July was long. July was busy. Hard.

And still I managed to finish the #JulyCreativeChallenge – I honestly don’t know how, especially when I put everything together. There’s a lot! Of course, there’s a fluctuation of quality in the micro poems: I can spot a few I like as is, a few I’d like to expand, and some that are frankly a bit of a fail. That’s pretty standard. I also firmed up a few opinions or hunches as to what people seem to like and respond to, and if using this medium is even the best choice. For example, for every positive comment I think there were a few quiet unfollows or unlikes. Whether that’s because these people were seeing a double-up of the poem on social media, or think my poems stink (quite possible!), whatever the reason, that’s life. In all honesty, I’m quite proud I made it.

I did wonder whether it would be best to split this post into two parts but decided against it in the end. That would dilute the effect. If you missed them, here they are. In no particular order.

old photographs

the end

footpaths shudder

now you are gone

enveloped within blankets

conversions of warmth

she doodles an hourglass

on desolate days

no horrors could be camoflagued

white haze of ice

the results of fermentation

admire the individuality of an integer

in the dream

people complain

introvert debut opinions

I am a seasonal vampire

degrees of slumber

you see clouds

look after your knives

heavy moments

some days grief slinks inside

cold composed body

sleep beckons

winter sunshine

the weekend arrives

on cold nights

new mothers open

what you give the day

some see a heart

#julycreativechallenge

You made it all the way down here!? Hello! And thank you! Tell me what you thought – I’d love to hear.

karen andrews

Karen Andrews is the creator of this website, one of the most established and well-respected parenting blogs in the country. She is also an author, award-winning writer, poet, editor and publisher at Miscellaneous Press. Her latest book is Trust the Process: 101 Tips on Writing and Creativity