About the Challenge

"Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity" ~ William Wordsworth

A Poem A Day Challenge is a week-long (5 days) challenge that runs every third week of the month.

Participants receive writing prompts, daily, for which they write and submit a poem by 10 pm on the same day.

The best THREE (3) poems are selected and published the next morning.

TO PARTICIPATE: enter your email address here http://eepurl.com/eQCM6 and you will receive a daily prompt.

RULES OF THE CHALLENGE:

  • you have to sign up to receive the writing prompts
  • you have to write a new poem for the writing prompt and submitting by 10pm on the same day
  • you may not submit a poem you have already written before.

CHALLENGE PRIZE: From August we are offering a prize for the best overall poem. More info on the prize and how this is decided will follow.

QUARTERLY PRINT EDITION: Poems selected for the publication will be compiled for a quarterly print edition of A Poem A Day challenge. More info on this will follow.

submit here or here make sure to include the words:  APOEMADAY at the top of your submission


April: Freedom Week

When Common asks Assata Shakur 'what is freedom?' at the end of his tribute song, Song of Assata. Assata responds, "You're asking me about freedom? i know a whole lot more about what freedom isn't... coz i've never been free." She goes on to imagine what freedom could be.

It's Freedom Week in South Africa, that historical first vote for the oppressed Afrikan masses of South Africa happened eighteen years ago on 27 April. Now let's writer great poems, interrogate, question, image, dream about freedom.

peace

zamantungwa
editor, publisher

A Poem A Day Challenge, Every 3rd Week of the month

Poems

Elapsed by Jazz Africa

Posted by Poetry Potion on Saturday, August 13, 2011 In : A Dream Deferred 

Elapsed
Miles gone by beyond and unreachable
Neatly wrapped like fresh dough inside a tsampa bowl
Memories, hidden well, tucked in like a pappoose under its covers
Hidden behind “doors wide open shut”
 
Comforting it seems, yet…
Yet, so belittling at times, yet…uplifting at times
Who cares? Who gives a damn?
Carefree I am, so I have grown to be
Shielded by powers unknown
Nothing bothers, nothing concerns
 
Years pass by, swift, smooth winds flow, I do not care
Emotionless!
Thinking about tomorrow le...

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A Dream Deferred by Tshego Monaisa

Posted by Poetry Potion on Saturday, August 13, 2011 In : A Dream Deferred 

A dream deferred is not a dream idle
A dream delayed brews in the heart,
Causes one to stir, toss and turn in ones sleep.

So many give up,
Because of a dream deferred,
Never realizing the secret, 
That a dream deferred,
Is not a dream idle


© Tshego Monaisa

day 4 | 9 June 2011

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My Natural Black Woman by Aubrey Mgwenya

Posted by Poetry Potion on Saturday, August 13, 2011 In : Cold City 

Her chocolate complexion remains dimmed,
Like the evening golden sunset of a winter`s day.
Her bright eyes glowing like two stars, displayed
From the curtains of heaven`s joy.
Her pride consumed and refined by the richness-
Of both my heart and thoughts,
Her innocent smile so beautiful, like a bunch
Of roses and daffodils,

I remember when I held her tightly in my arms.
Her body felt so warm and tender, like
the dawn sunshine of spring-day.
I won’t forget her soft breasts that landed in my chest,
How wa...

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A Mother so Warm by Madlu Saladi

Posted by Poetry Potion on Saturday, August 13, 2011 In : Cold City 

So freezing cold outside/ yet warm is how my heart is/for the howl of the wind/is silence next to the explosion of your toothless smile/heat from a roaring fire would comfort me/ far less than your longing needy hands /kneading into my soft emptying breasts/as my love for you pours out to fill you and... fulfill me..

© Madlu Saladi


day 3 | 8 June 2011

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Street Love by Zac Zeren

Posted by Poetry Potion on Saturday, August 13, 2011 In : Cold City 

Lights Flashed Envy Green
It was your signal to Go
Gave up your spine
Then leaned on A Street Pole
You lost balance
They told you brace Yourself
Don't be Broke
The cold pavements were there to catch you
When You FellFor Jozi
She left you with Broken Pockets & Empty Bones
You Came Back
Cold Hearted


 © Zac Zeren


day 3 | 8 June 2011
 

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