A Revolution...A Revelation! Some thoughts...

I never thought I would say these words.

I'm living through a Revolution!

Never. I always thoughts politics was boring; and I hated Government class senior year of high school, or political science anything back then. But also as recent as before the 2016 election. I remember studying revolutions, yes, but not living through one. 2018 is the year of the white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-everything in the white house. And yes I realize that it started in 2016.

Okay, that is a super generalized statement, but since the 2016 president election, the growth of the intolerant, fascist, anti-woman, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ+, pro-tax cut for the wealthy 1% kind of hit me full force; I was terrified. Am still. Will always be terrified of that kinda of hatred and fear. It is real! It is happening!  I couldn't deny it, nor could I ignore it.

I was/am angry!

I still am/will be.

This time I will not be silenced by the ignorant, small minded conservatives who clearly believed anything that President Cheeto (one of my favourite names to call him, but not the only one) said or tweeted. I started speaking up. Paying attention to the news. Talking about all the things that I shunned before. And something happened, I became angry, but I was also clear headed in my anger. I started to try to understand why the conservatives thought the way they did. I stood up for others. I protested and argued. Somewhere in all of that I decided that staying angry helped get through the bad shit, and it helped drive me to create art, help others, and fight the battles that we (as a country) need to fight.

Today is election day, mid-term election, when the balance of power, the pendulum, begins to swing back. I voted at 7:30 this morning. I was to wired to lay in bed until I had to go to work. I was awake. I woke up! Voting starts with a single person, yes, but from that so much can come of it. I may not always be a positive person, but my anger makes me a powerful enemy, because I know what I AM FIGHTING FOR.

I voted.

I tell others to vote.

I do not keep silent.

And I will be everything I can to reclaim my country. A country that has lost a lot, but still has potential. Like I see potential in my theatre children as they grow up, in my friends who are  learning to grow and are finding their own way, in my community that wants so much more than what we currently have.

Yes, I am angry, but I am rightly angry. From my anger I sow the seeds of love, art, charity, and a dash of humility. I make the world better, because I am angry. I won't always be anger, and the whole won't always be broken. There is always hope.

I am a fighter in the new Revolution!

Vive la Revolucion!

OctPoWriMO Day #31 (endless)

Word prompts: endless, infinity, eternal, sharing love

Poetic Form: Etheree. A poem that consists of 10 lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 syllables.

I didn't want to think to deeply about today's prompt. It seemed fitting that I write this one from the heart, a philosophy of the heart, if you will. I have written a lot of intense poems this months, sparked by events in  my own life, and sometimes from my friend's lives. Today is more about how I feel about the emotions and feelings that rule my life. A bit taken from my personal philosophy put to words. Somehow the etheree was a fitting form to convey my thoughts as they trickle to a fine point.

I hope you've enjoyed this months writings, because I honestly have. There is something powerful in words, but also powerful in taking those words and making something new. I hope it isn't too trite. It is (gaily) from my heart.

Enjoy, Dear Readers!

Eternal

There is an eternal feeling in what

you know to be unconditional--

its a love borne of patient grace,

that finds its way back home to

what is better known as

a heart still beating.

My heart is real,

you are real. 

I see

you!

OctPoWriMo Day #30: (dancing on the moon)

Word prompts: ecstatic, exuberance, joyful, celebrate, on cloud nine

Let's just  say that today's poem about joys and ecstatic beauty is fueled, as often is, the sadness that precedes it. I actually wrote a Pleiades, a 7-line poem with 6-syllables in each lines; based on the Greek Myth of the Pleiades, the seven sisters of Atlas and Pleione. It is also a star formation made up of about 500 stars, although only 9 to 12 of them can actually be seen and only 6 at a time.

I'll let the poem speak for itself. Dear Readers. Enjoy!

A Journey Begins...

Somewhere beginnings are

full of ecstatic joy,

leaning heavily on

knowledge that came before.

I know that to begin

there is sadness behind

celebratory steps.

OctPoWriMo #29: (by the numbers)

Topic: pick a number, write a poem!

Numbers:
1 - unity
2 - duality
3 - spiritual/mystical
4 - universal
5 - human life
6 - perfection
7 - lucky
8 - auspicious
9 - pain/sadness
0 - nothingness

I knew where this was going as soon as I saw the post. Once I read the post, I figured I would have to pull out my favourite nerd reference from Douglas Adams. The number 42, which is the supposed answer to the the Question "What's the meaning of Life?"

The computer Deep Thought postulated that 42 was the answer, without giving an explanation. I never understood why, but I always thought that his must have meant something by 42. The simplest answer is the 42 means whatever you want it to mean. so, to ask the question, what is the meaning of life? Well, whatever you what it to mean gives you a chance to make life whatever you want.

