A Message from Bill

As Wattpad continues to change and take itself into a different direction, it has become clear to me that one this is evident. The days of Poetry and the Poet are fast coming to an end on Wattpad.

I am not saying that Wattpad will get rid of us Poets or ban Poetry from the site, but it has become painfully obvious that Wattpad's interest in Poetry is at an all time low and their direction seems to be set more on the profitable Novel market.

So, where does that leave the Poets of Wattpad?

I believe now, more than ever it is important to have sites within Wattpad, like the Poets Pub. We are like the oasis in the middle of a desert of novels, novellas, fan fiction and screen plays. I believe that especially the Poets Pub, needs to be stronger now than it ever has been.

So that begs the question ... "Why is interest in the Pub at an all time low?"

I know people have become occupied with other things, because of the catastrophic effect of Covid-19, but I believe that when we are at our most stressed emotional plateau, that we need the sanctuary of a place like the Pub. Like the famous "Cheers" Pub, it is a place where everybody knows your name and everybody is certainly welcome.

As the Pub nears its 6th anniversary, I believe it is time for a resurgence. I believe it is time that we do our best to bring as many Poets into this Xanadu as possible and I believe that it is VERY important that we promote the Poets Pub, not only by personal appeals, but by being a dedicated participant in the Pub itself.

Be a part of the challenges and prompts, but also spread the word about the Pub and lets get more people involved in the Pub itself. MystresMyna and I (especially Myna) do our best to keep the Pub fresh and interesting, but it can often be a daunting challenge and we could use the help, to ensure that the Pub does not become outdated.

There are dozens of smaller Poetry sites on Wattpad and I believe now, as I have always believed, that the survival of Poetry on Wattpad can only be achieved by a unification of these sites under one banner, or an association between all the sites, which will offer a better opportunity for challenges and cross site participation and exposure. It is a monumental task that cannot be done by just two people. Its need the participation of many more. Especially those dedicated and celebrated Poets that still visit the Pub.

We need your help.

We need fresh ideas, new directions and an infusion of new Poets, to once again awaken the Pub and return it to its former glory.

I know we are all fighting our own personal battles and more than often, even though we want to, we become so wrapped up in those battles that we forget that once in a while, we need to escape, even if only for a few minutes and recharge our mental and emotional batteries, to carry on for one more day. The Poets Pub is that escape.

So,

I am calling on each and every Pubber to take a momentary escape from your day to day and remember what it was like, once, when the Poets Pub was alive with voices, dedicated to exploring their inner hearts and souls and presenting this dedication to all of us, here in the Pub.

There are many ways you can help, so why not get in touch with me @BillTemple1957 or with Myna, here at the Pub and lets work together and show Wattpad that Poetry is not dead and we still have voices that need to be heard.

This poem was directly inspired by, The Starry Night, painted by Van Gogh.

The Starry Night
By Anne Sexton

The town does not exist
except where one black-haired tree slips
up like a drowned woman into the hot sky.
The town is silent. The night boils with eleven stars.  
Oh starry starry night! This is how
I want to die.

It moves. They are all alive.
Even the moon bulges in its orange irons  
to push children, like a god, from its eye.
The old unseen serpent swallows up the stars.  
Oh starry starry night! This is how  
I want to die:

into that rushing beast of the night,  
sucked up by that great dragon, to split  
from my life with no flag,
no belly,
no cry.

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Random Poetry Prompt
Write a poem describing a single color.
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APRIL 2021 CONTEST:

You still have several more days to get your entries in for this month's contest.  All entries must be submitted by April 30th midnight MST.  Remember this month you are allowed to send in as many entries as you like.  April's contest is a bit different from our usual contests.  We have a single prompt for the month. You can find out all the details in our April 2021 Contest Book.

MAY 2021 – POETS PUB 6TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION:

For the Poets Pub's 6th Anniversary Challenge, Bill has come up with a great idea!! So, along with the "Virtual Block Party", we are going to have a "Write and Vote" Challenge!!

