http://slb2.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Susan Budig - Mindful Poet en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2013 Fri, 24 May 2013 09:40:43 GMT 2013-05-24T09:40:43Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2013 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981866073   Today is DNA Day , Red Hat Society Day, and World Penguin Day. It's also: Birthday - Radio inventor Guglielmo Marconi (1874-1937) was born in Bologna, Italy. He pioneered . . . Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:14:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981866073 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-25T00:14:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981873482 Whiskers scream for shaving cream And then a splash of Old Spice Bearded lady? Raving Queen She’ll need to pluck, then cold ice. Hair upon the upper lip Can often hide a blister Or a bit of supper . . . Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:46:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981873482 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-24T23:46:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865472     It's Wednesday! That means it's time for a guest judge! Today's judge is Ann Marcaida , hip-hip-hooray! She'll rely on my comments regarding technicalities of form, but choose the . . . Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:04:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865472 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-24T00:04:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981873015 Turn to the final page of your book Start reading backwards, discover the mystery in reverse Now that you know who dies Was life worth living? Was the villain Bad enough? Will you Cry? . . . Tue, 23 Apr 2013 22:51:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981873015 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-23T22:51:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865432     Today is World Book and Copyright Day. We promote and celebrate reading, publishing, and copyright. It's also the anniversary of William Shakespeare's death when he died at the age . . . Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:01:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865432 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-23T00:01:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981872328     E arth and sky, fire and sea   I am a steward of this world A ir and soil, rock and scree   I am a steward of this world R iver and butte, gale and boulder   . . . Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:21:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981872328 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-22T11:21:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865396     I know we just wrote Chant Royal last Friday, but today's Chant is the relaxed variety. No fears, no pressure, just share your work in the Chant form . If you are new to this . . . Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:03:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865396 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-22T00:03:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981871699             April is the longest month, never mind the days a I mark this time by memories of a cataclysmic stop b These thoughts, I’d like to perish, . . . Sat, 20 Apr 2013 00:07:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981871699 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-20T00:07:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865385         By now, you know I like history and maybe, possibly, I'm a little nerdy about it. Here's another tidbit: 1934 U.S.A. Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping 18th April . . . Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:05:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865385 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-19T00:05:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981871266     Armand has been my carpet weaver But in dreams, he wields a cleaver Upon his silks, I lay my head Exposed to thoughts, a dream receiver Maybe he grips something else instead Mayhap . . . Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:01:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981871266 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-19T00:01:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865366   More rhyming with today's form, Rubiayat , but you can pick the meter. Whatever meter you choose, though, you need to stick with it. If you are new to this group or contest, you can learn . . . Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865366 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-18T00:00:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981870806   Back when I was seven, new decade Pop filled the twenty gallon tank, ten bucks, Which left a couple spots to tip the service boy Who always washed the windshield and then winked At my older . . . Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:47:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981870806 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-17T19:47:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865104     Writing metered poetry reminds me of dancing with words. Today John Beck will be our guest judge and select the Poem-of-the-Day. If you are new to this group or contest, you can . . . Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:17:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865104 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-17T00:17:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981870447 Today no waving flag Snaps smartly, ‘stead it sags limply Like a ribbon, simply Signifying deadly force, dire Actions used not higher or less Lethal, but cruel, aggress- ive and fatal. God bless . . . Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:50:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981870447 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-16T20:50:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865095     From The History Place : Birthday - American aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright (1867-1912) was born in Millville, Indiana. On December 17, 1903, along with his brother Orville, . . . Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:02:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865095 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-16T00:02:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981869851             January 27, 1945 Amass Death gas Impasse Alas Numb beyond sense amass death gas caved Imminent walk, alas impasse, saved Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:53:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981869851 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-15T10:53:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981864882   I have mixed feelings about today's form. Here's how I organize this contest: all the forms that I introduce through Mindful Poetry during the contest year (May, 2012-March, 2013) appear . . . Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981864882 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-15T00:00:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981869226   Garrison Keillor is quite a fine writer, but he’s getting older than Buffalo cents Although I’ve pitched to that snicketypickety star of the Almanac Left in suspense! . . . Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:18:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981869226 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-13T00:18:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981864255   Double-Dactyl There, I've said it. This is the form today. I said it was shorter than yesterday's 44+ lines, but is it easier? Only those of you with rhythm can say. If you . . . Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:19:58 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981864255 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-12T00:19:58Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981868753 “I’m not concerned about that now” said the mountain that spoke with his face, down from the edge of an unsheltered sky, and King went to Memphis anyway. When he was born . . . Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:57:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981868753 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-11T18:57:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863929       I did not manage a concise column last January introducing the Glossa, which is today's form. So I need to do a little "teaching" here so that we are all on the same page. . . . Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:09:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863929 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-11T00:09:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981868386   All over Australia, we snakes squirmed and slithered Most delightful to me, when fair maidens shivered With our bodies so slender and our victims quite tender Some snakes lay still, alert to . . . Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:56:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981868386 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-10T18:56:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863883   In her frustration at trying to compose a terza rima, Irina Dimitric ended up creating her very own form. I wanted to introduce Mindful Poetry members and all of Gather to her form, tercetonine. . . . Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:01:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863883 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-10T00:01:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981867830   My brown hands work worry beads-- a fruitless measure His hands worry my deltoids producing pleasure           Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:15:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981867830 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-09T13:15:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863676   From thehistoryplace.com: April 9, 1865 - After over 500,000 American deaths, the Civil War effectively ended as General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant in . . . Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:11:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863676 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-09T00:11:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981867649          pea  cock  peahen  laced like gems  one iridescent  the other a geode with its  feathered  jewel incubating at . . . Mon, 08 Apr 2013 18:01:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981867649 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-08T18:01:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863405     Today is National Draw a Bird Day. Or maybe it's International Draw a Bird Day because this originated in the UK. Our form today is as old as birds, based on the ideas and findings . . . Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:09:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863405 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-08T00:09:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981867232           Week 1 (April 1 - 5): Longing by Mike Ellwood Week 2 (April 8 - 12): And You by Doug Westberg Week 3 (April 15 - 19): Air Raid - Back When . . . Sun, 07 Apr 2013 11:29:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981867232 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-07T11:29:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981866949 I was born when the world had four corners When sky met the sand to form diamonds of light A time well before there lived any foreigners Because we were one flesh, one unified sight Our prayer and our . . . Fri, 05 Apr 2013 23:58:09 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981866949 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-05T23:58:09Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863181   Today is Go For Broke Day. I'm finding these gems at National Whatever Day dot com . I don't really see the natural path between the day's title and what it signifies, but it's . . . Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:03:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863181 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-05T00:03:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981866552   How can I curry favor with you Make it so that you prize only me I want to fill your whole world view Honest, I bought you a kangaroo And a sailing boat on the Baltic Sea How can I curry favor . . . Thu, 04 Apr 2013 19:11:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981866552 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-04T19:11:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863180   If you've never written a villanelle , you'll be surprised with the satisfaction you discover when you've finished. The form lends itself to a natural conclusion. Today is National Tell-a-Lie . . . Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:09:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863180 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-04T00:09:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981866056     I never was pretty Certain of myself, yes That’s a page of beauty Not often turned or read Not photographed to see I never was pretty Both my sisters: handsome Their passage . . . Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:11:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981866056 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-03T14:11:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863174   Mindful Poetry has covered at least 48 different forms of poetry. One of the forms was created by a poet who lives in Norway and to my delight, when I featured his form, he came to . . . Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:09:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981863174 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-03T00:09:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865686   She has arrived With her blue-devils spilling tears She has arrived Disheveled, she appears contrived We, insouciant, yet her peers Wisely shy from her artful gears She has arrived Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:41:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865686 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-02T13:41:45Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865337               Please read and congratulate the following poets for nabbing top-spot of the day:   April 1: Meeshtar's Upstream Drama . . . Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:31:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865337 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-02T00:31:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981862383     Today is World Autism Awareness Day . The color blue has been designated as a color to correspond with Autism, much like the pink ribbons we once saw highlighting breast cancer . . . Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:15:16 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981862383 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-02T00:15:16Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865115                 John Franken Heimerschmidt Everyone knows this twit But he'll lose his moniker 'Cause now he's a saboteur     Come . . . Mon, 01 Apr 2013 01:59:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981865115 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-01T01:59:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981861729   It's a fresh start today! New month, new week, new poetic form to lampoon your favorite (or not) person! Today's form will be clerihew , which has not been featured at Mindful Poetry in . . . Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:07:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981861729 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-04-01T00:07:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981854928     My promise to you this year: You will read some memorable, stunning poems during our fourth annual contest at  Mindful Poetry . My hope: You will participate and create . . . Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:22:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981854928 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-03-27T22:22:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981860810           kneading under umber moon this torpid eve-dusk morning, sharp and spry, we chew our fruited baked rusk Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:51:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981860810 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-03-18T15:51:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981857786     Before a big race, participants ease up, they don’t overwork so as to tire themselves out. Likewise, before the big poetry contest in April—Mindful Poetry’s Fourth . . . Sat, 09 Mar 2013 01:01:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981857786 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-03-09T01:01:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981849766   Chanting sounds like nagging but the voice Chant Royal entails eleven magnificent lines Surprise! Only one line repeats No rhyming word repeats by design Poetry seeks to please, to enchant Building . . . Wed, 13 Feb 2013 19:56:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981849766 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-02-13T19:56:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981847993 Chesham, England Fifty miles outside of London Protected under glass desk-plate Happy snapshots, a yellowed postcard Spent bus pass, 1944 A child’s spelling test, graded and . . . Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:03:39 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981847993 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-02-09T00:03:39Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981844649   Chanting occurs in many instances. Doubtless, there was chanting going on last Sunday, February 3 rd at the Super Bowl. And once a victor was declared, facebook lit up with the chant: winner, . . . Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:48:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981844649 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-02-05T22:48:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981843322   My trunk is far too powerful no sooner do I sneeze than windows crack and shatter from the impact of the breeze Extraordinary times call for unexpected measures My top concern in this big . . . Mon, 28 Jan 2013 01:13:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981843322 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-01-28T01:13:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981842713       To the Horizon I believe in the future, we shall suffer no more Maybe not in my lifetime, but in yours, I feel sure These prayers, these prayers are the memory . . . Sat, 26 Jan 2013 01:46:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981842713 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-01-26T01:46:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981838988         I believe in the future, we shall suffer no more Maybe not in my lifetime, but in yours, I feel sure These prayers are the memory of . . . Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:36:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981838988 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-01-16T18:36:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981837812 Born in late winter 150 years ago, Injun Joe’s real name, Hinmahtooyahlatkekt, meant Thunder Rolling Down the Mountain. His home was in the Wallowa Valley of northeastern Oregon . . . Sun, 13 Jan 2013 20:45:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981837812 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-01-13T20:45:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981834821     And even the suggestion of one of the forms , when a poet understands it well , can haunt a good poem like a ghost . When writing a glossa, . . . Mon, 07 Jan 2013 00:06:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981834821 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-01-07T00:06:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981834494     I learned about a new form at Poetic Asides, Robert Lee Brewer’s column for Writers Digest during the month of November. I attempted to write a glossa, but found it a beast . . . Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:30:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981834494 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-01-06T03:30:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981834491   Ink runs from the corners of my mouth There is no happiness like mine. I have been eating poetry.                   . . . Sun, 06 Jan 2013 03:11:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981834491 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2013-01-06T03:11:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981805062       I hosted Thanksgiving this year at my house. Of course, we cleaned everything from mop boards to light fixture as well as fridge and bird cage. The last item on our cleaning . . . Sun, 09 Dec 2012 11:40:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981805062 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-12-09T11:40:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981796795       A fellow poet and I were discussing adding detail to ones poetry. I ended up telling this story and subsequent poem.   Here's a story from my childhood. I would . . . Tue, 04 Dec 2012 18:24:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981796795 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-12-04T18:24:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981754784             I’ve often wondered what it would be like to climb a tree way up high with the wind pulling me to take flight and the bright sun warming . . . Tue, 13 Nov 2012 02:27:16 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981754784 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-11-13T02:27:16Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981754123 The Sweet Colleens  recently released their latest album, Closer to the Sky . This set of songs shuffles them into a position closer to my heart. I became a roots music aficionada almost . . . Mon, 12 Nov 2012 15:28:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981754123 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-11-12T15:28:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981751504   I have scraped clay from my body and formed it into two shapes What these forms will become I do not know I hold my breath I see how they scrape clay from one another forming more shapes . . . Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:14:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981751504 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-11-10T20:14:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981739304   Henry Thomas Thorson Turned up his snooty nose Why, that’s just beneath me! Surely, you aren’t asking-- I’m more than bourgeoisie!  Henry Thomas Thorson Cocked a querulous . . . Sun, 04 Nov 2012 17:39:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981739304 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-11-04T17:39:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981737133     Veronica Hosking , Doug Westberg , and I all entered the Attys poetry contest. It required ten poems written in ten different forms. There were a lot of submissions and some . . . Sun, 04 Nov 2012 01:57:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981737133 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-11-04T01:57:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981732260             Long ago, I hurt my knee Rode around in a wheelchair Snotty sis would blurt, “Whiney!” Incapable of real care This same sis, she . . . Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:59:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981732260 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-10-31T00:59:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981731818 I learned a new form over at Poetic Asides by Robert Lee Brewer, poetry columnist for Writer's Digest. He often has challenges of a featured form and I sometimes offer something for the challenge. I . . . Tue, 30 Oct 2012 18:43:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981731818 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-10-30T18:43:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981729727   I posted my submission a few weeks ago, but have been switching around my individual poems ever since. This contest requires a submission of ten poems each written in a different form . . . Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:03:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981729727 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-10-29T14:03:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981677799 I think this is a lot of ask of my Mindful Poetry/Gather friends, but would anyone like to offer me their two cents?  I am juggling these three sestinas and may only enter ONE of them into a poetry . . . Fri, 05 Oct 2012 01:14:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981677799 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-10-05T01:14:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981674805 We step more deeply into a new season with changing light and a swapping of length in our nights and days. In the end, we’ll come full circle.  October at Mindful Poetry brings us a new . . . Wed, 03 Oct 2012 15:19:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981674805 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-10-03T15:19:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981618567 Navy Wavy Gravy Crazy My thoughts run wild wavy, crazy streaks As I dine on navy gravy leeks   Pretty Witty Gritty Bitty A ticklish pretty bitty tart Breaks even my witty gritty heart   . . . Sun, 09 Sep 2012 00:00:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981618567 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-09-09T00:00:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981610909     It is our Anniversary!  Mindful Poetry celebrates Year Four this month. We try to have some extra fun in September and this year, 2012, will be no different. Our form . . . Wed, 05 Sep 2012 22:33:23 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981610909 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-09-05T22:33:23Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981610818 Wrinkled Twinkled Sprinkled Crinkled Elders raised him sprinkled, twinkled eyes saw every move wrinkled, crinkled guys     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is a new form, tyburn, featured at Mindful . . . Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:33:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981610818 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-09-05T14:33:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981593868 Welcome to “Dr. Chocolate’s International Very Short Short Story Contest.” Dr. Chocolate’s Chocolate Chateau is located at 579 Selby Ave. in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A., so, . . . Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:22:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981593868 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-08-28T15:22:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981512418     August lands on my calendar like a live trout. I've hooked it and reeled it in, but now it's on the deck and I'm bending at the waist, scrambling to catch it and hold it up . . . Thu, 02 Aug 2012 16:38:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981512418 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-08-02T16:38:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981508357           Corwell, Ozmun, Kirk & Company at river’s rocky bank stands recognized. Its walls of granite mix and alabaster so regal to my eyes as I purvey. . . . Tue, 31 Jul 2012 16:25:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981508357 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-07-31T16:25:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981468669       Blank minds, blank calendars, blank looks, blank verse. Anything here sound familiar? My life these days is anything but blank. I’ve launched a new . . . Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:27:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981468669 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-07-12T15:27:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981427768 Writing into a piece of stubborn work challenges me frequently. Most of the writing I do currently is for a magazine, This is Living Naturally . How it works is I receive the assignment from my editor . . . Mon, 25 Jun 2012 01:15:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981427768 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-06-25T01:15:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981413112 (This is for a contest over at Writers Digest/Poetic Asides )               Let the lonely whale swim Out on a wave; his hymn, too high For others . . . Mon, 18 Jun 2012 23:54:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981413112 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-06-18T23:54:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981375859    There seems to be no end to the flow of form poetry. This month's form has a very classic, formal feel to it, perfect in light of all the commencement ceremonies and nuptials to . . . Mon, 04 Jun 2012 19:06:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981375859 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-06-04T19:06:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981310530 I decided to take this free test. Yeah, it's more or less true of me. If you take the test, link's available to take the test below this icon, let me know the results.     free enneagram . . . Sat, 05 May 2012 00:53:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981310530 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-05-05T00:53:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981299577 Please recommend this post to boost our recognition at Gather. We are an awesome group!   