Monthly Archives: August 2015

Day Twenty-three, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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phone

With one week left in this poetry marathon, no title sponsorships remain! Thank you for supporting Tupelo Press, poetry and me. The provided titles have been invaluable – I’ve not had to worry about what to write. If by some chance a few additional title sponsorship donations slip into the stream, I’ll continue the challenge and post the results on this blog until they are exhausted. This is neither  request nor challenge; I’m satisfied with producing a poem for thirty consecutive days, and really don’t need to continue beyond that. 🙂

I hope that the donated titles and my responses to them have been entertaining, but other sponsorship opportunities abound. For information on these and their corresponding incentives, click here.

If you’re so inclined, please visit the 30/30 blog at: Donate to Tupelo. Scroll down to “Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?” and select my name, “Robert Okaji,” from the pull down so that Tupelo knows to credit the donation to me. And please let me know so that I may send a thank you and incentive gift your way.

“Ode to Being Placed on Hold” is among the Day Twenty-three offerings of the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (9 poets have agreed to write 30 poems apiece in 30 days, to raise funds for Tupelo Press, a non-profit literary publisher). Many thanks to Mary “marso” of the blog “marsowords” who sponsored and provided the title.

Ode to Being Placed on Hold

The music rarely
entertains,
but I find
peace between…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Katharsis,” thanks to the repeated kindness and generosity of Plain Jane (yes, she of the famous armpits).

Thank you for your support! Only 7 poems to go!

Day Twenty-two, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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origami

Eight days to go, with three title sponsorships still available! Who will challenge Ron and Plain Jane for the worst title in the history of the Tupelo 30-30 Project? Can anyone rival Jeff’s title for length? Do I hear 80 words? A hundred? Or Stephanie’s for brevity (one four-letter  – but not that kind of four-letter – word)? Anyone?

“Setting Fire to the Origami Crane (the One Floating on Muscongus Bay) at Sunset” is among the Day Twenty-two offerings of the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (9 poets have agreed to write 30 poems apiece in 30 days, to raise funds for Tupelo Press, a non-profit literary publisher). Many thanks to Jilanne Hoffman, who sponsored and provided the title.

Setting Fire to the Origami Crane (the one floating on Muscongus Bay) at Sunset

Who is to say which comes first, the flaming crane
or the sunset’s burst just over the horizon

and under the clouds? There are causes and causations,
an illness named bad air and another attributed to wolf…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Ode to Being Placed on Hold,” thanks to the kindness and generosity of artist/writer Mary “marso” of the blog “marsowords.”

I hope that the sponsored titles and my responses to them have been entertaining, but other sponsorship opportunities abound. For information on these and their corresponding incentives, click here.

“Name That Poem” sponsorships are still available for Wednesday through Sunday. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic, oh, heck, be mean if you wish), donate $10 to Tupelo Press, let me know what the title is, and I’ll write the poem. The  sponsored poems thus far have been a blast to write, and the titles have led me to poems I’d not otherwise have written. If you’re so inclined, please visit the 30/30 blog at: Donate to Tupelo. Scroll down to “Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?” and select my name, “Robert Okaji,” from the pull down so that Tupelo knows to credit the donation to me. And please let me know as soon as possible what your title is.

Thank you for your support! Only 8 poems remaining!

Day Twenty-one, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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waterfront

“Before We Knew” is among the Day Twenty-one offerings of the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (9 poets have agreed to write 30 poems apiece in 30 days, to raise funds for Tupelo Press, a non-profit literary publisher). Many thanks to Ursula, who sponsored and provided the title.

Before We Knew

All thought of consequence
melted with that first touch
of tongue to skin, no respite
to be found in that heat…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Setting Fire to the Origami Crane (the One Floating on Muscongus Bay) at Sunset,” thanks to the kindness and generosity of Jilanne Hoffman.

I hope that the sponsored titles and my responses to them have been entertaining, but other sponsorship opportunities abound. For information on these and their corresponding incentives, click here.

