Pensieve's Poetic License Guidelines

FAQs

What is Pensieve’s Poetic License?
A monthly carnival designed to encourage bloggers to exercise their poetry gene. Everyone is born with one; sometimes you just need "permission" (or a kick in the behind) to use it.

W H Y?

First, read this (it
explains a lot). Second, maybe you kinda-sorta liked writing poetry,
but you didn’t think it was "good enough." Well, I believe it IS good enough and that you have a few lines itching to get out of your mind and heart and onto "paper". Sometimes all you need is a cheerleader; PENSIEVE is just the place for that.

When does it take place?

Monthly, around the FIRST Thursday/Friday of each month (dates posted below).

How will others know I’m participating?

Monthly guidelines including theme and form will be posted the first Monday or Tuesday; a Mr. Linky will be posted the following Thursday/Friday to which you can register your FINISHED POEM. (Please be sure to register with
Mr. Linky AFTER you’ve written the poem; a link to your main page or perhaps poem-less blog is an exercise in frustration for those looking for your poem.)

Who can participate?

Anyone who can read and write. Young or old. Dog or cat (only if they can read and write). You’re welcome to ask your readers to join you; if you copy and paste the code below and include it in your sidebar or poem posts, others will be directed back to this page.

Anything else?

This
is NOT a competition! It’s about expressing yourself creatively, with
the encouragement of others to spur you on. I so hope you’ll try
it…I think you’ll be glad you did :).

Do I have to write using the poetic form you choose each month?

Nope–that’s why the motto is "No Rules. Just WRITE!".
Of course I hope you will (don’t be afraid – I’ll explain each poetic
form as it’s presented)…but if you only feel comfortable writing
limericks, well, write limericks!

For all other
questions, PLEASE email me and I’ll do my best to answer. This is a
work-in-progress, so it might take a while to iron out all the kinks
(thanks in advance for your patience!).

Schedule (more details will be given the first week of each month:

November:
Form: Limericks!
Theme: Thankfulness
Post poem week of November 19th

December
Form: Cinquain
Theme: Celebration
Post poem week of December 17th

January:
Form: Terza Rima
Theme: Beginnings OR Favorite Snack Foods (in honor of the New Year and the Super Bowl)
Post poem Thursday, January 17

February:
Form: English Sonnet
Theme: SomeTHING you love (not someONE)
Post poem Thursday, February 14

March:
Form ~ Limerick
Theme: No theme, but use one or more of the following key words: green, irish, leprechaun, shamrock, Easter, Spring, kite, windy
Post poem Friday, March 7

April
Form ~ Haiku
Theme: Spring
Post poem Friday, April 11

While not mandatory, it’d be appreciated if you include a button with your post and/or on your sidebars:

To pick up the code for the above image, right click in the box below, click "Select All", then "Copy" and paste in your side bar or with your PPL post.

While it’s not required–but is appreciated–here’s a larger button to include the day you post your poem :). Please use the supplied code; it links back to PPL information.

14 Comments

Pamela on at

hey…is it week of december 17th or this monday?????

Sandy on at

now I’ve got kool and the gang in my head!

Willowtree on at

Yeah, the instructions are confusing.
“The second Monday of every month, a theme and poetic form will be posted at Pensieve; your poems should be posted any day during the following week. That means the week of the 10th.
Hmmm wait…that’s an interesting point of semantics, if you said “post in the following seven days” that would have meant the week starting the 10th, but “post the following week” means the week starting 17th.
Damn! I just wrote my poems!
I don’t think there should be notice a week beforehand, it shouldn’t take that long to come up with something.

Pamela on at

I feel like I’m in a time warp looking at my December note.

min on at

It’s officially February. Where’s my topic?

Shane on at

What a great idea! I enjoy writing poetry but haven’t written anything new in quite some time. This will give me just the “kick in the pants” I need. Thanks and I’m looking forward to participating in April.

min on at

I’m waiting. Not April yet? Sheeesh!

min on at

April’s so close I can spit on it!!
Give us a hint.

min on at

Ahem.

Sarah on at

Where’s Mr. Linky for April? I have a haiku waiting!! It’s just dying to get out there and join its friends.

min on at

It is May, ya know.
Whatcha got?

Carol-Ann Hoyte on at

There’s more to school
than homework,
assignments,
tests and grades
like…
free time before the morning bell
free time after the last afternoon bell
and recess and lunchtime
sandwiched in between
–Carol-Ann Hoyte

glen roven on at

Just wanted to tell you about our new Poetry Album: Poetic Justice 100 POEMS/ 100 PERFORMERS.
We inlisted wonderful actors–Catherine Zeta-Jones, Patti LuPone, Jason Alexander, Cynthia Nixon,–to read their favorite poems. gprrecords.com
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/LuPone_ZetaJones_Henderson_Alexander_et_al_Featured_on_New_CD_Poetic_License_20100302

Mike on at

Love the idea. We need to get blogger’s more active.

Pamela on at

hey…is it week of december 17th or this monday?????
Sandy on at

now I’ve got kool and the gang in my head!
Willowtree on at

Yeah, the instructions are confusing.
“The second Monday of every month, a theme and poetic form will be posted at Pensieve; your poems should be posted any day during the following week. That means the week of the 10th.
Hmmm wait…that’s an interesting point of semantics, if you said “post in the following seven days” that would have meant the week starting the 10th, but “post the following week” means the week starting 17th.
Damn! I just wrote my poems!
I don’t think there should be notice a week beforehand, it shouldn’t take that long to come up with something.
Pamela on at

I feel like I’m in a time warp looking at my December note.
min on at

It’s officially February. Where’s my topic?
Shane on at

What a great idea! I enjoy writing poetry but haven’t written anything new in quite some time. This will give me just the “kick in the pants” I need. Thanks and I’m looking forward to participating in April.
min on at

I’m waiting. Not April yet? Sheeesh!
min on at

April’s so close I can spit on it!!
Give us a hint.
min on at

Ahem.
Sarah on at

Where’s Mr. Linky for April? I have a haiku waiting!! It’s just dying to get out there and join its friends.
min on at

It is May, ya know.
Whatcha got?
Carol-Ann Hoyte on at

There’s more to school
than homework,
assignments,
tests and grades
like…
free time before the morning bell
free time after the last afternoon bell
and recess and lunchtime
sandwiched in between
–Carol-Ann Hoyte
glen roven on at

Just wanted to tell you about our new Poetry Album: Poetic Justice 100 POEMS/ 100 PERFORMERS.
We inlisted wonderful actors–Catherine Zeta-Jones, Patti LuPone, Jason Alexander, Cynthia Nixon,–to read their favorite poems. gprrecords.com
http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/LuPone_ZetaJones_Henderson_Alexander_et_al_Featured_on_New_CD_Poetic_License_20100302
Mike on at

Love the idea. We need to get blogger’s more active.