VeraClark's blog

March’s brief was to use repetition in your work. Not as easy as it sounds because rhythm needs to cooperate, too. Thank you to Silver Spun Sand for the gift of her idea. Here are three gorgeous poems chosen for the distinct ways in which they use repetition: Bear’s dynamic poem is a kaleidoscope of rhythm, live with energy: http://www.abctales.com/story/bear/poetess-poetry-monthly Philip Sidney bought us the music of broken glass and the highs...

There has been such a variety of great work to read on ABCTales this week. However, Story of the Week goes to Blackjack Davey for his unusual and beautifully composed ‘Cosmic Arboretum’ and Poem of the Week goes to maggyvaneijk for her stunningly emotive ‘Retrospective Drawings.’ Congratulations to you both. http://www.abctales.com/story/maggyvaneijk/retrospective-drawings http://www.abctales.com/story/blackjack-davey/cosmic-arboretum This week'...

The theme for February was borders and they featured in your poetry in a variety of ways: metaphorical, lyrical and physical, often as framing devices and even boundaries in the mind. The garden was exceptionally popular but it rarely featured bog standard features such as lawns and rosebushes or washing lines. Noo’s idea was fresh and liberating, a big thank you. Here are three beauties you came up with: Pat G’s gorgeous poem creates atmosphere...

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...

Happy New Year, don’t let it be a blank page. The visual poetry last month was wonderful - experimental and diverse, you all got to grips with strong poems making patterns on the page. Here are three gems: Canonette was back with tongue in cheek Christmas critique and a fir tree: http://www.abctales.com/story/canonette/christmas-special-poetry-monthly Silver Spun Sand brought dance to her vibrant words: http://www.abctales.com/story/silver-spun-...

Thank you to Bee for her fabulous performance poetry idea last month. It was really successful and a luxury to watch and listen to lots of superb poetry with a cup of tea and a packet of chocolate covered nutty biscuits. Here are three cracking performance pieces, do follow the links to hear the sound bites: londoncalling brings home to life. Dark and brooding with unmistakeable fondness: http://www.abctales.com/story/londoncalling79/home-poetry...

Travelling from one place to another heightens the senses. In October we hit the road again and the quality of the journey was astounding – poetry that used memory in both the surreal and conventional. Your confidence in experimentation stood out and loudly. Some pieces have been selected for POTD and POTW which goes to show that Love-writing’s theme gave rise to great work - a big thanks. Detailed critiques are also emerging now, so do get...

September’s poetry brief was so inspiring because we found poetry in our daily routines; the usual haunts where we pause or pass through were seen afresh with a scrutinising eye and some truly skewered perspectives. Refreshing is the word that emerged whilst reading. Thank you for setting us free, Bear. Here’s a roundup of some excellent found poetry: Silver Spun Sand found those predictable gems in funeral conversations: http://www.abctales.com...

I hope the sun glowed down on you this summer. I spent most of August in Cornwall’s limpet pools and became obsessed with photographing mussels on sliding perilous rocks. Thanks to Canonette, her psychegeographic theme inspired me to write about a beach I’ve visited for years in a sinister new way. This month your poetry tore up the map and dug up old haunts, you explored new places and reinvented settings with daring. The strongest poems tended...

Our next ABCTales reading night is bound for Nottingham! Do join us on Saturday 5 th September at 7pm, The Cross Keys, 15 Byard Lane, Nottingham, NG1 2GJ for prose and poetry in a splendid city. It’s a vibrant reading line up, including Blackjack Davey, Johnshade, Philip Sidney, airy fairy, Bear, Scratch, London Calling, Luigi Pagano, Denzella, Lisa H. If you’d like to read, there are still a couple of slots, so drop me an email as soon as...