Welcome poets!
Our inaugural prompt is to listen to and take your inspiration from this song. Believe it or not, we chose the blog's name "What's Going On" before we found the song.* But I don't believe in coincidence, do you?
- You could write a poem in response to the song.
- You could write "what's going on" in the pattern of the song or as ballad or a narrative poem.
- You could introduce yourself or one part of yourself in a poem that answers the question "what's going on for you?"
- You could write a poem that unmasks something you thought was going on.
Please link one poem that is your response to the material of this prompt. When you link your poem, please visit other links, in the spirit of community.
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"What's going on?" is going to be a guiding question on this blog, though we may each apply it in different ways. For more information, please read "About" and "The Rules" pages. To find out or refresh your memory about each of us, read the "Who We Are" page. Prompts will be posted Wednesday at 11 A.M. Eastern Time, and will close Sunday night at 8 P.M. Eastern Time.
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Please leave us a comment
so we know you found us,
and
please put this link on the poem
you post so others can find us.
💞
*Note: The title of the 4 non-blondes' song is "What's Up?" (1992) A very famous song by Marvin Gaye has the title "What's Going On" (1971).
Hello, friends! I am so happy to be embarking on this venture with you, writing in community again. I look forward to sharing poems with you in the months ahead.
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly been a while, Sherry. Great to hear from you. :-)
DeleteGreat to be back sharing poetry with those of you I knew in the past! I look forward to reading the poems of friends both old and new! What a pleasure this will be!
ReplyDeleteYAY!
ReplyDeleteWHAT"S GOING ON !...Well....It's my lovely Grandmothers birthday today....so I wrote a poem for her. Thank you Sherry for telling me about this blog. Looking forward to visiting every week...We started out young and spritely years ago and now we're aging and spritely still (yeah sure ! )...Chuckles and Cheers....Rall
ReplyDeleteAging gratefully, given the alternative, lol. Loved your grandmother poem, Rall.
DeleteFolks, My blog commentary is going haywire. It wouldn't let me comment on Mary nor Rall! It tells me to sign in (I am signed in), but doesn't give me the choice of being anonymous and doesn't show my picture. Maybe there is two of me? I'll check that out. Meanwhile let me say that both poems are positive, charming, even fun. If that's what's going on, I'd like more of it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe try signing out and then signing in again?
DeleteI did, Mary, multiple times. I've also raked through all google settings. Why can I comment here--tho unrecognized--but not on individual blogs like yours? Just a few blogs, inconsistently, that won't recognize me. But the upside is we're all communicating here. It feels quite loving.
DeleteHappy to see another poetry forum forming in the blogosphere. Will be sure to include it on my rounds! - Brendan
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brendan. And thanks for the good work you are doing online, too, to keep poetry alive and current at Desperate Poets .
DeleteGood to see you, Brendan! There is room for all of us for sure!
DeleteAs I wrote further down.. I just found that you need to be commenting using a browser other than Safari .. to have gmailed added to your computer account (even if you don't as I do not, use gmail) and to use Google to sign into the site. That's what allowed me to post un-anonymously ... just now albeit with the incorrect profile pic - but I'll take it! Hope this helps.
DeleteMy first thought was the Marvin Gaye song of that title. Best of luck with your new endeavor.
ReplyDeleteGoing to try again to comment. Best of luck with your new venture! Have fun with it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Shay!
DeleteThank you! So good to see you! (I saw your other comment, too. We credited Marvin Gaye, and hope that if he's your inspiration you'll fly with it.)
DeleteHey all. Been a while since I have been around. Thanks for the email Sherry. I am well. In a new phase of life. Both boys are graduated so we are empty nesters. I am an Administrator at a local high school which keeps me relatively busy with other people’s kids. Active in the community. Hiking quite a bit. Hoping to make it back to Nepal next summer for the first time since the pandemic. Maybe you will inspire me to write something again. See you soon.
ReplyDeleteWhoa! Hard to believe your boys have graduated! I hope you make it back to Nepal. Lovely to hear from you, my friend.
DeleteWow, Brian! Long time! You've done well, I see! Maybe you can visit often and play!
DeleteHow lovely to see you Brian! Aah! Nepal! Not very far from where I live. Smiles.
DeleteBrian, so wonderful to hear from you! I hope you feel inspired to write when you can.
DeleteHi Brian! Nice to get an update from you. Hope you have time to share a bit of poetry occasionally.
DeleteHi there - this is pearl... delighted to see you here and looking forward to interacting once again... I cannot seem to comment ... will figure this out on my end... All the best to all of you... See you on Wednesday...with love and hugs.
ReplyDeleteWhich poem did you intend for this prompt?
