I’ve been reflecting on the myriad of influences that give birth to poetry. Looking out my window, drinking in the beauty of autumn, relating the seasons to the mysteries of life and death, reading other poets, reflecting on our own life experiences, listening to music, visiting art museums, studying history, mythology—so many sources from which we can drink inspiration. Our world is rich in beauty and angst. Our lives are touched by joy and sorrow, by love and loss.
Photo: David Slotto
Welcome to Open Link Night—that wonderful opportunity to dip a ladle into a bucket of possibilities, to play with some words to describe any topic we want to address, using any form we choose.
This is Victoria, inviting you to join us today at the pub with your poem. Would you to share, in comments, one or two of your go-to favorite sources to stir up your creative muse. I think of my garden, nature, my experience working as a hospice nurse, poets like Mary Oliver and Jane Kenyon. Where do you go on a day like today when you are not confined to the limits of a prompt?
I’m drafting this early, on Friday, as tomorrow morning, I will take off to be with my mother. My visit was originally intended for her 96th birthday next Saturday, but now it is to be with her as she prepares for what lies beyond this life. She’s done this before but this time she has told us that she is tired and wants to die. I’m sharing this with you in case I don’t show up at the pub when it opens. Should that be the case, Grace will be here to tend the bar.
To participate:
• Write your 1 poem and post it on your blog or website.
• Access Mr. Linky at the bottom of the post and provide your name and the direct URL to your poem.
• Provide a Link to dVerse on your post and make it known on your social media sites.
• Take some time to visit and comment upon other poets who’ve taken part in this prompt. Enjoy each other. We’re a community!
dVerse 
Hello poetic friends.. currently end of intermission in the concert. I will get by later.
Enjoy your concert and see you later~
Hello everyone! Victoria is unable to host this time due to a family emergency. She will appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers at this time.
Well its time for OLN ~ Feel free to discuss what stirs your muse ~
For me its reading other poems specially by Spanish poets, and taking a walk or hiking a trail. Nothing like nature to stir my pen ~
Our hearts go out to you, Victoria–but gosh, 96 is a pretty good ride. As a poet, I guess I find inspiration everywhere I look, or move. My creativity manifests two-fold–photography & poetry. I am thankful for dVerse Pub, because it provides both fellowship & inspiration–your prompts & lessons in form have been my prime emphasis for years, & whatever progress I’ve made in my poetic style has been thanks in part to the imaginative challenges provided for me.
I am also inspired by photography Glenn ~ Good to have you as part of our journey~
Good evening Victoria, Bjorn and all dVerse poets! I will have to keep this short and sweet, post a brief poem and disappear, but I will be back in the morning to read. The inspiration for my poem this evening is drawn from our garden. It is such a delight to arrive home and get out of my car to be greeted by a friendly robin, especially when it’s joined by its mate!
How lovely to have such a garden with robins ~ See you tomorrow Kim ~
Victoria – sending prayers of grace for your journey and comfort and peace to you and your mom. My mom took her own journey to her next life this past April. I will be thinking of you as you go down this path. Blessings.
Condolences to your family Kathleen ~ Thanks for dropping by ~
Some of my favorite sources of inspiration are music (that of others and composing/playing my own), prayer books that are poetry in themselves, children, pets, and very recently – food. Thank you for the opportunity to reflect on these, Victoria. My thoughts are with you, your mother, and family!
Music is a good inspiration and I must say that some lyrics are poetry by themselves. Thanks for joining us ~
Hello everyone. My heart is with you during this challenging transition in you and your family’s life, Victoria.
I’m posting the “futurism” poem that I failed at for Bjorn’s last prompt. I couldn’t find a way to edit out all of that syntax! I would, however; like to try my hand at that prompt again when I have more time.
It was hard for me to take out the syntax in that futurist challenge too Gayle ~ Thanks for your support ~
I’m happy to hear that I wasn’t the only one, Grace!
Best wishes to you and your mother, Victoria.
As far as inspiration goes, it usually comes from the words other people speak or write. That is why a prompt is effective, but any communication can work as a prompt. I also enjoy Mary Oliver’s poetry.
