words twist and twine
into intriguing shapes
and mirrors reflect new images
into eternity.
Try your skill on the games.
Select words like a sharpshooter
Picking off targets.
With all your strength and wit,
set your pen onto paper
with a resounding crash.
“Ring the bell!
Ring the bell!”
Overindulge on tasty terms
and luscious prose.
Wipe the grease from your chin.
Take a spin on the carousel,
up and down,
hang on and enjoy the ride.
But all good things
must come to an end.
It’s time
to pack up the party
shut down the fun
No days left
in this carnival’s run.
Phrases litter the ground
and crumpled papers
rustle in the wind
“Step right up!
Everyone’s a winner!”
This has been a wonderful mount of writing poems I’ve enjoyed taking on the every day challenges with a wonderful group of outstand poets that itself has be awarding and thank you Laura for being so pachant and including all of us in these amazing mount journey with you I will miss this ever day and look forward to jouning adan next time so munch ctative in each pone and a gret learing experinch and such wonderful gest host
in each poem
This month of images & poems is still transporting me
(one of the head-hanging, catch-up readers & writers who
appreciate your patience, Laura!)
The found object images are gallery of the uncommon, beautiful & eccentrically poignant.
And the poems are exquisite. They make me feel so fortunate
to be able to read this creativity from so many kindred spirits.
Today I shivered with Mary Lee Hahn’s lines –
“the bur of landscape as we roar down the road
is an art I admire but have never been able to achieve.”
She’s made the ride animate for me & I feel its yearning. Wowza.
If you look carefully you can see the sign on the building says “Library”
Day 29
Carousel
I wanted to go get a book,
So I hopped upon my horse
The horse went round and round
But I got no closer, of course.
I stuck out my thumb for a bit
And hitched a ride on a truck
And then, my horse and I
Had much better book hunting luck
We made it to the library
Where I found something to read
Then jumped back on the truck
In the saddle of my white steed
We still went round and round
As the trucker took us back;
It’s hard to ride too far away
If the horse won’t leave its track.
©2016, Donna JT Smith, all rights reserved
It’s my library. One of our library users manages local amusements (rides, vending machines with prizes, etc.). He stopped in one day to get an audiobook and I snapped the picture.
Ha! So…. true story… kinda!
Day 29
Poem By Jessica Bigi
Carousel
C alligraphy horses marching
A B C –1 2 3
R acing rhymes across paper
O utlines of a story
U sing imagination
S entence horseshoes
E nchanting ending
L etters laughter learning
See everyone next year! Thanks, Laura!
Of course, Diane! Enjoyed your contributions — and all of the objects you sent in.
bonus poem
Poem By Jessica Bigi
Griffin
At age seven he
showed himself
to me twice
winds of
golden sunshine
me inside a room
of a locoest tree
looking thought a
window to his world
and still till this day
I will never know
though I have
never told a soul
until today
I guess age seven
is magical
and this a
Griffin knows
bones poem
poem By Jessica Bigi
Griffin
At age seven he
showed himself
to me wings of
golden sunshine
me inside a room
of a locoest tree
looking thought a
window to his world
and still till this day
I will never know
though I have
never told a soul
until today
I guess age seven
is magical
and this a
Griffin knows
Griffin
At age seven he
showed himself
to me winds of
golden sunshine
me inside a room
of a locoest tree
looking thought a
window to his world
and still till this day
I will never know why
though I have
never told a soul
until today
I guess age seven
is magical
and this a
Griffin knows