Tags
bobby mcfarin eat your heart out, Brian Miller, its not a magic pill, love a poet, online poetry, OpenLinkNight, poetry, poetry sharing
This afternoon, we went to the pool. My boys, the one I am keeping this summer and I. They were playing in the water—jumping off the high dive, playing sharks & minnows with other kids, swimming, bobbing.
It was the first day in a while the black clouds were not overhead ready to dump rain at a moments notice. It was hot, but not too—enough to feel just the hint of a burning kiss on the shoulders.
I was sitting under a cockeyed umbrella, just breathing. I didn’t have to be in the mix. The boys were engaged, fine on their own with friends. I just sat. Happy to see them happy.
Happy is not always easy. There is always so much we have to think about that can easily get in the way of just being genuinely happy. For me happiness is a choice & a discipline.
This week we celebrate passing the two year threshold, now into the third year of this poetry lolapalooza—& I am happy you chose to join us. Maybe you are new. Maybe you have been here a while. Maybe you came poem in hand and just need someone to hear your words. Maybe you are here to listen. To touch. To invest.
Where ever you are coming in the door, I hope someone’s words tonight touch you…inspire you…give you the strength to pick the pen up again. Poetry is…and in coming together, we are Poetry—even if for a moment.
We keep it pretty simple here:
- Write a poem, post it to your webpage
- Click the Mr. Linky button below and enter the direct web address to your poem
- Here you will find others that have linked…people will be linking for the next 33 hours, so swing back through…visit others…let them know a line you liked or what moved you…visit as many as you like
- If you use social media, promote yourself and use @dversepoets — makes it easier for us to find you and help promote
- have fun
So pull up a chair, meet some poets, read some poetry…see you out on the trail. Smiles. ~Brian
kelly said:
Looking forward to another great year of Open Link Night… have a good one everyone!
brian miller said:
woot always great to have you in the pub kelly…smiles.
brian miller said:
pubs open…have at it poets…
welcome to openlinknight…
see you soon.
smiles.
1emeraldcity said:
Hey…Happy Anniversary! Gin and tonic please….lots of lime and ice. Cheers!
brian miller said:
gotcha…smiles…mmm…love me some lime…
Jim said:
The Way Of Things …
NorthernJim : )
brian miller said:
bathroom is on the left if you need it…
ha.
welcome.
Steve E said:
Dammm…I went to the right. NO WONDER–all those sheep……
brian miller said:
hahaha…smiles…
Victoria C. Slotto said:
Two years, wow! And thanks to all who make it happen and participate. This should be a fun week, and a wonderful 3rd year of poem-ing.
brian miller said:
smiles…most def…thanks to you as well…
Linda Kruschke said:
Can’t believe it’s been 2 years! Almost like I can’t believe I’ve been blogging for 3 1/2. Time flies when . . . well, let’s avoid the cliches. Anyway, it’s time to go heat up my skillet lunch with gluten free orzo. Brian, can you please set me up with a hard cider to go with? Be back in a few for some poetry and fun. Peace, Linda
brian miller said:
time does fly…and hey we are fine with cliches…i think we did a prompt on that…smiles….i am keeping a boy that has to eat gluten free…i am learning much in that regard this summer…
Linda Kruschke said:
I have learned that not all gluten free pasta is created equal. Most of it is terrible and turns to mush. But I found a brand at our local farmers market and they have a website if you are interested. It’s http://www.pappardellespasta.com. 🙂
brian miller said:
ah very cool…thank you..will look into this…
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
A nice evening and such fun to be here
brian miller said:
woohoo…
smiles.
