Day 23 - “Poetweet” for “30 Poems in 30 Days" #NationalPoetryMonth

By now you have probably heard of a "Poetweet" ~ a poem kept to 140 characters, including spaces, to comply with the requirements for a “Tweet” on “Twitter.” (Well, that USED to be the definition) . . .

No worries – you do NOT need to have a Twitter account to participate in this one, but if you do, then it would be fun to “tweet” it once it’s ready.

AND, the times, they are a changing’. For several months now I couldn’t figure out how people were posting these tweets that were clearly longer than 140 characters so I did some research and discovered that Twitter has increased the number of characters allowed on a tweet to 280 characters ~ so that will be our parameters for this year’s “poetweet.”

"I think that I shall never meet / A poem lovely as a Tweet..."  (to paraphrase Joyce Kilmer)

Short and Simple: "Poetweet" (AND VERY TRICKY)!!

Since this is getting posted a little later than usual today – let’s do something SHORT – however, don’t assume it’s all that easy!! You’ll see.

Our ever-changing digital age continues to create new modes of communication. Some people love to “tweet” their news. Have you tried a “poetweet” yet? If you are on Twitter then you may have, but if you haven’t ventured into “Twitter Land” yet, it might be new to you.

What I love about limited poetry (those that are specific as to the number of words or syllables you can you use) is that they force us to “tighten things up.” The surprising thing is that, usually, when you manage to say what you mean with fewer words, it packs a lot more power. 

So a “poetweet” is a form of poetry which consists of exactly 140, I mean 280 characters. There is no reference to rhyme or rhythm, only 280 characters exactly. For the purposes of this “poetry form” ALL words must be spelled out, no shortcuts such as "ur" for "you are" or "b4" for "before." And definitely no "lol"! Normal contractions are allowed.

And remember: Every single letter, space, punctuation mark and/or number COUNTS as a “character” in this 280 character “poem” called a “poetweet”

Here’s the example of a poetweet offered in the “Urban Dictionary” a number of years ago, when the limit was 140 characters:

Of all the sights I see, there is none so beautiful as your shadow. Knowing you're near, and the sun is shining is enough for me. Beautiful. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=poetweet [Apparently the Urban Dictionary is unaware of the changes – this example was posted in 2010]

It would be fun to come up with one and then share it on Twitter ~ if you share this on Twitter you may use a backslash “/” to indicate a new line. But, again, REMEMBER that each backslash and the spaces on either side of it also counts as a character.

                      

This was my attempt for 2016 so it has 140 characters: (and since I’m running later today – I’ll post this challenge without trying to come up with one that has 280 characters only). If I get one done I may come back and update the post:

#NationalPoetryMonth has been such fun/ It’s hard to believe it’s nearly done/ We’ve made new friends; written new poems/ Get in the zone

So, technically, for the purposes of following the instructions, it SHOULD have EXACTLY 280 characters (INCLUDING spaces) and that is the TRICKIEST part, but if you don’t get exactly the number, at least don’t EXCEED that number. Sound like a plan?

Have some fun with it. So, what can you come up with today?

Looking for inspiration? You can always write something about whatever “National Day” is being celebrated. Today has lots to offer:

TODAY, April 23, 2018 happens to be: National Movie Theatre Day, National Cherry Cheesecake Day, National Lost Dog Awareness Day, National Picnic Day, National Take A Chance Day, National Talk Like Shakespeare Day, National Zucchini Bread Day, National Slay a Dragon Day, to name most of them. Cheers!! 

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright for to them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or you FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work. 

Day 29 ~ How to Write a “Poetweet Poem” for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth

Only two days left of poetry month!! Goodness!

Ever heard of a "Poetweet?"

"I think that I shall never meet / A poem lovely as a Tweet..."  (to paraphrase Joyce Kilmer)

Short and Simple: "Poetweet"

(AND VERY TRICKY)!!

I’m not feeling well today, so let’s do something SHORT – however, don’t assume it’s all that easy!! You’ll see.

