With 164 recent views, 42 likes, and 110 insightful comments, this month’s story, “SCD Poetry Day” was another Story Chat success. Bookmark it for reference. Take a look if you missed it. If you love to read short stories, poems, micro-fiction, and cartoons, and admire beautiful art, you will enjoy Story Chat Digest. For links to all of the SCD stories, bookmark the Story Chat Digest Page.

How Did We Do?

Did you enjoy poetry chatting? Do you understand the poetry better after the discussion? Do you understand more about writing poetry after analyzing and chatting with others? Were you inspired to write something of your own either in response to one of their poems or because of something you read? 

How do the poems sound if you read them aloud? Here’s my fun TRY at reading aloud.

Shell Hunt by Cathy Cade

Attendance with Links

Thank you to everyone who attended this Story Chat Digest session. Without your input, Story Chat is an average writing challenge. Your helpful, honest comments make this like a poetry/book club. If you get a chance, check out our attendees’ blogs. It’s well worth your time.

Going into a chat room online is much the same as going to a party. Story Chat is like a warm, homey chat room. There’s a lot of off-topic conversation as well as niceties. Since this is a summary of the chatter, not a taped recording to be used in a murder trial, I edit (not murder) comments.

• Dawn Pisturino’s Blog “These three poems are so different yet complement each other.”
• Esther Chilton “These three poems are so enjoyable – in very different ways. I have to admit to connecting with Cathy Cade’s the most, but I think that because the sea has always held such a fascination for me and I used to collect shells as a child. I don’t remember there being rubbish strewn everywhere like there is nowadays. It’s a sad reflection of modern times. I loved the twist at the end; I didn’t see that coming. Cindy Georgakas describes something we can all relate to – walking in circles. But there’s hope here – I enjoyed this positive take. Smitha makes us think with her poem. Very thought-provoking.”
• Eúnoia (author #3) “When I read Cathy’s poem, I was happy when the crab ( i thought of the narrator a hermit like me) found its shell. And Cindy, like you said, is always so full of life. It’s always fun to read her posts. They are brimming with energy and cheerfulness. You’re right- you could be a prince or a pauper. It’s sad what people have to go through for no fault of theirs – like being born in a particular country or in a certain family. While that’s life, it’s important to remember and be grateful for all that one is blessed with.
• Fata cu suflet de cerneală “Thank you so much for sharing these wonderfully written poems, Marsha! ♥️🌹 I loved all three.”
• Harvesting Hecate “A very interesting selection of poems. Ranging from playful and unexpected from Cathy, self-aware and thoughtful from Cindy, building to a crescendo with Smitha’s powerful and insightful poem.”
• Helping You to Succeed “Wow.. all.3 poems had me thinking, taking notes, evaluating life. Cathy got the ball rolling as I pondered life and my priorities. In many ways, I thought of how cluttered my life has become when she mentioned the garbage littering the beach. There were many poignant metaphors gleaned. Cindy did a fantastic job as always. Her earthy, feel good, fell it like it is approach, always resonates with my soul. Life has a tendency to double back on us if we aren’t keeping our eyes on the prize. And Smitha, whose poetry I come across at the most “timely” moments, always answer or add a fresh perspective to questions I’m working through. Some may even call it fate, how the universe provides these opportunistic encounters.”
• Katie Mia Frederick!il “Endless Stories, BREaTHE NoW NeW”, So True Poems, Live And Breathe New in Change, Endless Unique Views, Of Interpretations Come Basically, Our Existences Are, Every, Now Changing, ‘Rorschach Tests’”
• Myths of the Mirror “Cathy’s was wonderfully playful with the rhyme and the fun twist at the end. I appreciated the touch of seriousness about the garbage left behind by humans. What an unkind thing to do to others, ourselves, and other life. I’m glad the little hermit crab found a home. Cindy’s poem reminded me of walking meditation, letting the mental baggage go with each step. There’s a lot of mental baggage these days, and while important to deal with, ruminating on it does nothing but weigh on us. I like the way she pushed through it in the poem. Smitha’s poem was perhaps the most interesting to me. As an atheist, faith that a supreme being will offer heavenly salvation is hard for me to fathom. But the discussion of fate, and how life’s circumstances are often dictated by factors beyond individual control, is one that needs more airing if we believe in each person’s potential and the value of each life.”
• Natalie the Explorer ” Thank you for sharing the wonderful poems and talented poets with #weekendcoffeeshare. This is a great selection of three different yet complimentary poems.”
• Robbie’s Inspiration “It is wonderful to see three such accomplished poets featured here today. Cathy’s poem is wonderful. I could see that beach and the horrible trash people have left behind. I was pleased the crab found a suitable shell. I do like hermit crabs. Cindy’s poem is very relatable to me. I understand what it’s like to have a large family who all lean on you for support. Sometimes it’s hard but we just keep moving forward. Cindy is always very inspiring. Smitha’s poem is hard hitting in its truthfulness. The family each individual is born to is a spin the bottle – you could be a prince or a pauper. People’s homeland is always dear to them even when it fails them and they have to leave, or choose to leave. You always remember.”
• T. W. Dittmer “Wonderful of you to highlight this fantastic poetry, Marsha. Thank you.”
• Unique Times with Cindy (author #2) “I can so relate to the circling and often it’s in my kitchen looking for something. One time I found my keys in the refrigerator.. I kid you not… I should be embarrassed to share this but hey, things happen! Ha. Smitha always brings it home! 🏡I too love the sea and loved Cathy’s poem as well. “
• Utahan15 “gilt ha, God is no enigma, so show hands like that, and perhaps how all our worlds are flat!”
• Writer Ravenclaw “I walk in circles is my favourite poem, but all three are well written.”
• Writing Wrinkles (author #1) “What a range of human experience you’ve gathered together this month, Marsha! (Well – maybe not all human… From the rdiculous to the sublime?) I felt myself circling while I read Cindy’s poem – life gets like that sometimes (certainly did today when I found myself covering the same route twice to obtain a prescription that I applied for at the start of the month.) While Smitha brought home to us (again – as have many of the sad events of recent years) the powerlessness we have over our origins and the mountains some must climb to survive – or prosper. We moved from minutiae through life’s challenges to the dispensations of fate. Heady stuff.”