Joseph Hesch said:
Amen, brother. This place, and my friends here, are blessings to this guy and so many other poets who can feel part of a community of kindred souls. Thank you for the invitation to join you a little over two years ago. Changed my creative life. Cheers, all.
brian miller said:
glad you are a part of the team good sir…you bring a different perspective yourself…and i mean that in a good way joe…sheers to you.
claudia said:
i love the thought of happiness being a choice & discipline .. nothing that just happens if we’re lucky but something that we actively decide we are with what we got at the moment… happy OLN everyone…see you out on the trail…
brian miller said:
smiles. i do think luck plays a part in some things…but i dont think you can blame your happiness on it for sure…smiles…have fun out there c…
Myrna said:
It’s always nice to be happy, if only for a moment. Glad you’re happy today. Congrats to you, Claudia and all the pub’s friends. I’m happy to be here. It’s such an honor.
brian miller said:
ah we are honored by you myrna….i am happy…sitting at the skate park right now as the boys have at it…and i mooch the wifi…smiles.
Marya said:
Happy happy happy anniversary, dVerse! So happy you are here.
brian miller said:
woot….we are happy you are here as well…
Anthony Desmond said:
Happy anniversary dverse!!!! Excuse me while I chug a bottle of Vodka and pass out… 😉
brian miller said:
ha.
what no sharing? smiles
always good to see you anthony…
Pamela said:
Happy anniversary! I am glad to be able to come here and read some truly wonderful poets. Thanks for hosting, Brian. Happy open link to all.
Pamela
brian miller said:
ah thank you pamela…be over once i manage the rush…smiles.
charlesmashburn said:
Sharing one of my golden oldies with y’all today. Some of you might have already seen it, but it’s one of my favorites, and I have to bring it back from time to time.
Happy anniversary to all the fine talented folks here at dVerse. You make my days a whole lot brighter with your friendship and your wonderful way with words! Bless you all!
brian miller said:
hey this is a great place to bring some of your favs…smiles….
aw shucks…you make me want to sing charles…
‘you light up my life….’
charlesmashburn said:
Well… in the immortal words of Jim Croce: Sang one, monkey! 🙂
brian miller said:
ee ee oo oo…smiles.
charlesmashburn said:
hahaha! Nice, dude!
beckykilsby said:
Lovely intro Brian.. love being here for the constant fount of inspiration, warmth and yes, happiness 🙂
brian miller said:
smiles. love that you love being here…that makes me happy…smiles.
Madeleine Begun Kane said:
Happy birthday, and thanks for providing this wonderful forum!
brian miller said:
wanna help blow out the candles?
PassionPoet said:
I can’t believe two years has gone already! WOW…. Happy OLN, everyone, and a round of beers for everyone, on me! Thank you so much for being a place where I, and many others, feel safe to place their thoughts and get so much positive feedback. I love you guys! And no – that’s not the alcohol talking! *hic*
brian miller said:
we love you too man….smiles….ha…
glad to be here…for sure…smiles.
Arnab Majumdar said:
I feel welcome here, having read that… in spite of the fact that I’m not really a regular in terms of posting stuff here. Especially glad, therefore, to be posting here twice in a row – hoping that this trend keeps going!
Cheers to the pub!
brian miller said:
always glad to have you when you do…keep that trend going…
Tony Maude said:
Hi Brian,
Could you pour me a pint of bitter and a whisky chaser? I feel like celebrating. I’m not sure about happiness as a choice, but we can certainly learn to be satisfied in our circumstances, which is definitely a step in the right direction.
Time for me to hit the trail … see you out there I expect … smiles
brian miller said:
only if i can have one too…smiles….small steps too man…see you out there for sure…
hedgewitch said:
Loved the intro, Brian–happiness is not always easy indeed, but always worth the effort to find–can’t find it if you don’t learn how to look though.
I’m playing tonight, in honor of the pub’s second anniversary, with a little something out of the witchy vault. Will be around to visit this evening after chores. Happy Year #Three, all, and that is happiness that isn’t hard to find.
brian miller said:
woohoo…love have joy enter the room…see happier already…smiles…
def worth the effort…and hope you are getting a bit of the rain to keep it cooler out there for you…
The Course of Our Seasons said:
A good time for me to remember that happiness is a choice – and so happy that this astonishing group of writers all found themselves in this old pub – how lucky are we! Congratulations to all who give time and effort to this each week – I appreciate it.
