‘and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference’
― Robert Frost

*Reading feedback from readers, since first writing this post as you see it below, I’ve decided to have another think about how best to take Poetry 101 Rehab forward – don’t want to lose or alienate anyone who has participated to date – let me know what you think?*
poetry 101 rehab has grown up
it’s now p \ m
and, it’s about to become raw, grittier than before
perhaps, a lot more
you may not like it, or maybe you will, either way let me know by commenting on this post, or send me your thoughts through my contacts page
best of all, post it
<decide>
dead inside (been here before),
suicide?
no, well,
(you) decide
no?
will you fight
for what you feel
(if you even feel)
for what is real
for you
and, if not,
would you, will you, for them?
or
will
you
do (just) what you need
to
survive?
<decide>
want to be part of p \ m – all you have to do is write a poem in response to the <weekly> prompt, scribble a note, share a track (if you wish), add a photo (or not), maybe toss in a quote and then tag your post p \ m and \ or you can click on the image below
of course, the rules of p \ m are that there really are no rules…
this week the prompt is decide, so go on, decide?
a new prompt for p \ m will be published here at 21:00 utc every monday
p \ m | decide
So this week’s prompt is decide?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, thanks Melinda, I need to work on the intro to the new event! Hope you like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m giving it some thought
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve updated the post to make the prompt part more clear, hope it works.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you I’m definitely taking part
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hurrah! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a good prompt. My aunt’s mother died and her children choose to cling to their grudges and not support their grieving mother. What a heartless decision. No grievance is that important that after three years you can’t drop it when your mom really needs you. Decisions alright.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s so sad and sadly also quite common…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes and it makes me mad. How can we achieve world peace when we have no peace within our families? Peace’s gotta start there first.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Andy,
I personally applaud a rawer and grittier approach, but wonder whether this might alienate some current or potential participants. You might consider explaining more why you have changed the title and what the new one means. In December, I shall be reblogging some of my ‘more popular’ poems and articles from the past year, but I shall certainly also continue to respond to your prompts, as they are always excellent spurs to the imagination. I finally tracked down SMZang, whose contributions I have greately admired, and have submitted a portfolio for publication on her site. This shows how projects such as yours serve well to connect people around the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, given feedback from you and other readers, I will spend a little time thinking about this. I would be really sad to lose any of those who have contributed to Poetry 101 Rehab.
LikeLike
I am going to give it a pass, Andy. In a recent article, my poetry was described thus: “Lizl Bennefeld is a poetess whose poetry runs toward science fiction (although often it is mild horror, or dark poetry)” (Amazing Stories Mag.) . I am working to lighten up with my poetry, trying more humorous, narrative and literary themes and forms. I may (probably will) take a look-in at your prompts, but I promise not to lighten your doorstep with my verse. 😀
Hope you find a lot of fun and satisfaction with your new format.
Lizl
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, given feedback from you and other readers, I will spend a little time thinking about this. I would be really sad to lose any of those who have contributed to Poetry 101 Rehab
I would hate to see you leave Liz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m definitely sticking around: one part out of curiosity, and one part because your prompts always give me some new idea or clever thought. I do also think, like someone else said, that you could stand to elaborate on the new nature of the prompts and what’s changed, why etc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, given feedback from you and other readers, I will spend a little time thinking about this. I would be really sad to lose any of those who have contributed to Poetry 101 Rehab
LikeLike
Cool shot, Andy. I always like your grittier work, but fully understand when others don’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Taking some time to reconsider. And thanks Mitch, much appreciated.
LikeLike
No problem, Andy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks anyway, as you may see I have reacted to the feedback and the Rehab is back on track not that that means my other idea is dead and buried…yet.
LikeLike
Maybe reword it to be more palatable?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wise words my friend…
LikeLike
I could go either way. Some of my poetry is dark, especially when it is about paranormal or my childhood abuse. Other times, I lighten up a bit. So I am in.:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Susan, meantime I’m going to take a little time to think about how best to take this forward…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Count me in, Andy (still calling myself your #1 fan for the heck of it). As my memory is so bad, the prompt aspect is new, correct? Or did the old Poetry 101 Rehab have them too….? Anyway, I love a prompt–and this one is very evocative. Your poem hits very close to home, as I’m an attempt survivor–that simply means I understand “dark”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The old one had a prompt too but I guess I didn’t make that too clear, having a little think now on the best way forward, thanks for your support!
LikeLike
Could be I just don’t recall, Andy–as my neighbor says, “if it ain’t happenin’ now, it ain’t happenin'”–we have serious senior brain issues, it’s lucky we remember each other (though he did call me “Linda” yesterday, which isn’t even close–poor thing!) 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope all is progressing well ‘not-Linda’, I’m playing catch up here today…
LikeLike
All’s GOOD here, Andy–it’s a pewterly (rainy) day, great for writing…unless I surrender to housecleaning….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Write…
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Here is my take on this week’s prompt. https://oudeis2005.wordpress.com/2015/12/02/decisions-decisions/ It is, again, an essay rather than a poem. I found it interesting that various respondents submitted texts that are more discursive and reflective than poetic this week. There is something about the theme that is difficult to put into verse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The theme was intentionally difficult and my post prompted a reaction that is making me think, as indeed do all your contributions here, thank you…
LikeLike
Here is mine: http://melindakucsera.com/2015/12/03/decide-dread-fury-or-the-guilt-that-haunts/
LikeLiked by 1 person
As I said on your blog, an epic tour-de-force!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and that is just the backstory. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here’s mine:
https://lazulitopia.wordpress.com/2015/12/04/decisions-default-or-active/
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s an excellent contribution as always….
LikeLike
Thank you, Andy 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here we go…. a post abut “The Choice” that we all face everyday. Actually wrote it a few months ago, after a mass shooting in Charleston, but unfortunately remains timely each and every day. I’ll try to contribute an original piece on the topic to “decide” later but realized that this was an appropriate addition to get me blogging with the crowd!
https://tryintobenew.wordpress.com/2015/12/05/the-choice/
LikeLiked by 1 person
And here’s piece # 2… more thoughts on the “junctions” that make us decide which way to turn in life:
https://tryintobenew.wordpress.com/2015/12/05/junction/
LikeLike
Welcome to the Rehab and thank you for your fine contribution!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very impressive
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The focus of my blog is mindfulness so it does not come across as gritty or raw necessarily. But I would still like to participate. Here is my post for “Decisions” called Corps de Tasse: https://intentionalinterplay.wordpress.com/2015/12/06/corps-de-tasse/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for participating, after much feedback I have resurrected the Rehab to cater for all tastes.
LikeLiked by 1 person