A blitz poem* by Catherine Horn and Linda Hortick
Greenwich Branch, Connecticut
Read about the two poet’s collaboration for this poem.
Writing poetry opens my soul
Writing poetry is challenging
Challenging expectations
Challenging ideas
Ideas sprouting like new seeds
Ideas appearing as miracles
Miracles revealing insights
Miracles turning dark to light
Light lifting heaviness
Light letting the words flow
Flow like a river to the sea
Flow from feelings to my poems
Poems exposing my tender soul
Poems illuminating my thoughts
Thoughts reshaping emotions
Thoughts evolving into creativity
Creativity that was dormant
Creativity awakening intellectual energy
Energy prompting motivation
Energy leading to inspiration
Inspiration I can barely contain
Inspiration making my heart soar
Soar to heights unimagined
Soar beyond my wildest expectations
Expectations of reaching the highest plateau
Expectations finally achieved
Achieved satisfaction
Achieved my dreams
Dreams about writing poetry
Dreams about doing what I love
Love expressing my passion
Love and words pouring out of my being
Being creative fuels my soul
Being creative enriches my life
Life without poetry would be desolate
Life writing poetry leads to fulfillment
Fulfillment of goals
Fulfillment of aspirations
Aspirations staying true to myself
Aspirations validating I am enough
Enough as a writer
Enough as a person
Person delighting in the power of words
Person exhilarated by the renaissance
Renaissance reviving my being
Renaissance the manifestation of my soul
Soul the center of my humanity
Soul my breath of life reborn writing poetry
Poetry
Humanity
* A blitz poem, according to Robert Brewer of Writer’s Digest, is required to be 50 lines. Other rules include:
• Line 2 should be another short phrase or image using the same first word as the first word in Line 1 (something like “build a house”).
• Lines 3 and 4 should be short phrases or images using the last word of Line 2 as their first words (so Line 3 might be “house for sale” and Line 4 might be “house for rent”).
• Lines 5 and 6 should be short phrases or images using the last word of Line 4 as their first words, and so on until you’ve made it through 48 lines.
• Line 49 should be the last word of Line 48.
• Line 50 should be the last word of Line 47.
• The title of the poem should be three words long and follow this format: (first word of Line 3) (preposition or conjunction) (first word of line 47).
• There should be no punctuation.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem with us. I hope that more Pen Women will experiment with this inspiring and collegial form of poetry.
Deborah Weir,
Past President,
Greenwich Branch
I enjoyed the blitz, especially the images of “sprouting like new seeds’ and “flow like a river.” It’s an interesting form that I may try soon. Thanks!A
You handled the challenging format marvelously and expressed your sentiments in strong way.
A Blitz poem is quite challenging!
Thank you for sharing the energetic, vibrant and inspiring result of your collaboration.
Claire Massey
NLAPW Poetry Editor
Consciousness, including enthusiasm, Inspiration, and creativity does not come from the brain. The source of consciousness comes from a universal consciousness of which we, as individuals, are only a part. We must never give up the love of wonder which comes from the heart. Your poem expresses my passion so well!
Wow! Congratulations! It was lightening for sure! Such interesting format and content that mirrors my thoughts. Thank you.