I also believe that the world and the universe is filled with duality: good vs. evil; black vs. white; or day vs. night. That means that I could take the two sides and make them whatever I wanted them to be. That is how today's poem was born.

It is free verse and open to interpretation, but I like that, so it stays!

Universal Duality

Call me universal duality--

where I can be anything

or anyone;

or flip me 

because of my dual nature,

I can be good or bad.

For good,

I want the  world,

at my fingertips,

counting the possibilities

of storytelling

and building mythologies.

Of the bad,

Make me choose

and you will find me

not so agreeable

nd your head upon a platter.

The choice--

it is always my own,

not owing to anyone.

My happiness is here,

within reach

afterward.

And I am the potential,

I am the universe,

I am the dual goddess,

I am 42.

OctPoWriMo Day #28: (split in two)

Word prompts: broken,  dilemma, choice,  chasm,  schism

When At The Fork You Come To

Make me choose, you say
To cross the broken bridge there,
maybe I won't go.

No where do I feel
safe that was long since lost to
dilemmas now here.

When I once knew why,
The schism of my world
Has left me alone.

To forge ahead that
Which I have long since reclaimed,
No more split in two.

OCtPoWriMo Day #27: (what colour is it?)

Word Prompts: color, shade, tone, color theory, design

Concept: Synesthesia

I took a bit of liberty today, Dear Readers. After a particularly long week and and a lot of thinking, and there has been a lot of thinking this month. Okay, mostly because I have been writing poetry, but it does make one consider a number of things, like today's prompt.  I have been into Marina and the Diamonds since she first hit Youtube some nine years ago. She mentioned having synesthesia, the ability to see sounds as colours is the most common. It means that the sensation of one sense is interpreted by other sense, causing a whole new sensation. this concept fascinates me as I don't readily experience this. I think sometimes if I am really tired, I can interpret things differently; as a writer I love to explain how someone who is blind can explain (or know) what the colour blue is, a deaf person explaining what Mozart's symphonies sound like, or someone with sensory issues how silk feels to their skin.

Today's poem finds a little more of how we can understand the things that are understandable, to us, or to other people.

The Unseen Senses

Can you tell me

what I want to know

the colour,

shade,

and tone

of things with no colour.

Tell me what 

shade of colour 

a song is

blue,

or mauve;

the way the colour

feel or tastes, 

even.

I don't think I know,

but,

ask the synesthesiaiac

and they'll tell you 

the colours

of music notes.

How they, 

taste upon their tongue,

or even what they feel like.

A song,

that tastes like melted chocolate,

or a book's verse that

feels like silk on soft skin.

How do you explain 

the unseen senses?

OctPoWriMo Day #26: (inside out)

Word prompts: open, secret, introspective, reveal, and discover

So, I usually will write a sonnet if prompted, but today read super busy,  and a lot of stuff is going.  To say that it is bad or good, I cannot decide. There has been a goodly amount of ephipanies that I can only look on these experiences fondly. Today's poem is a form  that I have grown to love and it speaks volumes.  Please, enjoy,  Dear Readers.

See You

What I need now
Is to tell you how I feel
From the inside out

OctPoWriMo Day #25: (door goes both ways)

Word Prompts: both ways, open, in and out, chances, giving, receiving

Suggest poetic form: A Triquain; poetic form used: A Double Tetractys

Tetractys consists of at least 5 lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 syllables (total of 20). Tetractys can be written with more than one  verse, but must follow suit with an inverted syllable count. Tetractys can also
be reversed and written 10, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Double Tetractys: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1

Triple Tetractys: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 10


I am super happy with how this one turned out. The downside, is I used a tetractys instead of a triquain. Oh well, maybe next time! I love the flow of the form, and the syllables action lends itself to a lot of possibilities.

Chasing Chances

Here--

chances

floating up,

dizzying like

multi-coloured balloons loose in the wind,

and suddenly my childhood coming back

find me chasing

chances as

you do,

There.

OctPowriMo Day #24: (opening)

Tonight's poem is simple because I ran out of time. Please enjoy, Dear Readers!

Word Prompts: outside, unlocked, fling, freely, gape

Opening the Soul

Open wide the doors
the sun has freely risen
fling aside your cares

OctPoWriMo Day #23: (see me)

Suggested Poetic Form: Haibun

A poem that uses prose blended with a haiku to tell a story about the subject matter. I was surprised by how easy it was to connect the two forms. Might actually be a new favourite. I need to experiment with the form some more, I think it lends itself to storytelling. I can see haibuns used in stories to help make a point.

Word Prompts: beneath, uncover, clear, unspoken, truth

Something in this month is leading me to deeper personal truths and some growth. I like to keep a bit secret, so I won't explain it, but let you see what you can devise. I would love a comment or two about what today's poetic fodder means, Dear Reader. I like to spark discussion, so have at it.

This is my course correction!

