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I could never be a superhero.
I have an aversion to tights.
I did not even where them when I danced with the ballet.
Last Saturday, my oldest son and I went to the local Comicon. For those of you with lower scores on the geek scale, it is a cartoon, toy and comic book convention. Authors, artists and actors are there. Row after row of vendors with new toys, old toys, toys your mom sold at a yard sale when you left to go to college for a quarter that are now $500 toys. (Not that I am bitter, sorry mom. Smiles).
And people dress up. In costume. Like their favorite characters.
We saw Batman & pretty much his entire rogues gallery. We saw Wonder Woman. Supergirl had on these killer heels. There were crying angels. Ninja Turtles. Avengers. Captain America. Star Wars people. Star Trek.
I did not dress up.
This time.
My son talked about it the rest of the weekend. Things he saw, people he saw. Some people went all in, creating their persona—and you could tell they were having fun.
Tomorrow is April Fools. The day we look like and we create fools with our antics. It is also the beginning of National Poetry Month here in the US. Funny how those things happen at the same time. Smiles.
So, do people know you’re a poet or are you still holding on to your secret identity? why?
Are you doing anything outlandish for National Poetry Month? Poetry Flash MOb, anyone?
Let’s talk.
dVerse 
What fun – sounds like a blast – I know it will be the topic of conversation for awhile with your kiddo.
Starting to change from my clark kent executive assistant garb to more of my poet tights and cape (so slimming) – moving toward making the writer persona more real to folks around me.
And thinking on a month of poems for the Natl Poetry Month – will see how it goes.
Enjoyed OLN and reading everyones contributions this weekend-
really appreciate having the Pub here and still moving and growing and creating.
Thanks K
that will be a nice change… though i always liked his glasses… smiles
ha. i tried the 30 poems in 30 days a couple years ago…it will wipe you out….its funny i think we put pressure on ourselves too…because i can rip 3-4 poems a day when i dont think about it….
3-4 a day??? I can’t stand you bri. lol
smiles…its habit you know….like a word drug…
I plan on doing NaPoWriMo again this year (I did it last year) and I was surprised with myself. I don’t necessarily need to post them, I just allowed myself to write at least one a day or, like Brian was saying, it’s strange but I also frequently write about 4 poems if I’m in a poetic state of mind. I got to admit, I don’t share each poem in its rough draft, or at all, and sometimes I cheat and count those “bonus” poems I wrote as poems for the days I didn’t write anything hah. It ends up being more like “30 poems in 30 days” than “a poem a day,” really. … smiles.
nice… sounds like a fun time – and when it comes to tights – you know… they are as practical for superheroes as they are for ice skaters – capes not so much – smiles
most of my friends know that i’m writing poetry – and like me anyway…smiles
i know…i get my cape caught on bushes…and random sharp objects…..
ha, glad they like you any way…cant imagine that being too hard….smiles.
I kept “Poet” as a secret identity for decades. In fact I was in the closet about being a poet longer than I was, well in the closet (smiles).
I am going to try my hand this year at writing and sharing 30 poems in 30 days for NaPoWriMo. In fact I’m kicking it off with a April fools poem.
cool… the funny thing is that i performed a poem on a friend’s birthday before i even thought about writing poetry… fun… i still should have this recording from about 8 years back…
Nice Claudia. You should share the recording.
have to dig the archives for it… it was a little video that a friend made with his phone – starts only after the first third of my performance was already over… haha
cool….am working on an april fools poem…maybe tomorrow or the next day….told my students it was the anniversary of finding the spaghetti tree tomorrow…and sent them home to google what that means….
The funny thing was I caught a segment on TV where they were rerunning a piece about the spaghetti tree but I didn’t know it was an April Fools joke from years before and actually believed it. I guess it’s one that keeps on giving!
It was the best spoof ever, and it was on the (usually) seriously deep and pompous BBC docunews programme Panorama, back in (I think) the 1970’s.
Poetry plans? Hmmmm.
There are times that I feel like a tool,
Complying with each lim’rick rule.
So starting today
I refuse to obey.
Don’t believe me? You’re right. April Fool!
nice… we have this april fool thing as well – wondering if it’s world wide..
i think april fools is….one of the best ever was the spaghetti tree incident from europe….