Many thanks, Brian – hugs K
brian miller said:
thank you ma’am….there is a bit f luck there…something brought all the right ones together tonight…smiles….and i hope you are feeling better….
The Course of Our Seasons said:
much better – thanks 🙂
brian miller said:
thats what i like to hear…smiles.
Beth Winter said:
For an effort such at dVerse Poets Pub to survive strong into its third year, it must have happy hearts and dedication as its foundation. Happiness is at times elusive but at the same time, always possible. I believe I’ll be happy with some sparkling water, a twist of lime and a paper umbrella.
I’m off to choose a poem to link and then hitting the reading trail. I know I will find a poem tonight that will make me feel the wow in the exclamation.
Happy newest year, Brian, Claudia, the dVerse team. and the countless poets who choose to share at this fabulous gathering place.
ihatepoetry said:
Envying you at the pool – Mosk in the office overlooking the dry Inland Empire. Happy anniversary to Dverse – where I share all my show biz news first.
brian miller said:
mosk….
ouch on the office….pool was yesterday…at the skatepark today…slaving away you know…smiles…
thanks brother…
brian miller said:
oo another lime…i am so down with lime…when i lived in florida i had a lime tree in the back yard…that was awesome….
cool look forward to seeing what you bring….
brian miller said:
ack…that was supposed to go to beth…smiles.
marilyncavicchia said:
Back from vacation. Happy OLN, everyone!
claudia said:
welcome back – hope you had a wonderful vacation…
MarinaSofia said:
Boy, you guys are quick to post! I was waiting for the pub to open and whooosh, I ended up being No. 64 already! Look forward to reading ye all, though, as always.
claudia said:
smiles..it’s always a bit of a scramble when the doors open…all arms and elbows…ouch…careful..ha
Miriam E. said:
… this made me think of a song by Milow – I don’t even remember the title, but this line got stuck in my head : “If one shot of happy comes with only two shots of sad, then coming of age is not so bad….” I always thought it was special.
And no… that doesn’t mean I want to say you’re getting old, Brian… I just think it’s a beautiful way to look at things when it comes to happiness… heh.
Happy OLN everyone and happy anniversary, dVerse! Off to read a few before I have to hit the hay…
claudia said:
i def. think that we weigh things differently when we’re getting a bit older.. which is a good thing…smiles… will soon sign off for the night as well
WabiSabi said:
Happy Anniversary! I’m looking forward to an evening of poetry. Is there champagne?
claudia said:
what a question! smiles.. of course…
Gay said:
OpenLinkNight – Happy Anniversary all – this is the night that ties us together. So happy to be back with my friends, fellow poets, colleagues, and new acquaintances. Here’s to another great year!!
claudia said:
wooohoooo – gay’s in the house.. just read your poem – embracing diversity – and here’s to many more years of living – breathing – writing – loving – and partying…smiles
brian miller said:
yay! gay!!!!!!
smiles..you make me happy…
Mary said:
I definitely feel the party atmosphere here in the pub! Always good to celebrate something happy……like the anniversary of dVerse (or Claudia’s 25th anniversary – smiles) which means so much to us all. I am happy to count so many of you as friends who inspire me, encourage me, enlighten me with your words. Nice to see we are carrying the momentum into the THIRD year. I am out on the trail enjoying a wonderful poetic feast.
claudia said:
…..and i even had the pleasure of meeting you in person mary…must be a year now since we walked up the many stairs to freiburg münster….smiles..
brian miller said:
amen…
and yeah, have not had the pleasure of meeting mary yet…perhaps one day…smiles…
Gay said:
We keep thinking we’ll get together in a real pub in a real place sometime .. but it is still awesome to meet anywhere one on one or more. Meeting Claudia in London is a memory I cherish!