DeleteGobsmacked
DeleteHello everyone!! So wonderful to see you all!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being here, Sumana! We couldn't do it without you.
DeleteSumana, glad to have you as a part of this new (but yet old) venture. It has been a while since we have written together. Looking forward to it!
DeleteYes, we couldnt do it without you, Sumana!
DeleteSumana,
DeleteIt's great to have an opportunity to connect with you again, through this wonderful new poetry blog.
I hope to be up and running soon with a contribution to the new blog, once I have sorted my technical difficulties and familiarise myself with the requirements of posting a piece of work.
Eileen
Hi Eileen,
DeleteSo lovely to be meeting with you all. It's wonderful that we are all back and reading and sharing our lines. This is what I call "good times". Smiles.
So great to see you all - thank you Jae
ReplyDeleteYour blog isn't accepting my comment, so I'm putting a few words here. First, it's lovely to see you again! Second, what a joyous poem. I especially like:
Delete"Of course you can climb
. . . .
How can I give up
With her light shining
Right in front of me" Bravo!
Thank you Susan - Jae
DeleteJae, really nice to see you!
DeleteSuper exciting to see this new space and when I got to Linky to see Sherry, Susan, Mary and Sumana was like a whiff of the old PU days... so happy you're doing this...thanks so much for letting me know!!!
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Rajani. Now you are here, it is just like old times.
DeleteI am very excited about you being part of this writing community. Yes, a "whiff of the old days," with a touch of newness! Thanks for participating and for commenting!
DeleteI'm so happy to see you all back and writing poetry! I have a busy September but will be back to see what's going on and link up a poem this week.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Kim. I'm looking forward to reading your poems again.
DeleteKim, it will be great to see what you come up with & to share poetry in community with you.
DeleteCongratulations on the kick off of a new poetry community. Wishing all of you much success. I will definitely be participating. Now, off to watch the video and let it speak to me in the form of words.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Truedessa! It's so good to see you again!
DeleteTruedessa, I really look forward to writing with you again! It has been a while.
DeleteHelloooo, gorgeous poets! I'm so happy for you! I hope to dip in, but don't find myself with as much time for poetry these days as I would like. And also having trouble signing in, so here I am, "Anonymous."
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on your new venture! Thankful to be invited, and hoping to play!
(This song is a fave of mine.)
De (aka WhimsyGizmo)
Hi De! Thank you for celebrating with us. I'm having the same trouble with this blog, so touch on name and put my name in separately each and every time. It works on blogger, though not on individual blogs. I hope you find time to dip in!
DeleteHa! I am grinning from ear to ear with delight. I made my cup of morning tea, turned on the computer and here you are - all our old friends, checking in. This makes my day. SO happy we are doing this again.
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteHello dear Friends,
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely delighted to be writing this comment today, as I very nervously try to recall the most basic of technical details around posting poems and comments.
It used to be second nature for me, but I am extremely rusty with the processes. I shall endeavour to make my way into this most welcome new opportunity, to reconnect again.
Thank you so much, Eileen
So glad to see you, Eileen! We're very glad you're here. I am smiling at the tech nerves. I'm the same way.
DeleteMary,
DeleteI would appreciate it if you could delete the link to my blog for the time being.
I need to write a poem and reacquaint myself with the process for posting and linking to What's Going On....hopefully I'll be back soon.
So good to be back with wonderful Poets United friends. Eileen
Eileen, your blog link is deleted. Hope to see you back this week with a poem. You have plenty of time!
DeleteSo good to see you here and not just on FB. You are a poet at heart. A new poem! Bravo. (One option other than anonymous is name/URL. Just putting in a name is sufficient. That's what I do. Then there are 2 blogs that don't even let me do that! Frustrating! You are not alone!) Going to read your poem..
DeleteYikes, Eileen! Now your blog won't let me comment. It is indeed a one way road, but o, Eileen, you are one who finds the opportunities. I'm somewhere in the middle. Your poem moved me.
DeleteSusan,
DeleteThank you for your welcome here . I'm delighted to participate in this new venture. I have missed the interactions from our Poets United days.
Hello everyone, how wonderful and heartwarming to see you all! Sending love across the interwebs. I have a ton of competing activities and obligations that have kept me from writing much but who knows, a good prompt is a good prompt! Thanks so much for inviting me here and I know poetry folk will really appreciate it. XO Marian
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you! Thanks for stopping by to help launch us. It feels like a regular celebration.
DeleteLovely to see you, Marian, one of our first members at Poets United. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteFriends,
ReplyDeleteI have managed to post a new poem for this inaugeral prompt, after many hours of technical difficulties. Hopefully I'll soon regain some familiarity!
Great to be back amongst friends from those Poets United days...
Good luck with this wonderful new blog..
Not sure why my previous comment has appeared as Anonymous!
