The 2017 Progressive Poem is here!

4/19/2017

38 Comments

What a joy to be part of Irene Latham's Progressive Poem! It's been a blast watching this poem grow from blog to blog and I'm thankful to Irene for coordinating this effort each year! I wanted to be somewhere in the middle – not responsible for a beginning or ending. S4’s exhortation to "find the book," was just up my street! S5 included a brief departure from the mission as our protagonist couldn't resist the temptation to spout a few words while on stage - so true to her nature! (Yes, I think the protagonist is a she although I know some of you feel she is a he!) Pat, on S5L3, took up the quest once again but added another twist - apparently the book quest is part of a prophecy! Just wow! With this whole "find the book" couched in a prophecy plot twist, I feel like this poem could easily go another month! But I'll play along. I'll take the plunge. In fact, I'll dive in headfirst:

I’m fidget, friction, ragged edges--
I sprout stories that frazzle-dazzle,
stories of castles, of fires that crackle
with dragonwords that smoke and sizzle.

But edges sometimes need sandpaper,
like swords need stone and clouds need vapour.
So I shimmy out of my spurs and armour
facing the day as my fickle, freckled self.

I thread the crowd, wear freedom in my smile,
and warm to the coals of conversation.
Enticed to the stage by strands of story,
I skip up the stairs in anticipation.

Flip around, face the crowd, and freeze!
Shiver me. Look who’s here. Must I disappear?
By hook or by crook, I deserve a second look!
I cheer. Please, have no fear. Find the book.

But wait! I’ll share the lines I know by heart.
Mythicalhowls, fierytones slip from my lip
Blue scales flash, claws rip, the prophecy begins
Dragonworld weaves webs that grip. I take a trip…

Next up, Donna at Mainely Write. Take it away, Donna!

38 Comments

Irene Latham

4/20/2017 04:45:55 am

BJ, I can SEE this! Thank you for helping us weave this poem! xo

B.J. Lee

4/20/2017 07:50:49 am

I'm glad you can SEE it, Irene! Thanks for hosting the Progressive Poem each year. It's been a blast to follow and participate!

Linda Baie link

4/20/2017 05:27:17 am

Yes, it could go on, BJ! A fantastical trip coming. . . I like "weaves webs"!

B.J. Lee

4/20/2017 07:52:00 am

Thanks Linda! Yes, it could go on and on - it's become quite a saga!

Laura Salas link

4/20/2017 08:39:39 am

I have fallen behind and had a great time catching up today! Love your active line. Nervous about being Day 30, though! Can't wait to see where our adventure will take us by then:)

B.J. Lee

4/20/2017 10:30:37 am

Hi Laura! It is a bit nervewracking, especially the last day! I have no doubt you'll close it out wonderfully!

Matt Forrest Esenwine link

4/20/2017 11:03:16 am

Been having a hard time keeping up this month...but glad to see our adventure is fully underway!

B.J. Lee

4/20/2017 11:26:32 am

Yes, Matt! I've been having a hard time keeping up too! It's taken quite a turn with the Find the Book and the prophecy!

Joy Acey link

4/20/2017 12:06:36 pm

BJ,
Thanks for the hat tip and for your wonderful line. At least now we have a character, a quest and a setting. This poem is coming along nicely at just the right time--only 10 days left.

Jan/Bookseedstudio link

4/20/2017 01:30:12 pm

Into the Dragonworlds!

Appreciations for this further excitement!

B.J. Lee

4/20/2017 02:29:44 pm

Yes, Joy, I love that line! And you're right- a character, a quest and a setting!

B.J. Lee

4/20/2017 02:30:50 pm

Thanks, Jan! Into the Dragonworld with dragonwords! Onward!

Buffy Silverman link

4/20/2017 02:33:31 pm

Oooo...where is the trip? You've added more excitement, B.J.!

B.J. Lee

4/20/2017 02:37:31 pm

Thanks, Buffy! time will tell... things are heating as we approach the home stretch!

Janet F.

4/20/2017 05:56:43 pm

Oh, perfect-o, B.J. I love that our brave and fidgety child is taking a trip. I agree, this saga is both exciting and filled with so many turns. Terrific line.

