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Brian Miller, get in the poetry moshpit, go read someone, i have way too much fun with this, it's a poetry thang, OpenLinkNight, poetry, poetry sharing
I could tell you how cold it is here, but I imagine the Canadians might laugh at me. We are in the midst of a cold front and my kitten won’t stop telling me about it. He does not like staying inside. I can’t say I blame him.
My neighbor was burning brush last night. The orange flames danced in the shadows of the trees between us. Every time we open the door the air tastes of the smoke, not in an overpowering way but one that warms the lungs and the back of your tongue.
Snow from last week still gathers in piles, hiding from the sun. Holding out. A resistance. My son won’t eat the oranges my wife bought because they are blood oranges. We played Legos on Monday as we were off for the holiday. My oldest built snails, my youngest a home. We ate lettuce wraps for dinner.
In this quick snapshot of the last 24 hours, without even touching on the emotions of any one moment, there are countless poems just waiting to be given meaning, spun as a metaphor or just captured.
Inspiration is all around us, just waiting to be noticed.
Welcome to OpenLinkNight, my name is Brian Miller and I will be your host this evening. Yes you are not seeing double, I did host Pretzel yesterday as well—it’s a funny thing that happens in the scheduling ever once in a while.
If you missed Pretzels, you might want to drop back here in a bit and take a look. We have some exciting announcements this week and next…But enough, let get this poetry thing going…we are here to celebrate the word & those that pen them.
If you are new here, let me tell you how it works:
- Write a poem and post it to your webpage.
- Click on the Mr. Linky button below and enter your name and direct url/web address to your poem
- There you will also find the list of those participating this week. You might want to refresh this occasionally or check back in as there are people joining over the next 33 hours.
- Read other poets that have linked. Let them know what you thought, how the poem moved you, what you think of their style, what caught your attention.
- Encourage others to participate through social media, promote your own piece and others.
- Have fun.
It’s a good day for poetry, i will see you out on the trail. ~Brian
kelly said:
Having the same problem with my kitten… brrrr! Happy Open Link Night!
brian miller said:
ha….i finally let him out last night…i could not take it any more…he was fine…
claudia said:
heck yes..the everyday is full of poetry…we just need to take the time to write it down…happy OLN everyone…and can’t wait to see you out on the trail..
brian miller said:
yup yup…happy afternoon claudia…
Wander said:
Glad to be here today! was wondering if you could put the comment option down by the Mr Linkey…lol I’m lazy
brian miller said:
you know i have no…smiles…good to see you friend…
wander said:
Happy tuesday Brian
1emeraldcity said:
Hello, Brian…good to be at the great fire inside the pub…cheering on our poets! To you, my friend. Cheers!
brian miller said:
cheers…smiles.
Jannie Funster said:
Snails and a home sound like a very creative way to spend a lego hoilday Monday.
Okay, I’ll smile at you Brian — not laugh over your cold snap. 🙂
~~ A Canadian in Texas.
xoxo
brian miller said:
ha…i enjoy the cold…the burn on your cheeks…but when you get double digits into the negatives….dang….props to the canadians…i saw today somewhere had 160 days this year below zero…..dang….
brian miller said:
welcome to OpenLinkNight everyone….hope you are having a great week…see you out there…
ladynyo said:
Hi Brian! Oh, I wish for snow. It might warm up a bit…that insulating that a snow gives on the roof.
A short poem: “Via Negativa”, A Winter Poem. Will try to be out on the trail more this week.
Bright Blessings on all heads here.
Lady Nyo (still wishing for snow)
brian miller said:
blessing back to you…and i am still wishing for more snow…they say maybe friday here…
ladynyo said:
Yahoo! We are probably getting some rain, but I will envy your snow!!
Jane
James Rainsford said:
In view of events in Algeria I’ve posted a poem which challenges our tendency to moral and cultural relativism. Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/GBdjLk
brian miller said:
nice…nice subject to tackle sir…be over shortly….
