Poetry Monthly

Childhood nightmares and surreal dream-like poetry came from January’s brief. It was unsettling yet magnetic to read. There are many familiar faces contributing to Poetry Monthly now which is so encouraging and this month saw some new participants who have contributed some striking pieces of work. I hope they return this month.

 I wrote my own mythical poem too – a foxy family one – and shamelessly made full use of peer critical feedback. Not only did I do four full re-drafts but I trimmed off some unnecessary fat, a spot of further topiary and now it has gone for submission. One must hope. A rare and wonderful benefit of using ABCtales is the invitation to give and receive free critical feedback. Do make the most of it if you want some serious input with your poems, all it takes is a reciprocal second eye. Here are some of your beautiful creations:

Ed Crane bridged an eerie gap between the dead and the living:

 http://www.abctales.com/story/ed-crane/man-behind-door-poetry-monthly

Mythical and sinister, Jolono created his own monster:

 http://www.abctales.com/story/jolono/bird-catcher-poetry-monthly

London-calling captured all the blood and betrayal of the Emerald Isle:

http://www.abctales.com/story/londoncalling79/rupture-poetry-monthly

Now for Noo, a proficient and eclectic writer on ABCtales. She would like you to consider:

'Borders. Places to stop at or to cross. Things that contain or frame. Opportunities or barriers. Borders can be a state of mind too. To exclude or include. What about a paeon to your picture frames, or an ode to your marigolds?
Could this be the time to write about your garden in the dead of winter? Or to celebrate a tiny green promise of spring? However you interpret the word, borders, be creative, think outside the, ahem, borders and have fun writing.'

Can’t wait to read your poems. Big thanks. See you all next month.

Ray

Photo Credit: Writer's own / R Smart.