Course Correction

There is a certain sadness when the song come on the radio. Clear melody echoing around me. This reminds me of the obvious truth; slowly turning the dial; the apartment fills up with silence. It has been a  long time since I walked this hallway, which is normally filled with noise.  Today, it is  different. With the radio finally silent, I slowly step into  the hallway; footsteps echoed deep as I finally reach the door. It is not  locked.

The farthest distance--
never traveled in the noise
now, ready to leave.

OctPoWriMo Day #22: (betrayal)

Poetic Form: Palindrome Poem is a poem that read forwards and backwards while still conveying a meaning and purpose within the poem. Each line in the first half of the poem is mirrored in the second half of the poem.

I have written a lot of personal poetry this month, and though the admission of betrayal, whether of self, or another, I want to stick to a generic revelation, and a betrayal within the revelation. A palindrome seems most fitting as you can reading it forwards and backwards, and still get the same idea.  Because like revelations and betrayal, sometimes they can be read, discovered going forward, or going back.

How's that for a deep subject, Dear Readers?

Seriously, this poem took a while to grow, and I reeeeeeeally wanted to use the palindrome poem as the form for today's poem. I hope you get something out of it.

I also took a liberty, and used different tenses in the beginning and ending of the poem. I think you'll see why...

Word prompt: betrayal, deception, dishonesty, duplicity, lying

Alternate word prompts: forgiveness, mercy, grace, loyalty, honesty

Inner Voice Says Forgiven

Speak!

Have you known

there is fear, 

nothing is greater.

Deception-

your own self.

~Revelation~

Self, own your

deception;

greater is nothing.

Fear is there,

knew you have

Spoken!

Forgiven, says Voice Inner

OctPoWriMo Day #21: (how will you know)

Word Prompts: Questioning, Deciding, Choices, Love or Lust, Feeling

Today's poem brought to you by the Choice and the Feeling of today's subject. This month has been challenging me is a lot of different ways. Today's is free verse and the realization right after waking up from a nightmare. Don't think it is autobiographical, or maybe part of it is. It is born of the dark places where we hide, and the choice to leave those dark places for something better.  A sign (Signal) of hope!

Enjoy, Dear Readers.

When You Choose

There is a split second

feeling in the dark,

when you don't know

what's next,

what's around the corner.

Maybe you are afraid,

monsters in the dark

or

maybe the truth

that you don't want to see.

That moment,

feeling 

taking that first step

out from the dark

into 

the light.

OctPoWriMo Day #20: (time stand still)

Word Prompts: moment, hours, minutes, clock, hourglass, future, past, present, chronology

Poetic Form: Loop Poetry. No  restrictions on the number of stanzas nor on the syllable count for each line. In each stanza, the last word of the first line becomes  the first word of line two, last word of line 2 becomes the first  word of line 3, last word of line 3 becomes the first word of line
4. This is followed for each stanza. The rhyme scheme is abcb.

My fancination with time is apparent and loop poetry is fun, especially at 11:56 pm. Enjoy, Dear Readers!

Clock Ambitions

Minutes ticks by
By my reckoning the past has
Has long past me by
By yours, you've barely noticed whereas;

A moment will pass--
pass me the future that I want,
want to give it a try,
try to make something nonchalant.

So, in the present I stay,
stay where I am safe anyhow
safe from the future that comes
comes at the moment presented now.

OctPoWriMo Day #19: (what do you want)

Word Prompts: desire, questioning, search, doubt, fulfill

This month has lead me on a merry chase with my emotions and a little bit of self-discovery. Okay, maybe a lot more self-discovery, but in some ways I am happier because of it. Today's prompt felt a little like synchronicity. Like I needed to declare my intentions and then I could move forward. I've know what I wanted for a about two years, though it starts to germinate in 2011. Today's prompt makes me want to keep reaching, to not give up, and to even settle for anything.

Tell Me What You Want

That which you desire

is birthed of doubt and passion--

your right to fulfill.

OctPoWriMo Day #18: (once upon a time...)

Word Prompts: magic, enchantment, spell, fascination, prestidigitation, hocus pocus, conjure

Poetic Form: Fable

It's story time! I don't have too much to say, but this is my fairy tale. A mythology in the making.

Enjoy, Dear Readers!

Upon Once Her Time

Once upon a time...

there was one so fair

that she did stare within mirrored frames

to she truly how fair she was.

unbelieving,

she painted her face

to match what mood others wanted to see,

though she never believed.

Conjuring up enchantments for 

others to see,

but leaving nothing left for her.

Weaving the stories,

filled with magical creatures,

and adventure beyond anything;

the the delight of children's laughter

and comedic mirth.

A whole still sat,

lonely,

longing,

like one of her enchantments,

until one day

a book left on her doorstep,

with the word, Abracadabrah!

And poof!

a chariot driven by badgers

and pulled by dragons,

a note saying Follow! This way.

