It may sound romantic, but in search of that elusive metaphor, poets can be somewhat  “eccentric.”

1. If you date a poet everyone will think you are the jerk they are writing about.
2. You will be the jerk they are writing about.
3. They have an unnatural affection for book stores and office supply stores.
4. They have deep conversations with Animals, Clouds, and Grecian Urns.
5. Excessive use of  “poetry hands.”
6. Excessive abuse of  “poetic licence.”
7. Excessive use of  “melancholy.”
8. Excessive use of  “dramatic emphasis.”
9. They collect obscure words that have not been in circulation for at least 100 years or more.
10. They insert these antediluvian words into conversations just to rebel.
11. They think children’s books are sublime.
12. They refuse to care where the remote is.
13. All of their furniture are positioned around windows, for them to stare out for hours at a time.
14. Your parents will think they are possessed.
15. They are possessed.
16. You…

For many of us, some of our most memorable times revolve around the fall/winter holidays (Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Year’s). We want to hear all about your holiday memories in poetry or prose. If available, please send a photo of yourself at any age taken during the holidays.

PROMPT: Tell us your holiday recollections in a poem (any reasonable length) or prose piece (300 words or fewer).

WHAT: Submissions can be original or previously published poems or prose. You retain all rights to your work and give Silver Birch Press permission to publish on social media and in a potential print edition.

WHEN: We’ll feature the poems and prose in the Silver Birch Press ME, DURING THE HOLIDAYS Series on our blog starting in late November or early December (actual dates to be determined, based on number of submissions). We’ll also feature on Twitterand Facebook.

HOW TO…