Words have always been a part of my life– from the countless diaries I kept as a child, to memorizing the lyrics of THOUSANDS of songs growing up, tape recorder in hand, stopping and starting, to write down the EXACT lyric to a Cyndi Lauper or Michael Jackson song.
It’s amazing how you can string together a few isolated and dangling phrases and make them come alive… a vision in your mind, a story, a poem.
When I shared Maria Shriver’s announcement on Twitter yesterday that she will be guest editing the April issue of Oprah Magazine in honor of National Poetry Month, I first felt envy (keepin’ it real ladies) and then one of my readers gave me a wonderful idea.
Hold a poetry contest!!!
I thought, “What a great idea!”
So, to honor that loyal follower, I am giving you two months to write a poem and submit it to us for April’s National Poetry Month. We will choose the best one, and publish it the beginning of April, to kick off National Poetry Month. The winner will also get: A ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO OPRAH MAGAZINE!
Thank you Maria and Oprah for the inspiration as always.
Read, Set, Go!
Please email your poems to: [email protected], with the subject header in CAPS: –> NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
But before I go, I’d like to leave you with my favorite poem of all…
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
ROBERT FROST
xoxEDxox
That is my favorite poem too. Great idea.
I will submit a poem. I love Oprah too and hope I’ll win the subscription.
I’m in!
i like it order-ed Wednesday: National verse Month cope | WomenOnTheFence.com now im your rss reader
Good material! I have already been looking for something like this for quite a while now. Thanks for your insight!
ICY SPLENDOR-GLORIA YORK ARMSTRONG
THE CARDINAL IS SIGNALING IT’S A NEW DAY.
THE RABBITS HAVE TAKEN THEIR CUE.
THE PASTEL CURTAIN RISING,
THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS ARE JUST A FEW.
SOFTLY, SLOWLY THE LIGHT GIVES SIGHT TO THE MORN.
AS THE TREE WITH SMALL BRANCHES
SHAKE THE HEAVY JEWELS FROM THE STORM.
HEAR THE EARLY MORNING CRACKLING FROM THE MELTING ICE.
IT’S THE RAINBOWS PROMISE
FILLED AND CHILLED BY NATURE’S DICE
WE’LL TRAVEL THROUGH THE EARLY MORN
BASKING IN THE SIGHT
KNOWING IT WILL SWIFTLY PASS,
THIS CHAMPAGNE ON ICE, A WONDERLAND DELIGHT.
WE KNOW WE MUST SUBMIT THESE FROZEN GEMS.
FOR IN OUR HEART HAS BEEN REPLACED
THE FAITH THERE’S MORE WITHIN US
THROUGH THESE ICESTORMS WE HAVE FACED.
NATURE’S PRESENCE IS A PRELUDE TO HIS PLAN
AS IT KEEPS US EVER MINDFUL…
HE’LL REACH OUT TO TAKE OUR HAND.
WITH HIS BEST AND THE KNOWLEDGE
WE CAN BECOME WHAT WE WANT TO BE
IT’S ON EARTH HE GAVE THE ICE STORM
WHILE HE SAVES HIS BEST FOR YOU AND ME.
SISTERHOOD
Different sizes, shapes, and colors
yet, we have some of the same problems.
Male problems, children problems,
mood swings, mental and physical problems,
you name them, we have them.
We comfort each other, we get on each other’s nerves.
Sistahs assisting Sistahs, who are like us?
You give me your shoulder to cry on,
I give you my helping hands.
You give me advice and strength,
I give you a listening ear.
I give you my love and support,
you give me your…
friendship.
(c) 2011 Eve Hall