“Name That Poem” sponsorships are still available for Monday and beyond. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic, oh, heck, be mean if you wish), donate $10 to Tupelo Press, let me know what the title is, and I’ll write the poem. The  sponsored poems thus far have been a blast to write, and the titles have led me to poems I’d not otherwise have written. If you’re so inclined, please visit the 30/30 blog at: Donate to Tupelo. Scroll down to “Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?” and select my name, “Robert Okaji,” from the pull down so that Tupelo knows to credit the donation to me. And please let me know as soon as possible what your title is.

Thank you for your support! Only 9 poems to go!

Day Twenty, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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image

“Tuning the Beast” is among the Day Nineteen offerings of the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (9 poets have agreed to write 30 poems apiece in 30 days, to raise funds for Tupelo Press, a non-profit literary publisher). Many thanks to Sunshine Jansen, who sponsored and provided the title.

Tuning the Beast

I prepare contingencies for all outcomes. No.
I’ve prepared for this: a body. A key. As if

that cloth draped a leg. Not a leg…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Before We Knew,” thanks to the kindness and generosity of Ursula.

I hope that the sponsored titles and my responses to them have been entertaining, but other sponsorship opportunities abound. For information on these and their corresponding incentives, click here.

“Name That Poem” sponsorships are still available for Sunday and beyond. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic, oh, heck, be mean if you wish), donate $10 to Tupelo Press, let me know what the title is, and I’ll write the poem. The  sponsored poems thus far have been a blast to write, and the titles have led me to poems I’d not otherwise have written. If you’re so inclined, please visit the 30/30 blog at: Donate to Tupelo. Scroll down to “Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?” and select my name, “Robert Okaji,” from the pull down so that Tupelo knows to credit the donation to me. And please let me know as soon as possible what your title is.

Thank you for your support! Only 10 poems to go!

Day Nineteen, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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circuit

“Happy Circuitry” is among the Day Nineteen offerings of the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (9 poets have agreed to write 30 poems apiece in 30 days, to raise funds for Tupelo Press, a non-profit literary publisher). Many thanks to Kris of the Crumpled Paper Cranes blog, who sponsored and provided the title.

Happy Circuitry
     for Margaret Rhee

The body’s landscape defines its genealogy: my father was a board,
my mother, an integrated circuit, my great-grandmother, an abacus,
and her progenitors, tally sticks. In the third century the artificer…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Tuning the Beast,” thanks to the kindness and generosity of Sunshine Jansen.

I hope that the sponsored titles and my responses to them have been entertaining, but other sponsorship opportunities abound. For information on these and their corresponding incentives, click here.

“Name That Poem” sponsorships are still available for Saturday and beyond. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic, oh, heck, be mean if you wish), donate $10 to Tupelo Press, let me know what the title is, and I’ll write the poem. The  sponsored poems thus far have been a blast to write, and the titles have led me to poems I’d not otherwise have written. If you’re so inclined, please visit the 30/30 blog at: Donate to Tupelo. Scroll down to “Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?” and select my name, “Robert Okaji,” from the pull down so that Tupelo knows to credit the donation to me. And please let me know as soon as possible what your title is.

Thank you for your support! Only 11 poems to go!

Day Eighteen, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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raindrops-branch

“Robert Okaji, Forced By This Title to Write a Poem in Third Person About Himself, Considers the Phenomena of Standing Waves, Dreams Involving Long-Lost Cats (Even If He Has Not Had Such a Dream Himself), And the Amazing Durability of Various Forms of Weakness, In a Meditation Which Following the Form of Certain Sung Dynasty Poets Also Happens to Be Written in a Way That Can Be Chanted to the Tune of a Popular Song of His Youth” is among the Day Eighteen offerings of the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (9 poets have agreed to write 30 poems apiece in 30 days, to raise funds for Tupelo Press, a non-profit literary publisher). Many thanks to Jeff Schwaner, who sponsored and provided the title.

