Ideas last,
stick barnacle-fast,
and even dance
when asked.
So I write,
dawn to night,
just an idea
acolyte.
Copyright 2018 Brenda Davis Harsham
Writing Tip: You can’t copyright an idea. No one else will write it for you. Settle down and write the first paragraph. Let your idea guide your words into a story with a beginning, middle and end. One paragraph at a time.
Notes: As I write this on Wednesday, the snow falls like feathers of the tiniest birds. My world is frosted. The drone of my humidifier nearly covers the sounds of garbage trucks clanking and dogs barking. And I plan to read Honeybee by Naomi Shihab Nye this morning.
I’m super early, but Happy Poetry Friday! Thanks to Kay McGriff at A Journey Through The Pages for hosting. Stop by her site to link up or pop in at the poetry party.
62 thoughts on “Inspiring Color”
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
I love this poem, Brenda! As everyone has mentioned, “barnacle-fast” is wonderful, and so is “idea acolyte.” Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks, Catherine! I plan to write one thing, and whatever is on my mind comes galloping out of the stall. 🙂
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“Idea acolyte” — I love it! It reminds me of what Elizabeth Gilbert has to say about ideas in BIG MAGIC. Ideas come knocking, but if we don’t answer and work with it, they will move on to find someone else to bring them to life.
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So far my ideas have been patient with me. 🙂 But I do love her book Big Magic. So much good inspirations and strategies for the creative life in there.
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What a colorful post, Brenda. The words and image are splendid together. I also was taken by this thought: the snow falls like feathers of the tiniest birds. My world is frosted – Perhaps you will change that into an image poem for my winter gallery, Winter Wonderland. The official invitation will come out next week.
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Perhaps I’ll have time late next week. I have some big deadlines coming. Always fun to be part of your galleries.
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I love this poem of yours Brenda! These lines especially:
“Ideas last,”
“So I write,
dawn to night,
just an idea
acolyte.”
How was “Honeybee” I have it in a poetry book that I’m going to share sometime, maybe you have the same book, it’s “If Bees Are Few, A Hive of Bee Poems.” It’s kind of a sad poem, but important for all of us. Thanks Brenda!
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I’m still savoring Honeybees. I hope to write a post about it soon, though. And thanks!
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Writing dawn to night is impressive!! (Like others before me, I’m stuck on “barnacle-fast.”)
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LOL I mean more that I write any and all times of the day rather than that I write nonstop. Three kids. House maintenance. Life.
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Count me in the “barnacle-fast” fan club. Delightful, Brenda – thanks for sharing! (And, sending sunshine your way.)
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Thanks, Robyn! Yay, sunshine!
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I’ve missed your delightful posts, Brenda. Nice to be back. I love the touch of whimsy that’s often present in your poems. Only you could make me smile at an idea stuck “barnacle-fast.” Cool photo as always!
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LOL Glad you like my quirky ways.
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I love the energy of your language and your gorgeous photo!
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Thanks, Liz!
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I love the energy of your language!
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Thanks for this wonderful poem and advice. I love the imagery you use.
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I’m so glad. Thanks for reading!
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I like the picture, it’s a collage of interesting things. Great, thank you!
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I’m still grinning at your ideas stuck barnacle-fast. 🙂 I’ve been working on one of my barnacles this week – and can see the shape of the fun story that I’d hoped it would be.
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That is inspiring. I am lost in bee research, and I am afraid I can’t see the story for the details at the moment.
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Sometimes ideas need time – no matter how we try to speed up the process. Sometimes you’ve got to give yourself permission to walk away… and come back to them.
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Sometimes they buzz around our ears. 🙂 But that is good advice. I hope your barnacle gives you solace.
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I love the idea of an “idea acolyte”–wishing you many “sticking” ideas and lots of joy in the writing of them.
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Thanks, Molly. Likewise.
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I love Honeybee by Naomi Shihab Nye, hope you loved it, too! And I love your use of the word “acolyte”, clever, Brenda! Thanks for the encouraging words!
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Thanks, Linda. I’m glad you found something for yourself in my words. XOXO
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Let us know how you like the bee book. I haven’t seen that one.
From snow heading up to the 40s, it’s a roller coaster week. And I hope, inspiring!
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I’m savoring the bee book and hoping inspiration strikes, but so far my head is swirling with thoughts of my new book, and new poems are few on the ground. Thanks for stopping by!
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I trust you have now seen the link I put on your earlier post
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Yes, and I opened the post. I’ll read it soon.
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i like the interesting things you’ve chosen for the photo and i love your ‘one paragraph..’ advice –
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Excellent. 🙂 Maybe you’re already working on a book…
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such a clever and delightful poem 🙂 you’re a star acolyte, indeed. thank you for making me SMILE.
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Thanks!
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
THE OBJECT ON THE LEFT ;LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE’ SHRIVELED UP HAND—-OR SOME OTHER PARTS OF THE HUMAN BODY! -GOOD POST BRENDA!
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Eek! Not a hand!
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OKAY—an acorn stuck to a piece of rock? 🙂
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Yes, now that I can live with. LOL
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SIGH….!
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Groovy.. 😎🥀
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Thanks!
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Good job at writing this poem Brenda.😃
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Thanks! XOXO
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One word, one paragraph at a time.. 🙂 your words always delight Brenda.. 🙂
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What a nice compliment, Sue. Thank you!
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They are true Brenda.. I only catch the odd post now and again in the reader, but each time I do, your words hold wisdom and beauty .. 🙂
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Likewise. I enjoyed watching Akiane’s video just now. Today is a beautiful day. I think my missing piece might be a nap. 🙂
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GO enjoy a Nap dear Brenda.. surprising how refreshed we are after 40 winks 🙂
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Headed there now with my poetry book in hand. XOXO
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🙂 good… 🙂 xxx
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I had a great nap. Ahhh.
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Good for You Brenda.. 🙂 ❤ Me time is important! 🙂
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I feel like I’m still weighed down by a virus. I usually never nap. But I can’t stay ahead of this tired, done-in feeling.
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Hi Brenda.. I went to bed yesterday afternoon, as I felt pretty awful too.. A headache that wouldn’t go away, even after pain killers and I dislike taking anything.. But it was one of those heavy niggly ones.. And I felt lethargic and spaced out.
I slept 3 hours got up for my evening meal, and went back to bed to sleep the clock around.. Feel brighter today the head has gone..
So I hope you are not coming down with the virus’s that are doing the rounds both sides of the ocean.. Pretty nasty ones here. So hope you soon feel better Brenda xxx ❤
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Glad you lost your headache. Still feeling tired, but not ill. So that’s something.
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Good to hear you are not feeling ill.. And yes the headache gone Thankfully.. Hubby says I still look pale but I feel ok..
I had my Acupuncture regular treatment Wed, she said I could feel spaced out a she went to town on me.. Sometimes Solar flares affect us too, but I have not been on line much this week checking out things,
Check your Iron levels, I used to often get run down because I was low on Iron.. xxx Take care.. and Nurture yourself.. xxx 🙂
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Thanks, Sue. I managed to take my iron today. Maybe that will make tomorrow better. XOXO
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❤ Hugs
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It is the pinnacle of creativity when the ideas began to dance. Great poem!
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Thanks, Peter. I thought one idea has flown away, but it was still there when I looked. It made me very happy to wonder its shores for a while.
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