And there by the end of everything,

there was everything she had every wanted

brought to her

in a happy ever after.

OctPoWriMo Day #17: (madness)

Word Prompts: madness, craziness, insanity, reigns, rains, reins

Madness makes the things feel realer, harsher, more passionate. Today's prompt is about madness; I wrote it to be a realization that born from the madness is peace. Thoughts, Dear Reader? How do you feel before a huuuuge cry, or how about afterwards? i think fro the strongest emotions comes the understanding, compassion, and peace that you would get with the more simpler emotions. It is the raw passion madness that brings the most clarity. At least I found.

Enjoy!

And yes, I did put all of the rains/reigns/reins into one poem... See you that and raise to a philosophy written into a poem. :-)

Logical Madness

in the middle of the rain

when no one can see me cry

saltwater, blurring together, 

with rainwater, there is madness.

told to rein in my emotions--

overacting and all that 

bullshit that comes with

caring, or pretending to...

Insanity so reigns this place

and maybe after all

there is peace to be won

inside of the crazy.

OctoPoWriMo Day #16: (when I fall)

Suggested Poetry Form: Terzanelle  which is a 19-line poem with the following rhyme patter, and (A,B,A - b, C, B - c, D, C - d, E, D - E, F, E - f, A, F, A), and a choice of two different endings (#1 - f, A, F, A or #2 - f, F, A, A).

Word Prompts: strength, vulnerable, insight, bonds, obstacles

Dear Readers, today brought a lot of thoughts to my grey matter, a lot of which wasn't always the most pleasant. Sometimes writing isn't happy, sometimes it is sad, or at least reflective. Today's poem is very reflective of the last month and a half. When I thought of today's prompt, I thought about the moments before you fall. Those moments when you think you are safe, but then there comes the fall. What thoughts are running through your head as the fall grows closer, or apparent?

I hope you leave with a bit of hope at the poem's fall, Dear Readers. A fall, I think, most of us has experienced at one time or other.

Bound Within

Bound within my own chains

In this prison of my own,

bound within my own chains.

So much more prone

to the failings of the World

in this prison of my own.

Where I often lie curled

in a haven of my creation

to the failings of the World.

Set guard the Gryphon,

to keep my peace safe

in a haven of my creation.

When come the smallest waif

to break my guard and

to keep my peace safe.

It will make a stand

bound within my own chains

to break my guard and

bound within my own chains.

OctPoWriMo Day #15: (umbrella)

Word Prompts: umbrella, shield, shelter, cover, protection

Poetic Form: free verse

I am going to let the poem speak for itself.

It is dedicated to those who struggle (myself included), whether with umbrellas or with life. If you struggle just know that someone will catch you.

Don't forget to ALWAYS be kind, because someone, somewhere is always struggling with something.

Melting

I don't want to get wet.

It melts what is left

and I can't afford a new one.

What is left 

is all I have to work with

and I am lost amongst the raindrops.

Struggle with my umbrella,

as the rain falls down,

blurring salt tears and rain.

Broken as my umbrella appears to be

I need shelter before;

I cannot keep the rain out.

OctPoWriMo Day #14: (if I were me)

Word Prompts: being yourself, authentic, lost, found, truly me

Poetic Form: haiku

Something simple tonight. Not feeling great, but too stubborn to give up. A little uplifting words for y'all, Dear Readers.

When I'm the real me
world is suddenly bigger
I'm no longer lost.

OctPoWriMo Day #13: (if I were you)

Word Prompts:     should, might, consider, absolute, discover

Poetic Form: Blitz

Choices

Consider this
Consider that
That i want to
That I know
Know my worth
Know my truth
Truth of your choices
Truth of yourself
Yourself is what
Yourself is you
You have to choose
You have to be
Be alone
Be together
Together at a party
Together without
Without knowledge
Without passion
Passion  alone cannot
Passion is the spark
Spark what you love
Spark the fire
Fire up the muse
Fire up your drive
Drive into the mountains
Drive into the unknown
Unknown fears, yes
Unknown journey
Journey into
Journey with me
Me is what
Me is not you
You are on a path
You can choose
Choose what you what
Choose your happy
Happy to be alive
Happy in the knowing
Knowing what you want
Knowing where you're going
Going onto the next
Going somewhere (42)
Somewhere near)
Somewhere far
Far away
Far to go
Go ahead
Go now
Ahead
Now

OctPoWriMo Day #12: (tortured)

Word Prompts: afflicted, excruciating, torment, agonizing, distress

Poetic Form: Senryu (like a haiku, but focuses on human emotion. Users the metered pattern 5, 7, 5.

This one will be easy,  as today was one of dollar days. I sure can write a poem about torture. I won't explain what the poem is about.  I will say that I know many people who have felt,  had felt it before,  and continue to feel it. It is a common feeling,  and one that I have learned to let happen,  as I usually does my way out again.

