Monday, July 23, 2012

Open Link Monday

Calling all toads ...

Normanack on Flickr
Creative Commons


Welcome to all poets who have come to join us in the imaginary garden this Monday.  As you may know, our blog name was derived from Marianne Moore's Poetry, more specifically the lines:

One must
make a distinction
however: when dragged into prominence by half poets, the
result is not poetry,
nor till the poets among us can be
'literalists of 
the imagination'--above
insolence and triviality and can present

for inspection, 'imaginary gardens with real toads in them', shall
we have
it.



It is often our task to create an imaginative environment in which the harsh realities of human existence is exposed; it is not our business to fear the 'real toads', but to drag them out from under their rocks and examine them for poetic truth.  It is also true, that all poets owe a huge debt to those who have come before them, the intrepid path-finders, who led the way by their own examples.  
In our anniversary month, it would have been remiss of me not to acknowledge the very poet who gave rise to our mission here at Real Toads.  


Read more about Marianne Moore HERE.

Once again, you are invited to share a poem of your choice with us - something old; something new.  The work should be original, and an individual piece. Please do not use our link to advertise your own blogsite or meme.  Management reserves the right to remove inappropriate links.



20 comments:

Susan said...

I'm up Late! Thank you, Kerry, for reminding me of the source of the name for our Blog and directing me to Marianne Moore's poems. I don't always remember to include real toads, but I think tonight's posting has them. "Water" is a revision of a poem that you have read backwards in two parts.

Unknown said...

Home n tired from long trip to Melbourne for work, back later

Susie Clevenger said...

Thank you for sharing how Real Toads got its name. I am trying to get back to "normal." This illness has been difficult. I am limited in writing because of the pain in my hands. My poem speaks my thanks to all who stood in the gap for me. So thankful to be in a group of brilliant, caring women.

Kerry O'Connor said...

How wonderful to see your smiling face in the garden again, Susie. Lovely to have you back, but do not exhaust yourself. I wish you a speedy full recovery.

Ella said...

Susie...wow! so happy to see you post~ @>----- xo

I love this union and sharing her voice gives us insight, to what a journey poetry truly is~ Thank you for carrying on the magic of aligning intriguing prompts and poetic forms! It is a gift to be part of this unique gathering~ A whirlpool of talent(we need to do a book together)...someday...
Thank you!

Daydreamertoo said...

Thanks for the prompt and the interesting info on how Toads got its name Kerry.
Have a good week all. Glad to see you Susie:)

Marian said...

good morning, friends! Susie! so glad to see you! (but we all want you to continue to rest, please.)

Timoteo said...

Happy Monday toads! Have a good day, because as we all know--it ain't easy bein' green!

Sharp Little Pencil said...

I, too, am grateful for the connection mentioned to Marianne Moore. Must read more of her poetry. I shared a rather recent poem that is a bit of a challenge. Happy day to all, Amy

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Hi kids! I LOVE how the site got its name, love being a Toad. What a circle of amazing poets this is. Makes me happy. Susie, do rest, kiddo. Dont push yourself at all. Sit on your lilypad and we will croak encouraging songs to you!!!!

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Hi kids! I LOVE how the site got its name, love being a Toad. What a circle of amazing poets this is. Makes me happy. Susie, do rest, kiddo. Dont push yourself at all. Sit on your lilypad and we will croak encouraging songs to you!!!!

Anonymous said...

Kerry, I posted a poem about blackberrying, but I have (I think) a great picture of a frog on my main page today. I know it's not a toad! But it's a lovely frog! (Unkissed.)

Great picture of Marianne Moore. I like her because she is syllabic. k.

Kay L. Davies said...

What a fascinating woman, and what a wonderful poet. We (okay, "I") should be inspired by having her words as the title for our writers' group.
K

Mary B. Mansfield said...

Happy Monday in the Garden! Great to see you back, Susie :)

Sara McNulty said...

At another poet's suggestion, I am directing you to my poem, Demon, for the Monday open link.

flipside records said...

"but to drag them out from under their rocks" ... Sometimes the result is even better if you leave them be but drag yourself under the rocks with them.

Fireblossom said...

Happy Monday, Toads! I'm sorry to be late for the party!

Kerry O'Connor said...

I'm later than you, FB. Maybe too late.. Oh,well. My thanks in advance to those who stop by to read.

flipside records said...

Kerry's is AWESOME. You should totally go read it. :)

Jennifer Wagner said...

My first time posting on this site. Glad to find it! Looking forward to some good reads. :-)