DeleteIt will become easier with time, Eileen! I have commented on your poem. Thanks for being here.
DeleteBravo!
DeleteFor anyone who has Blogger, in order for people who have Wordpress to be able to comment on your poem, you might have to make some changes in your settings:
ReplyDelete1. Go into “Settings”
2. Scroll down to “Comments”
3. Under “Who can comment?” Select “Anyone, including Anonymous.”
I think this might have been myself (before I changed it), Eileen, Rall, perhaps Jae Rose. We all really want to be able to comment on everyone's poetry!
Mary,
DeleteThank you for your guidance about the comment settings.
I have adjusted the settings at my blog in order to accept all comments. I hope it makes things easier, going forward:)
Congratulations on the new endeavor! Great to see a new prompt site on the horizon. Good luck going forward, and though I don't write like I used to, I will keep you in mind--I've bookmarked you so I can find my way back. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Hedge. We are happy to be back in action!
DeleteThank you for stopping by to join the celebration. I hope to read you here often.
DeleteHello! Found you. Now to think of a poem (and hope I can post this comment).
ReplyDeleteSo happy you found us, Jane!
DeleteI'm not sure we've met before, Jane, but I'm glad to meet you and greet you. I'll get to know you through your poems.
DeleteHi - Pearl here.... and delighted to be here albeit anonymously ... I'll get that worked out one of these days... What's Going On? indeed a perfect title for the tilted times. Hugs and love to one and all
ReplyDeleteYAY! So good to see you!
DeletePearl, the beginning glitches will smooth out, hopefully. Glad you are here.
ReplyDeleteHi there Sherry - I do not think this glitch is on your end... I am getting message that says I cannot comment due to my browser... Hmmmm.... Well for now... I'll read and comment on others... Happy Inauguration Day!!! What's Going On? A great new place to gather ! Hooray!!
DeleteMe / Aka Dr Pearl Ketover Prilik
ReplyDeleteHi all .. pearl here again... okay I've been reading and posted some comments .. unclear whether they are being received. I've done all the research I'm capable of doing to see why I am consigned to anonymity .. but so it goes for now... Hurrah on the site...
ReplyDeleteThey are back! YAY! So wonderful to see you again, Mary, Susan, Sherry and Sumana. I have just posted my poem and will be making my rounds now. Happy Wednesday ❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you and your poetry, Sanaa! Feels like a real celebration with so many old friends, such as you, joining us!!
DeleteAww thank you! I echo your sentiments! Cheers ❤️❤️
DeleteThis is almost too much JOY!! Thank you all for celebrating our return with your good wishes and your poetry. I want you to know that I am both Susan and Susantoo depending on your blog site. Thank you, Thank you! So much joy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the inspiring prompt
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for participating!
DeleteThank you, Lesley. Thanks for bringing your poem.
DeleteWow, every morning when I come in here, my smile gets bigger. I have linked Annell's poem for her as she has been away from blogging for a year and is having re-entry problems. She wasnt able to add our link to her post, but I told her that's okay. Smiles.
ReplyDeleteHi there .. well the picture is incorrect but I am not longer anonymous! Hooray... back to reading in a bit.
ReplyDeleteFor anyone having trouble posting un-anonymously .. be sure your browser is set to a browser other than Safari - which obviously has a default blocker for "third-party-cookies" translated as you'll be anonymous and be sure that you are signed in on your computer settings to google mail (even if you don't use google mail) thirdly you'lll sign in to the site using google .. that did the trick for me - although there is an outdated picture .. I'll take it! It is delightFULLLLLL to be here and thrilled to reconnect with so many wonderful poetic friends - Hugs and love - passion and poetry flowing....
ReplyDeletePearl that is very interesting. I hope others who are having trouble will be able to use that information. Though I use Safari MUCH of the time, I do NOT use it for the Blogosphere or for commenting on people's poems. I always use my CHROME browser here. And, ha, I remember that picture! Smiles. Glad you figured it out.
DeleteHi everyone - what a great place. Thanks so much Sherry for your email. I have been writing zero poetry for the last couple of months but probably I should give it a go again. Hope everyone is doing well. Much love, Claudia
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, Claudia. Lovely to see you.
DeleteWow! How has it taken me so long to find this wonderful' What's going on' song & blog! Love all the well known blogpals, and can't wait to join in, a.s.a.p. ♥ :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jinsky! Welcome.
DeleteWe're brand new, so you're not late! Smiles.
ReplyDeleteI'm here. It's a bit of a dark poem, but I'm a bit stressed so there's that. :)
ReplyDeleteSusie, bless you for taking the time, in all you are going through. Your poem really speaks to those who have known big losses. I hope for better days for you.
ReplyDelete