Happy Poetry Friday! You'll find my first ever ekphrastic poem below.
I have to admit: I wasn't excited at the prospect of blogging on the topic of "patience, persistence, and perseverance" today. I haven't been doing a very good job practicing any of these traits lately. Part of the reason has to do with distractions related to personal issues. But it's also because of the stage of my current writing project--I recently started submitting it to agents. My strategy is to submit to a select few agents who seem like the best match for my manuscript. Researching those agents is a slow, time-consuming process. Some days, it feels like a full-time job. And it requires a lot of that first "P:" Patience, as I wait to hear back.
Normally, I'd use this waiting time to occupy myself with other writing projects. But the ones I've tried working on don't seem to be going anywhere. So I'm feeling a lot like this tortoise--stuck in the mud!
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| Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash |
Re-reading JoAnn's post for this series helped pinpoint my problem. JoAnn wrote: "I've found over the years that I feel better when I write at least a little something every day. I miss it when I don't."
I've definitely been missing writing. So I'm trying to again write "a little something" most days, if not every day. Poems are the perfect medium for this, since they can be quite short yet still satisfying.
Just this week, I learned about the Poetry Sisters' May ekphrastic poetry challenge. I don't recall having ever written an ekphrastic poem before. So, even though I'm too late to be part of the challenge, I thought I'd try my hand at writing one for today. My first step was looking up the definition. According to this website: "An ekphrastic poem is based on a work of art. Usually, ekphrastic poems are written about a painting, but they can also be based on a sculpture, an object, or even architecture."
The Poetry Sisters' challenge was to write about a photograph of a work of art. I decided to write my ekphrastic poem about a photograph, too--one I came across while looking for the above turtle-in-the-mud photo:
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| Photo by Jozsef Hocza on Unsplash |
I came up with this ekphrastic haiku for the photo (and my own plight):
slow going ahead
but it feels good to be free
and moving forward
©2021 Carmela A. Martino. All rights reserved.
Happy writing!
Carmela
Carmela, like the tortoise who won the race--slow and steady will get you there, and it sounds like you know that with this sweet haiku. "moving forward" that's all we can do!
ReplyDeleteI've been struggling to be inspired for some kind of project, too, Carmela. I like what you reminded us from JoAnn, a little at a time - "step-by-step", right? And your poem shows that & some joy, too!
ReplyDeleteI have been struggling with my writing for quite a while. I LOVE your poem. I think I will print it out and hang it above my desk. Thanks for the post. Good luck with your agent search.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I find the end of a school year is just a tough time for me. The details of closing up shop are not difficult but consume my brain and then my time to write just kind of fizzles. One more week to go for me. Then, it's back to time to write. Woot!
ReplyDeleteI'm feeling that turtle emerging from the mud! I'm just about to the basking on a branch stage. My daily writing routine is almost there! Here's to a generous side order of patience to go along with our perseverance!
ReplyDeleteI'm submitting work to agents, too, so I can totally relate. Yes, it certainly does require patience, persistence, and perseverance! Your haiku says it all - moving forward!
ReplyDeleteCarmela, I feel like that turtle slowly moving forward. I have the end -of-school-year-bone-tired blues, but am happy you joined in the ekphrastic challenge with this little poem. More than ever this year has called for the three P's.
ReplyDeleteCarmela, the poem seems to relate perfectly to your submission process. It's a lovely haiku and photo. I know from personal experience how much patience is required to get your work out there.
ReplyDeleteYes, the trick's to keep moving forward! And this year, that's not been easy! Congratulations on reaching your current stage in your writing project. You've already come so far!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, Denise.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. Yes, JoAnn had wise words for us all.
ReplyDeleteSorry you're struggling, Rosi, but glad you like the poem. Hope it helps!
ReplyDeleteGlad you have writing time to look forward to soon, Linda Mitchell!
ReplyDeleteYes, Mary Lee, you have a big transition ahead. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your agent search, Rose!
ReplyDeleteMargaret, "bone-tired-blues," indeed. This school year has required so much more than ever before. Here's to a good summer break for all teachers and students!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, Janice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to appreciate how far I've come, Ruth!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Carmela. You analyzed your issue and moved forward with your 3 Ps to write a poem that shares your feelings. - Carol Varsalona
ReplyDeleteI too feel better if I write something every day - even if it's not something I plan to try to get published. Writing for the sheer joy of playing with the words keeps the creativity flowing and is the perfect offset to the "business" side of publishing. Best of luck with the querying!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol!
ReplyDeleteFunny how it's a lesson I have to keep re-learning, Elisabeth. Thanks for the luck!
ReplyDeleteCarmela, I love your haiku! It is inspiring and hopeful. This is something all writers can relate to. Thank you for sharing. Both of us have our own "mud baths." I'm so happy to have connected with you. Annette
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