Enjoy! And know that I do see you. And I love you.

Dark Days

Afflicted I am
Engulfed in distress I feel
In torment I am.

OctPoWriMo Day #11: (falling through the cracks)

Poetry Form: Cascade

Word Prompts: unexpected, imperfection, slipping, with new eyes, begin again

I possibly found a new favourite form. Cascade is similar to a pantoum, using repeating lines, but this time each stanza ends with the following line, starting from the top of the poem (a/b/c, d/e/A, f/g/B, h/i/C). It reminds me of a waterfall, which is likely how it got its name. Today's prompt is one about finding something perfect in the imperfect. Beauty within the ugly. Noticing something familiar in something you never saw before.

The title is a play on the setting of the poem and the finding of the lost. Probably a little silly, but the concept following me home and stayed for tea.

Bus and Found

Finding the missing piece of

A puzzle all but completed,

but only one eye is opened.

Recognizing within reflections

of the stranger across aisle,

finding the missing piece of

that you never knew was missing.

The unexpected smile and new eyes,

a puzzle all but complete.

Maybe a compliment on your shirt,

or what music are you listening to,

but only one eye is opened.

Before you know it, your stop is here

and the parting of the ways

recognizing within reflection

a kindred spirit that was found

in the most extraordinary places

of the stranger across the aisle.

OctPoWriMo Day #10: (dancing on air)

Word Prompts: Euphoric, Dance, In the clouds, Delight, Joy

Poetic Form: Con-Verse; rhyme scheme as aa,bb,cc,dd,ee / meter as 7,7,8,8,9,9,10,10,11,11

Second Feud

In a moment I forgot 

of time, all that I was taught.

That when you acquire some joy

that time becomes a jester's ploy.

Stealing moments away in delight

like a ravenous dragon to fight.

Because a euphoric love came to play

and time was left, of course to run away.

A mocking poem about how the feelings and time can be at odds. Can you see what I do with that? Who are my characters in this poem? What do you think, Dear Readers? This form is a rhymed and metered form, which is a challenge, because I have to have rhymer.com, dictionary.com, and count EVERY lines syllables. 'Twas a bit o' work, but methinks it indeed worked.

OctPoWriMo Day #9: (love)

Poetic Form: haiku

I really was at a loss for love tonight. It isn't for a lack of love, but it's for the small things that make us, myself included, feel loved. Today's poem is just that simple; love shown in the simplest way(s). How do you show you love someone in the simplest ways, Dear Reader? I usually buy someone their favourite coffee, with all of their favourite additions; do their dishes; give them a random present because the pig earrings remind you of them.

Just Take It

That moment when you
find there is one last donut--
they didn't eat it.



Love is taking the last donut left for you!

OctPoWriMo Day #8: (moments of madness)

Poetic Form: Blitz Poem.

Word Prompts: Obsessed, Crazed, Troubled mind, Yes and No, Up and down

I think the poem speaks for itself, Dear Readers. I hope you enjoy the

Madness in Love

Turn around

turn back

Back in time

Back to the beginning

Beginning of...

Beginning to end

End of the past 

End of the future

Future begins

Future starts

Starts at the

Starts with ending

Ending the story

Ending the party

Party on

Party forever

Forever is infinity

Forever young

Young is wasted

Young is potential

Potential to make

Potential to die

Die in the darkness

Die in the fire

Fire the rifle

Fire burning bright

Bright is the light

Bright without darkness

Darkness is cozy

Darkness is death

Death is cozy

Death only the word

Word tells the story

Word is knowledge

Knowledge from writing

Knowledge from the teacher

Teacher finds student

Teacher learns to...

To know

To grow

Grow from a seed

Grow from your story

Story to tell

Story I tell

Tell me a story

Tell me the truth 

Truth about me 

Truth about you

You

Me

OctPoWriMo Day #7: (unsent letters)

I don't have it in me to write serious today. The simple fact is the world is shit right now. We have to figure out how to fix it, and because of the face, i don't want to think to heavily. I will say, PLEASE REGISTER TO VOTE, and PLEASE GO VOTE on NOVEMBER 6th (in the United States, I mean).

Okay, with that being said (I promised myself I will do my part for this year's election), now is the time to write all those unsent letters in my head. That is probably is a really long list and I am tired today, so I will stick to the most important of letters to write. This letter is written in haiku. A simple three line poem with a metered form of 5, 7, 5; usually with a humorous or inspirational intent. i am still learning the fine art of the humorous haiku.

Today I present something that I know is so terrible important for many of us. Something that I think people are afraid to talk about. I'll be the first. Please leave me a comment on your thoughts about this serious topic. Enjoy, Dear Readers.

















Upon  a Shelf

Dear Lay Potato Chips,

Why is there always
a pocket of air in your bags
the size of a state?