April's Mindful Poetry Contest III was a wonderful event. We had 393 submissions from . . . Wed, 02 May 2012 15:10:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981299577 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-05-02T15:10:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981299747   Ah, the double-dactyl . I didn't know about this form last week. Veronica Hosking used it and submitted the poem to Mindful Poetry. Its main feature is my poetic nemesis. Several of . . . Wed, 02 May 2012 10:15:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981299747 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-05-02T10:15:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981301985               Sesquipedalianism Force Song Popcorn Moonlight Cajun Minstrel Brizzle . . . Tue, 01 May 2012 01:56:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981301985 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-05-01T01:56:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981285279     Today's form couldn't be better. I know you'll love it! It's exactly what you wanted. Additionally, turn about's fair play. You may leave me a ONE word prompt and I will . . . Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:02:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981285279 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-30T00:02:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981298087   Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:59:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981298087 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-29T01:59:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981296008 Balmy and pleasant, first Monday in May, their passions burning like fire A chickadee chirps at the crack of an egg, life in abundance abounds But on that day, it could also be heard, pistol shots . . . Sat, 28 Apr 2012 00:12:09 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981296008 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-28T00:12:09Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981282335     I found my Mindful Poetry column for the terza rima , but it's lacking in helpfulness. I'll describe how to write one in the rules below. It's confusing to describe, but it makes . . . Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:27:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981282335 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-27T00:27:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981292338 Luis punches the clock down at Kenyon Power House His brother’s ashes scattered on Plantation River The two boys, brothers, neither had a spouse Luis punches the clock down at Kenyon Power House . . . Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:29:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981292338 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-26T18:29:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981292279   It is time and still she lies there. Her chest rises and falls. Sometimes her eyes track me as I pace the room. Heidi drops an orange juice glass on their new faux-marble countertop, shattering . . . Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:58:16 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981292279 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-26T17:58:16Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981281903       Today's challenge is to write a triolet . It's an eight-line poem with two repeating lines, so only five original lines. And it has a rhyme-scheme. Read the specifics . . . Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:06:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981281903 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-26T00:06:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981277565     I will say this about the Haibun . It is deceptive. It contains prose poetry and haiku. You think it can't be hard to write prose poetry , why that's just like writing prose!  . . . Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:18:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981277565 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-25T00:18:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981286997 Everything must be exactly right If you expect me from my bed to jump First, have I found slumber all the night? Next indeed, I cease to be a grump Then up I hop to lessen all my plump I am determined: . . . Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:42:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981286997 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-24T15:42:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981274400     Today's form is decuain . Ideally, it is in iambic pentameter and that will be your goal today. Please note, I said goal, not requirement. If you are new to this group or contest, . . . Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981274400 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-24T00:00:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981284522                 + Earth Wind and Fire Iconic 1969 Rock Band that played a kalimba at every . . . Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:12:16 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981284522 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-23T16:12:16Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981273072     You might have heard of Fibonacci in relation to mathematics. He developed a sequence of numbers that poets have turned into a form. Fibonacci Poetry uses the sequence to structure . . . Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:05:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981273072 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-23T00:05:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981276973 I call my daughter Little Crow She is the blackest child of all Her eyes are wide, her hands are small I call my daughter Little Crow She is the blackest child of all Born before the sun could rise . . . Fri, 20 Apr 2012 22:26:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981276973 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-20T22:26:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981273488     And I'm looking for space space space space space space And to find out who I am And I'm looking to know and understand space space space It's a sweet, sweet dream Sometimes . . . Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:41:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981273488 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-19T16:41:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981271795 Please read through this post to the end. An announcement is contained therein.   This week we've had some edgy poetry. Today we will use a form that's very traditional. It . . . Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:03:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981271795 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-19T13:03:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981264891     This entire week has been filled with jocular forms and today is no exception. Except that it is an exception. We'll create concrete poetry today , sometimes called . . . Wed, 18 Apr 2012 23:20:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981264891 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-18T23:20:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981271218 Swiped a dollar from my brother Bought a box of Cracklejack, left me fifty cents Dropped two quarters in the jute box Now I’m broke and sitting on a fence Bought a box of Cracklejack, left me . . . Wed, 18 Apr 2012 17:24:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981271218 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-18T17:24:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981264935   With a name like Trimeric , you'd think the form would have three of something like stanzas or syllables, but it doesn't. Not really. It's a non-rhyming form for those of you . . . Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:23:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981264935 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-18T00:23:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981269004 Harriet My mother called me, Angry. Or with love: Hari Her voice brushed the air Like feathers The last time she spoke To me: in a dream. I woke To see her floating, “Oh, Hari…” Today, . . . Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:23:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981269004 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-17T19:23:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981253198   Mindful Poetry is not like most poetry groups on Gather. One of the reasons is because we are truly invested in one another's poetic growth. Last year we celebrated our 2nd anniversary . . . Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:02:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981253198 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-17T00:02:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981266574     I once had a kid, named him Reginald Who played rotten tricks, I was so appalled Until Life intervened And his face, it turned green When his gag went awry and then left him bald . . . Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:06:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981266574 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-16T14:06:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981251195   Let's lose ourselves to Limericks , a form designed to entertain with mirth or a tsk-tsk-tsk, but uttered with twinkling eyes and a smile. If you are new to this group or contest, . . . Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:02:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981251195 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-16T00:02:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981261677                 The question has always been concern for a seaworthy boat They wondered, with diligence, could they make a living on a boat? . . . Fri, 13 Apr 2012 22:58:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981261677 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-13T22:58:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981238782 Although I said I wouldn't be teaching any forms during the contest, I've found that my Mindful Poetry column on the ghazal is woefully lacking in instruction. So I'm offering two good sites for . . . Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:13:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981238782 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-13T00:13:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981258763       Cows live in green pastures chew their cud; swish their tail tilt their face to the shining sun Organic cows live three times as long as conventional ones First she’s . . . Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:29:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981258763 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-12T19:29:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981258568           He said Faith requires Evidence, details, truth Facts provide assurance and proof Fence-fence-fence-fence-fence-fence-fence Voice within . . . Thu, 12 Apr 2012 18:31:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981258568 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-12T18:31:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981247034     Another form exclusive to Mindful Poetry on Gather. Robert-just a simple man-B. created this form back in September. He titled it Conversant .   If you are new to . . . Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:07:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981247034 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-12T00:07:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981256099 Bless me father, for I have sinned Five years since my last confession Envy, greed, sloth, my bitter transgression Of my faults, I with haste rescind But there is one, unfairly pinned It was not . . . Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:02:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981256099 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-11T18:02:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981240688   We are jumping from short poems to mid-sized poems with today's challenge: rondel prime . If you are new to this group or contest, go here to learn more and then come back to . . . Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:28:16 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981240688 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-11T00:28:16Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981254441     As she showers and sings, he listens and writes, penning her name then his   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   (ending II)   As she showers and sings, . . . Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:38:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981254441 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-10T22:38:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981239672     Yesterday I goofed when I provided the rules. I made it look like my rules were how to write a tetractys in its entirety. They weren't and we all were sad because some submissions . . . Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:14:16 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981239672 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-10T00:14:16Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981250914       Lord You are Amazing Just last Friday Strung up, left for dead; now we pluck our zanze.     Mon, 09 Apr 2012 11:42:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981250914 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-09T11:42:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981237748     We will be counting syllables today: 20 of them. Look here for a more details explanation of tetractys (teh-trac-tiss). Also, please let me know if I have not commented . . . Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:10:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981237748 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-09T00:10:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981250062                 April    1 - 7:  A Hearse is a Hearse, of Curse, of Curse by Atticus * April  8 - 14: Sunset . . . Sun, 08 Apr 2012 23:45:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981250062 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-08T23:45:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981246344         The Deception of Explorer Abel Tasman Abel Tasman stepped on shore of New Zealand Lauded with glory, yet there was a glowering mark All hail the Tasman . . . Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:26:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981246344 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-06T16:26:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981232612       Your method of writing a pantoum could take a variety of approaches. You might write out 5 pairs of heroic couplets, cut them up, and rearrange them to fit . . . Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:10:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981232612 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-06T00:10:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981244792 I’ve been wondering each day if anyone will submit poems for this contest; they do. And I’ve been wondering if they realize how completely I read every single poem. How I sometimes follow . . . Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:28:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981244792 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-05T23:28:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981232608       Here's a form that's exclusive to Mindful Poetry. Last year we had a contest to create a poetic form. Here's one of them: Spiral  by Marilyn is looking for whatever . . . Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:17:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981232608 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-05T00:17:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981242079 It is the first Wednesday of the month. Promptly at one o’clock in the afternoon, I hear the same sound that’s heard across America. Alarms Bells Calling Dire Early Forecast Gongs Hazards . . . Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:55:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981242079 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-04T14:55:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981143549     All bards can definitely evince fabulous, gratuitous, happy ideas. Just know lotsa mavelous needless opinions perfectly. Quickly read sensational tabloids, usually volumes with . . . Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:01:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981143549 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-04T00:01:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981239986 Picking only one-- a challenge Yet delicious as I select: succulent, perfect, utterly divine Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:47:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981239986 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-03T14:47:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981238875 Day  1: Little Willie Becomes a Jerk  by Charli Mills Day  2: Sexy Sax Septolet by Granny Janny Day  3: Alison's Abecedarian All-Nighter by Alison H. Day  4: . . . Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:29:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981238875 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-03T00:29:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981127304   Today's challenge requires even fewer words than yesterday's Little Willie. Is this a good thing or not? You are going to write a septolet for April 3rd. I recommend you visit this link . . . Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:14:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981127304 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-03T00:14:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981238366 Little Willie held a cleaver Meant to sink into her neck Little Will, over-achiever, First soak the bird in triple-sec Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:33:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981238366 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-02T17:33:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981111234   We'll start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. When we read we begin with A-B-C, when we poem, we begin with Little Willie .  To learn the details of a Little Willie, click . . . Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:05:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981111234 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-02T00:05:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981229970 April is the month for volunteers, jazz players, gardeners, and poets. All are celebrated in April. Here at Mindful Poetry , we throw a wild contest that lasts the entire month in celebration of National . . . Sun, 01 Apr 2012 02:40:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981229970 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-04-01T02:40:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981153720 I heard Davy Jones died yesterday Wasn’t he one of the Monkees I think my heart he did steal away With his British tongue, he was so funky A little short, but I didn’t mind Wasn’t . . . Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:57:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981153720 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-03-01T01:57:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981152952       We have another French form on our hands this month. The terzanelle  is definitely not a lazy-poet's form. Or is it? It uses line repetition turning a 19-line poem . . . Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:30:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981152952 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-03-01T01:30:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981127302 Her name was Virginia Ketch No one liked her much in grade school She was poor and that wasn’t cool Her name was Virginia Ketch No one liked her much in grade school It’s easy to ignore . . . Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:19:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981127302 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-02-20T02:19:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981081136     Charles F. Brush invented the carbon arc street lamp Because he'd lost his little girl Oh, how she loved to twirl Charles F. Brush invented the carbon arc . . . Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:08:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981081136 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-02-02T01:08:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981008937         It's Langston Hughes birthday today and if he hadn't died of complications from prostate cancer when he was 65 years old, he might have made it all the way to . . . Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:34:23 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981008937 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-02-02T00:34:23Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980998020  This month kicks into gear with the Rondel Prime , a 14-line poem originating from France. I'm pulling my information from Miller Williams' Patterns of Poetry :: An Encyclopedia of Forms . . . Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:47:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980998020 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-01-10T11:47:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981005306   I approach with yellow dread There is no warning bell Able bodied, thinking head Inadequate against your spell In your hand, a dragon head Held aloft, it does foretell I approach with . . . Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:40:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981005306 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-01-10T11:40:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981007830 Snugged up so close to the threshold, I had to sneak out the back door and swing ‘round to the porch where I found her cowering like jello with eyes that soaked into my heart instantly leaving a . . . Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:13:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981007830 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-01-10T01:13:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981001306 I only heard one message and then My answering machine jammed One voice stuttering fifty-seven, fifty-seven I wonder what that signifies My answering machine jammed During a sudden squall last May 500 . . . Sun, 08 Jan 2012 01:52:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981001306 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-01-08T01:52:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980989680             Writing Resolutions for 2012 Maintaining my health with adequate sleep and exercise directly impacts my writing, . . . Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:33:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980989680 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2012-01-05T02:33:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980924556   I stumbled across this form and although it's not snap-your-fingers easy, I couldn't resist featuring it. Trimeric is something not too long and with its repetition, most of it is written . . . Sun, 18 Dec 2011 01:51:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980924556 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-12-18T01:51:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980703428 Poetry stands as my bliss and true office No matter its rhyme nor beat It sews my soul on my sleeve Which I rip off and offer to you No matter its rhyme nor beat Those functions . . . Sun, 18 Dec 2011 01:45:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980703428 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-12-18T01:45:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980878841 My son is too cool and wise to listen To my mindless singing:    Now it’s time to wake up, wake up, wake up    Now it’s time to wake up with wide eyes He rolls his eyes . . . Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:03:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980878841 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-12-09T02:03:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980778352 Tracey and Lou owned a PosturePedic mattress You’d never know, to look at them, they weren’t married Most telling was Lou loving Tracey with a light caress They shared two children, a dog, . . . Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:51:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980778352 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-11-16T14:51:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980772500 Today Mr. Brewer challenges us to write either a love poem or an anti-love poem.   Write a poem for or against love Alas, I cannot write either Its definition is kinda and sort of Too hard . . . Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:56:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980772500 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-11-15T10:56:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980768251 Snow fell all night long and into mid-day School doors remained locked Bored children reminisced with Mr. Rogers at noon Dad stayed in his home-office laboring Over paperwork while Mom baked Chocolate-chip . . . Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:17:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980768251 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-11-14T18:17:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980765276   What kind of poem would satisfy Mr. Brewer's prompt, say this? I weave the words, I truly try ... What kind of poem would satisfy That I'd avoid his evil eye Let me bring him posey . . . Mon, 14 Nov 2011 02:55:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980765276 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-11-14T02:55:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980765021 Your lips tremble to touch My insensate edge; I loathe To burn you with my scathing contents. Although you consume me, I am your master. My percolated energy infused inside you, bubbling up ideas and . . . Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:33:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980765021 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-11-14T01:33:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980744925 Title says it all. Well, my picture should say a lot, too. I don't know what to do with my garden for winter. It has spider wort brown-eyed susan bee balm daisy something, I forgot the name, . . . Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:55:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980744925 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-11-09T15:55:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980540495     Short, short, short. That's my goal this month for poems. I confess, I'll be spending the month writing prose. I'm doing NaNoWriMo . We at Mindful Poetry will be writing senryu . . . Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:02:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980540495 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-11-02T10:02:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980703390           Her delicate nose Mousing in everyone's business Busybody   ~~~~~~~~~~~~     Join us at Mindful Poetry ! We welcome poets and . . . Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:51:57 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980703390 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-11-02T09:51:57Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980692088 Greg says to take a day off. Take the day off what? The end of my life? Okay, pass another double-mac-cheeseburger, that should take a day off. Actually, I haven't eaten food from McDonalds . . . Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:20:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980692088 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-10-31T10:20:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980682307 Dude in his chair watches out the window Strokes his manly beard, takes a sip of Bordeaux Soon the little imps, in their corny dress Will trip up his steps, the doorbell they’ll press With the . . . Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:23:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980682307 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-10-29T19:23:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980626763         Gather's been glitchy all day and night. I haven't been able to post much at all. But I'm stymied. I can still write! Let's see you do the same.   Here . . . Thu, 27 Oct 2011 02:17:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980626763 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-10-27T02:17:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980626844 Flogging myself with words here. I plum forgot about writing the prompt last night and Thursdays are my busy days. I have a Toastmasters meeting in the morning and I volunteer at hospice from 1 - . . . Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:08:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980626844 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-10-21T00:08:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980613038 Some of you might remember way back last February when I was creating a new form of poetry for a contest. I concocted the anapeat and then tried out a poem in that style soliciting constructive feedback . . . Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:06:23 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980613038 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-10-19T01:06:23Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980597628 Moonshine Makes good whiskey A jigger and a charge We dance by the light of the moon Work during the day undone at night’s play We sweat ‘neath the heat of the sun Splash of ice cold . . . Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:52:04 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980597628 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-10-17T00:52:04Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980479901 Let the Muse move you, pick whatever prompt(s) you want:  Poetry:  Than-Bauk  Prose: debate  All Words: brush, wish, swish, wash  Phrase (use this directly . . . Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:51:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980479901 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-10-13T00:51:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980434972   We had so much fun celebrating our birthday in September, we now have less time to work a new form. So the new form is a quick one. We probably already use it often in other poems. The . . . Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:52:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980434972 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-10-07T22:52:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980466473       What's the most accomplished goal you've ever met? Did you succeed the first time out of the gates? Me, neither. Try these prompts, individually or grouped together, . . . Thu, 06 Oct 2011 00:32:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980466473 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-10-06T00:32:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980470115 Sidetracked by illness, Mindful Poetry perseveres to bring you this form created by Robert -just a simple man- B.   Robert's form shows a balance between two views or ideas. On one side is four . . . Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:13:04 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980470115 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-10-04T01:13:04Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980348284 The best writers most often, like the best athletes, work their craft daily, training, stretching, and sweating at the brow. Join the team and try these prompts. Pick one, some, or all. Poetry: . . . Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980348284 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-28T00:00:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980378311 Global annihilation left Planet No. 3 bereft. SaverSusie could only bring back to life two life forms: arachnids and camelus. This, she did. The beauty of her limited saving powers is that the eventual . . . Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:10:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980378311 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-23T10:10:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980363661    william d. has created a pudding stone of a poetic form. It's part concrete, that is, a shaped poem, and part complex. Pastor Bill draws from more than one poem to create his form. . . . Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:30:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980363661 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-21T22:30:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980332581             What caffeine is to coffee, prompts are to writing. Have yourself a big cup of brew right here. Poetry: Cinquain Prose: Outline All . . . Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:38:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980332581 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-21T00:38:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980349560 “There’s nothing you could have done, Sören,” Astrid consoled as she kneaded her grieving son’s shoulder. Sören hung his head in misery. “Somehow the police suspected . . . Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:31:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980349560 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-21T00:31:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980325152 One of these days or it could be at night Something will happen slow or abrupt Her water might break or a squeeze grab tight One of these mornings, she won't wake up. Sometime at night, as stars . . . Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:06:04 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980325152 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-18T10:06:04Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980298002 What Happens on Sycamore Street She waits in a house at 743 Sycamore Street where the sun shines so brightly on the sidewalk it looks iridescent and pink morning glories bloom all . . . Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:50:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980298002 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-16T02:50:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980187727  Stretch yourself. See how many of the prompts you can squeeze into one post. Poetry: epitaph Prose: fiction All Words: mature, show, taxi, jarring Phrase: Except our own thoughts, . . . Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:24:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980187727 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-14T08:24:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980273186             Sören pulled at his lower lip. He needed to give Thor instructions for taking care of the Erdmann’s livestock, but his mind couldn’t . . . Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:38:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980273186 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-14T01:38:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980113096 Our second form comes from Doug Westberg : Double Braid. Doug, as I suggested to Marilyn, please post your form and examples in your own posts as well. Then after Doug's instructions and guidelines, . . . Sat, 10 Sep 2011 22:57:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980113096 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-10T22:57:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980113982             The power of choice is in your hands. As many or as few as you like of the following prompts: Poetry: Limerick Prose: Instructions . . . Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:11:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980113982 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-07T01:11:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980187589 “Those little .45 Colts are like mini-cannons they are so powerful! A lot more bang than the souped up BB gun I’d been using. Thanks, Mr. Uselmann!” Per shook his employer’s hand . . . Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:45:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980187589 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-07T00:45:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979528115 Mindful Poetry surfaced on September 2nd, 2008. That means we are three years old now! Starting with only a dozen members that first week, we have grown to 196 members with more to join. . . . Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:08:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979528115 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-09-01T00:08:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980114074             The power of choice is in your hands. Use as many or as few as you like of the following prompts: Poetry: Anapeat Prose: Mystery All . . . Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:53:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980114074 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-31T00:53:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980115992 Without friends, no one would choose to live for long. We’d go about our business but joyless…an automaton at best. Imagine that! No friends to bring out the best in you, no friends to . . . Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:37:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980115992 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-31T00:37:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980048063 Dear Becky, I don’t know how to mail this to you. I don’t know where you are for sure. Charles thought you might be west in Bismarck and so I’m heading that way. This morning, before . . . Wed, 24 Aug 2011 23:52:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980048063 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-24T23:52:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979762935             I'm here to prompt you into writing. Take your pick of the following, use one or all or any combination: Poetry: tritina Prose:  . . . Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:41:15 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979762935 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-24T00:41:15Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979422641 Miss Matchan stood in front of the school room. “Children, take out your primers and begin reading where you left off yesterday.” “But Miss Matchan,” Svea began. “Svea! . . . Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:36:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979422641 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-24T00:36:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979986638 Slept in a bit until...6:45. Then I was up and packing, showering, and enjoying a B&B- provided breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, and sweet strawberries. The owner even made my daughter . . . Sat, 20 Aug 2011 01:44:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979986638 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-20T01:44:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979972213 We left Nashville early this morning with hopes of reaching Missouri’s west side by evening. I am bushed. Detours, closed bridges, construction, missed turns, motion sickness and cranky drivers, . . . Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:27:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979972213 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-18T23:27:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979959473 We enjoyed a unique-to-us camping experience last night. Jet planes and highway traffic are nothing compared to the noise of all those nocturnal animals! But it was still restive. I uploaded . . . Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:31:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979959473 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-17T23:31:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979931638 Up earlier than we realized because our cell phones had made the time change without informing us and they both jingled their alarm clocks accordingly. I guess Kentucky is Eastern Time, not Central . . . Tue, 16 Aug 2011 19:08:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979931638 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-16T19:08:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979930117 Up at 6:30, but took time to stretch and make sure my eyes were ready to open. They were and we were off for breakfast by Lake Michigan. To our surprise, the address I'd found online was NOT Sara's . . . Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:16:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979930117 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-15T23:16:45Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979909467 I'm driving my daughter to college. She and her sister and I are on our way. We intended to start at noon and what-da-ya-know, it happened! We packed the rented mini-van, stopped at Bean Good Cafe . . . Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:27:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979909467 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-15T00:27:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979861430             Choose as many or few of the prompts as you'd like and write on. Poetry: Haibun Prose: Gothic novel Words (all of 'em): twinge, . . . Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:25:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979861430 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-10T02:25:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979865591 Becky sat quietly next to Mrs. Kern who was lost in thought as her tatting needle caught the lace and pulled it under, knotting it into chains and then circles, like spider spins its web, . . . Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:14:39 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979865591 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-10T02:14:39Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979831519   I took my parents off the farm and set them up in a home, didn’t know what else to do. Mom didn’t mind as she was tired of wiping up the mud Dad tracked in. Pop, he was . . . Sat, 06 Aug 2011 02:45:51 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979831519 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-06T02:45:51Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979821637 Ansel bought candy, didn't eat four gumdrops. He inserted jalepeno-laced knives, made neatly, of peppers. Quietly, rubbed salve topically under victim's wenus.  Excellent, you zipped!   . . . Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:21:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979821637 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-04T23:21:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979819207 A day late and a submission short--my own submission! As always, cherry-pick the one(s) that work for you: Poetry: Luc Bat Prose: Children's picture book Words (use all of them): tea, . . . Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:10:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979819207 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-08-04T17:10:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979749759 I was thinking of a form I enjoy that is a counted-syllable form, but since July's form was also spare of words/syllables, I've changed up my mind and have decided to go with something a little . . . Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:17:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979749759 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-31T23:17:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979307382 It’s late at night, I sit here in my car Mosquitoes buzz, but slapping only hurts Dates walk by and gawk, I look bizarre Behind cupped hands they smile then they flirt To my surprise, his hand sneaks . . . Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:13:48 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979307382 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-31T23:13:48Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979674990             Mix and juggle as usual, writer-friends! Choose one or more and write in the style that fits you. Poetry: Abecedarian Prose: humor . . . Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:50:14 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979674990 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-27T01:50:14Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979741219 Mountains can move, but not your character You stand as tall as possible to touch the screen of the sky and even then, with your arm unfolded and your eyes focused, you fizzle out like a damp firecracker . . . Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:40:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979741219 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-27T01:40:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979658220             Mix and juggle as usual, writer-friends! Choose one or more and write in the style that fits you. Poetry: sestina Prose: romance . . . Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:38:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979658220 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-20T00:38:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979679085 In my youth, I worked at a canning company. I staffed the scale on the grave yard shift. The scale was in fact a long concrete slab onto which a truck would pull. The driver would climb out, come . . . Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:35:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979679085 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-20T00:35:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979620463             Chose any number and combine them if you pick more than one of the following: Poetry: cinquain Prose: include an analepsis (hover . . . Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:09:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979620463 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-13T00:09:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979622038 It’s been a long five days I feel like a taxi cab My head’s in a haze The children think I’m a crab Just a little bit edgy All I hear is gimme, gimme, grab I’ve lost the . . . Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:07:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979622038 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-13T00:07:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979601229       I was helping a felllow poet with a class idea and ended up liking it so much, I thought I'd share it with you! Start by writing down some unusual questions. Here's . . . Sun, 10 Jul 2011 02:07:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979601229 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-10T02:07:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979573898 Seven dreams swept my mind last night Three dreams of destruction and four evoking joy Each revealed a lesson that I now recite The first dream asked me, without malice or spite Are you willing to serve . . . Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:48:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979573898 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-06T12:48:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979570035             Mix in any manner you choose, use one or more: Poetry: terza rima Prose: Adventure novel Use the words: lost, April, jet, edgy . . . Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:50:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979570035 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-06T01:50:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979570304 Have you ever taught poetry to a child? There is nothing like it on earth Their thoughts, unleashed, wander wild For instance, take Evelyn, always mild But her poem about a snapdragon’s birth! . . . Wed, 06 Jul 2011 01:42:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979570304 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-06T01:42:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979561688 I can see her already Stretched out on a silken cloth With her toes pointed upwards To Heaven though you can’t even see them  And her lips waxed and winged as If she’s almost smiling . . . Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:44:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979561688 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-04T20:44:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979539615 I really enjoy counting, not to the point of obsessiveness, but the simple pleasure of counting has remained with me since my childhood. This month Mindful Poetry features tetractys , which is a newer . . . Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:32:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979539615 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-01T12:32:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979093541 Kids Grow up I see change In their bodies Funny how I stay the same as always.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Learn more about this form and join our group at Mindful Poetry . Fri, 01 Jul 2011 12:26:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979093541 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-07-01T12:26:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979523750             Choose a single prompt or mix 'em up: Poetry: villanelle Prose: personal essay Use the words: Italy, glass, bare, and wizened . . . Wed, 29 Jun 2011 10:55:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979523750 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-06-29T10:55:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979517672 (I lucked out with the specific name, Maja, as it's very Swedish, in fact, the most popular name for a girl in Sweden in 2010! My novel is about a Swedish family. Here's a small part of it. I'm writing . . . Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:25:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979517672 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-06-28T00:25:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979484624             Pick and choose any combination or a single prompt: Use the words: mineral, cabin, Maja, fester Use the phrase: Bottled at the source . . . Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:24:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979484624 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-06-22T00:24:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979450631             Pick and choose any combination or a single prompt: Use the words: stitch, neck, crest, grumpy Use the phrase: That which doesn't kill . . . Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:21:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979450631 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-06-15T02:21:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979413148             Choose any of the following prompts in combination or singularly: Use a palindrome . If you want me to supply it, how's this: Dennis sinned . . . Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:29:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979413148 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-06-08T00:29:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979418317 We are under the flight pattern Here on the beach, a red sun burn Fire on water, magentas churn But your back's to the view You flick your ashes in the ferns I see your lips turn blue Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:24:04 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979418317 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-06-08T00:24:04Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979412792 Do you wonder how it will be When the Reaper stands as sentry Life comes with but one guarantee One day your line runs flat And you'll flee to Purgatory Do you wonder 'bout that?   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ . . . Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:39:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979412792 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-06-06T23:39:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979393078     This form is often used as a portion of another longer poem, but it seems that the style enamored the French and they named it Rime Couée and felt that it could stand on . . . Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:49:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979393078 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-06-01T03:49:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979369235 Little Willie on the corner, playing with his jacks He doesn't look from side-to-side, but sits there very lax Ball it bounces up real high, Little Willie gets it No, not the ball; he takes a fall, his . . . Thu, 26 May 2011 02:47:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979369235 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-26T02:47:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979361603             Mix and Match, Use Singly or in Combination: Use the words: radio, drive, 1945, purse Prose theme: epistolary . . . Wed, 25 May 2011 00:09:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979361603 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-25T00:09:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979347343 Little Susie courts distaster Can't she work a little faster? Her kiddos call her a task master She tied 'em up with a staple gun blaster   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Join Mindful Poetry . . . Fri, 20 May 2011 11:17:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979347343 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-20T11:17:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979337901               Use these words: polka-dot, laser, orange, snake Poetry form: triolet Prose form: scene from a play Theme: violent change . . . Wed, 18 May 2011 01:53:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979337901 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-18T01:53:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979330462      from a collection The Five Muses of Meynier Erato Charles Meynier - French painter  (1768–1832)               . . . Mon, 16 May 2011 02:53:16 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979330462 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-16T02:53:16Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979317910     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dream of a Phantom Masseuse (a revision from the one below) Her fingers worked in leisure down my splenius Little tiny hammers marking time . . . Thu, 12 May 2011 03:01:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979317910 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-12T03:01:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979293499               "I don't remember much about the details," Frank told his father, "but please Far, we have to help them." Then he stood chewing his . . . Wed, 11 May 2011 11:50:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979293499 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-11T11:50:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979313725   I'm still fiddling with the details. We had a number of submissions to the prompt (mine is still in the draft mode, but I'll publish as soon as I post this). I've neglected to read those submissions. . . . Wed, 11 May 2011 00:55:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979313725 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-11T00:55:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979309609 I stepped outside into a murder of crow Silhouetted at dusk, evening sun aglow Down the block, mother called for her child Dew would fall soon; it was balmy and mild What would . . . Tue, 10 May 2011 00:34:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979309609 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-10T00:34:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979289962             Today's prompts work for all modes of writing or graphics. Choose any of the prompts 1, 2,  or 3. If you choose 4, 5, or 6, also use prompts . . . Wed, 04 May 2011 03:28:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979289962 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-04T03:28:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979288037 It was the saddest day of my life Phone call pierced my heart like a knife Dad said, "Your sister's now passed." No more fight, the die's been cast I reached out into empty air Heard Dad reciting the . . . Tue, 03 May 2011 15:06:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979288037 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-03T15:06:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979279184 What a month we enjoyed in April. We acquired many new members. We saw some new poets. To keep the momentum going, we are going to laugh in the month of May. One of the best ways to laugh . . . Tue, 03 May 2011 11:57:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979279184 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-03T11:57:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979284371 Phenomenal. We were absolutely on fire with poetry last month. Thirty-seven poets contributed at least 270 poems created especially for the contest and I know there were others written, but not . . . Tue, 03 May 2011 02:08:58 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979284371 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-05-03T02:08:58Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979273631 On this day, this moment, when time has no meaning, I say good-bye; it is tough to walk away. What remains of the seeds planted in my heart by you these last twenty-four years?  Each morning began . . . Fri, 29 Apr 2011 12:35:23 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979273631 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-29T12:35:23Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979263060 I can hardly believe this month's contest is only hours away from ending. I hope it's been a good month for you filled with lots of fabulous poetry and many stimulating challenges. I've truly had . . . Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:01:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979263060 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-29T00:01:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979273448             The Sleeping Gypsy ~Henri Rousseau~ The Gypsy's Compassion The hour is late and I cannot sleep My master rests supine At slightest . . . Thu, 28 Apr 2011 23:54:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979273448 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-28T23:54:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979271819 Choosing a Winner In joy, though it is tempered, I want to cry I have read each poet’s story, every tune Which verse, and the poet, can best supply To find a winner of each form, . . . Thu, 28 Apr 2011 11:39:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979271819 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-28T11:39:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979262221 People think they don't know this form, but readily identify Rage, rage against the dying of the light as a line in a poem they've heard before. It took me a while before I felt brave enough . . . Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:01:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979262221 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-28T00:01:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979269290 Dias was four when he first learned to ride on two wheels His mom thought he was too young, “I’ll bet my diamonds you knock the snot outta yourself,” she hollered, full-throated and . . . Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:15:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979269290 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-27T17:15:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979256841 You knew this was coming. After writing a tritina last week, I exclaimed that I didn't have enough room. So with today's form , I'll have enough room to write it all out. I almost hate to put this . . . Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:05:23 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979256841 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-27T00:05:23Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979266136 Susan Budig 1963 - 2057 A sparrow was a finer singer than she Breeze and leaves made a lovelier dance But with a pen in her hand, she set her mind free Now her spirit, it fills the Expanse Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:43:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979266136 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-26T19:43:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979259473 Epitaph . Well, yes, epitaph! Because I want us to be poets beyond the grave. Write your own epitaph and you will be forever poetic. An epitaph is usually an inscription on a tombstone. It's therefore . . . Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:23:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979259473 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-25T22:23:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979261899 When lightning sliced through the night sky last Thursday, it wasn't how my arm hairs stood on end from the electrified air nor the how the hum of the house ceased like a slammed door ends conversation, . . . Mon, 25 Apr 2011 22:15:27 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979261899 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-25T22:15:27Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979249669 Friends, writers, timid poets, if you've been waiting to join in the fray, now's your chance. If you've been saying, "I only write fiction," or "I only write short stories," or "I don't do traditional . . . Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:01:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979249669 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-25T00:01:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979254094     The boy and girl on the swing sat And coyly, she was like a cat He had no chance, no planned defense Love is fickle, filled with pretense She held his gaze, his heart ensnared Delicately, . . . Sat, 23 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979254094 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-23T00:00:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979253371 I hold in highest awe and wonder This earth that others love to plunder The air we breathe, with smog we smother Don't forget to kiss your mother Today, determined not to soil our sacred earth, too . . . Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:50:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979253371 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-22T17:50:46Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979253286 Sunday morning, I read the paper Check the rain barrel, only vapor Seed for birds will make them sing Am I forgetting anything? Skip the shower, won't waste water Eschew the meat eaters . . . Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:05:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979253286 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-22T17:05:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979247720 Today is holy no matter how you look at it. For Christians, it's Good Friday. For Earth citizens, it's Earth Day . Each of these observances contain a riveting message. For that reason, I have chosen . . . Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:00:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979247720 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-22T00:00:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979250047 I face three forks of the Missouri My fate follows one tine of its trident The monsters on my left: rage and fury I face three forks of the Missouri The middle spoke rushes in a hurry And to the right . . . Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:15:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979250047 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-21T17:15:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979242174 If you're a parent, you've probably said, "How many times do I have to tell you..." and if you've ever been a kid, you've probably heard, "How many times have I told you..." Today, I'm telling you . . . Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:05:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979242174 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-21T00:05:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979236288 This week for many is Holy Week . The same story told over and over in many ways throught the year is dramatically told this week in a most anguished, yet exuberant way. Here at . . . Wed, 20 Apr 2011 00:07:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979236288 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-20T00:07:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979244004 Left the light on for you last night Hope everything turned out alright Thought I might hear the car door slam Guess you returned quiet as a lamb Just so you know, I went to bed early When you left . . . Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:51:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979244004 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-19T23:51:44Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979243516    Now the dragon plotted its revenge Leaving welts on the plates of its armour As it mindlessly gnawed in crafty trickery Flaxen maiden, she, up her sleeve, also cleaved trickery "Fie . . . Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:07:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979243516 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-19T21:07:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979235800 Yesterday was incredibly compact, but over a dozen of you rose to the challenge and created witty, poignant, and hilarious verse. Today's form is much more expansive without rhyme or meter requirements. . . . Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:12:37 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979235800 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-19T00:12:37Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979239576                         "Come unto me," Liberty says, "I ease your load."   Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:57:01 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979239576 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-18T20:57:01Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979235530 I love to travel and when I can't do that, traveling via poetry appeals to me. So far in our Mindful Poetry Contest, we've tried forms from England, France, Iran, Japan, and Vietnam. Today let's visit . . . Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:02:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979235530 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-18T00:02:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979226947   It's not as easy as it looks You try to play it by the books And if you slip, they'll let you know "You sad, pathetic little snook!" The barbs they throw are quite a blow You wish . . . Fri, 15 Apr 2011 02:59:06 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979226947 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-15T02:59:06Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979183724 Here's one for you fiction writers who want to tell a story. But to add a little poetic finese, there will be counting and rhyming within your narration. We are writing rubaiyats , a Persian form. . . . Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:08:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979183724 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-15T00:08:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979226360   My Mom’s Evil Eye And you thought thunder Following jolt of lightning Induced jumpiness           Painting by Robert Delauney Found at: . . . Thu, 14 Apr 2011 22:44:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979226360 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-14T22:44:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979206739 While most of you are reading this, I am involved in paid-work and Atticus will be chosing the Poem-of-the-Day. He'll read and comment on everyone's submissions and I'll do my best to read . . . Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:09:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979206739 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-14T00:09:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979221756 R ats! E very F lash O f C olor U nties S usan Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:50:57 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979221756 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-13T17:50:57Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979209605                                         . . . Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:09:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979209605 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-13T00:09:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979217748           The Truth About Leaving the Nest When my girl leaves for college soon I will, with glee, completely swoon No, it can’t happen fast enough . . . Tue, 12 Apr 2011 19:52:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979217748 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-12T19:52:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979178051 Yesterday's form was void of rhyme, meter, or pretty much anything we associate with poetry so today's form will make up for that lack of technique. A rondeau uses rhyme, meter, and repetition, some . . . Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:10:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979178051 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-12T00:10:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979212164 First impression Second glance Third date Fourth hard nudge Fifth fight Sixth sense Seventh Sorry Eighth moment of confusion Ninth confirmation of his anger Tenth time of your deserving it Eleventh . . . Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:01:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979212164 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-11T11:01:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979175526 So Far Decastich Luc Bat Sonnet Nonet Concrete Poetry truly does encompass many forms. At times it doesn't even look like poetry in the traditional sense. Last week's poems were 9-, 10-, & . . . Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:02:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979175526 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-11T00:02:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979203873    April 4 - 8:  Arena by Mustafa Demiri (decastich) April 11 - 15: Be Still My Heart by Sheila Deeth (acrostic) April 18 - 22: The Chessmen by Mustafa Demiri (tritina) . . . Sat, 09 Apr 2011 00:43:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979203873 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-09T00:43:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979203183 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx . . . Fri, 08 Apr 2011 19:30:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979203183 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-08T19:30:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979173512 When I lived in Thailand as a Peace Corps Volunteer way back in 1986, I remember riding in a pick-up to a site. I wasn't driving, Samed was. He gripped the wheel as we bumped wildly along. Rain came . . . Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:21:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979173512 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-08T00:21:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979198573   Little egg  now fertilized, you wait in folds of pleasure. Unmindful of the future waiting you, you seek to divide and multiply, blossom into this girl, my child, my lamb: Birth   . . . Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:50:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979198573 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-07T15:50:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979170251 There's a lot of counting going on this week at Mindful Poetry and today is no exception. Count to nine, first, and  then start counting syllables. You'll end up with a nonet , which is today's . . . Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:01:11 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979170251 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-07T00:01:11Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979195669 In small ways, would she shape a life—her hand, like water flowing,  restive on his brow. Her fingers, though they quiver, stretch to calm him now. Never need he worry, she without demand. . . . Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:52:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979195669 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-06T22:52:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979194004 Salt and pepper on top Taking the time to stop for breath of air. Closer to death with each step than to birth. We walk steadily from the shock of youth--this ticking clock marks our days. Into Time's . . . Wed, 06 Apr 2011 11:13:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979194004 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-06T11:13:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979169687 How to win this contest, is my quest I can win by writing a poem that's best But if Mindful One nixes my efforts Under-breath, I'll whisper, "You pervert!" Ok, I'm . . . Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:05:24 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979169687 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-06T00:05:24Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979192503 Charlie Dix sold the house Mrs. Dix didn't grouse, but still she hoped the final bill would satisfy the till; their debt could scare a seasoned vet. With very little sweat, they'd dug in deep, and . . . Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:02:49 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979192503 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-06T00:02:49Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979192362 Sometimes when I wake up, Dixie, my little pup, jumps in the bed for snugglin' I wonder where she's been because the smell of spring, her paws and fur, even her claws: muddy! Nevermind, my buddy, . . . Tue, 05 Apr 2011 23:16:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979192362 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-05T23:16:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979169385 It seems so easy to count to six and eight. It seems so easy to rhyme dime with time. But what about when you mix those rhymes into the interior of the poem? Plus have end rhymes as well? Go for it! . . . Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:04:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979169385 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-05T00:04:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979188593 Wha...what's that contraband on your jacket, I asked, the first time I met him, pointing at the green letter G, on his shoulder. Oh, well, you know I'm from Wisconsin, he announced as if it was something . . . Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:36:32 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979188593 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-04T18:36:32Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979168891 We'll start each week with something inviting to any level of poet, even those self-proclaimed non-poets. Once you see how satisfying it is to write in basic verse, you'll come back for more. . . . Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:15:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979168891 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-04T00:15:45Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979181664       Today's winner is: April 1 -- Traveler by Kerry Dexter (riddle poem) April 4 -- Spangling Stars by Marianne M. (decastich) April 5 -- Zephyr by A.F. Stewart . . . Sat, 02 Apr 2011 03:16:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979181664 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-02T03:16:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979180912 If you were on a desert island and had one of me you could withstand the brutal sun and endless sea If your name were writ across my face they'd laud your wit, but leave me in a case I've been splattered . . . Fri, 01 Apr 2011 18:00:39 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979180912 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-04-01T18:00:39Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979157055 We at Mindful Poetry welcome you to participate in our annual poetry contest . You can find contests all over the Web during the month of April, which is National Poetry Month . We would be honored . . . Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:54:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979157055 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-28T12:54:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979160527 We're starting right off the month with a fun form. It's also a form that has not yet been featured at Mindful Poetry, but I've wanted to use it for a while and so I'm going to give it a go. Have . . . Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:13:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979160527 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-25T16:13:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979156925 September, 2008:  Pantoum October, 2008:      Haibun November, 2008:   Prose Poem December, 2008:   Sestina January, 2009:      . . . Wed, 23 Mar 2011 19:16:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979156925 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-23T19:16:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979155020 I stopped by Gather Writing Essentials to see what was going on there since I jumped ship. I was rather flummoxed by an article posted to the group as it simply does not belong there. How do bombs like . . . Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:00:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979155020 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-22T21:00:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979137959 That's what I said when Miss Harvey tried to add her two cents, I said, Missy, you got gum for brains so don't go spouting off your head Why, her face fell like an apple, I'm telling you That's what . . . Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:02:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979137959 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-14T13:02:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979136793 I become an empty bowl that needs to be refilled with pastries and chocolates, with sugar-dusted cakes, and sprinkled doughnut-holes. As certain as a cuckoo clock, I become an empty bowl waiting . . . Mon, 14 Mar 2011 01:48:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979136793 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-14T01:48:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979130648 One Child There was one child left that day I walked by the playground, sitting on a see-saw, watching. I looked in the same direction, but nothing else caught my eye. I remembered a game as a youth. . . . Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:30:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979130648 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-10T14:30:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979126628 I’m asking your indulgence here because the form this month is a new form. No, that’s not quite right. Usually the chosen form is a new form to most of you. I mean that I want your indulgence . . . Tue, 08 Mar 2011 23:44:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979126628 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-08T23:44:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979126590 In a traditional Anapeat: the anaphora is also the title of the poem there are five stanzas each stanza has five lines thus the Anapeat has 25 lines The first line . . . Tue, 08 Mar 2011 23:17:09 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979126590 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-08T23:17:09Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979123855 It's been a full day and weekend. Today I went to the radio station to edit my show in ProTools, which I haven't used in a couple years (airing tonight/in the morning at 4:00 Minnesota time) . . . Mon, 07 Mar 2011 23:28:29 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979123855 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-07T23:28:29Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979110173 Finish and post Mindful Poetry monthly column with Form-of-the-Month Write up questions for Rachel for radio show contact second phone guest for radio show tape on Thursday--studio . . . Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:20:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979110173 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-02T12:20:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979108738 Today, totally typical. She’s working on a transcription that is “endless.” Like a grand diva, she spouts out a Dave Matthews song, (paraphrased) “Uncle Harvey lived to a 102, . . . Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:41:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979108738 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-03-02T01:41:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979081343 True Confession:  Sometime ago, I had an impressive firestorm with my husband that culminated in a chair smashing to the floor and a hot-headed woman shouting, "That's it! I'm outta here!" . . . Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:56:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979081343 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-22T23:56:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979089556 Okay, what have I got to work with? A chicken, a frog, a bucket, an accent and bird feed? Then I need to stitch this all into a folk tale like a seamless tailor, no doubt. If those are the prompts, . . . Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:37:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979089556 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-22T19:37:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979085443 Once upon a time there lived a chicken A chicken who crowed at the moon At hearing its hoot, hearts would quicken Their wolfish ways sharp and in tune A chicken who crowed at the moon You'd . . . Tue, 22 Feb 2011 17:02:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979085443 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-22T17:02:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979069833 I've just read all the responses to this 4th reflection. I recall a time when I told my uncle, really he was the second husband to my widowed great-aunt, that my husband and daughter and I would stop . . . Mon, 21 Feb 2011 00:29:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979069833 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-21T00:29:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979069662 This morning I woke to a moaning wind as it whirled around our planet earth. We spin in circles, wound up like a top. This morning I prayed to a fiery spirit as it churned my heart like a whip. A glass . . . Sat, 19 Feb 2011 17:39:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979069662 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-19T17:39:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979065041 Family situations change with rapidity these days. As I was growing up in a small southern Minnesota town in the 70s, I remember the first time I ever encountered anyone whose parents had divorced. I . . . Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:15:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979065041 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-17T22:15:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979062425 I'm terribly behind, but hoping I can redeem myself by posting this reflection and then the next reflection this weekend. When Mariana said to write about a twig, all I could think of is Miss Twiggy . . . Thu, 17 Feb 2011 03:08:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979062425 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-17T03:08:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979058347 I've been working with a client for over a year now. It's an amazing job. I provide transcription services, but it's not transcription like you might imagine. Lately the job has been expanding.  . . . Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:59:28 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979058347 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-15T22:59:28Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979034440 As I write this Tuesday afternoon, I am facing a very grueling situation. I need to take action, but am not feeling quite brave enough to tackle it on my own. By the time you read this on Wednesday, . . . Wed, 09 Feb 2011 01:20:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979034440 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-09T01:20:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979034170 I went to Vegas with a roll of nickles Man next to me said, "Watch it, hey that tickles." Shrugged my shoulders, made no sound I'm sitting here watching the wheels go round I went to Hershey, . . . Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:03:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979034170 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-09T00:03:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979020356 Twig from branch separates to find its Independence. Twig now burns in fire's heat. ============ February's Form-of-the-Month is the Septolet. You can learn more at Mindful Poetry . Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:33:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979020356 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-04T23:33:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979020255 Not only is this month an abbreviated one, but I've shortened it even more for Mindful Poetry members by showing up late to the opening. I'd say you luck out; I'm going to give you a short little . . . Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:15:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979020255 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-04T23:15:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979009000 I'm tearing a page out of my journal from May, 2008. Back then, I took a trip to Europe to visit my sister who was living in Rostock, Germany. I also visited a friend I had made when she and her family . . . Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:47:35 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979009000 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-02T01:47:35Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979008204 If only I had called him last night. I should have rang his number and waited for his raspy, coffin voice to pour itself into my ear, like candlewax pours out of votive holders during vespers. If only . . . Wed, 02 Feb 2011 01:24:55 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979008204 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-02-02T01:24:55Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978984257 Talking to some friends and the conversation begins to flag as someone asks, "How do I get my son to fill up the gas tank? He lets the needle hover over empty and I always end up filling . . . Wed, 26 Jan 2011 00:39:07 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978984257 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-01-26T00:39:07Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978984471 Local Shepherd’s Animals Missing, Rough Ending Feared Loretta BoPeep Mystified About Lost Sheep “I just can’t cotton to my darlings being gone,” owner laments. Search Abandoned . . . Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:35:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978984471 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-01-25T20:35:45Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978954561 Stayed home this morning to clean up some business on my desk. I need to contact a number of people about vaious articles I'm writing, send out thank yous and other cordial correspondence for kindness . . . Thu, 20 Jan 2011 10:59:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978954561 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-01-20T10:59:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978945372 Although I had a birthday last week and turned 48, that fact does not prompt this phenomenon. Nor did I almost forget to write this week's GWE column. I like the topic and ensuing conversation . . . Wed, 19 Jan 2011 02:24:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978945372 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-01-19T02:24:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978900752 This past Monday, Greg Schiller wrote a column about macabre humor. Well, I thought so anyway. I left a comment on that column about maggots. That night, I dreamed extensively of maggots . Honestly, . . . Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:47:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978900752 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-01-12T00:47:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978901994 "Mom, Mr. Hakke called me a whippersnapper. He looked angry. What does that mean?" I rubbed Kevin's head wondering what had happened to elicit such a comment. Mr. Hakke was usually so charming. . . . Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:08:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978901994 Susan Budig - Mindful Poet 2011-01-12T00:08:03Z