Robert Okaji, Forced By This Title to Write a Poem in Third Person About Himself, Considers the Phenomena of Standing Waves, Dreams Involving Long-Lost Cats (Even If He Has Not Had Such a Dream Himself), And the Amazing Durability of Various Forms of Weakness, In a Meditation Which Following the Form of Certain Sung Dynasty Poets Also Happens to Be Written in a Way That Can Be Chanted to the Tune of a Popular Song of His Youth

Five White cat always made sure no rats gnawed my books.
— Mei Yao-ch’en

His brain is squirming like a toad.
— Jim Morrison

Standing by the water, the poet wonders if,
as in this dream, his dead dog and Five White

might seize the separate ends of a rope and blend…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Happy Circuitry” thanks to the kindness and generosity of Kris. I think it’s safe to say that Jeff has provided the longest, most complex title yet. But are there any worthy challengers?

I hope that the sponsored titles and my responses to them have been entertaining, but other sponsorship opportunities abound. For information on these and their corresponding incentives, click here.

“Name That Poem” sponsorships are still available for Thursday and beyond. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic, oh, heck, be mean if you wish), donate $10 to Tupelo Press, let me know what the title is, and I’ll write the poem. The  sponsored poems thus far have been a blast to write, and the titles have led me to poems I’d not otherwise have written. If you’re so inclined, please visit the 30/30 blog at: Donate to Tupelo. Scroll down to “Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?” and select my name, “Robert Okaji,” from the pull down so that Tupelo knows to credit the donation to me. And please let me know as soon as possible what your title is.

Thank you for your support! Only 12 poems to go!

Day Seventeen, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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France

“28 Rue St. Jacques” is among the Day Seventeen offerings of the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (9 poets have agreed to write 30 poems apiece in 30 days, to raise funds for Tupelo Press, a non-profit literary publisher). Many thanks to Patricia Wolfkill, who sponsored and provided the title.

28 Rue St. Jacques

If you believe that drinking beer at age
five, headless lambs pissing on the butcher’s leg,
and squatting grandmothers hissing in rage…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Robert Okaji, Forced By This Title to Write a Poem in Third Person About Himself, Considers the Phenomena of Standing Waves, Dreams Involving Long-Lost Cats (Even If He Has Not Had Such a Dream Himself), And the Amazing Durability of Various Forms of Weakness, In a Meditation Which Following the Form of Certain Sung Dynasty Poets Also Happens to Be Written in a Way That Can Be Chanted to the Tune of a Popular Song of His Youth,” thanks to the kindness and generosity of Jeff Schwaner. I think it’s safe to say that Jeff has provided the longest, most complex title yet. But are there any worthy challengers?

I hope that the sponsored titles and my responses to them have been entertaining, but other sponsorship opportunities abound. For information on these and their corresponding incentives, click here.

“Name That Poem” sponsorships are still available for Thursday and beyond. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic, oh, heck, be mean if you wish), donate $10 to Tupelo Press, let me know what the title is, and I’ll write the poem. The  sponsored poems thus far have been a blast to write, and the titles have led me to poems I’d not otherwise have written. If you’re so inclined, please visit the 30/30 blog at: Donate to Tupelo. Scroll down to “Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?” and select my name, “Robert Okaji,” from the pull down so that Tupelo knows to credit the donation to me. And please let me know as soon as possible what your title is.

Thank you for your support! Only 13 poems to go!

Day Sixteen, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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flame

“Setting Fire to the Rose Garden” is among the Day Sixteen offerings of the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (9 poets have agreed to write 30 poems apiece in 30 days, to raise funds for Tupelo Press, a non-profit literary publisher). Many thanks to Lily June, who sponsored and provided the title.

Setting Fire to the Rose Garden

Each flower is a gift, a testament to
another morning’s arrival.
I watch you tend the firestar, its…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “28 Rue St. Jacques,” thanks to the kindness and generosity of Patricia Wolfkill.

