100 poems in a day 2013

So, if you've known who I was for over a year you may have caught me writing 100 poems in a day around 12 months ago and will know about this madness. But if you don't...

This is something Tim Clare started a couple of years ago. Last year myself and a few other poets including Mark Grist decided to join the fun/insanity by dedicating one day to sitting and attempting to write 100 poems.

Though I completed the task I was massively ashamed with the quality of my work. I rushed through it and though I finished in great time, the work I created was some of the most shameful material I'd ever produced.

My main aim was to get it finished, which I did. But this year I'm taking a different approach.

1.
I am aiming to create material that doesn't make me cringe. Though it's inevitable some of the 100 will most probably be quite bad due to me going slightly crazy with the task at hand, I've decided I would rather not finish than write another 100 poem strong pile of shit. But I will finish.

2.
Last year I gathered 100 titles before I started writing, which I believe did me no favours. I didn't pick or chose, I just took the first 100 titles I was given and wrote them in order from a list marked 1 to 100. This meant I was rushing through titles that didn't inspire me in the slightest, often to reach a  title I'd been looking forward to only to find my original inspiration had disappeared.
This year I will gather titles, pick and chose the ones I want to use and the order I'll write them in. This makes the project a lot more fun from my side of things.

3.
I will allow myself Haiku's. Last year I gave myself a 4 line minimum and though I may have only wrote a few 4 line poems, I've grown to like the Haiku and think it is often more interesting than a standard 4 line bit of randomness.


That's about it.
This will be happening on Friday, November 22nd, 2013
If you would like to join in, please do. I know Tim will be going for it again, and though Mark is currently in India and a bit tough to get hold of, I assume he'll be playing too.

If on the day any of you happen to be in my area and would like to stop by with refreshments for me in return for awkward conversation as I thank then try to ignore you, please do. I like fruit.
If not, the only other thing that would be helpful is some titles!
If you have my number you can text me. If not,
You can wastebook me - Michael 'Mixy' Riccardi
Or you can tweet me - @MixyRic

All titles appreciated.

Much love

p.s

In the time since I last blogged properly I've set up a bandcamp with many of my old projects for free download. Treat yourself. Christmas is coming
http://iammixy.bandcamp.com/
I suggest 'Bootleg Bar 2' and 'The Experiment'

Last valentine 2013

Ok, here's the piece for the winner of the female entrants. I feel a bit slack on this but didnt have as much info (I'll pester Sophie for more and redeem in future).



Ode to Sophie

I tried to analyze what I know about Sophie,
And I realised I dont know a lot.

I know we met one time last year and spoke,
But I couldn't tell you about what.

Still surely to send you a valentine,
I shouldn't try to make assumptions.

I know this may be coming a little late,
So next year let's do something.

Though you didn't give me any info,
On the sort of things you're into.

I'll just start stalking you,
On twitter though there's a few thousand tweets to flick through.

But from what I can gather,
I honestly think I've got it figured.

Lets go out for coffee,
I'll let you shout at me and take pictures.

another valentine 2013

So while waiting on information from the winner of the girls section I got a message from Anne who seemed to be more excited about a poem than… Maybe anyone has ever been. So, being the fucking lovely person I am I quickly put this together.

 

….

 

Ode to Anne

 

Oh Anne

On this day where many smile I remain solemn

This day of valentine

We’re so far away yet have so much in common.

I’ve never practiced the art of begrudgery

But can be strongly pessimistic

Let’s scream ‘FUCK THE WORLD’ together

Sipping jamesons until we’re twisted.

See you’re an avid reader

And I’m an avid writer

You can read to me

I can write for ya

Then you can read to me

What I write for ya.

You’re a lapsed catholic so am I

Last time I went to mass I was no older than five.

You live in Indiana

I’m a fan of Indiana Jones

You admire poets

Good, because I can’t write prose.

You’re a coffee addict so am I

I’ll wake up in the morning and make it strong.

Let’s spend the day in starbucks just me and you

You can even bring your daughters along.

We can go any lace you wanna go

I’ll say nothing.

Just bask in that soft Irish tone

Valentines 2013

If you haven’t seen what I’ve been up to this valentine’s day, you most probably like me more than those who have.

I ran a little competition based on twitter re tweets and wastebook shares, the prize being a bespoke love poem for the randomly selected winner. When I received more male than female entries I decided to give two winners.

Here’s the first poem for Alex. When he won I sent him a message asking for any information he may like me to include, and based on the given information, this is what I wrote.

Rather than writing a love poem to Alex, I decided to write a love poem for him to use himself (feel free to claim this as your own work Alex, just let me know if it finds you a wife)

…

Alex

 

Let me introduce myself. My name’s Alex

And given the chance I would take the challenge to show you what romance is.

I might be the strangest guy you’ll ever know

But normality is boring so I believe we’d have a good time if you gave me a go.

You like music right? Of course you do

Well that’s already one thing we have in common and if you like to argue to get your kicks

Well… We can do that too.

I can be your superman or green lantern

I’ll keep you safe in any place I’ll be your own personal batman.

Though I’ve never had a valentine you can be mine every day of the year

Every second we spend together I’ll be making you smile

And I’ll find a way to entertain myself when you’re not here

Playing games and eating sausages. I’ll be content for a while