Heaven (@asweetlust) said:
Inspiration is all around us, just waiting to be noticed – Yes, even though its -20 C with the wind chill outside.
Happy OLN everyone ~
Grace
brian miller said:
as i said above…props to you…that is really cold….
ManicDdaily said:
Hi Brian – it is cold. And I’ve been so rushed the last few days with work – hard to stop for inspiration. Awful. I am looking forward to what others come up with. k.
brian miller said:
hope you get that breather…smiles
ManicDdaily said:
Me too – I have a lot in store – a move out of my apartment at the end of March, and a possible trip to India for a chunk of April I hadn’t planned on the trip, but I don’t think I will be moving around much if I go there, so it might be a break. It’s a little amorphous at the moment–if I go, I am going to keep my daughter company, but I am hoping that we go somewhere where she does things and I just sit. (Ha.()
claudia said:
oh nice…have fun in india…surely one of the countries i want to visit…i would love to travel south india by train…
brian miller said:
def a cool trip…that is awesome k….
charlesmashburn said:
Howdy folks! I appreciate the opportunity to join you again!
brian miller said:
def appreciate you being here as well sir…smiles.
Madeleine Begun Kane said:
Happy Tuesday, and thanks as always!
Tony said:
Love the limerick at your place this week Mad!
Kelvin S.M. said:
..no snow but ’tis cold here too…& much even more there…ah, fahrenheit must have been really angry these days…brrr… Happy Tuesday / Wednesday!!! smiless…
Beth Winter said:
I don’t have a kitten but my dog is wandering around with his legs crossed :p I say listen to the kitten. I enjoyed your capture of the moment, Brian. You took us there.
Happy OLN!
brian miller said:
haha…bet its hard for him to walk…smiles…happy oln beth!
PoppySilver said:
Blessings all, stay warm xox
brian miller said:
poppy!!!! smiles.
bajanpoet said:
A snapshot of my weekend …. jazz anyone? I have no snow where I live (I love the Caribbean!) but I was blown away by the music I was surrounded by!
brian miller said:
def look forward to that…love me some jazz….
Poet Laundry said:
Inspiring intro Brian…poetry is all around…thanks! And happy oln 🙂
brian miller said:
happy oln…smiles.
Laurie Kolp said:
Such lovely moments captured, Brian… from your cat to the burning wood, Legos and lettuce wraps… such a homey feel, as always. Happy OLN to all!
brian miller said:
the lettuce wraps were the bomb….just saying….mmmm
Pat Hatt said:
Pfft cold, come up here and see cold hahaha
tashtoo said:
I sooooo want to write about blood oranges now! 😀 Where were you this morning? 😉 We’re freezing here too…solidarity brother poet! 😉
brian miller said:
i love blood oranges….my boys do not..T got a bag by mistake so i am full up on my vitamin C now…smiles…stay warm
Pamela said:
Hi Brian. Thanks for hosting. I have included a sculpture by a Canadian artist friend with my poem. Happy Open Link to all.
Pamela
p.s. What are lettuce wraps, Brian?
brian miller said:
lettuce wraps….are a gift from heaven…haha…it is chicken and all kinds of goodness scooped into a lettuce leaf like a taco and wrapped….i will get you a better answer…smiles…
Felipe Adan Lerma said:
actually posted before the last second and the second day 😉
stay healthy and happy 😉
claudia said:
ha…so are you missing paris already…? smiles
Yousei Hime said:
Finished an offering for this week. I am thankful.
brian miller said:
really enjoyed your piece…particularly that closure as i pointed out…the rather responsive reading feel of it…
Yousei Hime said:
I responded to your reading of it (pun intended), and left a reply. Thanks for encouraging me. I always enjoy reading what you saw in my writing.
