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almost a year, claudia schoenfeld, don't stay in your square, let's walk the adventurous paths, OpenLinkNight, poetry sharing, share that poetic meal
During coffee break in our company canteen, a colleague told me about a surprising visitor he had the other day, a young man from Japan who flew to Paris, bought a bike and is now making his way to Shanghai by bike. He has a route worked out but no hotels booked and my colleague met him in the evening by the river when he was asking different promenaders if he could stay at their place for the night.
My colleague took him home, they talked, cooked a meal together and in the morning he moved on.
I was fascinated by the courage and openness of this young japanes guy, also by his desire to not only see the land but meet the people, talk to them, get an insight into different cultures and different ways to think and live. It needs a bit an adventurous spirit and an open mind to do that, also a certain tenacity to move on when the path is getting arduous.
I think it takes a bit of this spirit as well when we leave our comfortable living rooms to head out on the poetry trail each week. And then, are we only taking the easy and/or well-known routes or are we ready to go new ways and talk to the strangers, we meet on the road? Do we move on, even if it’s getting a bit laborious? Are we open to otherworld views and new styles of poetry that may not fit into our self-constructed squares?
If we really head out and go on that journey, it may not be an easy walk but an exciting trip for sure, and we’re going to find treasures that would’ve never come to us if we’d just stayed in “Shanghai”
So are you in..? My name is Claudia Schoenfeld and I got my bike ready to go & happy to meet you out on the trail to read your poetry, chat a bit and maybe share a meal with you…
Happy OpenLinkNight everyone!
..and for the Newcomers…here’s how it works…
- Post a poem to your blog,
- Link your poem to dVerse (1 per blog, please) by clicking on the Mr. Linky button below.
- This opens a new screen where you’ll enter your information, and where you also choose links to read. Once you have pasted your poem’s blog URL and entered your name, click Submit. Don’t worry if you don’t see your name right away.
- Don’t forget to let your readers know where you’re linking up and encourage them to participate by including a link to dVerse in your blog post.
- Visit as many other poems as you like or can, commenting as you like or can, as well.
- Spread the word on the poems you enjoy if you’d like. Feel free to tweet and share on the social media of your choice.
One more Tuesday, and then… one full year?
yep..almost..there’s a celebration in the making..smiles
went to the sensual side this week…
Thank you Claudia. I’m breaking with my usual fare today. It’s the 4th of July, our Independence Day in the US and I’m talking about it. Hope y’all don’t mind soapbox poem.
My bike has flat tires and is, I’m afraid, covered in dust but my little red car is ready to roll!
See y’all out there on the trail.
smiles..can’t wait to see you racing around in your little red car… and happy independence day to the americans
Thank you, Claudia! I love your opening story…I’d love to do that someday! Smiles to all the poetic peeps of the pub today!
yep..sounds pretty exciting…it’s a long way to shanghai though..smiles
:)!
I love the metaphor here and his spirit. I think a life of risk-taking pays in a deeper sense of connection. Thank you for all you do to bring us this adventure each week!
i agree..taking risks def. pays off..
whassup poets….checking in before work…still no power here but surfing the cooling stations and mooching net where i can…will be around though…
love the opening claudia…it is a grand adventure, this poetry thing…best lived together…and each new click is a new world…a new person to explore…see you out on the trail…
smiles…stay cool in the heat poet
Kudos to the young man for having enough courage to set about this big adventure. I hope he meets some wonderful people along the way, people just like you!
i was a bit sad that i didn’t meet him.. think he can fill long evenings talking about his adventures..
Happy OLN Claudia, & thanks for always making us feel so welcome! It is a perfect summer day here, sunny 89 degrees F. with a lovely breeze. A perfect beach day, though sadly, I am nowhere near a beach! Decided to repost a favorite piece about the beach just because it’s that kind of day! Pour me something cold with lots of ice! I’ll see you inside!!
hmm..sounds lovely… i’m nowhere near a beach as well but went for a skate ride after work with the sun smiling..
Hiya Claudia,
Lovely intro today.
When there are so many entries as on OLN sessions, I usually make a point of visiting those whose numbers end in the digit I have. That means I get to see new members. After that I visit a few familiar faces. That makes for a total of at least 20 visits/comments.
BTW: may I take this opportunity to remind people of the wonderful Hollow Crown series on BBC?
They performed Shakespeare’s “King Richard 2 ” last Saturday. It was staggeringly beautiful. The best performance I’ve ever seen. Outdoing even the one with Mark Rylance some years back. Ben Whitshaw is a stunning actor.
