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Dog Days of Summer, Ella Fitzgerald, George Gershwin, Louis Armstrong, Summertime, Victoria Slotto
Here in the Northern Hemisphere we enjoy, or, perhaps, endure the dog days of summer…those sultry days of July and August when the temperatures top out. Originally named by the Romans for the dates when Sirius rose before or at the same time as the sun, the constellation was blamed for the sometimes unbearable heat and, prior to the star’s expected arrival, they sacrificed a red dog.
When we think of dog days, we may remember “Summertime, and the living is easy…”, though it seems that in our hurried, frenetic culture, that is illusory. But it’s all the more important for our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health to carve out those moments of leisure.
I remember an assignment in my college philosophy course in which we were called upon to consider and write an essay defining for ourselves the difference between leisure and work. I chose music—a skill I once had, which—I’m ashamed to admit—went dormant many years ago. This creative endeavor, I believe, can be either work or leisure.
When gearing up for a performance, practicing those scales or arpeggios, and then actually playing for an audience, music can be stressful. It’s work. But how relaxing it is to sit down at the piano or pick up the sax and allow the emotions to drive the sounds and riffs, to use notes as a paintbrush or a lump of clay to express one’s deepest self?! And so it is with poetry.
Welcome to Open Link Night! No prompt to worry about today. No form to comply with. Just wonderful words for you to play with, to enjoy, to arrange as you will. So, “…spread your wings, and take to the sky!”
And to those of you in the clenches of winter, dive in anyway. After all, poets are masters and mistresses of the memory and the imagination.
For dVerse Poets’ Pub, this is Victoria Slotto, hosting Open Link Night for the first time.
To join us:
• Grab a pen or pencil and write that poem, then post it on your blog or website;
• Copy the direct URL of your post into the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this page along with your name;
• Come on back to the pub and sip some poetry. Please take time to comment on the work of your fellow poets;
• Broadcast the fact that we are here through your social media networks;
• But most of all—have fun.
By the way, folks, if you missed Brian’s post on Monday, please take a look! You are invited to submit poems for an Anthology published by dVerse for dVerse! Check out the details here.
The quotes from the beautiful, sultry song, “Summertime,” are the composition of George Gershwin, from the American opera, “Porgy and Bess,” 1935. The song and the performance in the video are the property of the composer and the performers. Performed by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. All rights reserved.
I am enjoying our summer here Victoria as its too short & going too fast ~
I love it best when I just indulging in words, no stress nor worries, for sure ~
Wishing you and everyone happy weekend ~
You, too, Grace. Soak in the sun while you have it!
Welcome all! Guess what–the two pub-masters are off the radar right now so I’m pouring free mojitos. The only thing you need to do is bring us a poem. Have a wonderful time. I will visit everyone, eventually, because I’m a poetry addict and love to see what you bring to the pub.
Wow, these last Saturday OLNs kind of slip up on me, what with all the movie reviews, play rehearsals, & photography adventures I am involved in. So I did not find the time to write a full-blown Cinemagenic chapter of BLACKTHORNE; so in recognition of G-Man, I managed a 55; next month my poetic movie script will continue.
But a fun intro to the characters, Glenn.
Not sure what happened with the first link and I don’t know how to fix it. It took me to a search engine. So, I’ve relinked mine.
I noticed that and clicked quick on the second one you put up!
Victoria, I fixed your original link….and got rid of your second one. All is well. You deserve the early position. Smiles.
Thanks Mary ~ I was wondering about that ~ I will be off in a bit for errands but I will be back, smiles ~
Thanks, Mary!
Hiya Victoria, Nice to be back at dVerse after what has been a busy summer for me so far.. Congrats to all associated with the site for three years of achievement and service to many… Looking forward to touching the fingers of inspiration with fellow dreamers later tonight…
Nice to have you back, Scott.
Victoria, the link will not go to your site. >KB
Hi Victoria – so good to see you behind the bar. I’ll be around this evening. Just holler if you need me — hugs!
Thanks, Gay! Bring some virtual rum with you, will you?