Our ever-changing digital age continues to create new modes of communication. Have you heard of “poetweets” yet? It you are on Twitter then you may have, but if you haven’t ventured into “Twitter Land” yet, then it might be new to you.

What I love about limited poetry (those that are specific as to the number of words or syllables you can you use) is that they force us to “tighten things up.” The surprising thing is that, usually, when you manage to say what you mean with fewer words, it packs a lot more power.

According to the “Urban Dictionary” a “poetweet” is a form of poetry which consists of exactly 140 characters. There is no reference to rhyme or rhythm, only 140 characters exactly. All words must be spelled out, no short cuts such as "ur" for "you are" or "b4" for "before." And definitely no "lol"! Normal contractions are allowed.

And remember: Every single letter, space, punctuation mark and/or number COUNTS as a “character” in this 140 character “poem” called a “poetweet”

AND for the purposes of this poetry form (such as it is, ha ha), you may NOT use less than 140 characters. It needs to be exact. (Spaces in between each letter, all punctuation, etc. COUNT as your 140 characters).

Here’s the example of a poetweet offered in the “Urban Dictionary”: Of all the sights I see, there is none so beautiful as your shadow. Knowing you're near, and the sun is shining is enough for me. Beautiful. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=poetweet

It would be fun to come up with one and then share it on Twitter ~ if you share this on Twitter you may use a backslash to indicate a new line. But, again, REMEMBER that each backslash also counts as a character.

Here’s mine this year:

#NationalPoetryMonth has been such fun/ Hard to believe it’s nearly done/ Made new friends; written poems galore/ And now; I’m out the door

EXACTLY 140 characters (including spaces, etc.) ~ in fact, I have already tweeted it:

https://twitter.com/AbneyAuthor/status/858294531510255617     

The TRICKIEST part is getting 140 characters (INCLUDING spaces) EXACTLY – have fun!! See ya’ tomorrow. Our journey through “National Poetry Month” is coming to an end. So, what can you come up with today?

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright for to them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or you FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.

Day 28 - “Poetweet” for “30 Poems in 30 Days" #NationalPoetryMonth

Ever heard of a "Poetweet?" 

"I think that I shall never meet / A poem lovely as a Tweet..."  (to paraphrase Joyce Kilmer)

 

Short and Simple: "Poetweet" 

(AND VERY TRICKY)!!

Since this is getting posted a little later than usual today – let’s do something SHORT – however, don’t assume it’s all that easy!! You’ll see.

Our ever-changing digital age continues to create new modes of communication. Have you heard of “poetweets” yet? It you are on Twitter then you may have, but if you haven’t ventured into “Twitter Land” yet, then it might be new to you.

What I love about limited poetry (those that are specific as to the number of words or syllables you can you use) is that they force us to “tighten things up.” The surprising thing is that, usually, when you manage to say what you mean with fewer words, it packs a lot more power. 

According to the “Urban Dictionary” a “poetweet” is a form of poetry which consists of exactly 140 characters. There is no reference to rhyme or rhythm, only 140 characters exactly. All words must be spelled out, no short cuts such as "ur" for "you are" or "b4" for "before." And definitely no "lol"! Normal contractions are allowed.

And remember: Every single letter, space, punctuation mark and/or number COUNTS as a “character” in this 140 character “poem” called a “poetweet”

Here’s the example of a poetweet offered in the “Urban Dictionary”: Of all the sights I see, there is none so beautiful as your shadow. Knowing you're near, and the sun is shining is enough for me. Beautiful. http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=poetweet

It would be fun to come up with one and then share it on Twitter ~ if you share this on Twitter you may use a backslash to indicate a new line. But, again, REMEMBER that each backslash also counts as a character.

                      

Here’s my attempt for 2016:

#NationalPoetryMonth has been such fun/ It’s hard to believe it’s nearly done/ We’ve made new friends; written new poems/ Get in the zone

EXACTLY 140 characters (including spaces, etc.) ~ in fact, I have already tweeted it:

https://twitter.com/AbneyAuthor/status/725733489635520512

 

The TRICKIEST part is getting 140 characters (INCLUDING spaces) EXACTLY – have fun!! See ya’ tomorrow. Our journey through “National Poetry Month” is coming to an end. So, what can you come up with today?

