Category Archives: Writing

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!

Day Thirteen, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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turtle

My poem “When to Say Goodbye” has now been posted among the Day Thirteen 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 Nori Rost, who sponsored and provided the title.

When to Say Goodbye

If all goes well it will never happen.
The dry grass in the shade whispers

while the vines crunch underfoot…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Latitude,” thanks to the generosity and kindness of Cate Terwilliger.

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 18 poems to go!

Day Twelve, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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image

My poem “A Brief History of Babel” has now been posted among the Day Twelve 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 Nadia Butler, who sponsored and inspired the poem.

A Brief History of Babel

Borders, windows.
Sound.

Trudging up the steps, I am winded after six flights…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “When to Say Goodbye,” thanks to the generosity of Nori Rost.

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 18 poems to go!

Day Eleven, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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earth

My poem “Reduce Heat and Simmer Gently Without Cloud Cover, Till Sundown. Serves 2 – 7 Billion” has now been posted among the Day Eleven 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 Mek of 10,000 Hours Left, who provided the title.

Reduce Heat and Simmer Gently Without Cloud Cover, Till Sundown. Serves 2 – 7 Billion

The first worry is that without the clouds
I’ll lose liquid to evaporation,
leaving a salty mess. Nothing thins crowds…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “A Brief History of Babel,” thanks to the generosity of Nadia Butler. Please consider sponsoring a poem – there are available slots for Saturday and beyond. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic), 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.

For information on other sponsorships and their corresponding incentives, click here.

Thank you for your support! Only 19 poems to go!

Day Ten, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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blue drink

My poem “Never Drink Anything Blue” has now been posted among the Day Ten 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 Jim Feeney, who provided the title.

Never Drink Anything Blue

But always keep your options unzipped and
available to whatever slips in; the snake

lives in the attic for the rodents…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Reduce Heat And Simmer Gently Without Cloud Cover, Till Sundown. Serves 2 – 7 Billion,” thanks to the generosity of 10,000 Hours Left. Please consider sponsoring a poem – there are available slots for Saturday and beyond. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic), 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.

For information on other sponsorships and their corresponding incentives, click here.

Thank you for your support! Only 20 poems to go!

Day Nine, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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vulture

My poem “Cyborg Sky Burial” has now been posted among the day nine 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 Atomic Geography, who provided the title.

Cyborg Sky Burial

Who will render the fleshless,
the bones which are not bone?

This cloud holds water…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Never Drink Anything Blue,” thanks to the generosity of Jim Feeney. Please consider sponsoring a poem – there are available slots for Friday and beyond. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic), 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.

For information on other sponsorships and their corresponding incentives, click here.

Thank you for your support! Only 21 poems to go!

Day Eight, Tupelo Press 30/30 Project

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nail

My poem “Bent” has now been posted among the day eight 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 Stephanie Kaufman, who provided the title.

Bent

We’ve seen some version of the nail
curled over, its head angled at 90 degrees
or parallel to the body, just above…

To see the rest of the poem, click here

Tomorrow’s poem is titled “Cyborg Sky Burial,” thanks to the generosity of Atomic Geography. Please consider sponsoring a poem – Thursday and Friday are still open to sponsors. Conjure up a title (be creative, be weird, be gentle, be poetic), 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.

For information on other sponsorships and their corresponding incentives, click here.

Thank you for your support! Only 22 poems to go!