Calling All Poets and Writers

LESS THAN 15 DAYS REMAINING
to enter International Women's Poetry Contest -

SIBELLA POETRY MAGAZINE's International Women's Poetry Contest 2012

Yes, YOU should really consider submitting a few of your original written pieces
of poetry into this year's contest. Why not? What if you are one of the winners?
You'll be so glad you entered 1 or 2 of your poems into the contest!!!

Deadline for ALL submissions: April 20, 2012 (Friday).

Go online to view easy-to-follow entry guidelines, then hurry
and submit your words of inspiration into the contest this weekend!
www.SibellaPoetry.com

Here are 2 links that instantly open both our magazines -

http://spring2012.sibellapoetry.com/
http://spring2012.sibylmagazine.com

Be sure to tell a friend who you know writes poetry to submit her works into the contest!

All of the above came from a friend, Joan Marie. Joan is a fantastic artist. Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious. She taught all of my kids, and well actions speak louder than words. All my kids are fantastic artists too. Joan knows I write, and although I've written a few poems (that appealed to me), poetry is more of a challenge for me. Oh except when I was in high school. I have an old notebook that my older sister saved (thank you) filled with poems. Clearly I was heart broken and dreamed of a world of peace and love.

I loved the cover of this magazine. The line underneath it "Poetry created to set the soul aflame." I can picture Joan switching the word poetry for painting. Or writers, replacing the word poetry with writing. Anything creative is created to set the soul aflame, I think.

And y'all don't forget about that short story contest for Southern Writers Magazine.

Reading, Dreams, and Poetry

Dear Mom,

I don’t remember you ever reading, but you did crossword puzzles. To me, that’s harder.

Last night before I went to sleep I finished Meet Me: Writers in St. Louis by Catherine Rankovic. Excellent book. I had no idea we’re so fortunate to have so many writers from St. Louis. My reading list just got longer.

I also listened to Sightlines by Janet Riehl. It touches your heart in so many ways, and what a beautiful tribute to her family.

Then I read a chapter from Stranger by the River by Paul Twitchell.

I knew when I went to sleep, traveling to other places, writing—particularly poetry—would surface. And sure enough as I entered back into semi-consciousness, here’s what I heard:

Pounding head!
I stay wrapped in the covers.
My bladder demands more attention—
slither out of bed,
drag my body,
feet shuffling like my Parkinson’s Dad,
back and hip hurt too,
shoulder has a kink,
eyes less than a slit.
This cleanse gives you energy?
Hurry up coffee maker!

National Poetry Month

Dear Mom,

I don’t know if there was National Poetry Month back in your day, but April is National Poetry Month now. I decided to write a poem for you—about my last visit with you in the hospital. I don’t claim to be a poet and although I’m studying poetry with another writer friend, I’ll have to admit that I’m not following any kind of rules or style or anything with what I’m about to write for you. I’m guessing this is called free verse, which I think real poets don’t like, maybe. What do I know? Here it goes:

Cherry Popsicle

I imagined the cherry Popsicle
trailing down my chin.
A smile on my face.
My feet dangling, sitting on
the edge of your hospital bed.
Your eyes watching me as I catch
the red drips delicately with my tongue.

I imagined it played that way.

“Do you want a Popsicle?”
I shook my head no.
I stood by your bedside
staring at your mustache
wondering what was wrong with you
not understanding fully, the word

Cancer.

Not knowing,
it would be the last time
I’d see you alive.