Sincerely,
Chip Muncher

OctPoWriMo Day #6: (conquered)

Poetic Form: Rondeau

Word Prompts: worth the fight, victory, battle, forever, together

A French form, the Rondeau is almost meant to be sung with its rhymed  and repetition form. There are three (3) stanzas within the form: a quintet (5), quatrain (4), and a sestet (6) and a rhyme scheme of aabba aabR aabbaR. There are refrain lines at lines 9 and 15, the ends of the second and third stanzas.

Truthfully, Dear Readers, I need to be honest, I don't like rhyme. I do it because some form dictate that I rhyme, but really I would prefer not to rhyme. I am NOT Dr. Seuss. But I will say that rondeaus are a better form to write, as least for me. There is something with today's poem, or maybe in rondeaus, or maybe both. I am thinking of protest ballads, chants, marches. In today's world it is common, but very necessary.

When I go for my daily runs, I will often post about my battle cries. It motivates me, and I hope to motivate others. That is why I make battle cry into one word: Bacttlecry. It is not just a hash tag, but a way of life, for me anyway. Today is a battlecry!

Whatever your political leaning, I hope you take something from today's offering.

Enjoy!

Modern Battlecry

Listen now, my children, a story to tell
when the raging storm would not quell,
between the lies whispered in ears
and shouted across the mainframe tiers,
that make We the People want to rebel.

A battlecry for the masses to impel,
an oral history with morals, they spell
in poetry stirred by balladeers--
    within this Time for Change.

When it is easy to dispel
the ugly and dirty verbal shrapnel,
is when we need those seers,
the verbal bards to write down these years,
these memories from which we dwell
within this Time for Change.

OctPoWriMo Day #4: (Denied)

WORD PROMPTS: Denied, Refuted, Rejected, Spurned, Vetoed

Poetry Prompt: Denial

Today is denial and sometimes the timing is right. I recent had a moment; a conversation with Denial about a past relationship. The story is unimportant, but the logic behind it the real reason. I had to heal from this thing that had taken over 10 years of my life, maybe closer to 15 now. I don't hate, or forget this moment, but I do remember it. That is why I had to finally relive it, and to  finally close the door. No ill feeling, not even sadness, just a final sense of peace. I didn't even cry while writing it.

Enjoy, Dear Reader, even if it makes to sad. And leave me a comment on what you think, or what you can relate to.

Conversation with Denial

In the briefest of moment,

the words were said.

You can't take them back!

Speaking of the truth,

words that truly angered.

I can't really tell you!

Cannot imagine how it plays out

thinking it is so easy.

I don't think you ever listened!

A moment of time

so readily burned in effigy.

I wanted to tell you!

Replaying over and over, 

a constant rejection reminder.

My feelings were hurt!

It passes by so quickly,

no real thought was given.

You had my heart!

Cannot be taken back,

nightmares recycled over again.

I will say it now!

Time is supposed to heal wounds,

but sometimes it just bleeds out.

It's over! Goodbye!

In a ponding puddle left,

just memories denied.

I'm sorry.

Now, it is too late,

leaving the past alone.

Goodbye.

OctPoWriMo Day #4: (strange animals)

Just read the poem! I have no other reason, but I would love your thoughts on it, please. It is a writer's prerogative to write strange poems under strange circumstances.

Word prompts: polychromatic, fright, striped, armoured, disturbed

Strange Tea Time

Imagine a Axolotl having tea
with a Naked Mole Rat,
quite the sight you say?
Or are you disturbed?

Hold tight, lemme me explain...

Where animals of every kind,
brought together
to discuss the state of affairs
or new books on the bestsellers list,
holding tiny tea cups.

Only the beginning,
when in walks a Turkey Vulture
dressed to the nines,
bearing a cake for dessert.
"Never you worry," he says,
"It is red velvet,
because vultures love cream cream frosting."

The Turkey Vulture says he's waiting
for the Sea Bunny to arrive,
and
whose bringing a game of Parcheesi.

"Ah, yes," cooed the Axolotl and
Naked Mole Rat,
"then we will have enough to play."

Thank you Google Image Search!!!

OctPoWriMo Day #3: (Insecurities)

Poetic Form: Florette

Word Prompts: doubt, trust, overcome, embrace, secure

Call Them What-ifs!

When I am most alone, you know

when now they become a known foe;

and called the mighty doubt demons.

They practice at my expense, one art of show.

I am left to secure again

hijinx that they have begun then,

my own trust it seems they play at--

games of old-fashioned keep away, I will not play.

An easy topic to brainstorm on, but not so easy to write when present with a challenging florette. A poem of at least 2 four line stanazas  with the following rhyme and meter scheme - a,a,b,a; and 8,8,8,12.

