Do you remember going back to school and having your first assignment be an essay entitled, “What I Did on My Summer Vacation”? Using that thought as inspiration, write about something you’ve done this summer. It doesn’t have to be a vacation per se, it could be something you did or happened on one solitary afternoon in your back yard, or a visit to someplace that allowed you to escape for a few hours. Any mental getaway will do to refresh your muse. Whatever it is, use it and be inspired by it! What DID you do on your summer “vacation?”
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In an added prompt, with this being Labor Day weekend, you can also write a work/labor related poems as well. And yes, even THAT labor qualifies if you are so inclined! Think parades, cookouts, jobs, but get to work!
Phoenix Rising Poetry Guild 
MEMORIES OF EARLY SEPTEMBER
On days of goldenrod, the sun
is veiled in wisps of varnished dun
as autumn nears and cooler days
begin to burnish fields of maize
and bid the summer cease its run.
When I was young I had such fun
playing with wooden sword and gun
and wrapped in strips of saffron baize
on days of goldenrod,
but that was then: a childhood spun
of Queen Anne’s lace and sally lunn.
These days, I follow patient ways
but, nonetheless, I toast the phase
when life was full of prizes won
on days of goldenrod.
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Goodness! This is just such a joy to read…the musicality is such a treat and the colors are a feast! Thank you, William!! 🙂
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Quite exquisite William 🙂
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I love the wistful return, each stanza, to “days of goldenrod.” What a warm feeling this poem has!
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My Vacation Robe
Concealed within muse,
robed erotically in words
of a man confused.
A haiku
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Love the idea of being robed in such words…imaginative, Benjamin! 🙂
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Bingo!
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I agree with Hannah — great thought, being robed in words!
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SURVIVING
Life has a funny way
of holding on for dear life!
Chips never seem to stay
down for very long.
Neither do we!
We learn to survive,
to stay alive for the final reel,
stealing every scene in between.
Coming this summer.
One man.
One life.
One plan to live it to the foolish!
He’s on track to come back
stronger than before!
Walter Wojtanik is surviving!
(C) Walter J Wojtanik, 2015
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So triumphant!! Yes, please do…for real! :)’s to you my friend.
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Amen brother! Me too! Love how this plays out.
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This piece has several precious lines, especially, for me, lines 2 and 12.
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I think I hear the Rocky soundtrack playing in the background! 🙂
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On to Autumn
Summer has nearly passed me by
I didn’t do much for fun
My college, writing, and host home
Kept me on the run.
But I have some trips planned
Three vacations in all
So what if I missed summer?
I’ll enjoy my fall.
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Sounds like a plan! Have fun! 🙂
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I felt every line and agree wholeheartedly. On to Autumn!
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In my opinion, autumn is a better season for vacations anyway. I like this very much.
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My “summer poem” nearly became an “autumn poem”, but I squeaked it in…even if I didn’t squeak in summer beach time, either! (Oh, I did take a long weekend trip, but nothing like a full-on summer vacation!)
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[…] Rising – SUMMER VACATION“What I Did on My Summer Vacation”? Using that thought as inspiration, write about something […]
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A strand of tanka to capture a special day. 🙂 Thank you, for the poetic direction Walt and smiles to all rising here.
https://wordrustling.wordpress.com/2015/09/06/the-boys-new-kites/
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You had me hooked on the first stanza. Captured beautifully.
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Thank you!!
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No, tank you.
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;)!
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Lovely, and love-filled. Great writing.
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Thank you, William!
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REMNANTS OF SUMMER
I cherish the moments spent; with touring summer winds,
venting torrential rains, hot humid nights in the streets.
Rambling rapid beams of light, scrambling to earth
giving new birth to days, weeks, months and the pleasure of redeeming each ray.
The joyous sound of hearts at play in the cool splash at the park.
Precious moments on the front porch, observing all the commotion,
precious times of precious lives in motion.
Benjamin Thomas
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For me, the sound within this piece add to the imagery. Wonderful.
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Just as summer is slipping away without me, so too did last week!
Squeaking in my summer poem before autumn comes full on!
I loved your lines:
Rambling rapid beams of light, scrambling to earth
giving new birth to days, weeks, months…
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Hi PAULA!!!
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Hello !!!
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Italian Festival in Pioneer Square
Music of Italy, sung
by a male group clothed
in black pants and shirts.
People rose from their seats
around the square to dance
in front of the stage.
Circling the stage, tents
were propped up with Italian
flags waving, “Italy” shirts
for sale, and of course, a mandatory
raffle to win a trip to Italy.
Over in the food court, irresistible
aromas danced on our tastebuds.
Pizza, eggplant, fettuccine Alfredo,
and garlic bread. Still hungry?
Get in line for luscious flavors
of gelato, or for a taste of
heaven, consume a cannoli,
ends rich with pistachios.
As we sat eating, the yearly
grape-stomping contest got
underway, with opposing teams.
A lovely respite in another country.
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This must be effective writing: I’m hungry now.
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Then I’ve done my job!
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And a fine job it is!
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Late to the party, but glad I made it for this one…
I enjoyed the theme of dancing being carried from the town square…to the tastebuds. Nice!!
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SUMMING UP SUMMER
(a shadorma)
vacation
days spent on the beach
feeling hot
sand between
my toes, sun’s rays on my face…
Only in my dreams.
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[…] Shared at Phoenix Rising […]
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