B.J. Lee

4/21/2017 07:12:55 am

Thank you, Janet! It seemed inevitable that she go on a trip to... NO SPOILERS! :D

Donna Smith link

4/20/2017 07:32:28 pm

I am almost ready. I keep switching things up a little, which tells me I am overthinking it. I think I shall close my eyes and poke at the screen and see which lines wins!

B.J. Lee

4/21/2017 07:13:59 am

Can't wait to read it, Donna! I'm headed there now...

Michelle Kogan link

4/20/2017 10:06:00 pm

There's definitely a web here, and a good moment for our MC to take a getaway trip! Thanks for that detail B.J.!

B.J. Lee

4/21/2017 07:15:06 am

Thank you, Michelle! We'll see where she goes...

Amy Ludwig VanDerwater link

4/21/2017 07:59:00 am

Love these Dragonworlds. Such a weaving of words here, B.J. Take good care! xx

B.J. Lee

4/21/2017 09:48:08 am

Thank you, Amy, for appreciating my dragonwords!

Tabatha link

4/21/2017 12:24:40 pm

Our character is really sprouting a story here! Cool how dragonwords have led us to dragonworld, and I like your internal rhyme. :-)

B.J. Lee

4/21/2017 02:07:52 pm

Thank you, Tabatha! Yes! It is getting to be quite a story!

Bridget Magee link

4/21/2017 03:48:17 pm

This has been fun watching this poem grow. Love your line, B.J. =)

B.J. Lee

4/21/2017 05:33:56 pm

Thanks, Bridget! It has been fun!

Jane @ Raincity Librarian link

4/21/2017 08:42:24 pm

It's been so much fun to watch this poem come to life, creating such a vibrant and fascinating narrative voice! I can't wait to see where it goes!

B.J. Lee

4/22/2017 09:23:39 am

Hi Jane! Yes, I'm enjoyed it very much!

Kay Jernigan McGriff link

4/22/2017 03:13:10 am

It's been such fun to watch this poem grow. I can't wait to see what happens next!

B.J. Lee

4/22/2017 09:24:28 am

me either, Kay!

Penny Parker Klostermann link

4/23/2017 02:45:40 pm

Dragonworld! I love it, BJ. And now to I'll head over to Donna's to see about "the trip."

B.J. Lee

4/26/2017 01:07:51 pm

Thank you, Penny! It seemed logical that dragonwords might be spoken there.

Robyn Hood Black link

4/24/2017 09:18:03 am

I'm with Penny! Thank you, B. J. (Hmmm... if there's ever a Dragonworld theme park, we'll all be first in line! There's always Harry Potter World for now, I guess.)

B.J. Lee

4/26/2017 01:05:35 pm

Robyn - Haha - Dragonworld Theme Park - Yes, I'd be first in line. Florida would be the perfect place for it!

Jan/Bookseedstudio link

4/27/2017 05:47:59 pm

Such are the word inventor with Dragonworlds. Brava!
Glad to have passage on this trip.

B.J. Lee

6/12/2017 10:11:45 am

Thanks, Jan! It's been a fun trip to be sure!

Heidi Mordhorst link

4/29/2017 04:32:05 am

BJ, I'm coming late to appreciate all the lines I've missed while supporting a complicated college decision...the web-weaving captures the power of this dragonstory, and I for one am seeing the trip taking place on that stage as part of a performance--what a show! Thank you!

B.J. Lee

6/12/2017 10:14:25 am

Nice to hear from you, Heidi! College decisions are so difficult! As far as the Progressive Poem, it's been a great trip!

Author

I am a poet who writes for children and sometimes for adults. I live in Florida with my husband, speculative poet, Malcolm Deeley, and our toy poodle Bijoux. I have over 90 poems published or forthcoming in major anthologies and magazines, including "The Journal of Children's Literature". In 2014, I reached the Final Four in the March Madness Poetry Contest. I'm a member of The Poets' Garage and The SCBWI.

Poets' Garage website

Includes my poem "Skateboard Girl"

Includes my poem "The Red Crabs of Christmas Island"

Coming in 2018 National Geographic's book of US: 200 Poems of People, Places, and Passions (edited by J. Patrick Lewis.)
Will include my poem, "Groundhognostication"