Mary said:
And thanks, Brian and Claudia, for your vision!!
Jody Collins said:
Brian,Claudia–Happy 2 year anniversary to ya’all. Hey, totally random question here–is there a dVerse Pub ’button’ I can paste on my writing/poetry blogplace? I looked around on the website and couldn’t find one. Just wondering…. thanks! Jody Lee Collins I blog at…. threewaylight.blogspot.com and http://www.wordfacets.blogspot.com/
________________________________
brian miller said:
funny you say that..tony put together a button a few months ago and i have not gotten around to posting it…check back tomorrow…might squeeze it on the contest post…
Imelda said:
Happy second! Cheers!
Thanks Brian and Claudia for this group. All the best.
brian miller said:
why thank you…smiles.
brian miller said:
alright…grabbed the last couple then its dinner break for me…be back in a bit…
whocouldknowthen said:
hi Brian and friends. a very Happy Anniversary to you all, what an incredible community this is. i’m so looking forward to reading some wonderful words tonight!
and thanks for hosting Brian, your enthusiasm is contagious. *smiles*
brian miller said:
ha. i love to spread the smiles around the world…
Tony Maude said:
Time for me to log off and get some sleep. I’ll be returning the rest of my visits tomorrow morning. Good night all, and remember to have fun … smiles
brian miller said:
sleep well good sir…
will try not to leave too big a mess for when you poke your head in tomorrow…smiles…
Polly Robinson said:
Happy Anniversary to all of us ~ amazing times with lots of lovely friends ~ thinking of you all ~ hope to be back in full swing real soon x
brian miller said:
woot…looking forward to some full swing you know…smiles
thank you polly
Felipe Adan Lerma said:
well, despite an internet connection worthy of a third world country, i think i finally got my post to update, whew!
i’ve reposted a poem i linked to OLN late last year, when we were in paris, because dVersePoets start of their third year, coincides wtth publication of that same poem by a small press in paris called Belleville Park Press, yay! 😉
i don’t believe there’s a location requirement for submissions, and there’s no charge; i’ve placed links in the post
happy birthday dVerse, a well earned birthday indeed 🙂
brian miller said:
very cool on the small press adan…congrats on being published…wonder if i can pass a paris poem having never actually been there…smiles.
Felipe Adan Lerma said:
i would think so, there’s all you feel and want in just thinking ’bout being there 😉 i’d give it a shot!
BeingMama said:
Happy anniversary! I just have a short one to share, but wanted to be a part of the celebration! *clink*
brian miller said:
clink*
off to the back yard to look for beauty…smiles.
heidi said:
Happy Anniversary! I will raised a sweet tea to you and get to visiting!
brian miller said:
clink*
sweet tea, we drink that on the front porch…smiles…
kkkkaty said:
Well I’d love to continue reading but have to put it off until later tonight because my granddaughter is playing in the softball tournament that leads to state..every night this week there are games…wonderful bunch of top notch 13-14 year olds playing…and I am happy just watching….
brian miller said:
woohhoo….(thats me cheering on her team)
i hope they do well tonight…if so maybe we can get a wave going in the crowd here…smiles.
ManicDdaily said:
Wise words, my friend! Congrats to you and Claudia. So much work, so much generosity. Of course, it is much appreciated, but I don’t know if even the most appreciative (and I hope I am one) can realize how much work you guys put into it.
I will try to get something up. Love to you both. k.
brian miller said:
smiles…thanks…hey i will settle for dinner again…smiles…i can still close my eyes and taste the food…much love back k
ManicDdaily said:
You are very kind. I’d love to have you guys (your boys and lovely wifetoo and Claudia et al) upstate! I am in City right now, but we had another bear and two cubs in a tree at the edge of our lawn/field yesterday evening (in country.) Crazy. A little scary. But exciting. k.