Well spun Madeleine. Keep spinning those limericks.
Are all of your thoughts limericks, Mad? Loved it.
Sounds like fun ~ My brother is into these things and I can see from the pictures (plus cape) that he posts, that its a must-to-attend event for him and his boys ~
I will not do the everyday writing for April but will stick to my own 3-4x week posting if inspired. Its not only the writing but the commenting everyday that wears me down, I need a break, smiles ~
Here at work, only 1 knows that I write poetry ~ In my soon to be work next week, I will start on clean slate ~ Maybe I will write a poem for my introduction, ha ~
a poem for introduction – that is a cool idea – wishing you a great start at your new workplace grace
Thanks Claudia ~
ha that would def be cool…
you could either perform it …
or hang it under your name plate…
I love the idea of writing a poem as an introduction. Do it!
i am the same…i enjoy my rhythm…5 times a week…sometimes drifting up to 6….buti like my rhythm….
A poem as an intro . . . I second the ‘do it’s. How cool would that be.
Ha, you know, it’s certainly no secret, but I don’t mention it out loud very often, either…something to think about. Tights have their uses, but I’d rather be in pajamas any day… smiles.
I signed up for NaPoWriMo for the third year in a row, I’ve really enjoyed it each time, kind of being “forced” to write a poem a day really takes me to some new places I might not get to otherwise.
Happy Poetry Month!
ha – i prefer pajamas to tights as well… smiles
and woot on tackling another year of NaPoWriMo
pajamas rule… 🙂
Kelly its my first year to attempt NaPoWriMo, where did you sign up?
Never mind Kelly. I went to your blog and found it. Thanks!
Sorry, I missed your reply yesterday, but glad you found it, yay for joining in!
i might get arrested for wearing my pajamas…ha….it provided some nice results for me the year that i did it….you’d be surprised what you can get out of the bottom of the barrel….smiles.
yes, that was exactly it, and scraping my way down there was a great learning experience.
I’m a pj lover over tights any day too. :0)
we are such kindred spirits!
Comicon! What fun. We are making small strides by going to game events. One day, we’ll hit the big time. 🙂
game events sound fun as well 🙂
nice….like card games….we actually have an old warehouse her that has been converted to a gaming place….tables and refreshments…supplies etc…
didn’t robin hood wear tights as well… i love robin hood…smiles
a poetry flash mob would be very cool… like an improvised poetry slam or duel at mcdonalds… ha… what fun
Claudia I love that idea too.
oh i am all for poetry bombing a mcdonalds….wonder if they would throw me out if i performed…
they wouldn’t – just buy enough burgers… smiles
ha. maybe hand out burgers to those willing to listen…smiles.
that would be great, don’t forget to make a video for us!
What a great idea. I wish I could be there.
Oh, yeah–people I know are aware I write poetry. Not that they bother to read it. I, too, love the idea of a poetry flash mob. Not sure I could find other poets to join me. Reno does love its cowboy poetry, though.
i have a few colleagues at work that read my poetry every once and a while – and my daughters read my poems when they’re homesick… smiles
cowboy poetry sounds cool… you could dress up as cowboys for your flashmob…
ha. i have a few that know me…and the scary side is i have students that have found me….and read me…so i am not a well kept secret anymore….smiles…but i dont let that stop me….
you just need to get you a ten gallon cowboy hat v….
It can be hard to keep a secret in this day and age . . . I say own it and go with it.
oh i def own it….had 3 guys stop me in the hall and ask me to drop some rap lyrics this afternoon so i had to spin some on the spot….i perform for my kids in class all the time now so they know that side….having some find my website…that becomes intersting depending on what they read…ha….
Way to go . . . love that you can perform on the spot, I definitely couldn’t do that.
def a challenge…my students keep me on my toes…i am easy to spot too…the only teacher with a mohawk…so they find me pretty quick…smiles…
I will not be doing anything special for Poetry month. There have been years that I have written a poem a day, but this year I will just write my usual 3 – 4 a week and not put stress upon myself to write more.