Everyone will be allowed a total of six poems for the "Write and Vote".

You can send in your first poem on May 1st.

Next poem can be sent in the week of May 2-8

3rd poem week of May 9-15

4th poem May 16-22

5th poem May 23-29

6th poem May 30-31

Allow any style, any length, as long as they are original.

We will also have weekly challenges for you, to help us celebrate our 6th Anniversary!!

POEM A WEEK CHALLENGE:

The purpose of this challenge is to simply encourage writing, taking the time, at least once a week, to get a poem from your brain on to paper.  If you would like to participate, the "how to" is below.

We now have our 2021 participant's sticker!! It is hosted on Imgur.  If you are a Poem-a-Week participant I can send you a DM with the link or if you would prefer to have it sent to you directly by email send me a DM and I will get it to you.

HERE IS HOW IT WILL WORK:

1. Anyone that would like to join in needs to use and existing book or create a new book on their profile to post their poems in.

2. Send us a PM with a link to the book you will be using and let us know that you have joined the challenge.

3. We will post the cover of your book in the Chatter as well as here to let others know that you are participating.

4. Send us copies of your poems at least once a month, to post here in this collection.

5. Check the Pub Chatter 7th Edition each week for prompts for the challenge.  The prompts given in the Chatter are only suggestions, you can always write any kind of poem that you like for this challenge.

2021 Poem-a-Week Participants

A Paintbucket of Words by nubivagant_words

Genteel Reveries of an Outrié Poetess by MystresMyna

Petals of a Rose by Alkymarz

A New Leaf by most_bay

Five Drops of Ink by je2suisChris

Woven Threads by enchanting_figments

My One Last Gasp by BillTemple1957

Even As We Speak by MichaelTyger

Please stop by and check out their books, show them some Poets Pub love!

IF I MISSED ANYONE PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I WILL ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LIST!

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Poem-a-Week Prompt
Week Seventeen Prompt
Write a poem about a famous painting.
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storytellers-saloon

APRIL 2021 CHALLENGE:

Our April challenge is up and running and we have some amazing entries already! We invite you to stop by and read and support our participants!  We hope that you will decide to join in as well!

Busted Gulch Vol. 15 Update:

Aunt Sue lamented that she is worried about Myna and her being gone chasing criminals again.  However, she also contemplated new feelings is having for Frank.

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Random Poetry Prompt
Write a BLITZ poem and start it with a color.
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-flash-fiction-forum

ATTENTION:

FFF is going to temporarily shut down.  We hope to be able to get back up and running soon.

-- Robert Frost had been asked to recite a poem at JFK's 1961 inauguration. He had written a new poem especially for the occasion.  However, the sun was in his eyes and he found couldn't read it, and so recited his 1942 poem 'The Gift Outright' from memory to rapturous applause.

-- Edgar Allan Poe's wife, Virginia, passed at the young age of 24 from tuberculosis. An early biographer of Poe, who somehow came into possession of her bones, would display Virginia's bones to lucky dinner guests until they were finally reburied with those of her husband.

-- Robert Herrick, who was not only a poet but was also a vicar of Dean Prior, Devon.  Robert found the simple life of a vicar in Devon a bit drab, so he taught his pet pig to drink out of a tankard.

-- The beloved poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who wrote the classic sonnet "How Do I Love Thee", passed away in the arms of her husband Robert Browning.  As he held her, in that last moment, he asked how she felt and her final word was, "Beautiful."

I would like to encourage everyone to take a few moments every day to appreciate the world around you and take special note of the colors of our beautiful world.  Color is all around us and at times I think we take it for granted.  So, when you stop to "smell the roses" take a look at them as well and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us every day. AND....I hope you all have a wonderful week!!

Remember to... keep those pens and keyboards flying!!

Cheers from you Mystres of Chatter
MystresMyna

P.S. – Children's Poetry Corner by BB

Write a poem about your favorite color using as many different shades of that color as you can.