Writing Articles

Poetry Forms Challenge 2026: “Pirouette”

Another form to try!

Poetic Inspiration or Lack Thereof

Writing prompts don’t always work well for me. Here are some of the things I use, when feeling “uninspired,” instead. Feel free to give them a try if you’re facing a bit of “writers block.” Or go out into the sunshine, paint a picture, work on a puzzle – do something el…

Poetry Forms Challenge 2026: “Quadrille”

Longer than a fortune cookie, shorter than an epic poem – try your hand at the Quadrille poetry form.

Another Poem Fished Out of the Moat

Somebody said, “You get all the best spam!” Sure. But that doesn’t mean I want or need more of it. Nor does it mean any of this made it through the spam filter. No link backs for you, Spammers!

Still waiting... a skeleton waits on hold with an old land line receiver held to its ear.

Your Call is Important to Us So Thank You for Your (im)Patience

Nov 20, 2025 | Poetry, Technical & How-To, Writing

Life’s too short for bad hold music. An “explanation” poem NOT to be taken as serious technical support.

Old man and woman having tea in a field of dandelions gone to seed.

Reading Too Quickly for My Own Good

Nov 20, 2025 | Poetry, Writing

Rebelliousness took a dark turn. I guess I should have read more closely and more slowly!

An idealistic woman carrying boulders in a net bag

Even Futile Arguments Can Inspire Poetry

Nov 18, 2025 | Poetry, Writing

Idealism can be a curse, but pessimism is probably worse. What can you do?

April is a Foolish Month

Apr 1, 2025 | Poetry, Writing

On the folly of tackling multiple “challenges” and the dilemma of sharing writing online that leads to a “sexual revolution” in poetry. (Don’t worry – the post and the poem are PG at worst!)

A tiny poet reads a book in the window of an airplane at sunset.

Serendipitous Moments, Crazy “Challenges”

Mar 22, 2025 | Poetry, Relationships, Travel, Writing

March is going as planned. Mostly!

Artist Date, Ekphrastic Poetry, and AI as Impartial Critic

Feb 16, 2025 | Art, Poetry, Writing

A peek into poetry and process as I dust off The Artist’s Way and (somewhat) grudgingly acknowledge that, used properly, AI can be a writer’s and artist’s friend – not just their sworn enemy.