As far as people in my life knowing that I am a poet, I would say some do and some don’t. I don’t ‘promote’ myself as a poet unless I sense someone is interested…and, ha, it seems that not all that many are really.
yeah – if you tell someone that you write poetry it doesn’t have the same effect as if you would say you’re bungee jumping… though poetry is much more exciting actually than bungee jumping… they just don’t know it…smiles
lol….no it does not claudia….
i get people asking if i still do that poetry thing occassionally….those that have figured it out along the way…
I have done poetry every day for quite some while.. but actually doing less in a while… maybe I will get on writint more .. but for the time being I take it alittle slower…
we all have to find that rhythm bjorn…i used to write every day…or at least post every day…i still write most days…but i only share about 5 times a week….give the muse time to breath and just write for the fun of it…
I had no idea that there was a National Poetry Writing Month! Not sure if it applies here in Canada too, but I’ll assume that it does…just in case 🙂 Not sure that I can commit to a poem a day, but we shall see!
amiles…i think it can apply most any case…
beware the poem a day…its brutal…ha…
I just saw the national poetry month.. but no.. I will just trudge on.. maybe a little break around easter when I get a call to the wild.. but tights I do wear those when I bicycle.. was out this weekend having a blast…
Got to love a man that admits to wearing tights and owns it. Way to go Bjorn. :0)
Ha.. Cycling is a tight allowed zone.
ah i am pretty close to feeling the call of the wild as well…6 more weeks of school til summer…and i will def be camping this summer…
I dig tight jeans – does that count as tights, too? haha…
ha. thy will make you just as sterile…just saying…
i need room to breath
gonna wear MC Hammer pants from now on… or “dropped crotch” pants as the fashion people say nowadays…
hahahahaha
“cant touch this….”
I work in IT where these are very popular – but my spandex is limited to bicycle wear which can be embarassing enough.
I always felt that our kids can’t always come to where we are – and that sometimes we need to go to where they are – Sounds like you made just the right choice, fun and dreams never go out of style.
ha. i need to ask my IT guy at school if he wears tights….
def fun to hang out with my boys…they are opposite ends of the spectrum so i get a variety of fun things to get into…about to head to baseball practice now…
he might surprise you!
no time better spent than being with your kids – enjoy
truly.
Just in the last month or so I have made the transition from “I write poetry” to “I am a poet!” I finally had to admit it to myself. My grandson is a couple of days overdue now, and this morning this popped out:
Little Roy Autry has passed his due date
Like a true Stokes he’s coming in late
He likes it in there
But soon he’ll need air
When it’s time he won’t hesitate!
I just can’t help myself. The poetry is in me, I don’t know how it got there, but it’s always trying to get out. At least half of my thoughts, every day, come in rhyme. My compendium, which I started about two years ago, is now 80 pages of back-to-back poems, close to 300 entries. I think it’s time to get organized…
i hear you…poetry pops out of me at interesting times as well…
hope all goes well with the deliver of your grand…that will def be a lot of fun injected into your life pretty quick…
My husband is a huge supporter of my work and always introduces me as an Artist or Poet. I remember it took me many years to think of myself as an artist but after jumping that hurdle adding poet wasn’t as hard. I do tend to look at my feet when I say it though so need to work on eye contact and saying it with confidence! Not everyone gets it or appreciates it but when my words connect with someone in some way, much like my art, it means a lot. Many of my friends don’t read my blog but purchased the book of poetry I recently self published and it was their first time reading my poetry. I surprised and amazed many of them (in a good way) even if my work can be a little dark at times. I try to write poetry that is accessible to others and I love how it opens up conversations. With the amount of crazy talent that’s here at dVerse I think you should all be shouting from the rooftops that you’re all poets and proud of it . . . as for tights, well that’s another story!
that is really cool that he introduces you as the artist or poet….smiles….not everyone gets it for sure…and its def not as popular as many things people claim to do…i think it is cool…smiles….and i am def for opening conversations with it…
i used to use it with kids i counselled that could not express the feelings otherwise…
I am a true believer that art and writing are amazing as forms of expression for those who find it hard to talk about their feelings. I know both saved me in their own ways. 🙂
Hi guys! well, I 1st dabbled in poetry at 16, I would get a lot of negative reactions, so I kept it to myself… I didn’t really start embracing it until 18. the more I talked about it, the more I realize people just weren’t used to the idea of someone wanting to a “poet” – that’s all, and I had nothing to be ashamed of… Even tho none of my real life friends are into poetry, they all think it’s pretty cool now… smiles. And for poetry month… I tried the poem a day thing last year – I was drained; and only about two of em were good. lol… Not doing anything special this year, tho.
i envy you starting so early at times anthony…i wrote songs at 16 and gave it up a few years after and did not write anything for nearly 20 years….
