Sunday, October 1, 2017

Day 1 - How Did I Get Here?

Hello! You're here! Welcome! This is going to be a fantastic journey and we are so glad that you have chosen to join us for OctPoWriMo 2017!

So... how did you get here?

That, my friends, is the opening prompt for this year! I knew as soon as I saw this on the list that I wanted to share with you a bit on this one. This simple question has been an ongoing one in my own life for as long as I can remember.

You see, I was adopted as an infant and grew up with almost no knowledge of how I got here. Things have changed this year, though. My husband gave me the Ancestry DNA test for my 50th birthday in June and in just a few short months I've found my birth mom and am really close to knowing who my birth father is. Now I can trace family lines back (in most cases) to the 1600s!

So...how did you get here?

I'm also taking Life Book 2017 - a year long art journal class offered by Tamara Laporte featuring artists from around the world in weekly mixed media lessons. One of my favorite artists from among the instructors is Effy Wild. Her lesson this year, Roots Down - Branches Up, involved creating a page around your artist lineage. It was an artistic family tree, of sorts. Hidden beneath the layers of my own page is an extensive list of the many artists whose work has inspired my own, but I chose to put the names of my family members in the roots and visible.

Roots Down, Branches Up by Amy McGrath
inspired by Effy Wild, from Life Book 2017


These experiences and this prompt lead me to wonder about my poetic family tree. Poe and Plath, Browning and Keats, Angelou and Hughes, my own adoptive mom... their words move me, inspire me, challenge me. Their writings have shaped (and continue to shape) mine.

So...how did you get here?

Word Prompts

family tree
DNA
roots and branches
origin story
ancestry
heritage

Image Prompt

Image by Виталий Смолыгин
from PublicDomainPictures




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45 comments:

  1. Morgan DragonwillowOctober 1, 2017 at 2:21 AM

    What a wonderful gift! So happy for you, Amy!

    Here is my link to my first poem. Day 1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ms_liliOctober 1, 2017 at 12:19 PM

      Morgan, I went to your poem and commented, but should I put the comments here instead? I love the energy of your poem.

      Delete
    2. ms_liliOctober 1, 2017 at 12:20 PM

      Also, I commented with my wordpress handle at the link where your poem is, but I also have a blogger handle. Which one should I use?

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 1, 2017 at 4:11 AM

    So lovely!

    My poem for Day 1 is here: https://wordswithannie.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/how-i-got-here/

    ReplyDelete
  3. SunitaOctober 1, 2017 at 7:43 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. SunitaOctober 1, 2017 at 7:47 AM

      Every year I wait for this amazing challenge. I get surprised how the words flow when the prompts are displayed.Thank you Morgan for giving this opportunity. Let the words take wings and touch many lives.

      Here is my link.

      http://musingssurvive.blogspot.in/2017/10/bloodline.html

      Delete
    2. mkvecchittoOctober 1, 2017 at 7:23 PM

      Great job! I love your last line.

      Delete
  4. Lady WhispersOctober 1, 2017 at 10:39 AM

    Somehow I manage to make my entry. So here I go
    Day 1:https://whisperingwithwords.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/how-did-i-got-here/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Morgan DragonwillowOctober 1, 2017 at 12:07 PM

      You might want to make it easier for people to comment on your blog. I couldn't figure out what I needed to do to be able to login.

      Delete
  5. zannieroseOctober 1, 2017 at 11:51 AM

    day 1.....glad to be playing with y'all..

    https://theartistsdate.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/another-prompt-for-day-one-where-do-you.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. payal agarwalOctober 1, 2017 at 12:18 PM

    Wow Amy! First post of OctPoWriMo wants me to write one now! I'm not sure how many poems I will write during the month but I will definitely share whenever I do. You people are inspiring. Thank you for this wonderful challenge Morgan.

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    Replies
    1. seekingmemeOctober 1, 2017 at 8:03 PM

      So glad you enjoyed the prompt and that you've joined us again this year. Like you, I don't know how many poems I will write this month, but I want to get back to my own poetic roots. I lost my way a bit last year, but it feels SO good to be involved again with you and others here!

      Delete
  7. ms_liliOctober 1, 2017 at 12:50 PM

    I tried to post this with my word press name but I don't think it came through. Here is my entry for Day 1: https://tao-talk.com/2017/10/01/octpowrimo2017-day-1-summers-end/

    ReplyDelete
  8. zannieroseOctober 1, 2017 at 12:55 PM

    ms_lili - could not post a comment on your blog...this is what I said..that it was like rich deep soil

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    Replies
    1. ms_liliOctober 1, 2017 at 1:15 PM

      thank you very much zannierose. it is appreciated. this is my first time trying to do the daily poetry. what may cause technical difficulties is that, even though i have blogs on blogger, the poetry is being blogged at word press. sorry you were not able to post your comment at word press :(

      Delete
  9. ms_liliOctober 1, 2017 at 1:17 PM

    Tip for people who want to see all of the writers (I did this through trial and error.) is to go to the linkup tab and click on the participants links. So far every one I've clicked has rewarded me with beautiful poetry!

