O is for Ode (part II)
I tried to find a video of Lucille Clifton reading her poem ODE TO MY HIPS when I posted my ‘O’ contribution to the international A-Z Challenge earlier today and … Continue reading
O is for ODE
The classic Greek ode was a serious literary form that publicly celebrated the achievements of a noteworthy individual – an Olympic athlete for example. Much later the English Romantic poets … Continue reading
International Poetry Competition
This is a major competition run by Lightship Literary organisation with a major first prize: £1,000 / US$1600 The winner and nine runners-up will also be published in Lightship Anthology … Continue reading
K is for KENNING
I wasn’t familiar with this word before (except in its Scots form to ken, to know). It has its origins in the Old Norse phrase kenna eitt við, which means … Continue reading
INTERNATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION with a metallic theme and an Italian venue…
Poetry on the Lake Patron: Carol Ann Duffy 13th International Poetry Competition. Closing 22nd April 2013. Theme: Metal (include a metallic word, anything from gold to Goldilocks). Categories: Open: Judge – Anne-Marie … Continue reading
DO YOU KNOW what connects infants and poets?
Infans comes from the Latin for unspeaking. The infant is the one who can’t speak and Seamus Heaney argues that all good poems are gathered in silence. Here he is … Continue reading
Dream Job?
Just seen this advert and it set me thinking… Editor, Poetry Review, The Poetry Society £30k-£33k pro rata, 2 days per week Published by the Poetry Society since 1912, Poetry … Continue reading
Enter a poetry competition to support an arts organisation
I’ve just heard that the Torriano Poetry Competition is low on entries and that the Torriano Meeting House is in real need of the funds the competition generates. It is … Continue reading
DID YOU KNOW that writing poetry can beat tranquillisers
A study conducted at the Bristol Royal Infirmary found that writing poetry can help with the emotional pain of bereavement and assist some to stop taking anti-depressants or tranquillisers. Of … Continue reading
MONDAY CREATIVE WRITING EXERCISE because it’s a good way to start the week: POETRY
This exercise comes from the poet Julia Darling who felt that often we write too literally, too logically or self-consciously, when some of our best work comes from imaginative leaps … Continue reading
Have your poem published alongside Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan
Macmillan Cancer Support are inviting submissions for HEART SHOOTS, a poetry anthology that will be published at Easter 2013. The themes are love and relationships, but they are also accepting … Continue reading
BRIDGET WHELAN writer 