Laurie Kolp said:
OK… I’m back from the beach. My sister rented a beach cabin for the week, and even though it’s rainy, we went on as planned. Had fun playing charades until the sun broke through long enough to enjoy the surf.
I’m so very grateful for all of you!!
brian miller said:
i am jealous.
the beach.
smiles.
have a blast laurie…
Laurie Kolp said:
Thanks, we did… only went for the day… too much going on right now!
brian miller said:
a day…even for a day…smiles…
Glenn Buttkus said:
Well, 4 hrs in and we just broke 100 link-ins; gosh, sometimes we crash past 100 in the second hour; some wonderful poetics out there, per usual. OLN105 is a benchmark & landmark both. The energy exerted by the dVerse poets could power up NYC for a week, and def feel fortunate to be part of it. Slunk out earlier today to go see WORLD WAR Z with Brad Pitt; terrific Sci-Fi; scary-cool.
brian miller said:
ah. i think when it hits our dollar theatre i will go see it…T doesnt like those movies…
ha. its been a while since 100 in 2 hours—thank goodness…its hard to keep up…smiles…the beauty is those that want to show up…if they dont then maybe next week or a month from now…we will welcome them all the same…smiles.
Truedessa said:
Happy 2nd Anniversary dVerse…it is such a pleasure to have a place to come and gather with others in a friendly setting. You have built a strong foundation with a deep well so everyone can get a drink. Congratulations on all your hard work..(you can’t see me but, I am clapping) .
Peace & Light
brian miller said:
peace & light…and a drink with a friend…smiles..
gardenlilie said:
I wrote an Alexandrine poem, a French form with four lines, twelve syllables and rhyme on 1&3 and 2&4. I just wasn’t sure if I needed the comma to separate the 6th and 7th syllable, probably not. If anyone knows tell me. Thanks. Congrats on three years. I’ve been here two, yeah!!!
lovemorestudio said:
Hi Brian! And Everyone else at the Pub!
A long absence as I traveled, yet my heart yearned for some poetry…dipping my toes in lightly. I can’t wait to read what you’ve all been up to!
Happy night! ~ peace, Jason
brian miller said:
dip those toes in…smiles…welcome back sir…always good to see old familiar faces come through the doors…
Irene said:
Glad you’re enjoying summer with your boys. Happy second anniversary and thanks for hosting, Brian!
brian miller said:
thank you irene…
howanxious said:
submitted something… at least. 🙂
Happy Anniversary dverse community.. I’m quite recent to it… but would love to go a long way participating in the challenges put forth by the community members..
brian miller said:
thats quite alright, we like the newer faces too…
have enjoyed your verse the last little bit…
welcome.
ManicDdaily said:
Hey Brian, Claudia–in honor of revisiting, and taking a page from Hedge, revised something old, one of my earliest postings with you. I really feel that I’ve grown hugely as a poet, and thank you deeply for that. (I still don’t feel much like a poet – where are those novels?????) but still thank you with all my heart. (I have one in pic.) k.
brian miller said:
nice…be over in a few to see…and i would say you have grown k…
Akila said:
happy second year!! and way to go!! came in finally sporadic and well guess I will be so for sometime. congrats! to all the poets and poems here! 🙂
brian miller said:
smiles…that is ok…that is life, for sure…
Susan said:
I’m number 113! Just home from seeing both Superman and The Lone Ranger–big summer blockbuster TV shows. Senior Discount Day at AMC. I had fun. I’m posting a poem I understood when I wrote it for Tony’s form prompt–but I am not sure anymore. i’m happy to be here, though, to help bring in your third year with GOOD energy. Lots of love …
brian miller said:
appreciate the good energy…smiles….
i hope superman was good…waiting for the dollar theatre….
lone ranger was disappointing…
Sheila said:
Finding some strength to pick up that pen again. Just need the right catalyst I suppose. Glad you guys are here. Thanks!
brian miller said:
yay. always good to see you sheila….serious, strong poem tonight..
