to ease the itch of words
that wake her up at night;
to sing in a different language,
one with imagery and bite;
to linger in lines where no other poet has been yet;
to smile to herself when other people get
where she comes from and what she needs.
Kim M. Russell, 24th January 2019
My response to Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Bits of Inspiration ~ Poet Discovery, also linked to Poets United Poetry Pantry.
Susie is our host today and she has introduced a poet called Jessica Helen Lopez. Susie describes her as “sassy, bold, frank” and, for today’s prompt, she has focused on her poem, ‘Mama is a Poet’. Our challenge is to express why we write poetry.
writing in north norfolk 
We sing each in our own peculiar language and yet are understood by enough passersby to raise that smile, yeah? 😉
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Oh yes! 😊
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Yes, we speak an unknown tongue until the right person comes along who knows our language. “to ease the itch of words” so true! Great write! Thank you so much for taking part in the challenge.
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Thank you for giving us the challenge, Susie.
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scratch that itch, speak in foreign tongues, scritch it out until the words are just as they are meant to be … and they will come, to know and understand, appreciate …
a process of evolution for both poet and audience… long may your poeming speak Kim 🙂
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Too kind! 🙂
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I know all about writing in foreign tongues… a great reason to write… and I love to read what you write.
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Thank you, Bjorn. I love to read your poetry too.
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So good…the itch to write, to sing, especially to go where no other poet has gone!! Love this one!
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Thank you, Annell!
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Brava! Scratch that itch Kim. Speak in tongues that not everybody understands. Love this.
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Cheers Toni!
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Kim- this is so lovely. As you know, I greatly admire your words!
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Thank you kindly, dear Linda.
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Very cool.
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Thank you, Sherry.
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one with imagery and bite..
Love that line!
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😊
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Just itching to be scratched, rubbing legs. We all like to be read and acknowledged. Even us non-poets who write our thoughts. Perhaps wishing to be a poet, novices hoping for a public to come scratch. Waiting like a kitty cat does, and purr a little rhyme–even if it doesn’t rhyme with words.
..
..
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A good answer!
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Thanks Rosemary!
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Beautiful Kim! And well-said. It is indeed very satisfying when others ‘get’ where you’re coming from. Enjoy your bird-watching. What a lovely thing to do! I have nothing but chores here 😦
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Thanks Viv. I only had to watch for an hour. Normally our garden is full of different kinds of birds. Today there was nothing for about 45 minutes and then I got two blackbirds, three magpies and four wood pigeons. Not one bluetit, goldfinch, sparrow or robin!
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Still, better than nothing. You’ll cry if you lived where I do. I open my window and all I hear is motorway traffic. Birds are nearly extinct within a 20 mile radius of me!
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I remember that. You should visit Norfolk for some nature rejuvenation, Viv.
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I really ought to 🙂
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And they way those words feel when they flow from your tongue! That heady release, oh yeah, that’s what I need too.
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I couldn’t live without that heady release, Rommy. I worry that there will be a time when I’ll have to. I think that’s why I have to write every morning.
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“to linger in lines…” I love this line..it reminds me of all the places everyone has been and how lucky I am to catch a glimpse in their verse 🙂
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😊
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I have wondered about that smile upon your lips? Wonderful poem!
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Thank you, Annell!
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Gorgeous! ❤️ And I always enjoy reading what you write, Kim 😀
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You’re so kind, Sanaa!🌹
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Wonderful poem and true. 🙂
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Thank you, Vicki. 😊
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I love it when a poem leaves grinning like a happy idiot, and thinking, Me too!
I, too, need the ease of the itch, and delight in the smile that comes with realization.
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Still smiling. 😁 Okay, grinning.
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😁
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That’s why we’re poets!
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I resonate with the “itch”! I’m sitting here with a huge smile on my face.
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🙂
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“where she comes from and what she needs.”
I Offer You An APPLAUSE for the Poem and the Poet 🙂
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Many thanks! 😉
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Love it. Ideas for blogging and poetry wake me in the night and strangely I am often inspired in the shower too…with not a pen in reach!
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Me too! Do you find yourself repeating the lines until you’re able to find a pen and then can’t remember the last few lines or words?
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I love your reasons for writing. I wish you many interrupted nights as long as the poetry keeps coming.
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Thank you so much, Myrna.
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An intriguing prompt … and I loved what you did with it!
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Thank you, Wendy!
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Yes!!! This is the best feeling in the world. When your poems become understood
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We all share that feeling – in it together!
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to linger in lines where no other poet has been yet;
… that I can totally relate to!! A constant endeavour!
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🙂
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That damnable itch of words… Love how you’ve expressed this, Kim.
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Thank you, Sarah!
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It is amazing how much we have to say once we get started. Our talking can both comfort the speaker as well as the listener.
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I really have to write every day otherwise I feel fit to burst!
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It’s great when one is “understood” in poetry – Many people won’t even attempt to write it let alone read poetry. I think it is good for the brain, good therapy – good for “scratching” that itch we all get… 🙂
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I’m hoping, from the number of people who read and write poetry on the Internet, that poetry has become more popular. It’s a wonderful way to express oneself. 🙂
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