Ruth said:
hey brian, i’m one canadian who won’t laugh at you (for moaning about cold weather)… no snow here where i live on the west coast; in fact, out walking yesterday i saw a rhododendron bush in (admittedly sparse) bloom (a bit under protest, i think – i’m sure it was shivering)… 😉
claudia said:
my magnolia started blossoming as well last week…ugh…not good…
brian miller said:
ha…yeah i wonder at our vegetation what this weather will do to it…it was 74 a week ago and in the teens today…nature has got to be all confused…
Raivenne said:
What a lovely snapshot you’ve painted of your weekend, Brian.
“Inspiration is all around us, just waiting to be noticed.” So, so true!
Happy OLN all!
Linda Kruschke said:
Brian, Thanks for hosting. I had to chuckle when I read your post because the poem I chose to share today is about the cold and dark of winter. After last week’s Form for All on new forms and using rhyme schemes, I looked over some of my older poetry and found this one that has some structure to it, though not one of the standard forms. Well, now it’s off to read some poetry with my lunch (while wishing lunch was something warm today instead of hummus and crackers with fruit). Peace, Linda
claudia said:
on my way to read yours linda…
brian miller said:
i am growing in my appreciation of form…gay and sam are really working on me…smiles…
Tony said:
Hi Brian. Thanks for hosting. You should hear the fuss that’s being made a little south of here – all because there’s been a bit of snow. Honestly, you’d think that we’d stop being surprised by cold weather in the winter!
Thanks for the intro too. You’re right, there’s poetry waiting to be written from the details of everyday life. Sometimes the problem is that we get too busy to notice it; sometimes too busy to record it.
See y’all out on the trail.
claudia said:
last saturday they canceled 60 flights at basel airport…it was icy…
brian miller said:
ha i want the bit of snow…we are supposed to get more on friday so i am looking forward to it…the cold is preparing the way for it i think…seeing you out there man…smiles…
marilyncavicchia said:
Here I am again, with another persona poem about someone in a car. Hmmm … am I perhaps working on a chapbook? 😉
brian miller said:
the title made me think of last weeks…would be pretty cool to string them together into a longer story….
marilyncavicchia said:
Indeed … I’m posting the ones that I write each Tuesday, but I’m secretly writing others almost every day this month, and many of the stories interconnect. Shawna’s friend Ben has a poem, too — it’s just not posted here.
Susan said:
I posted an old sonnet, sort of praising cats and aging. So what else is new? Inspiration is indeed all around — though I have to take a break to deal wiith the second-coming of the hacker. This time I am changing everything including my approach to the web! Maybe there is a poem in this too. Happy Tuesday to All.
claudia said:
haha…praising cats and aging sounds good…on my way to read…
brian miller said:
ah there might be…ack…sorry about the hack too…and hopefully you caught it before it got too far…ha, almost got me when they responded as you but…
Susan said:
O! I’m glad you–and all–know I did not go to Paris yesterday and end up in the hospital!
brian miller said:
haha…i am glad of that..smiles.
claudia said:
ok – signing off for today… will check back in tomorrow morning…enjoy your time in the pub poets…
The Linnet said:
Arriving very late, have had an eventful day with rounding up straying horses in snow fields to stop them reaching a main road, then finishing the day with a blizzard that may well see our roads blocked again tomorrow. Not feeling the love for the white stuff, but as my latest poem shows, I am not always such a snow grinch! 🙂
brian miller said:
well that sounds like work….will be on my way over shortly…wanted to catch up some comments here before heading back out….moving a little slow tonight ont he comments but i will be ther.e…
Gay said:
I know I’m late and will be almost non-existent this week for #OLN. Had to be at the doctor’s most of the day. Just got home..all fairly ok and will leave the Dallas area tomorrow for the beach. Still trying to get things back and forth so will be out of pocket this week. Sorry about that. Will read what I can for the next little bit until supper and see everyone on the flip side next week. Hope all is going well for everyone and that you guys are staying warm. We’ve had a little warm up today here. Got to 70 degrees no wind or humidity. So shedding sweaters and jackets (although clearly cold waves will be coming through March). See you soon.
