Weekend Mini-Challenge: Take a chance and step into the mythical realm ~

Mythical goddesses by Katrina Taule, Pinterest

Werewolves, sirens, mermaids and creatures who devour blood, for centuries these myths and tales have continued to fascinate us. They have filled folklore, songs, poetry and works of art. 

But what is it about them that draws our interest? Is it their beauty? Is it because they have magical powers? 

Medusa

by Clark Ashton Smith

Her lethal beauty crowned with twining snakes

That mingle with her hair, the Gorgon reigns.

Her eyes are clouds wherein black lightnings lurk,

Yet, even as men that seek the glance of Life,

The gazers come, where, coiled and serpent-swift,

Those levins wait. As round an altar-base

Her victims lie, distorted, blackened forms

Of postured horror smitten into stone— (Click here to read the rest of the poem)

How the Raven Became Black

by John Godfrey Saxe 

Shall I tell you how it happened

That the change was brought about?

List the story of CORONIS,

And you'll find the secret out.

Young CORONIS, fairest maiden

Of Thessalia's girlish train,

Whom Apollo loved and courted,

Loved and courted not in vain... (Click here to read the rest of the poem)

Mythical creatures have been a subject of popular culture for thousands of years. Whether Greek or Celtic, Hindu or European, every culture has its own creations and myths. 

For instance: The Crocotta, a Greek beast, featured a strange array of different animal parts. It had the haunches of a stag, the neck, tail, and breast of a lion, the head of a badger, cloven hooves, and a mouth which opened as far back as its ears. On top of this terrifying description, it was said to mimic the voices of men.

Crocotta. (donnaquinn)

Your challenge today is to find a piece of art (a painting, sculpture, etc.) and create your own poetic mythology around it. 

Choose your own form or write in free verse, if preferred. I look forward to reading what you guys come up with. Please do visit others and remember to comment on their poems. Have fun!

October: When Poets Dream, Lament and Sing

Impulses by Loui Jover ~ Pinterest

It was October again... a glorious October, all red and gold, with mellow mornings when the valleys were filled with delicate mists as if the spirit of autumn had poured them in for the sun to drain — amethyst, pearl, silver, rose, and smoke-blue. The dews were so heavy that the fields glistened like cloth of silver and there were such heaps of rustling leaves in the hollows of many-stemmed woods to run crisply through. ~ Lucy Maud Montgomery 

October is my favorite time of the year as Autumn takes us away from the externally-focused energies of exuberant summertime and asks us to pause and consider how we feel, who we are, and to reminisce. We revisit the past during this time to integrate, grieve, reflect, and heal.

A playlist (compiled for the Poet) in us:

For today's challenge, I want you all to draw inspiration from the YouTube playlist above. Pick a song that speaks to you poetically and write a poem.

You could be inspired by the title, the lyrics or just the emotions that the song evokes. Please do mention your choice somewhere in your post and remember to give credit.

Choose your own form or write in free verse, if preferred. I look forward to reading what you guys come up with. Please do visit others and remember to comment on their poems. Have fun!🍁

The Tuesday Platform

I Wanted To Make Myself like the Ravine

 by Hannah Gamble

I wanted to make myself like the ravine

so that all good things

would flow into me.

Because the ravine is lowly,

it receives an abundance.

This sounds wonderful

to everyone

who suffers from lacking,

but consider, too, that a ravine

keeps nothing out:

in flows a peach

with only one bite taken out of it,

but in flows, too,

the body of a stiff mouse

half cooked by the heat of the stove

it was toughening under.

I have an easygoing way about me.

I’ve been an inviting host —

meaning to, not meaning to.

Oops — he’s approaching with his tongue

already out

and moving.

Analyze the risks

of becoming a ravine.

Compare those with the risks

of becoming a well

with a well-bolted lid.

Which I’d prefer

depends largely on which kinds

of animals were inside me

when the lid went on

and how likely they’d be

to enjoy the water,

vs. drown, freeze, or starve.

The lesson: close yourself off

at exactly the right time.

On the day that you wake up

under some yellow curtains

with a smile on your face,

lock the door.

Live out your days

untroubled like that.

There is something about the poems by Hannah Gamble that stir my soul and my muse from time to time. Greetings poets, wayfarers and friends, it's a beautiful day here and I am looking forward to reading poetry with a cup of coffee.

If you have any thoughts to share, ideas you wish to release into the wild or a world view to express, then you have come to the right place. Please share a poem of your choice and enjoy the company of your fellow scribes. We look forward to reading you and hope you have a wonderful day ahead.

SHARE * READ * COMMENT * ENJOY