Nice … yes, everyone knows I’m a poet. I’m all over the internet and this is my real name. Smiles. It’s never been a secret … I’ve been writing poetry since I was 10. I was an English major in college. I work in publishing. Writing/editing is what I do and love. Smiles. 🙂
i use my real name as well…not hard to find me…
its cool that it has been a passion you chased most of your life…
I have yet to introduce myself as a poet. I just never think I’m good enough for that, so I keep it secret for the most part. My children know and read more often than they let on. My brother and sister think I’m wonderfully talented. I’m not really sure what my husband thinks. He hasn’t a poetic bone in his (most literal) body. Makes for some interesting conversations! Smiles.
ha. i bet it does…i am curious…does he read you?
i am glad you have the support of your children…that is awesome…my songs have dabbled in it here and there….smiles.
good enough…that is only a question we can answer for ourselves by what we choose to measure ourselves against….
I know he reads me, but we don’t often discuss what I’ve written. Once he bought me a beautiful (and most meaningful) pendant) that perfectly represented a poem I’d written about him. It is probably my most treasured gift from him.
I have a public life in a very small town (education, like you), so I don’t want everyone here to read my work. Just wait until I retire!!
ha. retirement will def make the difference…and so cool on the pendant…quite the treasure…
I’m a closet poet. There I said it. I have shared only one or two of my poems on my facebook and I did not link them to my blog. I don’t twitter or use any other social media to share my work. As much as I am happy to gain new followers, I am still reluctant to publicize to some of my friends, co workers, acquaintances and family. Much of my writing originates from my feelings, family relationships and personal events. When I write, I feel free to express myself. For some reason, when I think of certain people in my life reading my poetry, this feeling is lost. I clam up. I know they can stumble upon my blog, but so far, as far as I know, they have not.
So I put on my “Poet cape” and fly under the radar, slowly convincing myself to soar.
Maybe some day. 🙂
I used to feel the same way a few years ago. Be proud of your writing – and that confidence you have within your poetry will outweigh the need to clam up. Easier said than done, I know. It took me a while to take on the title of ‘Poet’ and really embrace it as a part of who I am… keep moving forward and slowly soar… smiles.
i hear you….i am very honest in my writing and run the risk all the time of offending people i know because i dont hide my feelings…i rarely address anyone by name and if so i change it usually…it is scary to be known that way when they find you….
soar on…smiles.
I am right there with you. For all the reasons you have mentioned, I’ve never shared with anyone about my blogging (though a number have always been aware of my writing). It has been four years since I started my blog and only about a year ago did a handful (and I mean less than I can count on one hand) learn I post online…and while I’ve gotten a like or two on Facebbok and twitter from them none (thank goodness) have actually stumbled upon my blog.
i am attempting 30 in 30 days this year, and would love any feedback from you guys.
wow. its a challenge…dont limit yourself…just let poetry find you and capture it…i wish you a good journey and i will def be watching…
I thought I was a closet poet then I discovered I went through the wrong door.. it wasn’t the closet but the front porch…
haha 🙂
ha. and then you realize you have no clothes on…and dang..no point in hiding any more…smiles.
When I write a poem, the next person that comes along gets subjected to it. I read it aloud, and occasionally adjust it to get the flow right. I get some funny looks… poetry needs to be spoken, I think. Some of my friends get it, some don’t, but I show no mercy. : )
i agree in that poetry needs to be read aloud…it took me a year of writing to understand the importance of sound…it was a leap for me in poetry…
I always read my poems aloud before I post them. Sound is very important for a poem to have impact. I used to go to open mics and did a little performance poetry … in coffee shops and local libraries. I’m looking for a new place to recite poetry now. I’m also thinking of adding sound to my blog soon. Smiles
Once I realized the difference between reading it to myself and reading it aloud, I always test my poetry that way.
ooh, I like that idea….I think it would be neat to walk into a room and someone just look up and share their poem with me…not sure I’d have the nerve to reciprocate though.
