When the TELL(HER) Summit scheduled for April had to be cancelled, plans changed for Azure Antionette, the Maya Angelou of the Millenial Generation, and international best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert. 

It was National Poetry Month. Azure Antoinette issued and managed a #tellher1for30 poetry challenge to instagrammers with Elizabeth Gilbert’s help. The challenge was simple:

  • Share a poem every day for 30 days.
  • Write your own or share one written by another poet that has meaning to you.

Reading, Writing, and Reflection

What else would a properly isolated poet (like me) do but get social and take on that challenge? A productive month of writing ensued, and joining this community of writers made me feel a bit less isolated. The poetry others shared was amazing.

I didn’t write a poem a day, but I shared one every day. More importantly, I wrote every day. I  generated ideas for an upcoming poetry contest. I even penned a poem in memory of my grandmother, who sadly passed in April. 

Breaking Bread

I also made batches of dough and baked bread—practically a #bakeit1for30 level, perhaps 15 to 20 pounds of flour in bread. Making bread became meditative, and eating it rather Epicurean. I found a poem in that activity, Breaking Bread, which Elizabeth Gilbert herself kindly liked. It’s a Minute form, so named as far as I can discover because it only takes a minute to read. 

What’s helping you stay safe and sane in these unusual times? Wherever you are, I hope you are healthy and find some peace and joy in your part of this alone/together journey.

Lisa K – Kamolnick Kreative

Breaking Bread

I gather four ingredients—⁠
expedience⁠
and patience roll⁠
inside a bowl.

Those yeasted, salted, watered flours⁠
will rise for hours—⁠
I’ll ruminate⁠
for two to eight.⁠

Whatever shall my two hands make? ⁠
Prepare to bake …⁠
a dozen rolls?⁠
Baguette? Two boules?⁠

It’s all the same, when done and said—⁠
I’m breaking bread.⁠

See more excerpts from my 30 days of poetry.


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