PS – Thanks Brian for ALL you do for us at d’VersePoets. Manning the bar two days in a row is but the tip of the iceberg and we are all GR8FUL!
brian miller said:
are you rubbing it in on your weather…smiles….hope the trip to the doc was not anything too serious…and hope the trip back goes well for you gay….
Gay said:
Oh not at all – I’ve enjoyed our brief cool spell. We have such a very short winter, it’s a relief and a spur to getting things done before heat forces us inside. Summer has the same effect here (well not quite) as winter up north. It commits us to the inside a/c. So cold weather drives us out in our few winter coats, fancy sweaters, and leggings etc. And moderate days see us doing those DIY chores we can’t do later. No. Today just heralds the heat again and it can stay very short this year for me. I’m going to need as much cool as I can get.
Not too bad at the docs. Will see him again in 6 weeks for another check up. Just trying to stay on top of things. Nothing too serious.
Myrna said:
Glad to be here Brian. Nice how you view every instance as a potential poem. I want to learn how to do that. It makes you very aware of each moment. Thanks for hosting tonight.
brian miller said:
smiles…good to see you myrna….there are some days i want to just close my eyes…smiles.
Apryl Gonzales Sweet (@SweetApryl) said:
It’s been a while but I’m glad to be here tonight. It’s a frozen Tuesday in Tennessee too. My dog begs to be let out and hesitates at the door like a toddler doing the potty dance until at last he relents or until I urge him out and close the door so I can crawl back under a blanket. There is nothing better than poetry to warm the soul on nights suck as these. Glad to see you tending bar Brian! A hearty hello to my fellow poets.
brian miller said:
hello back…and stay warm…smiles…they say snow this weekend…cant wait…i can manage the cold better with snow….thought of you the other day as i said at your place…it is good to see you…
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Smiles. Cold here, too. We had a half hour frost delay for golf. Bwahaha! Sorry. That was so mean. (Sweaters until the 3rd hole.)
brian miller said:
groan….
smiles….
sweaters until 3rd hole….sheesh…
Julie - jflamingo said:
The truth is I miss you… Thanks for your post that brought me words today. I’ve shared again for the first time in a very long time. I can’t wait to read your poems & I’ll see you in your comment fields. 🙂
brian miller said:
smiles…glad to have you back…smiles…woot, first time ina long time is a great thing to celebrate…smiles.
jflamingo said:
thank you & happy smiles all around!
Nia Ceridwyn said:
Posting prose this week. I know, that’s new, but I’ve been writing a fair bit of it lately. And keep missing the prompts here! 😦 I’ll keep up soon!
brian miller said:
cool…prose works…look forward to it…i am just about caught up, i think…smiles…have you subscribed via email so you get the prompts as soon as they come out?
Nia Ceridwyn said:
I have, but the problem is I’m not always home anymore, so can’t always sit to write and link up. Having a social life eats into my blogging! 🙂
brian miller said:
ha a social life is good for poetry though…smiles…and life…
Seek the Sun said:
I apologize in advance to those of you living in snow laden ares of the world,but in the heat of the desert Southwest, snow is a distant memory and a romantic place of solitude for me. Good to be back.
brian miller said:
oo now that sounds nice…i was afraid my coffee was going to freeze going between buildings at school today…smiles….good to see you…
Ginny Brannan said:
Made it! Long day at work, finally home! A might bit chilly up here in New England tonight too, a good night to settle in and read for awhile! Sharing a poem written in a Weave (a la last week’s Form for All!) Always love to try something new, just sorry I wasn’t able to share it there. Anyways, glad I’m able to join you for the evening. See y’all inside…
brian miller said:
oh do come in where its warm….smiles…def enjoyed your weave ginny…good to see you…smiles.
brian miller said:
alright poets…have at it…i will be back in a bit….dinner and family time….