My friends have gotten used to my ways… Frequently in conversation I’m reminded of a poem, and… “I wrote a poem about that- listen to this.” I like to watch the reactions.
I think the fact that my profile pic is a mask pretty much says it all as far as my poetic identity goes. As for National Poetry Month no plans at this time…though the idea of a Poetry Flash Mob has me quite intrigued.
it would be cool to pull off a poetry flash mob…smiles…
and masks are not always bad things…
Wow what a fun discussion, and interesting questions : )
I always said that the only way I can get something written is when i convince myself that no one else will read it… smiles.. I still do this when I write so I don’t lose my focus. I guess it is just a way to get myself to be honest as I write. Gets rid of the feeling of being “judged” or “watched.” Needing that sense of “privacy.”
I was a teenager when I really took poetry seriously. So for a while, poetry and blogging was a secret for me. A few blogs later, and I am here, with my name and face tagged next to my writing. It took me a while to be comfortable like this, but once I understood that my writing won’t hurt anyone.. there was no reason to hide most of it. It does take courage to be open, and I still wrestle with it everyday, but I’m also addicted to the strength it brings. It’s healing…
..Writing moments are private moments, that secluded “place” where intimate conversations take place within myself. So although I don’t hide what I write anymore at all, I acknowledged that all the privacy I need is in the moments of writing.
At least, I think, this is the nature of my writing : )
smiles…some cool introspection and analysis in this…being honest is huge…and when we do i think poetry has more impact…when we are really free from that judgement…
Oh and tights? Reading the comments had me laughing and agreeing. They have their uses like for exercise or cold weather but I’d rather not my have my body suffocate that way for too long… I need that oxygen! (:
ha. there is that honesty…smiles.
Emerald City Comic-Con happened this weekend about a block from my job! All the IT guys were pretty stoked.
I had a poetic alter-ego at first. As I got older, there was a gradual shift towards incorporating the poet with the rest of me. Now, I guess I’m to lazy to compartmentalize any of my interests, which I’m sure frustrates any of my followers on social media.
In real life and on the internet, my friends know that I’m fanatical about poetry, astronomy, comedy, human rights, star trek, star wars, most of sci-fi, the Chicago Bears/Bulls, NBA, NFL, panty-chasing (allegedly), and over-analyzing most things that I’m passionate about.
But since I do work in IT, I’ve formed an alliance with 2other geeks. We call it the League of Just, and my alter-ego in this group is Admiral Hatred. There’s a story behind it, but I’ve already said too much.
Forgot to add hip-hop (mostly the old-school stuff)
ha. i totally want to hear the story barry…
bulls fan from way back as well….seen them play quite a few times….
Ha ha..no aversion for me at all..;)
And i like the fine art of poetry in role playing..as play and real..
It is i who create..it is i who i never know…
or REALLY want to..i would rather play..
than be…
🙂
Who i will be when morrow arrives..
IS ONly determined by..
WHO
THE FOOL IS
me..and
WHO KNOWSNOW
is determined by
You.
No more outlandish than usual – just writing poetry every day like I always do. It’s reading it all that’s going to be an outlandish pleasure!
it can def be quite the pleasure….smiles.
Ha, I’ve been “out” since I was 7, and have had quite a public career, but poets are still invisible to the mainstream. Many people who know me are unaware if it, or much more aware of some of my other hats. Even those who do know seldom do things that would allow them to really get it — such as reading literary magazines and anthologies (let alone my own blogs). Never mind, it’s what I do, and I count it a great blessing. It will never desert me, like a career in ballet or football, and I don’t need to make heaps of money to know myself rich.
This month I am doing the April Poem A Day Challenge at Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic Asides blog, as I have done since its beginning some years ago. I thought I was too busy to do it this year, but other poets said they’d miss me, and also there is the possibility of getting into an anthology this time. I decided it would make more sense to cut back on something else instead (like housework).
ha you ca always clean house in may…or rent a bulldozer….smiles.
Intriguing idea, a poetry flash mob. Especially during April.
seriously i need to find some partners in crime to pull this off…road trip!!!!
Oh, and the other lovely thing I do every April is receive daily emails of poetry from Knopf , as I am subscribed to their Poem A Day service which kicks in every year in April. 🙂