I do not like it Sam-I-Am, I do not like one little bit. But, I wrote it anyway. Please leave me an honest comment, good or bad, constructive is the best. Florettes are not my forte, and I need a reason to wrote more. Maybe, Dear Readers if you give me a topic to wrote a florette about I will try again.

Meaning I want to try again, so please give me suggestions to try. No topic is too strange! I'm written a sonnet about Russell's Teapot for Pete's sake. In the meantime, please enjoy my florette.

OctPoWriMo Day #2: (Sing)

Word Prompts: sing, redrafts, practice, scribbles, loving

Poetic Form: Tanka or Cinquain

A Tanka is a metered poem, following the style of the haiku, but adding two 7 syllable lines after the standard haiku (5/7/5/7/7). I wasn't really inspired to write a poem with this until I watch a video, randomly, mind  you, of Jim Henson's colleagues singing his favourite songs at his memorial. The one song that stood out was "Just One Person". The words are simple, but the message is strong, and after this past month, it was a solid reminder that I do have believe who believe in me. "If just one person believes in you, deep enough and strong enough, believes in you, hard enough and long enough, before you know it...two whole people believe in you..." May I present my offering to the to goddess and muse, Erato, of the Lyric Poetry.

That One Moment

Singular moment--
when the swelling bridge begins
and there are no words,
your heart knows what it's doing,
"If just one person believes..."

There is not much more to say, Dear Readers. Thank you!

Thoughts on Failure, Movement to the Future.

I don't think a single person like the thought of failure; I know I don't.

But, there is something about the act of failing that I think is necessary. This doesn't mean that you SHOULD go looking for failure, but go looking for how to be better.

Failure is what makes a person determined to succeed, to try again, right?

That statement was not one that I easily came to, Dear Readers. If you had asked me what I thought if failure three years ago, or as far back as 2010 (that's seven years ago), I would have told told you that failure is the worst thing in the world. That it was a sign that you probably should try something else. That you weren't good enough. Maybe that you (or myself since I am talking about a specific thing) weren't cut out for what ever it was you (or I) failed at.

Something else to consider, Dear Readers; that failure makes us see what we are really good at and pushes us to makes those things, those talents stronger. I mean, I have been a writer, and poet since high school, but it wasn't until sometime after 2010 that I actually felt like I was a writer. I think it is because I never really failed at writing up until that point, or maybe never really tried to be a writer. Could even be both, as it amounts to the same thing; I never tried to published my writing, I never revised my writing, I never put my writing out in the world for others to read.

The only difference from that time  in the late 90s to to the present (2018) is that I've failed. I've failed to meet deadlines. Failed to win a contest; failed to revised a piece of writing; failed to edited a piece of writing properly; or failed to achieve funding on a Kickstarter project, twice.

What I HAVE done is to show my writing to my editor. I have one now; to take his suggestions; to let others read my writing, not just as a casual reader, but as Beta Readers, with the harsher criticisms that comes with having Beta Readers. I tried new ways of revising and editing; actually seeing my writing, my stories, from the Objective, not Subjective viewpoint; submitting my writing to online journals, contests, and putting my writing online for others to read; or even trying to Kickstarter funds to , GASP, self-publish my own literary magazine.

I have failed a lot.

But, I have also succeeded!

My first Kickstarter back in January of THIS YEAR, failed to make funding, but I was given some advise and suggestions about promoting the project, time of year to run the project, and content of said project. So, I tried again in April. While I was re-structuring my Kickstarter, I tried something new, I developed a PDF version of the literary magazine to see if it could be done with the resources I had available. It was! I raised funding for the first two issues of what became my literary magazine, "Stories to be Told".

Now, when I thought I had it figured out, I didn't. It appears my third time up to bat at Kickstartering was ALSO a failure. But it wasn't for naught, because  this summer I began to think about how I more a sustainable means to fund my projects, whether it was more issues of "Stories to be Told", or maybe launch my children's books, or my podcast I had been developing. I have so many stories, both completed and incomplete, of stories, poems, or plays laying around that I could certainly keep the mantle of Writer (with a capital W).

This is what I wanted to do with my life; I wanted to write stories, tell stories, and share them with the world.

All this means, Dear Reader is that I have to fail sometimes, well, I have to fail a lot. Sometimes I have to struggle. A fan base, a readership doesn't start out like a Neil Gaiman or a Stephen King, heck it doesn't even start out like an Emily Dickenson, J.R.R. Tolkien, or C.S Lewis for that matter. When you are an Unknown, you have to start at the bottom. You have to build your trust and interest. Sometimes your Twitter followers will increase by 1000 overnight, and a week later you'll lose 950 of them. Sometimes you will lose readers just by doing what you normally do, putting out new content, a new newsletter, or just tweeting about a new book from a fellow author; sometimes the muse will not visit you when you are trying to meet a deadline; or sometimes you will feel that all of your talent is a sham, that you were wrong to go into this career.