    ReplyDelete
  10. BiancaPOctober 1, 2017 at 1:43 PM

    My poem for Day 1: http://biancasbookblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/10/its-octpowrimo-time-again-day-1-how-did.html

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousOctober 1, 2017 at 3:14 PM

    My Day 1 Poem: How Did You Get Here?
    https://odhranwrites.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/octpowrimo-day-1-how-did-you-get-here/

    ReplyDelete
  12. A BurtOctober 1, 2017 at 4:54 PM

    This is my attempt - https://scribblesfrommetoyou.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/octpowrimo-1-how-did-i-get-here/

    ReplyDelete
  13. mkvecchittoOctober 1, 2017 at 6:47 PM

    Here's mine for Day 1. I took a slightly different take on it. Mine is about overcoming the doubt and fear you have as a writer (or anything else).

    https://stepstimestwo.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/fear-as-enemy/

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownOctober 1, 2017 at 7:26 PM

    Here is my Day 1 poem. It's even on topic with the prompt!
    https://instagram.com/p/BZuSkbonC70/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownOctober 1, 2017 at 7:28 PM

      It's on topic with the wording of the prompt, anyway. The story of the poem is the beginning of a seasion of a storytelling game called "Storm Hollow".

      Delete
  15. Jenni AstramowiczOctober 1, 2017 at 7:39 PM

    Here is my Day 1 poem - a bit of a twist on the prompt
    https://zwabisabi.blogspot.com/2017/10/nyctalopia.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angela van SonOctober 2, 2017 at 12:58 PM

      I'm a right comments are not enabled on your blog? I loved the poem and wanted to leave a compliment, so I'm doing that here instead.

      You even made me loop up a new word - the title :)

      Delete
    2. Angela van SonOctober 2, 2017 at 12:59 PM

      Look, not loop

      Delete
  16. seekingmemeOctober 1, 2017 at 7:40 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. seekingmemeOctober 1, 2017 at 8:32 PM

    Six hours on the road today, but did enough prewriting last night to have the bones of this poem ready! Now to enjoy some of the earlier posts from today! https://seekingmeme.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/how-did-i-get-here/

    ReplyDelete
  18. MarkOctober 1, 2017 at 9:40 PM

    Day 1 here already?!? I'm nervous and excited.https://hittingthemark-jones.blogspot.ca/2017/10/in-her-arms.html?showComment=1506908176062&m=1#c561954179184439519

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LuAnn @ BackPorchervationsOctober 2, 2017 at 7:14 AM

      Oooh, me too, Mark. I was sitting on the computer last evening and thought, "Eeek! Get my act in gear! It's OctoPoWriMo!"

      Delete
    2. Angela van SonOctober 2, 2017 at 1:01 PM

      I rarely read love poems twice, but with yours I want to do just that! Have e great month, this was a wonderful start.

      Delete
  19. Jennifer Ann Margaret Patino October 2, 2017 at 4:18 AM

    Here is my day 1 poem :)

    https://prettykooldame.com/2017/10/01/octpowrimo-day-1-i-come-from/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LuAnn @ BackPorchervationsOctober 2, 2017 at 7:07 AM

      "I come from the Earth. Her pain.
      Her wonder. Her resiliency."

      Let's never forget that resiliency. An amazing history, Jennifer!

      Delete
  20. payal agarwalOctober 2, 2017 at 5:50 AM

    My post for Day 1
    https://colorsofthefall.blogspot.in/2017/10/origin.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LuAnn @ BackPorchervationsOctober 2, 2017 at 7:04 AM

      Excellent, payal! So sad when buildings that have been there our entire lives get demolished or 'replaced'.

      Delete
    2. Katelyn ThomasOctober 2, 2017 at 7:47 AM

      Old buildings are filled with stories. I especially love your lines -
      deep roots that

      grew and created

       it’s world within

      Really nice!

      Delete
  21. LuAnn @ BackPorchervationsOctober 2, 2017 at 7:00 AM

    I had headed over to Commaful because of a post on this blog last week, so I posted my Day 1 over there.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Katelyn ThomasOctober 2, 2017 at 7:43 AM

    My day 1 post
    http://www.katelynthomas.com/2017/10/america-in-my-veins-octpowrimo.html

    ReplyDelete
  23. Angela van SonOctober 2, 2017 at 9:45 AM

    I'm not following the prompts yet, but I"m joining the fun and creating new poems: https://wordpress.com/post/unassortedstories.wordpress.com/2176

    ReplyDelete
  24. Dawn D McKenzieOctober 2, 2017 at 3:53 PM

    Since most people can't access my blog, I'm posting on A Writer's Universe (thanks Morgan). Here was my take for day 1
    http://www.awritersuniverse.com/2017/10/friends.html

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ornery Owl of Naughty Netherworld Press and Readers Roost October 2, 2017 at 4:19 PM

    With this first one I was able to combine two prompts: Day 19 of 30 Days of Haiga, which runs through September, and that tells you how behind I am there, and this prompt.
    http://poetryofthenetherworld.blogspot.com/2017/10/30-days-of-haiga-2017-day-19octpowrimo.html
    In my defense, it has been an extremely difficult year. I ended up changing jobs six times. My creativity is still in recovery from the stress of this.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tolu OloruntobaOctober 2, 2017 at 6:06 PM

    'Horeb'
    https://medium.com/@tolu/horeb-f1198a33287f …
    #OctPoWriMo
    1/31
    A mash of two mountains- Horeb and Vesuvius

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousOctober 3, 2017 at 2:39 AM

    My Day 1 post
    https://mpjethwa.wordpress.com/2017/10/03/o1-octprowrimo/

    Short Poem !

    ReplyDelete
  28. Pat ROctober 7, 2017 at 10:59 AM

    HI Everyone

    Entry for Day 1

    https://thoughtsandentanglements.wordpress.com/2017/10/01/seasons-celebration/

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousOctober 14, 2017 at 11:53 PM

    Happy Sunday everyone! :)
    https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2017/10/15/day-1-how-did-i-get-here/

    ReplyDelete

Your words feed the hearts of the poets who lovingly volunteer to share their passion for poetry with you.

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