This Music of Life
Telling tales through the guitar
As violin weeps.
Poem 6 By Ingrid Exner Poetry Half Marathon 2021
Ingrid Exner
Ingrid
I have been writing poetry on and off since I was about 12 years old ( many years!) My hobbies are writing, running, photography and reading. I have a background in writing and social work. A few years ago, I presented a few workshops about the healing effects of various forms of writing-including poetry. Writing has always been a very healing passion, pastime, hobby and luckily, professional work for me, at times.
The Unearthing Poem 5 and Prompt 5 by Ingrid Exner
It came with
no set of instructions
no diction nor dialogue
A collection of old cameras, watches, photographs,
tea cups and toys
marking my family’s
movement on earth.
Yellowed newspaper dated 1920
cradled a flowery porcelain tea cup
that once held my great grandmother’s lips.
A black and white photo showed my nana
proudly dressed in her tennis whites
gazing longingly…
More pocket watches were unearthed
trapped in timelessness decades ago!
Rattling at the bottom of our Family Time Capsule
were
three small tin matchbox cars .
My father’s eyes flicked with amazement
and childhood amusement.
Now, it is my turn
to stop time-leave my mark
be immortalized
leave my buried treasure.
Poem 4-Hour Four- Voices of the Climbing Fir Trees by Ingrid Exner
Voices of the Might Fir Trees
ring from a high-
“Climb! Despite all, you must climb!”
“As the rock moves-so do we. Climb!”
“We climb because we must!”
Our life is balance and a climb to the top and, climb
we must.
Anchors of soil hold us between
Earth and Sky as we
Rise to greater heights-
Thriving in the distance!
Dressed in haloed and hallowed crowns
of fog
wrapped in mystery
We stand like great beings
Towering in triumph.
Poem #4 Poetry Half Marahon by Ingrid Exner
Hour Three Prompt Three- Sacred Repetition as Life Repeats By Ingrid Exnerr
Birth, Death and Re-birth
Summer, Spring, Winter and Fall
Each- A Life Cycle
A Movement, a Call!
Birth, Death and Re-birth
The changing of the Seasons
throughout this Life,
we learn the many reasons.
Birth, Death and Re-birth
a return to Life once more-
a repeated pattern of Birth, Death and Re-birth
now and forever more.
Hour 3 Poem3 Half-Marathon 2021 by Ingrid Exner
Poem 2 Hour 2 – Take Joy In the Unseen by Ingrid Exner
Take delight in
this Day! There is
majesty in this moment and Joy!
Celebrate Joy
in the seen and the Knowing of
the Joy of Unseen things.
My anticipation of Day
breaks like Sunrise.
Spreading Light,
colours fill
my senses and awaken
my Soul.
In stillness, I
wander winding paths
sensing the unseen my senses
are awakened
by heavenly scents of pine and honeysuckle bloom
Birdsong gently breaks through
my reverie-
Soothed by the lyrical sounds
my vision rests on branches
sheltering nests of the Unseen
gentle reminders of the Beauty and Joy
of the Unseen.
Poem 2, Hour 2 by Ingrid Exner 2021 Poetry Half Marathon
Poem 1 Hour 1 Image Prompt 1 In My Dreams By Ingrid Exner
In my Dreams I Soar-
Phoenix-like I rise above,
buildings reaching toward,
Sky dotted with clouds.
Delicate wings flap-
Lifting—Propelling—Soaring
through space.
Dreamy clouds dance
with me as I,
Breathe freely—
for the first time!
Clouds gently pass,
Space clears—
Openness appears!
I am Born Again
in this space
of Being!
Once cushioned by Clouds,
My Vision now cleared-
I stop—pause—inhale and,
Breathe that Breath,
long overdue!
Filled with Breath and Knowing,
I fly back down into
that clouded space
Holding onto —
Memories.
Ingrid Exner, 2021 Half Marathon
Last Minute Encouragement and Advice From Ingrid
Hi All!!! I am really happy to be back and I look forward to starting this poetic journey again with you at 9 am my time, tomorrow Saturday. Each year, it never fails that I forget how to respond to someone and then I forget to look where they might be responding to me… In case anyone else is having this problem, here is what I familiarized myself with today. Each post that appears on the Poetry Marathon site will have a comment section underneath said post/poem. After you comment and hit the button, it will appear in the comment section. You create your original post from the toolbar and from your own Dashboard but you can comment directly following each person’s post that will appear on this Poetry Marathon site. Prompts will also appear here. So, for the half and full marathon, you probably want to have a few tabs open and maybe even a few windows as I also like to have the Poetry Marathon fb group also open at the time and throughout the marathon. Likewise, I even like to have my acceptance email open in case I accidentally close and sign out of my Dashbooard. I hope this helps!
Thanks to Caitlin and Jacob for bringing us all together again, taking part and hosting the Poetry Marathon. And, thank you to all the other volunteers who keep this going. This is an amazing community of poets. Good luck and have fun everyone!
Introduction from Ingrid
Hi Again! My name is Ingrid Exner. This will be my 4th or 5th poetry half marathon and I am as excited as I was the first time. Today, I am preparing by stocking up on some goodies and reviewing how to Create A Post and Comment! My best advice for those first timers is to do some preparations before the day (such as reviewing the functions of the site/ WordPress), purchase a few convenient groceries and do the housework or chores before the event! See you all tomorrow! Good luck and have fun everyone!
Hello, Thank you and Introduction
Hi Everyone! My name is Ingrid. This might be my fourth or fifth half marathon…I can’t remember for sure. All I can remember is that I love this opportunity to come together and write for either 12 hours or 24. I have never done the full poetry marathon myself and, I admire those who take on this task! I have not decided on a full plan for the half and I will leave stocking up on the snacks until closer to the date. I am excited to be participating this year as I have had a few eye surgeries and just feel likeI haven’t been able to put too much on paper (or screen) this year! I will be on the screen and also taking my time to give my eyes breaks away from the screen. I have read Caitlin’s plan and always look forward to learning more styles of poetry…I may just borrow a few form examples from her. For those new this year…welcome! Pace yourself, have fun and enjoy this amazing opportunity! xo i.e.
Prompt #12 and Poem #12 Love, Roots and Growth by Ingrid Exner Half Marathon
Love is a lesson in caring, compassion selflessness and also self-care.
Optimism is a buoyant force that we must all share.
Valuing one emotion over another is not healthy for you
Every emotion has value, it’s true!
Recognizing all feelings is
Optimal self care
Owning all sensations
Truth and Despair
Seeing Light even in Darkness.
Growing and learning day by day
Realizing that relationships take work not just play!
Our relationships give life meaning and hope
Without them we be would not be able to cope
Tough times draw us together in love
Heavenly relationships sent from above
Over time, we would love each other, and I would learn to love her like a mother loves a daughter imperfectly and without roots.
Acrostic poem by Ingrid Exner, Half Marathon, 2020 and above line from book reading.