It is a MUST WATCH, and this week it is free on BBC I-player. Don’t miss it. I’ve watched it with subtitles four times now. If you love poetry, take a look. This is the one play that is completely in poetry form.
hey..i think that’s a great commenting system.. and thanks for the hint on shakespeare
That was a really interesting story Claudia, and your question is very poignant this week as I have been trying out some different angles for my poetry recently, as well as having come across some very urban edgy poetry by We Are Poets that blew me away. I don’t think I have a specific style, but I hope that however I write, in time I will develop my own poetic voice. And I love the idea of hitting the trail (napsack on my back) and exploring the various routes available to me. Look forward to continuing my journey with tonight’s offerings. Rest assured I will try to get around to everybody.
smiles.. just be careful to not exhaust yourself…ya know..we need lots of coffee to cocker up peeps again..it really isn’t about numbers or about visiting everyone..just try to visit some
Fun post. Did you know you just missed the anniversary of the bike being patented on Jun 26, 1819? 🙂
Here’s my latest Limerick-Off plus a political limerick for a change of pace.
A very thoughtful introduction, Claudia.
Happy 4th of July, our Independence Day here stateside!
I’m posting a choka, one of the very first (and earliest…) poems I wrote….”Goddess Nut”….
……and hope other readers enjoy.
It’s been 106- 104 here in Atlanta, and no biking right now, but I’ll plug in a fan and visit other poets.
Thank you! dversepoets…..Long may this poetical flag wave!
Lady Nyo
smiles…stay cool jane..and happy independence day
we got the same jane…been over 100 for 5 days running now….darn weather man keeps lying…smiles….
What a cool story, Claudia, and what a cool approach to touring the world–no pre-programmed, pre-packaged, pre-formulated tours or tourist schemes, just places and people and whatever happens next. Wish I could have done that when I was his age. I did do a little hitch-hiking around, but that was in a different time–I doubt it would be a good idea now. Thanks for hosting, and I’m looking forward to the incredible variety I always find reading here.
And only one more week to go to our first anniversary–is Brian emailing you every morning with the number of days and minutes? ;_)
haha..no but our brains run hot with celebration preparation ideas..
Thanks for a wonderful first year. I can’t wait to see what’s next!!
yes it was pretty awesome…way to go…
Up to my eyeballs in the real world today…late to post, late to say hello, and unfortunately, I’ll be late to the trail 😦 Wonderful intro Claudia…I seriously can NOT believe it’s almost been a year…thanks for letting me share in the adventure!
it’s our pleasure to have you on board tash..hope the real world is not too hard on you..
what a cool story C – wish i had that kind of pluck! my poem for everyone today seems a little off base except i liked the ending in connection with your story… his journey will be impressive in all the details he will consume….
hope everyone is staying cool! happy 4th!
http://www.presssendpoetry.com/2010/04/accidental-spill-of-ammonia-and-bleach.html
nice..can’t wait to read…
I’ve needed this! Thanks again dVersePoets. Drinks are on me.
that is a word…smiles
Yay! I’m not the last one to post. Okay – pacing myself… ready, go!
After reading your post Claudia, I was left thinking of different types of journey and so thought I’d share an old poem from my blog, which is partly about the journey of growing up and family life…
I will be back later for a proper read.
Cheers Everyone! *raises glass*
cheers holly..i’m over to read in a bit..
…right oh…
whassup kenny!
Thank you for the inspirational intro, Claudia! I’m very excited about the one-year anniversary of dVerse and how you were kind enough to ask me aboard the maiden voyage. 🙂 xox
~ j
great having you aboard the boat sir..
“During coffee break in our company canteen, a colleague” … This is a great opening for a poem.
hehe..i think coffee breaks are great openings for almost everything..smiles
What a grand adventure that young man is having. He will have many stories to tell for the rest of his life. And how cool that your colleague was willing to open his home and now has a great story of his own. I’m not sure I have the courage to act in either part. But I do have “love lines” to share this week.
{ami}
http://sundrysumthins.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/love-lines/
In honor of our loss today, my poem is dedicated to Andy Griffith, and all the wonderful places he took us via his courage and adventurous spirit.
a lovely tribute..
ok, scratch work…about to head to the basement again…we are being buffeted by high winds, rain and hail…and more trees falling…will check back in when i can and its safe…heading home now…
ugh…hopefully the storm is calming down…stay safe bri..
did not make it…holed up in a church right now until this passes over…
Hello! Will try to come back….you know I love to read these. Will catch up after vacation. Bye.
enjoy your vacation…
Asleep at the wheel this afternoon, but here I am! Offering up a little follow-up to the “button” theme. Just buttoning things up, I guess you could say.
Someone said COFFEEEEEEEE yes please
milk..? sugar..? good morning adrian
ok poets..almost midnite over here…on my way to bed and see you tomorrow..
Hello, all … My time’s up — have to go and be present when my daughter crosses the street from a neighbor’s house. She’s 7 — these are big times!
