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.