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Happy November,
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| https://twitter.com/debrastyer/status/1582098756048035840?s=20&t=gkbyD3EmfOBDMGf6SedYqA |
It's my turn to challenge inklings with a writing prompt.
Even though #folktaleweek was started by illustrators, creatives of any kind can join in. I use the words as prompts for poems.
It's funny. My poem at first doesn't strike me as very folktale-y. But, it could be...we've been living through a scary tale for a while in many parts of the world. Once Upon a Time, Victory was inspired by Barbara Crooker's poem, And Now October, shared by Karen Eastland on Poetry Friday last week. It harkens back to a gentler time before so much societal stress.
Once Upon a Time...
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| by Linda Mitchell. 11/4/22 |
https://padlet.com/mitchellhubeimom/4bzbfu2cg5k7awk5/wish/2366386514
See how Inklings responded to the prompt:
I am at the Virginia Association of School Librarians' conference today--my PF responses could be a bit later this week.
Thank you for this kinder, gentler tale of what politics were and could be.
ReplyDeleteHey! I recognize those star leaves!! xoxo LOVE your acrostic!!
DeleteOh wow. Linda, I love the way this is styled, the pacing and the listing bring the scene so to life! And I have to say also that somehow I pictured a parade for the end of war throughout my first reading and that worked too. Once upon a time tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this friendly poem very much, Linda. Some folk tales do come true, yes? Thank you! xo
ReplyDeleteLove the images in your poem, Linda. Can't help but feel wistful amid the nostalgia. Politics is beyond ugly now, and I do wish for a time when everyone can finish the year "as friends."
ReplyDeleteThose first words, "Victory was" does feel like a folktale, Linda. Sometimes the tales do come true! With hope, thanking you for the vision! Well done!
ReplyDeleteSo wishing I was at VAASL with you all! Hope it is WONDERFUL. I love your prompt for the month and I've loved seeing everyone's poems.
ReplyDeleteTicker tape and confetti create a great image of victory.
ReplyDelete"They mingled in small circles turning back into mothers, fathers, neighbors." Somehow that's the missing piece, isn't it? The contest just never seems to wrap up these days. Thanks for such a powerful take on your wonderful prompt.
ReplyDeleteSigh. I heard a story on NPR about veterans who are helping fill the void because so many poll workers have stepped down (can't blame them), and how these volunteers are paired with someone from the opposite party. And how in the process of completing the necessary tasks, they end up going right past the "other" thoughts to becoming two people working/serving in the same way, assuring that elections are safe. We have to find those slivers of light, don't we? Thank you for your thoughtful poem!
ReplyDeleteYes. It is so important we vote and also become more tolerant of each other and what each sees as a victory, Linda. As you know we moved, but are still in WI. We called to make sure we knew our polling place and what we'd need as id to vote in this new town. Voting is a gift - it give us a say. In a lot of ways, the act itself is a victory! Thanks for your thoughtful message.
ReplyDeleteI love your line in there, "finish the year as friends." Maybe in a fairytale this could happen, or maybe I'll be surprised and some will happen in realtime… Lovely fairytalish poem Linda, I'm still holding on to hope, thanks for yours!
ReplyDeleteLots of great imagery here...and so hard that we often can't just turn back into the regular people. We're losing parts of ourselves in this political battle...
ReplyDeleteSo many terrific images here, Linda. Like Heidi, I originally pictured a parade at the end of a war and thought that level worked as well. I love the line, "...turning back into mothers, fathers, neighbors."
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