Well..i’m off in a few to see the new movie with Cameron Diaz and company with wife..and off to dance walk in my usual routine..of loving life..but will be back to hopefully read and comment on all..as i do love to connect..with the opened minds of lot!
Enjoy the movie!
Thank you for hosting Open Link today, Victoria. I do enjoy the ‘dog days of summer.’ And they take me back to my childhood and those long summer days with so much playing to do, swimming in the city’s outdoor pool, reading under the shade of a tree, using a picnic table as a spaceship, and a popsicle treat bought from the popsicle boy who rode his bicycle with frozen goodies through the side streets. Smiles.
Nothing like memories of summers when we were young!
Wow Victoria – thank you for hosting the Bar today! I’m feeling lucky to have uncharacteristically checked email on the weekend and saw yours there. Summer sure has been going full force the last month – why I’d eve spaced on the fact that OLN was already here!
Sorry Mary – I meant that to go to the main comments, not in response to yours…though your comment DID make me smile in shared remembrance!
So glad you stopped by, and with a poem. Keep on enjoying the weekend!
Hi, I had to pop in from my hiatus.. Today a hot summer day gave way to thunder and rain… But hopefully this last week of summer will not give way … I have not written a poem for tonight.. But I will go around and do a bit of reading.
Enjoy your time away, Bjorn. We’ll be glad to see you back.
I got so inspired from reading I had to write one…
Yeah!
Hey Victoria,
A lovely post–my summer has been a bit frenetic, but I am hoping that it will slow down at some point. Thanks much. K.
Thanks, Karin. I hope you get a break. Mine’s been crazy, too.
Hello, Victoria! Thank you for hosting today. It is the middle of summer yet all the school supplies in the stores seem to spell work too soon.
We’re on a year-round school year here, now–first year. The poor kids have to go back in 2 weeks. Teachers, too!
smiles… i was driving in pouring rain to italy today…hopefully the sun finds the way here as well soon… i have crappy internet here so i won’t play… have fun all – and thanks for tending bar victoria
Thanks for peeking in, Claudia. Hope the sun returns here and I suspect you will be playing…if not here, in Italy!
Only 20 posts so far and I have all these adult beverages. Maybe I’ll take a little break!
Hi, worked all day so just coming in now. Loving this summer weather. We must enjoy while we can here in New England, for our winters are long and cold! There’s a saying here:” Don’t like the weather? Wait an hour!” Sharing a piece I wrote a couple of weeks ago, during our “super moon.” Happy OLN! Glad I could join you!
We have that kind of weather, too!
I had nothing to contribute – being enmeshed in the Poetic Bloomings Granada Camp for Wayward Poets PAD challenge – so I linked a not-very-good-poem about a place that means a lot to me.
Glad you’re here, Viv!
Free mojito! Fill me up, Victoria. Back later to read… ~
You got it!
Winter is nearing the end in Malawi and then we begin the buildup to the Wet again. Australia will be chilly for another month or so. Well, southern Australia will. The north is tropical.
I’m glad you’re bringing a bit of cooling to us up in the North. The whole hemisphere thing fascinates me.
I linked one that I’ve had in my draft department for a while. A new short form that I tried my hand at after reading one on rmp’s site. Thanks for hostess-ing, Victoria!
Thanks, Gayle. I’m off to read now.
Would like Benjamin Smith to know that I tried to leave a comment but was unsuccessful…an error message appeared.
Hello, Victoria – I’m late to the feast, was not planning to leave a poem as I was going to be out all weekend. Then a change of plan occurred, so I have left a link and will be visiting other sites shortly. Not much summer here – very changeable weather…
Glad you made it, Marina Sofia, but sorry your plans have been disrupted. And that summer is playing games with you.
I’m caught up for the moment–will return later on in case you arrive late! Thanks for being here.
Ditto. Also got piano practice in..moderately ok today. Ready for afternoon snack.
See you guys later.
I am catching up!
I’m a day late! I’m going to read links. I haven’t had a chance to write anything new lately. This is Birthday Season in my family. It seems we are always celebrating someone’s birthday here. Anyhow, happy OLN 🙂