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright for to them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or you FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work. 

Day 6 - 2015 How to Write a “Poetweet”

Fun stuff and a contest ~ check it out:

Ever heard of a "Poetweet?"  
  

"I think that I shall never meet / A poem lovely as a Tweet..." * (see link at end of post) 

 
Short and Simple: "Poetweet" (AND VERY TRICKY)!!

Our ever-changing digital age continues to create new modes of communication. Have you heard of “poetweets” yet? It you are on Twitter then you most likely have but if you haven’t ventured into Twitter Land yet, then it might be new to you.

What I love about limited poetry (those that are specific as to the number of words or syllables you can you use) is that they force us to “tighten things up.” The surprising thing is that, usually, when you manage to say what you mean with fewer words, it packs a lot more power.  

A fun little contest: #PoetweetNYC New York City is hosting its sixth annual Twitter poetry "Poetweet" contest as part of National Poetry Month ~ Contest is only open to residents of the United States and runs from April 6^th to April 13^th, 2015. Contest details can be found here: #PoetweetNYC  

According to the “Urban Dictionary” a “poetweet” is a form of poetry which consists of exactly 140 characters. There is no reference to rhyme or rhythm, only 140 characters exactly. All words must be spelled out, no short cuts such as "ur" for "you are" or "b4" for "before." And definitely no "lol"! Normal contractions are allowed.

Here’s the example of a poetweet offered in the “Urban Dictionary”: Of all the sights I see, there is none so beautiful as your shadow. Knowing you're near, and the sun is shining is enough for me. Beautiful. 
                      

Here’s my attempt:

We met through a writer’s group. Sharing our love of the written word, our families, our heartaches and our joys. Thanks, my writing friend.

                  © 2015 by Stephanie Abney  

 

The TRICKIEST part is getting 140 characters (with spaces) EXACTLY – have fun!! See ya’ tomorrow. YOUR TURN!

* Here is the link to an article about the Poetweet contest to celebrate National Poetry Month, held by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (@NYCulture) where I snagged that clever little: "I think that I shall never meet / A poem lovely as a Tweet..." (Social Media: Poetweet and More)

Ever heard of a "Poetweet?"

Short and Simple: "Poetweet" (AND VERY TRICKY)!!

Our ever-changing digital age continues to create new modes of communication. Have you encountered “poetweets” yet? It you are on Twitter then you most likely have but if you haven’t ventured into Twitter Land yet (and I still haven’t), then it might me new to you

What I love about limited poetry (those that are specific as to the number of words or syllables you can you use) is that they force us to “tighten things up.” The surprising thing is that, usually, when you manage to say what you mean with fewer words, it packs a lot more power. 

A fun little aside (if you happen to live in NYC) is that the mayor’s office of New York is hosting its third annual Twitter poetry "Poetweet" contest as part of National Poetry Month so if you live there, go to the mayor’s website and check it out. In fact, no matter where you live, scout around and see what kinds of similar things might be going on in your neck of the woods.

According to the “Urban Dictionary” a “poetweet” is a form of poetry which consists of exactly 140 characters. There is no reference to rhyme or rhythm, only 140 characters exactly. All words must be spelled out, no short cuts such as "ur" for "you are" or "b4" for "before." And definitely no "lol"! Normal contractions are allowed.

Here’s the example of a poetweet offered in the “Urban Dictionary”: Of all the sights I see, there is none so beautiful as your shadow. Knowing you're near, and the sun is shining is enough for me. Beautiful.

                      

Here’s my attempt:

Surrounded by grandchildren, all vying for attention. One on my lap, one sits beside me and one waits patiently. Feels like I am in heaven!!

                   © 2012 by Stephanie Abney 

The TRICKIEST part is getting 140 characters (with spaces) EXACTLY – have fun!! See ya’ tomorrow. YOUR TURN!