As they say, inspiration can be everywhere ~ Thanks for your support Frank ~
Under the influence of the American election I’m afraid. This poem is called “Like a Snowflake in a Margarita…” and was written eight years ago when we all thought the vitriol over a possible black president couldn’t possibly get any worse. How wrong we all were. I know that one link only is allowed but there are three other political rants linked in the poem if you’d care to hear. Election day is five days away, but I am afraid the ramifications no matter who wins will be felt worldwide for decades to come.
Hello Victoria. I hope that you and your mother have some time left before your journey’s diverge. I will have you and your family in my thoughts.
As for my Muse, she finds creative ways to express on just about any subject matter. I write poetry because it represents my truest emotions.
Good for you to be inspired by whatever prompt Brian ~ I guess if you are open to challenges, the words will just come ~
Oh boy, I am glad I am not an American as your politics are sure muddled up and filled with hate speeches. I will pray for your country next week Brian ~
Thinking of you and your mother, Victoria…
I can find poetic inspiration in anything: a toothbrush, a blade of grass, some tiny white snails climbing up a fence, an angry word. But I’ll be honest, it’s usually a word or phrase that gets stuck in my head (I’m more auditive than visual) and the whole poem builds up around that.
Following Grace’s kind suggestion, I would like to link up the poem on bridges I wrote earlier this week, but which I then realised did not fit the haibun criteria.
When I read a poem, I also remember a phrase or a verse and I tell myself, I am going to write about that, but in my own way.
Good to see your link here Marina ~ Thanks for your support ~
Thank you, Victoria, for all you do here at the pub and out in the world as a nurse. All the experience has prepared you for the coming days but it is particularly hard to lose one’s morher. You are both in my thoughts as well.
Thanks Kathy ~ We appreciate your support ~
Oh, goodness, Victoria…my thoughts are with you
Thanks for dropping by Sue ~
Prayers to you Victoria.
Thank you ~
Thoughts and prayers Victoria as you travel to be with your mom. I hope your presence there is a comfort to her
Thank you ~
My thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom, and your family, Victoria. Peace, love and strength to you, Mother Wintermoon ❤
Thanks for your support.
💕🌹🙏🏻
You and your mum are in my heart and in my prayers at this time Victoria. It is so good that you can be there for her while she prepares for her next journey. The post and poem I am linking tonight is also about saying goodbye and letting someone you love leave on their terms. My inspiration comes from nature, from animals and people, from the most ordinary to the most extraordinary. I have little time tonight and will swing by tomorrow to read all your lovely links. Have a blessed evening everyone :o)
Nature seems to our favorite muse ~ Thanks for your kind thoughts and see you tomorrow ~
My thoughts are with you Victoria during this difficult time.
My inspiration comes from so many different things but mostly from my own life experiences and music.
Will be back to check out other poems.
Victoria…may God wrap his loving arms around you at this most difficult time. My thoughts are with you. ♥
I usually write from my deepest emotions, a reflection or experience. Sometimes I am moved by a photo but it usually takes me inward. Then there are those quirky moments that slip in.
The poem I linked up today was hard to let go of. Not sure why.
“I usually write from my deepest emotions”
That is so brave. I could never do that.
Aww, I’ve never thought of it as brave, but thank you. We all have our different triggers for inspiration. That is the beauty of it.
Mish, it is incredibly brave.
nebraska, i think you should try. if you say ‘i could never do that’ then you will make that true. i’ve been amazed at what happens when i can manage to get out of my own way.
I feel so close to *cracking* all the time, and the only way to keep it at bay is to remain as disconnected from my emotions (and people) as possible, even to the point of staying angry and mean most of the time.
Victoria! May your time with your mom be filled with cheer.
I’m inspired by Nature…the change 0f seasons and looking out my window at the fog that gathers under the trees.
I will start rounds tomorrow, as I am in pain with a bad back.
Prayers for you and your mother, Victoria.
I take mine from nature, life experience, and state of life, and from other people.
Technical Question: Is there a way to remove or change my Mr Linky? I don’t want to add another one, as open link night is for one item only, but i’ve got something i’d rather post…
Hello!
I can change the link for you but with the same no. #13. You can put in the new link here in this comment.
this, please: https://erbiage.wordpress.com/2016/11/04/the-palinend/
I think this is the poem link iself:
Good morning dVerse poets. I’m back again to read and to take the time to offer my prayers to Victoria and her family.
Good morning everyone! I will be making my rounds throughout the day. Thanks for all your kind support and prayers for Victoria ~
Enjoy your day or night ~