Great inspiration for me as I head out alone next week for a 2 week stint in the (hot) desert for a writing retreat. Everyone else leaves this time of year. Two years ago I broke down in no man’s land, but that’s a story for another day. Thanks for hostessing, Claudia.
wow that sounds like an interesting trip victoria…be careful…no breaking down in no mans land this year…
Claudia, thanks for hosting tonight, looking forward to what’s on tap tonight. Cheers
I enjoyed the preamble to tonight’s fest of word, Claudia. Thought I would play again this week and hopefully be able to read more than I have the past couple of weeks. It’s a stitch quiet this eve, so hopefully I can read a bunch.
Great story Claudia, I’ve heard of and met a number of people like the Japanese guy (and hosted and stayed with a few) in my time, good luck to him!
The story fits well with the poem I was planning to post on a day trip I did with a now ex-girlfriend into the mountains and vineyards of Tuscany!
http://dqpoetry.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/tuscan-romance.html
Thanks!
i think i forgot to post a comment saying i’d posted a poem 😉
now how often has that happened 😉
happy fourth of july everyone!
Hi Claudia – lovely post – it is really hard to open to different styles and world views, but so interesting when you can.
I am thinking of your bikers – I was lucky enough to go on a trip to Ladakh in India a few years ago and there were some Dutch and Canadians who had motorbiked from the Netherlands – that is not so fast of course, but anyone going through Pakistan – and then up the 17,000 feet passes to get to Ladakh is intrepid in my book!
I do not think I am intrepid enough by half in my work, but am going to try to consciously work on it a bit. (Shivering already) I think it’s a bit hard when you’re writing fast and publicly – but, well–you don’t have to pedal up an actual hill! k.
hey poets…back int he pub…enjoying a super cool down after the storm…back out on the trail…
Yeah, Brian. Enjoy a cool 4th, in all respects.
These are “last-line poems.” I’ve set a challenge for myself to always start a new poem with the last idea or lasst line of an earlier poem. It’s kind of fun as a never ending task and as an exercise in association. I’ve got some lively pairs of which this is two. I think my first book–if I ever have one–will be called “Children’s Games.”
charles…if you stop in, i loved your poem on poet heaven…haha…hope i get in and i hope the zombie audiences do not come too hungry…
one day i will figure out how to comment over there…
hey claudia, brian & everyone – linking up a bit late today with a slightly used poem
New to this site…seems like good times!
welcome at dVerse…make yourself comfortable, look around and shout if you need something..smiles
I’m finally, finally, finally back! Yayayay! 😉
good morning… getting a coffee and playing catch up in a bit..
have to leave for work but will be back in the evening to read a bit more.. have a great day everyone and wishing all americans a happy independence day
Slainte everyone !! I’ve been away – I think I’m back – the bar’s still warm and friendly I see 🙂
It is 2 pm here and the house is quiet… but not for long. I need to get to bed but I will be back tomorrow to read and indulge myself with fine poetry! Thank you, dVerse, you give SO much to the poetic community!
good morning poets! happy independence day to those of you here in america…
This year we…me and my sister…took the train to Malaga to see the Picassos…we thought ourselves very adventurous! but to do America on a bike…that takes some going…thanks for the post love it as usual.
friends of mine once went by bike from germany to italy.. it’s a long trip but they loved it..
I put in another because, because it’s Haiku linked in mystery and coffee. Thanks already, Brian!
It has been awhile since I’ve been here. This free write was inspired by my neighbour. Happy Open Link to all!
Pamela
very cool piece pamela
I didn’t think I had a poem to share tonight … but one arrived, as they do. 🙂
smiles..they have their own ways..haven’t they…
I’m super late with this. Glad to be here though.
always great to see you in the pub myrna
Sneaking in to the pub late. I’ve been working on a proofreading course and the final deadline has been fast approaching. For some reason, while I’ve been doing that, I’ve not been able to write much. Finish the course and “Hey Presto!” – my muse returns. I’ll take a good pint of 80 shilling ale and a single malt whisky chaser please, Claudia.
I’m late to the pub because I was too busy yesterday getting ready for a party we are having today. But better late than never! Hope to be back tomorrow to read some poems. Happy 4th of July to all those in the U.S. Peace, Linda
whats up poets…been at the river most all day trying to keep cool….day 6, no power….wilting a bit here…but i just caught up and i will be back tonight late…fireworks cancelled here as everything is dry and brittle…
Just dropped in to say hi…no entry this week..was on minivacation…and sparse readings, but back in the fore next week. Cheers!
hey!
Came on to stretch out in the pub and….Mr. Linky’s gone!
He’s gonnnnnnneeee!
Or is it just me, can’t seem to find the page that pops up and stuns me with hundreds of names, hundreds of stories, hundreds of poems…..
I’m biting my nails…
…trembling…
I
have
no
plan
for
…this..!
Mr. Linky back! Ahhhh.