Dec 12, 2009

25th Virtual Poetry Circle

It's here!  The 25th Virtual Poetry Circle.  Today is the day everyone who has commented on these weekly events will have an opportunity to win some poetry for yourself.  I'll pop your names in a hat and choose a winner.  All you have to do is keep commenting.  Easy right?!

OK, Here's a poem up for reactions, interaction, and--dare I say it--analysis:

Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock's books suggested. Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don't like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.

Today, we're returning to the classics.  Let's talk haiku and Basho Matsuo!  Haiku has a number of characteristics, including the use of nature and the syllable count of 5-7-5.  Because Haiku is a short form of poetry, we'll take a look at a few of his poems:

Bush clover in blossom waves
Without spilling
A drop of dew.

The sound of hail --
I am the same as before
Like that aging oak.

an ancient pond
a frog jumps in
the splash of water.


Let me know your thoughts, ideas, feelings, impressions. Let's have a great discussion...pick a line, pick an image, pick a sentence.

I've you missed the other Virtual Poetry Circles, check them out here. It's never too late to join the discussion.


***Giveaway Details*** 3 Winners!!!  Anywhere in the World!!!

1.  Comment on the Virtual Poetry Circle posts about each poem for one entry.

Deadline is Dec. 18, 2009, 11:59PM EST

Prize Pack #1 (Click links for my reviews)

1.  One copy of Poet Lore, a magazine of The Writer's Center in Bethesda, Md.
2.  A copy of John Amen's At the Threshold of Alchemy and More of Me Disappears
3.  Fair Creatures of an Hour by Lynn Levin
4.  Carta Marina by Ann Fisher Wirth
5.  Green Bodies by Rosemary Winslow
6.  One book of classic poetry (your choice)

Prize Pack #2

1.  Apologies to an Apple by Maya Ganesan
2.  Becoming the Villainess by Jeannine Hall Gailey 
3.  Rubber Side Down Edited by Jose Gouveia
4.  Mainline to the Heart & Other Poems by Clive Matson
5.  One book of classic poetry (your choice)

Prize Pack #3

1.  Dear Anais by Diana Raab
2.  City Above the Sea & Other Poems by Stephen Alan
3.  Human Dark With Sugar by Brenda Shaughnessy
4.  One book of classic poetry (your choice)

Depending on the number of entrants, there could be additional, single volumes of poetry to runners up.

4 comments:

Darlene said...

Hi Serena, I've got this posted at Win a Book for you. No need to enter me of course. Have an awesome day!

Alessandra said...

I love poems in haiku form - they're short and sweet, but have deep meaning. I especially like the third haiku you posted. It's a lovely image - the frog splashing in the water. You can imagine the sound of it.

Thanks for the generous giveaway! I haven't heard of these poets before, but I think it would be fun to check them out.

Alessandra
outofblue1(at)gmail(dot)com

Anna said...

I like the hail haiku. What I got from it was that despite the pounding of the hail (or troubles in life, etc.), he, like the tree, is still the same (survives).

I like poems that say a lot in few words.

And thanks for the giveaway. I posted it in my sidebar.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Jeanne said...

I decided to appreciate the bush clover one, since no one else had yet. I think it's about grace, in all the meanings of that word.

Christmas lights outside
cookies baked and frosted
She sits with a smile

I envy people who have that kind of grace, especially this time of year!