Sheila said:
I have to get that stuff out of my head…poetry never fails and for that I am grateful 🙂
Grace said:
Happy happy anniversary D’verse ~ Cheers for more poetry sharing and learning ~
Thanks to all the poets and bar tenders who make this site a wonderful and engaging community ~
Cheers to all from BC ~ Making my rounds now ~ Smiles ~
brian miller said:
hiya grace! smiles…glad to have you…and thanks for popping in on your vacation as well…and thank you…smiles.
Grace said:
Wow, so many poems to read tonight & tomorrow ~ I am happy to see old and new faces for our special celebration week ~
Thank you for your big heart ~
brian miller said:
alright, grabbing scott and then i am off to dream land…wonderful night tonight poets…i look forward to being back in the morning for the over nights….play on…
punnypalaver said:
Here’s to a third round–I’m a little late–hope the tap’s still open. Brian and Claudia, thanks so much for this place to read and be inspired, to write and be encouraged.
claudia said:
ha – still open for some more hours…. good to see you.. smiles
claudia said:
ok… caught up and have to stop now as work is calling… will bike to my workplace…a beautiful crisp morning…birds are chirping… may choir-sing a bit with them on the way….smiles
brian miller said:
good morning poets…
coffees on…and i will wake up soon…ha
see you shortly…
Dawn St Amand Paoletta said:
Happy…yes choice for sure. Rough couple of weeks round this end. Pass me a brewski, puhleeeze! Nice to see the party is full…I’ll be getting around and checking in on everyone. Between the distractions of sweet life. Smiles, Brian!
brian miller said:
all over it…happy summer to you…the wave crash and seagulls of your page just came up…ha…what a relief that would be eh? smiles…
claudia said:
ok…back to read…prissi toffifee is playing the piano in the background and i sit on the terrace with the birds chirping…a nest just above me with mom and daddy bird feeding their hungry kids…and it’s summer… and and and.. and all the poetry… oh and we have a surprise for you tomorrow… and miri colorful will be back home from australia on friday..and i’m just an excited mess….*says this with tears in her eyes* smiles….
brian miller said:
smiles. will be great to see your littles claudia…enjoy your day…just caught up myself…
forget tomorrow…we have an announcement here in about 3 hours right?
claudia said:
oh my goodness….see what a mess i am….yes..three hours.. all the time shifts are killing me…ha…smiles
claudia said:
it’s in 2 hours actually… oy…
claudia said:
i can’t concentrate on anything….
brian miller said:
hahahaha
hugs
Maggie Grace said:
Thought I was here but guess I wasn’t. I seem to blank out the 3 pm time although that’s what time it is right now. Wrong day. Happy Anniversary! Am repeating myself but such a lovely community. Am learning to write better comments when I make it to the posts and so appreciate the visits. My tortoise Lucy was a big hit. Got to read more than usual yesterday and today for some catch up tho eyes still having issues. Juggling, juggling. Too many prompts on Monday. Adore you Claudia and Brian. You’ve made me feel so at ease, as well as others. Hope to get better in this third year of yours.
soulsongsharonlee said:
Greetings from a Prodigal daughter (in a manner of speaking)
I know I have been missing for most or all of this year… I’ve moved 3 times, 3 towns, been on babysitting duty (youngest granddaughter), had a spell or two in hospital, but am relativelyhealthy and happy and hoping I will be welcomed back to the fold.
Hope you are well and embracing life wherever you are.
Sharon Lee Goodhand
>________________________________ > From: dVerse >To: sheleeme@y7mail.com >Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 4:59 AM >Subject: [New post] OpenLinkNight ~ Week 105 > > > > WordPress.com >dversepoets posted: “This afternoon, we went to the pool. My boys, the one I am keeping this summer and I. They were playing in the water—jumping off the high dive, playing sharks & minnows with other kids, swimming, bobbing. It was the first day in a while the black” >