January 5 Challenge: Haiku

Our first poem challenge is a haiku.
Simple format:
5 "on" (a Japanese word meaning a phonetic unit-- but in English we usually translate that to syllables)
7 "on"
5 "on"
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Haikus traditionally invoke nature imagery. From Wikipedia:  The essence of haiku is 'cutting' (kiru).^[1] This is often represented by the juxtaposition of two images or ideas^[2] and a kireji ('cutting word') between them, a kind of verbal punctuation mark which signals the moment of separation and colors the manner in which the juxtaposed elements are related."


Below is my favorite haiku, by Mizuta Masahide  (late 1600s).  In the English translation, it doesn't follow the sound form.  But the haiku essence of opposition, kiru, and imagery remain.

Barn's burnt down

now

I can see the moon

Try one.  Your haiku needn't be formal, or even serious-- but play with the kiru.
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Till tomorrow--
Jana

Jan 4 Challenge: TOM SWIFTIES

smiling faces:  more fun-whiz-bang!

The quest continues to limber up your Inner poet.  Today's challenge is to write two or more Tom Swifties:  "adverbial" puns that first appeared in a 1920s comic strip. Here's a few examples (don't moan):
"Love your vintage RayBans", Marge said retrospectively.
"I resent all things apairian", he said begrudgingly.
"I could use a little polishing up my look", he admitted lacklusterly.
"Sure wish I could have won one of those horrific paintings being offered as a prize in the month-long poet games", Chip said artlessly.


Looks like quite a lot of you are playing.  It's great to see your additions in the comment section.  If you're behind, find a friend and play catch up.  Remember, you can add your comments anonymously-- but be sure to email me if you want to be in for the prizes.  Challenge continues all month.

--das poetrix

January 3: Let the Games Begin!

2012 vision board, created
by one of our participants.  WOW!

Flex your brain.

To ready for the harder core poet games, let's start with some simple creativity-flexing exercises-- two or three small ones a day.  Try to do them all, but if your brain sticks, don't sweat it.  Something's better than nothing.  We'll begin by working to increase inter-cranial connectivity.

Today:  Sensory blending.  Synethesia (when one sense is interpreted in ways usually associated with another sense) is often correlated with creativity.  Some folks are born that way-- but you can build yours up.

1)  SMELLS:   Research suggests that language and other forms of cognition often trump olfaction.  That's allegedly why most of us have a hard time describing smells in any uniform way.  And during one study, people in a scent filled room being directed on a time-intensive task never noticed they were being blasted with lavender or vanilla.  Our brains like to do one thing well, and make the rest background.

Go smell something,  Now write about it.  A line or two will do.  Describe it as best you are able.  Does it bring up any associations?  Emotions?  What color is the smell?  What is it's texture?

2)  VOICE:  I've always been synethesiac to sounds.  They have heft and texture.  Describe a favorite singer's (or instrument) voice.  Use color, texture, or feel analogies.

3)  FEEL/TOUCH:  find something with a texture.  Any texture.  What personality traits can you associate with the way it feels?  Does a color come to mind when you think of that particular texture?

See you tomorrow...

And don't forget, if you're willing, to post all or some of your responses in the comments.

Jana

Happy New Year! Day One Challenge

let's get jiggy with it, folks.

Hope some of you've had a chance to do our first Challenge of Burning The Old Year.

If you're catching up:  I'll be posting a new creativity-inducing challenge every day during January.  Most will take thirty minutes or (much) less.  Please invite friends to join us!

See how many of the 31 challenges you can complete.   Post your results in the comment section if you're willing to share-- I'd love that.

And this year, I have prizes!  I am creatively reducing my biomass by lovingly recycling some old crap beloved belongings to participants.  JUST FOR PLAYING (one or more efforts posted) you win your choice of a 4X6 pic print from the blog or the collector's version of the One Less A$$hole bumper sticker.

Anyone brave or creative enough to do ten or more will receive something rummaged from my attic a bigger prize. It may be a genuine piece of Bad Art from my carefully curated collection, a book of poems, a strange artifact or found object.  Who knows?  You'll be surprised.  Maybe not pleased, but definitely surprised.

Be the first to do all thirty-one and get thirty one tiny surprises mailed to your door.  

You don't have to do them the day they are posted, but to receive the Grand Prize all challenges should be met before 02/01/12 11:59 pm PST.

Shy but still want to compete?  E your efforts through the contact button, or just say "Done!" in the comments section.
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READY for today's quest?
The Challenge :  You've burned 2011, now invite 2012.  Make a list of what you want to see manifest in 2012.  For super-over-achievers, do a vision board (click for instructions).  Otherwise a simple list is fine.  This ain't for Santa Claus-- focus on positive ways you'd like to expand your potential and what sorts of feelings/awareness/characteristics you want in your life this year.  Peggy's video offers great ideas.  
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Let me know if you did it, and if you like, share one or two things from your list.

Hope you had a good start to your new year--
back tomorrow,
Jana

BURN BABY BURN

Ok, this is going to be a little late for most of you-- since it's usually a ritual for before the new year begins.  And yes, tomorrow starts the official 31 Day Challenge.  If you don't get to this one before 2012, see if you can do it in the first week of it.  It's a sweet way to clear the slate for some new beginnings.

Make a list of what you'd like to let go from 2011.  Be specific, general, wildly optimistic, whatever.  These are intentions, not contracts.

Give some loving respect and compassion for all that you are ready to leave behind.  Then burn that sucker up.  You can be as serious or lighthearted as you choose.  Throw it in the fireplace, or torch it in a nice ceramic bowl.  Let it go, let it go.  Get ready to move on to what you need to learn and how you want to grow/

The page turns to a new day.

love,
Jana

Get Ready to Occupy Your Own Creative Self, 2012

COUNTDOWN to January's 31 days of poet games and creative challenges.  In preparation for take-off, please unloosen those seat belts, sharpen your pencils and call out the muse.
Here's a community invitation to just that courtesy of the luminous Peggy Fitzsimmons.  You might remember her as the encouragement for last January's capstone vision board finale'.
Enjoy and please pass it on.