Signal Boost

Today is the Poetry Fishbowl on ysabetwordsmith's page, with a theme of "Artistic Endeavours." If this interests, go on over and leave a prompt, and there will be lovely poems written. Less ploty prompts are especially appreciated this time around due to other projects that are on the go.

Bingo Card for the National Crafting Month Bingo Fest

This month I am participating in the National Crafting Month Bingo Fest. I had a hard time choosing a card but finally decided on using the 5x5 Public Card. I'm not sure how many fills I'll make, or what form they'll take, but I'm excited to find out. :D

Suggestions for squares are welcome, and filled prompts will be bolded.

5x5 National Crafting Month Public Card

Blacksmithing	Knitting Needles	Imposter Syndrome	Novel	Colored Pencils
Weaving	Rag Rugs	Glaze	Spinning Wheel	Sewing Machine
Rope	Leatherwork	WILD CARD	Small Spaces	Seed Beads
Needle	Ceramic Mug	Wool	Thread	Glass Blowing
Woodworking	Canvas	Tension	Craft Hoarding	Quilter's Cotton

Bingo Fill: Age of Enlightenment

This poem fills the "Age of Enlightenment" square on my 5x5 Mixed Card for the Valentine's Bingo Fest. (This is another one that is not precisely autobiographical, though it does draw on some of my experiences.)

Finding Answers

In this time of technology,
information is easy to find.

It's not always easy to parse fact from fiction,
but it's all at your fingertips,
if you know where to look.

Beyond the information are personal accounts;
individuals and communities who say, "This is me, this is what I've experienced."

And through a combination of cold facts and warm stories,
there comes enlightenment.

A realization that you're not broken,
you are not alone,
that there are in fact words that fit,
and ways to explain to others who you are.

And with this knowledge comes freedom,
the ability to confidently say,
"I am not that, but this, and that's okay with me."

Bingo Fill: Give Yourself a Gift

This poem fills the "Give Yourself a Gift" square on my 5x5 Mixed Card for the Valentine's Bingo Fest.

Hunting for Treasure
While everyone else buys for others,
you head to the shops with yourself in mind.
You do a lot, day in and day out, and you deserve a nice treat.

From store to store you wander,
searching for just the right thing to catch your eye.
Chocolates, clothes, books, and jewellery all get passed;
you like them well enough but none feel right today.

Finally you happen upon the local craft store and step inside.
You take your time admiring the wares;
beautiful beads, sumptuous fabrics and artful crafts all vie for your attention.

And then, in the corner, almost hidden from view,
is the perfect find:
A deep sapphire yarn with silver flecks, so silky to the touch,
just waiting to be transformed into the most elegant of accessories.

As you walk to the cashier with your treasure,
your mind is already running through all the possibilities
that your new purchase brings.

Bingo Fill: Take a Self-Awareness Quiz

This poem fills the "Take a Self-Awareness Quiz" for my 5x5 Mixed Card for the Valentine's Bingo Fest.

Exploring Yourself

Restless, unfulfilled, looking for something more.
Unsure where to start, how to make this feeling go away.
A random find: "Test your self-awareness."
Click out of curiosity, answer as best as able.
Surprising results; better self-knowledge than thought.
Next steps feel right: improve skills, focus both inward and outward, find purpose in life.
Settled now, plan in place, ready to move on from here
to bigger and better things.

Bingo Fill: Zucchini

This poem fills the "Zucchini" square on my 5x5 Mixed card for the Valentine's Bingo Fest.

My Light

You are my zucchini;
not bland and soft like the vegetable
but vibrant and alive,
solid and steady and compassionate.

There might not be sex or romance between us
but there is a deep, unending love.
In times of sadness and hardship,
of joy and ease,
of loneliness and affection,

You are there for me as I am there for you.
Sharing in all the bits of life, inextricably connected,
we are two zucchini on a vine
together until the end,
for all of time.

Bingo Fill: The Cake is Not a Lie

This is a Magic Nine poem that fills the "The Cake is Not a Lie" square for my 5x5 Mixed Card for the Valentine's Bingo fest.

Truth in Advertising
-a magic nine

The cake is not a lie,
I really am looking for a friend,
would you like to give it a try?
There are no expectations, no string attached.
Name a boundary and I promise not to pry.
We can let things progress naturally,
no need to set the bar too high.
I'd be pleased just to have company while I spend
the day in the kitchen baking rye.

Bingo Fill: Fantasies

This poem fills the "Fantasies" square on my 5x5 Mixed Card for the Valentine's Bingo fest, and while I think it is still PG, it does elude to some more mature topics.

Deep Desires

What do you think about at night, as you wait to drift off to sleep?
Where does your mind go during the day when no one else is around?
What fantasies are hidden in the depths of your soul?
Are they light or dark? Simple or complex? Sexual or not?
If you're feeling brave, perhaps you'll share one with me.
Who knows, I might just make it come true.

Bingo Fill: Paint with Bob Ross

This poem fills the "Paint with Bob Ross" square on my 5x5 Mixed Card for the Valentine's Bingo fest.

Painting

Easel up,
canvas primed,
palette and brushes ready to go.

TV on,
video queued up,
ready to rock and roll.

Press play,
mellow voice
guiding you through ocean waves.

Bob Ross
and his patient ways:
the perfect activity for Valentine's day.

Bingo Fill: Experimentation

For my "Experimentation" square on my 5x5 Mixed Card for the Valentine's Bingo fest, I wrote a hexaduad, sort of. I couldn't get the last two lines to rhyme, but in keeping with the theme of the prompt, I went with it anyway.

New Things
-a hexaduad

Try me
maybe;
exploring is such fun,
looking for the right one.
A dab of this, a dab of that,
find the one good enough to last.
Soft? Hard? Sting? Thud?
Oops, that a dud!
When trying something new,
there's bound to be a few:
brush yourself off
and try again!

Monthly Goal Review

February is over, so I am once again going to review my goal progress. There were some ups and downs this month, but I think more ups than downs, which is always good.

( Goal Review )