Open Link
Greetings, Friends!
As many of you know, April is Poetry Month. Some of you may be writing a poem a day, and I wish you good luck with that. I remember doing that for a number of years, using prompts from Robert Brewer at Writers' Digest. I just went to see if he is still providing these prompts, and (amazingly) he still is! If some of you want another site for inspiration, check the site out! https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/2025-april-pad-challenge-guidelines. New prompts will be written here each day: https://www.writersdigest.com/tag/2025-april-pad-challenge.
Anyway, for this week, we here at "What's Going On?" have an Open Link. You may share a favorite poem from the past, a poem that you have already written this April for Poetry Month, or you can write and share a totally new poem with us! Your choice.
Since we will share a poem of choice this week, it might be interesting to contemplate some of the benefits of writing poetry. Perhaps some of these benefits may explain just why we write!
1. Poetry provides an outlet for exploring complex feelings, helping you understand and work through emotions.
2. Writing poetry requires attention to the moment, language, and details -- thus developing mindfulness.
3. Finding unique metaphors and perspectives enhances creative thinking.
4. The writing process often reveals thoughts and feeling you weren't consciously aware of, developing self knowledge.
5. Writing poetry can lower stress.
6. Writing poetry can serve as personal time capsules, preserving individual moments and perspectives.
7. Sharing poetry (as we do here) can foster meaningful connections and create community.
If you wish to, in the comments, feel free to share with us what the benefits of writing poetry are for you. Feel free to use the ideas above.
After you have linked your poem (and, hopefully, said hello in comments), please visit other poets during the week! Mr. Linky will close on Sunday at 8 pm. Looking forward to reading whatever you share.
Thank you for the space to write freely Mary - Jae
ReplyDeleteI can't see your poem today, Jae. The site says the poem can't be found.
DeleteSusan, check again. Jae's poem is there now.
DeleteFound it. "Like sparklers / Making light in the dark" --whether it's the delight of making words connect or finding second chances in a blank page, your poem is wonderful!
DeleteGeeat to see you, Jae.
DeleteThanks for finding my poem Susan and Mary - Jae
DeleteThanks, Mary, for the reasons we write. I can't imagine not writing, even in these years when words don't come as easily. It has been such a good outlet in my life, and a way to connect with other poets. We bear witness, even when times are discouraging. We try to hang onto hope, even when it is hard to do. We are observers and sometimes interpreters of what is going on. Happy April, poets!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Sherry, poets DO bear witness. We have an important job!
DeleteGood morning, Friends. I write for a lot of the above reasons, but one thing I find when I look back at my past poetry is that poems are the 'personal time capsules' that are mentioned in #6. It is interesting for me to see what all has changed, what has remained the same in my life or in my thoughts. As Sherry mentioned, poetry is a good way to connect with others, and that is also what I appreciate when I read your poetry. Thanks for being here, all of you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting this open prompt together so thoughtfully. The reasons you site for writing poetry are pretty comprehensive. I love that Sherry added connections with others. I might add that no other form will do for the moment and occasion of writing, but you imply that. Today I wrote to change my mood, forcing--urging--myself to look for the exceptions to the historical moment. I found the strength I needed in writing the poem.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of writing to change one's mood! That would be a great prompt in itself! Smiles.
DeleteWriting poetry honors and sharpens my gift and keeps me sane. Reading yours gives me pleasure and, sometimes, a bar to aim for.
ReplyDeleteOh, indeed, keeping one's sanity is definitely a strong reason to write!
DeleteThanks, Mary. I agree with all those benefits! It's such a satisfying feeling to complete the creation of a new poem. I love that, too.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is very satisfying, especially if one is pleased with one writes!!
DeleteAll of your reasons for writing poetry I agree with. As a carer now , it is my only personal time out and alleviates stress. The connections I have made with other poets ( over a decade now with some) are invaluable. It is reassuring to know that others share my responses and attiutdes to life situations. I would be lost without you.
ReplyDeleteYes, connections are very important, and all of us here at What's Going On? are glad to have you among us! (And yes, more than a decade! How quickly passes the time.)
DeleteWriting poetry or prose can be a wonderful form of therapy ... a way to organize and cleanse the mind of its muddled thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMy goal is to complete NaPoWriMo. I need the therapy.
ReplyDeleteSusie, good luck with completing NaPoWriMo! A worthwhile goal!
DeleteThank you, Mary and they are all good reasons to write poetry! Sharing a link straight from Substack for the first time, hope it works.
ReplyDeleteRajani, it is not possible for those who do not subscribe to Substack to read your poem. The link you provided asks people to subscribe, and if one doesn't want to subscribe one cannot comment. Better to provide a link to an actual poem rather than to a platform. Sorry.
DeleteWriting poetry has helped me through some difficult times in my life. It was like therapy and perhaps it still is. It helps me decipher dreams at times.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think during difficult times therapy IS very therapeutic! Always glad to read your poems, Truedessa.
DeleteHi Mary! Poetry is therapeutic, isn't it, and so much more. I love how we in a poetry community offer each other a safe space as well as beauty, healing.
ReplyDelete"A safe space as well as beauty, healing". -- Dora, I will second that!
DeletePoetry does give me a lot of 'me time' surely and in the process, especially in this time of blogging we are connected to a wonderful world of poets from all over the world. How wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThan you Mary, for hosting & for these beautiful words today.
The connections with other poets from so many parts of the world IS wonderful for sure! And thank you for posting your beautiful poem.
DeleteThank....
ReplyDelete