Story Chat Volume II Reviews

Thank you to all of those who wrote reviews. I treasure them all. If you have written one, and I haven’t mentioned it, please send me a link. I appreciate all you do to get the word out about Story Chat!

Order Story Chat Vol II and Watch the Exciting Video

To be really cool, order your paperback copy of Story Chat Volume II TODAY on Amazon. Read one of Esther Chilton’s favorites, “Gary A Wilson’s Anxious About Seahorses. I felt for the character, Charlotte, who has autism and has been sent for a unique type of therapy.”

Story Chat Volume II Book Blog Tour Schedule

• Colleen Chesebro – November 24, 2024 (US) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• Gloria – November 29 (UK)
• Robbie & Michael – November 30 (SA)
• Diana – December 1 (US)
• Doug – December 2 (AU) December 1 (US, UK, SA) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• Cathy – December 4 (UK) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• Amanda – December 9 (AU) December 8 (US, UK, SA)
• Dan– December 11 (US)
• Philip – December 14 (UK)
• Cindy Georgekas – December 16 (US)
• Esther Chilton – January 30 (UK ) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• D. L. Finn – February 4 (US) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• Yvette – February 5 (US) Thanks for reviewing on Amazon.
• Hugh – January 27 (UK)

Story Chat: Online Literary Conversations

Thanks again for being a great part of Always Write’s Story Chat Digest. Don’t forget to send YOUR story (or poem, joke, artwork, or puzzle) in to be part of Story Chat Volume III.

Until next time, keep reading, writing, and chatting.