This summer I participated for the first time in POPO 2020, the August Poetry Postcard Festival. When you sign up, your name is added to a list of thirty-one others. Due to COVID-19, the festival began earlier than usual this year but the premise of the activity is to send a postcard to each person on the list by the end of August. The idea of which is to just sit down – on the fly! – and compose a poem for the recipient. And, to further challenge one’s artistic bent, use whatever means to communicate your poetic message (or not!) by decorating the other side of the postcard. You are also free to use any kind of postcard such as those to highlight the community or area you live in. You can use an already ‘decorated’ card if you prefer not to flex any artistic muscles of your own. Anything pretty much goes!
Here is a showcasing of some of the cards I decorated. Um, as for the poems — well, let’s just say maybe some other time! But the gist of the exercise, to get us to let our thoughts FLOW on paper, was enjoyable and time well spent. I’ve sent all my cards out and I must admit to having a few withdrawal pains! It was fun. I photographed every card and poem I sent and will let those verses marinade a bit. Later, I’ll see if I can’t just do a little bit more with them!!
If anyone is interested in participating in next year’s Festival, here’s a couple links with more information. Registration for POPO 2021 begins September 1st! You can also search for them on Facebook.
A Sawyer's Daughter 
What an interesting venture: POPO 2020! Really like your photos and the whole idea of involving people in poetic endeavors. Thanks for telling us about all of this.
I know, right?!? I’ve gotten some pretty incredible postcards – and poems – from all over the country.
Really cool initiative.
Lovely cards! Thanks for the shout-out.
Thanking you!!
PoPo has turned into a mind saving experience this year with COVID. I think this is my 3rd or 4fh year.
My record keeping was quiet poor and I have names and addresses for 3 previous years. But 3 for certain.
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Thank you for the wonderful description to send on to others who might be interested. The first year
of a complete record I panicked over the cost of the stamps being on fixed income. I enjoyed the
process and especially the postcards in the mail, I found a way to get ahead buying stamps and
creating postcards when waiting for paint to dry at my art groups.
For anyone who is interested … it is, for me, a definitely low stress project, with rewards in the mail.
Thank you for your comment!! I also cringed a little at the cost of postage – especially for those on my list from Canada. The thrill of discovering another new postcard in the mailbox soon relieved me of that concern! I very much enjoyed POPO, especially as you point out, with covid and all the political upheaval this year.
The artistic aspects of the project – both the poetry and the visual elements – were rewarding in and of themselves. A great endeavor. I’m grateful to have been a part of it.