Alarie’s Summer Marathon
No, not THAT kind of marathon, a POETRY MARATHON, the kind that gets your mind racing.
In my last blog, I told you about attending my 50th class reunion for the first coed class at the University of Virginia. I was recharged by seeing old friends, revisiting the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived, and sharing my poetry. Doctor Dickie McMullan, an eye surgeon, was so moved my my poems that she unofficially declared me Poet Laureate of the Class of ’74. Saying I was touched is an understatement.
Write on Track Again.
I arrived back home eager to jump back into writing. Looking through my work of the last year, I realized how little I’d published. Isn’t it time for a new book? Trying to learn blogging skills took most of my time.
Fortunately, The Ekphrastic Review and whirlwind Editor, Lorette C. Luzajic, were ready to get me working again. This was the third year to celebrate her journal anniversary with a writing marathon for regular and aspiring authors at the review. Happy 9th anniversary, Lorette!
Having just watched much of the 2024 Olympics on TV (alas, not in Paris myself), I felt all the more challenged to join the 9 Lives Marathon. I was amazed that most of the women Olympic marathoners finished their race in about 2.5 hours. Timewise, we writers had a more grueling run: eight hours to write first drafts for fourteen pieces of art. We were allowed one hour to take a brake or several short ones (in other words, half an hour per poem). Luckily, we weren’t required to finish a poem that quickly. Some of us seniors like me, or those who had a time conflict, were granted mercy: two days to write seven poems each day. We got to choose the art that most spoke to us. It took me a few weeks to polish my submissions.
Today (8/22/24) her website paraded a poem from each writer who submitted. (We were allowed up to five entries. More than that and we would have worn out our judges. Poems are arranged alphabetically by author…so please scroll way down to find “In the Mirror” by me. (Sorry, my hot link didn’t work so I’ll post it here: https://www.ekphrastic.net/the-ekphrastic-review/nine-lives-marathon-poetry-responses )
But wait, there’s more! Once I committed to picking up my writing pace (not so easy with Olympics and Democratic National Convention to tie me to the TV), I didn’t stop with the marathon project. Before leaving for my class reunion, I’d arranged for Lorette C. Luzajic to teach a Zoom Ekphrastic Workshop for The Writers Place, where I serve on the Emeritus Board of Directors and Planning Committee.
One look at lovely, charismatic Lorette and you can tell she’ll deliver an engaging workshop. I’ve worked with her for almost nine years and have read enough of her prose poetry and flash fiction to appreciate her gift for turning art into storytelling that keeps you on the page.
I was fortunate to meet Lorette in Toronto two years ago and wish she lived closer. Notice the collage behind her, one of her many creations.
I generally lose track of time when I write, as I have tonight. A first draft is never going to reach the public. I come back to it many times to see what I can improve. Thanks to my critique group, Tina and Pamela, for helping me see when I should let go of a poem and ship it off to see the world.
Stay tuned for more! I’ll be sharing some book reviews with you soon.
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