lovemorestudio said:
Happy Tuesday, Brian– and everyone at dVerse! I’m in– at least I think so. My internet is slower than molassas in January. 🙂 ~ Jason
brian miller said:
you are in…smiles.
gardenlilie said:
Just reminiscing here a bit and decided to post the first poem I wrote last year and the reason I kept trying to write more. Of course the reason for staying is you all. Enjoy.
thisgirlremembers said:
I’m back for a second week and am finding the experience so enriching – what a wonderful way this is to discover new (to me) writers! Posting now and visiting a few sites, will be back for more later. Thanks, Brian, for making this possible!
brian miller said:
i am surrounded by good people that do the same for me…so enjoy…smiles…
claudia said:
back and catching up…good morning…
brian miller said:
good morning claudia….about to wrap my night up…
will be back first thing in the AM to catch the over nights…
claudia said:
sleep well bri…
charityv said:
loved the reminder that inspiration is everywhere.
I find that poetry is like the perfect friend.
No matter how long you’ve been away you don’t have to start with an apology or an explanation, you just start with the pictures, emotions, syllables you have share forever.
claudia said:
true that…poetry is an easy going friend that doesn’t pouts or asks lots of questions…just jumps in and joins the fun any time…smiles
henryclemmons said:
I enjoyed reading many great poems at the pub tonight. I always enjoy finding poets I have not read before. There is some great talent present here. I love when I have time to read the hearts of others; such artists and people expressing themselves so well. Great art!
claudia said:
i agree henry…the OLN Linky always feels a bit like a treasure chest to me…lots to discover.. awesome to having you here as well sir.. just heading over to read yours..
Felipe Adan Lerma said:
reposted my link, special thanks to k for letting me know it wasn’t working 😉
Susie Clevenger (@wingsobutterfly) said:
Another school shooting in my area prompted my poem for tonight.
janice / poeticponderings said:
Wonderful 24 hours. I bet if we all listed our day like that, we wouldn’t ever run out of inspirations. 😀
dani said:
i hope i’m not breaking the rules ~ is it only new poetry we should link in? i was thinking we could also link old poetry and i linked one from last week. hope that’s okay.
wishing everyone a warm night!
brian miller said:
nope….we have no such rule to be broken dani…you are fine
Amy Jo Sprague said:
Excellent to be back. Im fully enjoying reading all these tonight. I do apologize for the double link. The first one was the wrong poem!!
rosross said:
Mine is also from last week. Busy times. I don’t think the submissions have to be written in the moment. I hope not anyway.
MarinaSofia said:
There is so much poetry in the everyday, if we know how to look for it. I tend to forget that sometimes and bemoan the lack of poetic moments, so thank you for reminding me, Brian!
Misky said:
Thank you so very much for this wonderful opportunity to share poems. I’ll come around and visit others this afternoon!
brian miller said:
good morning poets…coffee in hand i am tripping through your words….
Rachel said:
I love the contrast between what your kids built with the legos… and the fact they could buy a set that wasn’t a special kit… or that they ignored the limited design implied by such a kit. 🙂
brian miller said:
we do have a few kits…but we have a bunch of loose legos….a tip for any parents, check the DAV for loose legos…you can get a good deal….
margaretbednar said:
A little late… and I hope I haven’t posted this poem here before… Will be back later to read other poets!
Okelle said:
It’s the kind of cold that freezes wet hair on the walk from the house to the car. I don’t care if the Canadians laugh at me — it’s damn cold! But I’m also perversely relieved to see the single-digit temperatures return. It kills off the fleas and ticks that overran us last year, and hopefully will do the same to some flu germs. Plus, it gives us some New England cred.
brian miller said:
i agree….its the deer ticks in our area that i will be glad will get bit by th cold…for sure….
peggygoetz said:
Oh my there are so many posts I almost didn’t post! But decided to give it a try anyway.
brian miller said:
smiles. glad you did…feel free to pick a few to read…or i can suggest a few that i know are still milling around…smiles.