Every Road Will Take Me Down to the Sea.

I’ve been debating a couple themes for a new challenge a while now, but this one received the most attention when I asked others about it, and one I keep coming back to myself. I do intend to do one about the open road/wildflowers at some point though, as I think it’d be great to see it alongside the current challenge.

Although I’ve never been much of a beach goer and not particularly fond of swimming where I can’t see what’s in the water with me, I’ve always been fond of the sea. I love water, and being out in boats. So much lies below the surface, regardless how cliche that sounds, whether it be sea creatures or Atlantis. But even the surface itself feels surreal to see the edge of the sea meet the horizon.

Meanwhile, I’m also quite fond of thief characters in stories. Usually because thieves, in fiction, traditionally are outsiders, rogues, and live on the fringes of society. They are not exactly antiheroes, but often cannot be labeled as clearcut good or bad. On occasion, they fill a similar role to the Shakespearean fool. Like the sea, thieves are romantically mysterious, can be dangerous, and often have a wealth of treasures hidden somewhere.

I will take small poems until Saturday, September 15th about the sea and/or thieves/thievery. As I have with other projects, I will take up to 5, and I’ll at least take one. I reserve the right to ask you to try again if nothing really catches my eye, but don’t take it as a brushoff; that really does mean try again!

Theme/What to write about: The sea and/or thieves/thievery.

What form: Haiku, senryu, tanka, kyoka, gogyōka, renku, haibun, haiga (doodles most welcome!), small stones, short poems (up to 10 lines), etc. As is art!

How many: As many as you want! I will take as many as 5 and no less than 1.

When: Send them in by Saturday, September 15th (I will wait until the whole world has reached the 15th); I will post a PDF on this blog on September 19th (or as some know it, International Talk Like a Pirate Day).

Where to send: Either leave a comment to this post or send an email to aubriecox [at] gmail [dot] com! If you email, put “EVERY ROAD TAKES ME TO THE SEA” in the subject line, if you please.

Other important stuff:
Things you should keep in mind/include:

• Most journals will consider these works published

• If your work is already published, include the publishing credits (it’s kind of important and a nice thing to do)

• You, as the writer/artist/poet/etc, retain the rights to you work before and after it appears on my blog/in the PDF.

• If you want me to link back, please send along the name and link of your blog/Twitter account/website/etc! Also, make sure your have your name listed as you would like for it to appear.