I hope that the sponsored titles and my responses to them have been entertaining, but other sponsorship opportunities abound. For information on these and their corresponding incentives, click here.

“Name That Poem” sponsorships are still available for Wednesday and beyond. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic, oh, heck, be mean if you wish), donate $10 to Tupelo Press, let me know what the title is, and I’ll write the poem. The  sponsored poems thus far have been a blast to write, and the titles have led me to poems I’d not otherwise have written. If you’re so inclined, please visit the 30/30 blog at: Donate to Tupelo. Scroll down to “Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?” and select my name, “Robert Okaji,” from the pull down so that Tupelo knows to credit the donation to me. And please let me know as soon as possible what your title is.

Thank you for your support! Only 14 poems to go!

Day Fifteen, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project: Halfway There!

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calendar

Halfway There!

When I signed on to produce a poem a day for thirty consecutive days, I wasn’t certain what to expect but fear and exhaustion. Although I write daily, I seldom complete more than four to six poems in an entire month, and even then they “marinate” for weeks or longer before seeing the light of day. Yet here we are on day fifteen, with fifteen new poems. I can’t claim they’re all complete – some feel right, others seem almost there, while still others need work. Imagine that! Fifteen poems in fifteen days. Only fifteen more to go.

“Cutting Down the Anniversary Pine” is among the Day Fifteen offerings of the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (9 poets have agreed to write 30 poems apiece in 30 days, to raise funds for Tupelo Press, a non-profit literary publisher). Many thanks to Greg Alspach, who sponsored and provided the title.

Cutting Down the Anniversary Pine

Things expand. Plans change. Clouds disperse,
people move. I remember swimming

through a dream’s warm water, and rising…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Setting Fire to the Rose Garden,” thanks to the kindness of Lily June, who provided the title.

I hope that the sponsored titles and my responses to them have been entertaining, but other sponsorship opportunities abound. For information on these and their corresponding incentives, click here.

“Name That Poem” sponsorships are still available for Wednesday and beyond. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic, oh, heck, be mean if you wish), donate $10 to Tupelo Press, let me know what the title is, and I’ll write the poem. The  sponsored poems thus far have been a blast to write, and the titles have led me to poems I’d not otherwise have written. If you’re so inclined, please visit the 30/30 blog at: Donate to Tupelo. Scroll down to “Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?” and select my name, “Robert Okaji,” from the pull down so that Tupelo knows to credit the donation to me. And please let me know as soon as possible what your title is.

Thank you for your support! Only 15 poems to go!

Day Fourteen, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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Egg by Charlotte. Photo by Cate Terwilliger.

Egg by Charlotte. Photo by Cate Terwilliger.

My poem “Latitude” has now been posted among the Day Fourteen offerings of the Tupelo Press 30/30 Project (9 poets have agreed to write 30 poems apiece in 30 days, to raise funds for Tupelo Press, a non-profit literary publisher). Many thanks to Cate Terwilliger, who sponsored and provided the title.

Latitude

Sometimes it’s enough to know
that a chicken preceded this egg,

that some crossed the Atlantic…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Cutting Down the Anniversary Pine,” thanks to the generosity of Greg Alspach.

I hope that the sponsored titles and my responses to them have been entertaining, but other sponsorship opportunities abound. For information on these and their corresponding incentives, click here.

“Name That Poem” sponsorships are still available for Tuesday and beyond. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic, oh, heck, be mean if you wish), donate $10 to Tupelo Press, let me know what the title is, and I’ll write the poem. The  sponsored poems thus far have been a blast to write, and the titles have led me to poems I’d not otherwise have written. If you’re so inclined, please visit the 30/30 blog at: Donate to Tupelo. Scroll down to “Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?” and select my name, “Robert Okaji,” from the pull down so that Tupelo knows to credit the donation to me. And please let me know as soon as possible what your title is.

Thank you for your support! Only 16 poems to go!