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Poetry

1 April 2020 |NPM Poetry Webslam

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 CONTINUUM OF EACH OTHER                                                                   
  by Portia Choi
  
 I thought that thunder and lightning were powerful,
 heralding the wind of hurricane,
 uprooting palm trees, felling homes.
  
 Yet there is power in the breeze 
 that sway leaves to loosen from the branch-point
 where new life will bud in the spring,
 and give shade in the summer.
  
 There is power in the lulling waves that 
 smooth a jagged glass to a radiant crystal, 
 or a trickling stream that creates a canyon.
  
 And there is power in words,
 nourishing a famished heart to love, to forgive, and have faith.
 Words repeated -- the mantra of fulfillment.
  
 Yes, I can; yes, we can.
 Yes, yes, yes.
  
 Yes, in the silence, writing alone,
 searching into the depths and crevices of one’s inner self.
  
 The poet searching for words among infinite possibilities,
         lacing them into patterns of hope, awe and gratitude; 
 and by reciting one’s words to others,
 emancipates oneself from the shell of writing alone;
  
 weaving the words - eternal story of the continuum of each other.
  
 We are here, we are powerful.                                        
  
  

Portia Choi published a chapbook of her poems Sungsook, Korean War Poems. At Writers of Kern meetings, Choi met Helen Shanley and MaryLou Romagno who became good friends and mentors. Choi hosts First Friday Open Mic and publicizes National Poetry Month in April.  She administers www.kernpoetry.com.  Contact Choi ssportia@aol.com.

Your Poem on Our Blog

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For the past few years, Writers of Kern has celebrated National Poetry Month (April) in a unique way. Each day in April, an original poem is published on our WOK website. Established poets, emerging poets, and would-be poets all have the possibility of being published during the month.

But, hey, we need YOU to submit your poetry for consideration! Beginning February 20th and throughout March, please send your poems to submissions@writersofkern.com

Guidelines:

  1. Poem line limit: 30 lines or fewer
  2. Submit poems as a Word Document ; 12-point font, Times New Roman or  Arial
  3. Include a short bio (50 words or fewer)
  4. Include a head shot
  5. Send to submissions@writersofkern.com ; In the subject line: NPM-“Title of your Poem”

You have questions? Please send them to: submissions@writersofkern.com

2020 Writers of Kern Annual Dan McGuire Blog Challenge!

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What: Our annual Blog Challenge for our writing community honoring our dear friend, and prolific blogger, Dan McGuire.

Who: Anyone can participate (membership in Writers of Kern not required)

When: Start posting Monday, Feb. 10. Final posts by Sunday, May 10.

Why: To develop a habit of regular writing and sharing it with a like-minded community of writers.

Where: Your personal blog online

The Fine Print: (Requirements to finish and be recognized at WOK Honors, our annual awards and recognition dinner. To be held this year on May 16th):

  • To participate, please email: president@writersofkern.com with your name and blog web address by Feb 9, 2020.
  • Write 26 posts in 13 weeks
    • Subject/theme is up to you
    • We suggest two posts per week, but there is no minimum or maximum, just so all 26 posts are completed by the end date.
  • Leave 2 comments/week on other participants’ blogs
    • Each participant will be given a list of the other participants’ blogs for easy access
  • Though not required, we prefer you share a link to your blog posts on the Writers of Kern Facebook Group page (link below). It makes it easier to everyone to read and leave comments.
  • After publishing all 26 posts, please email president@writersofkern.com to confirm you’ve completed the challenge.
    • Note: Pace yourself. While it seems simple, many will start, while not everyone will finish and that’s okay. We celebrate everyone who starts!

If you do not have a blog, now is the time to start one! This video will help: https://youtu.be/5n-ZpBo7cHI

  • If. after watching the video, you are still struggling, please contact president@writersofkern.com We have two very patient volunteers who are willing to answer your blog set-up related questions.

Questions? Email president@writersofkern.com

2020 Writers of Kern Annual Dan McGuire Blog Challenge!

1 May 2019 | NPM WebPoetrySlam: And One to Grow On

By 

 
 Lilacs 
  
 I remember that lilacs enfolded the night
 in a soft June kiss,
 a never-never land
 of love in a candy store.
 They floated like clouds of stingless bees
 in mesmeric rivers of honey
 around your tender face.
 There was a sound like water falling
 or clusters of little bells
 or birds about to sing.
 Sometimes I touch that lilac night
 when your grave opens,
 when dreams take us deep, deep
 to love without time, without loss.
  
 ~ Helen Shanley

Helen Shanley was program director for Writers of Kern for many years. She may have been one of the founders of WOK. She held poetry writing critique group at her home and influenced a number of poets in our community, including Portia Choi.  More of Shanley’s poems can be found at kernpoetry.com in the section “tribute to Helen.” Submitted by Portia Choi.