These are all very real feelings, thoughts, that I and countless other writers have felt at one time or another. The point is to tell you (and myself), that the failures you encounter are there to push you; to test you; to help you be the best writer, chef, stage manager, Literal Video producer, or gamer that you can be. True, it might be that you decide that isn't for you, but maybe, just maybe you'll find that you still want to tell stories, direct plays, produce Literal Videos; you will take your failures and make them successes.

See?

I may have failed at this Kickstarter  for Issue Two of "Stores to be Told", but now I'm launching my Patreon, "My Mythologies" to keep my stories, my literary magazine, podcast, children's books alive. I know I will struggle and likely, I will fail again, but I will also succeed. I have already succeeding in much since I started on this path. I am a stronger writer and a MUCH BETTER business woman than I was in 2017.

Failure, to me, means success, by way of taking the longer road to get where I was going.

If you want to learn more, please check out my Patreon: My Mythologies, my Website, my Soundcloud, and my Youtube Channel for more content. This blog is still up and running. I am in the middle of OctPoWriMo. Here, There be a Writer is evolving, please come back and see whatg I have in store for the future.

Thanks for reading!

Cheers!
~Cindy

OctPoWriMo Day #1: (Surrender)

It is fitting that I return to this blog in October for OctPoWriMo (October Poetry Writing Month), and it is fitting that this is the 4th year of my friendship with the musketeers: Athos, Aramis, and D'Artagnen , with me as Porthos). This poem is for them, and you know who you are!!!

Topic: Surrender

Word Prompts: Open, Feel, deep, be, Self love

Poetic Form: Free Verse

I don't really dig free verse anymore. I loved it in high school; I wrote of it is college, but now I prefer writing in poetic forms all sorts. Something I have learned about writing is that you sometimes need to return to what you knew back in  the day. So, today, Dear Readers, I return to free verse for OctPoWriMo Day #1.

Today's poem is about that special type of love, Self Love, and discovering it. It is a hard love to find, but it is a beautiful and wonderful love. I hope you enjoy, Dear Readers.

Self Loving Title

I thought of the time before,

will it even be the same?

I thought I couldn't love again,

it will never be the same!

I wanted the what was most easy,

what had always been, you know.

I needed what was most difficult,

the strange and different than I knew.

I wanted to feel,

I wanted to be open,

I wanted love,

I wanted to be...

poojasingh123456 from MorgueFile

Post challenge

Well, I made it, Dear Readers (okay...maybe a little late)!

Okay, I am VERY late with this post; between finishing A to Z and my Kickstarter getting funded, and then getting cast in a production of Curtains: the Musical, there has been little free time lately. I am working on changing that though. In the meantime here are some thoughts on this years Blogging A to Z.

First, I actually planned out my posts and having a theme and something planned for each day really helped. That helped, especially on days that I had little spare time. Books were my theme, I picked a book that corresponded with the days letter. There are plenty of books I have read, so I was able to blog about each book. Although something to consider is that as I read books I should take some noted, just in case I plan to use that book for a future A to Z challenge, or any future blog. It is a bit more work, but I think it might help me to focus on details of the book.

Second, when I decided to do NaPoWriMo-National Poetry Writing Month, which means writing a poem a day-as well, it gave my posts a bit more substance. I'm a poet by nature, so it only makes sense that I would write a poem about that days featured book. Even if I wasn't doing NaPoWriMo I think I would still write a poem about whatever topic I was writing about (book, movie, etc.), because that is what I do.

Third, I need to push myself a bit harder when I do these challenges, because I find that when I have something to strive for then I manage to achieve those goals. This means next year I will plan out my April, and outline each post. It feels like a lot of work, but I think I can make my posts more engaging and provocative.

Blogging from A to Z has always been a challenge that I love to return to, and I hope you have enjoyed this years posts. Happy Reading!

jeltovski at morguefile

Z is for Zebra (On Beyond)

What lies beyond Zebra? Past the letter Z? There appears to be a whole new branch of critters that exist solely beyond the letter Z and zebra.

On Beyond Zebra written by Dr. Seuss always fascinated me with the strange creatures and the strange letters that looked sort of like runes, or the ogham alphabet. That was before I knew what the ogham alphabet was. I think I imagined trying to write sentences with these new letters, I don't  was successful in this venture.

There were a few books of Dr. Seuss that feature new creatures, from On Beyond Zebra, If I Ran the Zoo, and If I Ran the Circus are the main ones that featured undiscovered creatures. But the thin about many Dr. Seuss books is that there was usual an animal, or place with a strange and ever-long/how-do-you-pronounce that name in the stories. I definitely remember the names, and certainly imagining what those places looked like, beyond the actually stories.

What are your favourite Seussian creatures from any of the books? Leave me a comment below, Dear Readers.

Beyond the Known

When striking the last line

at the bottom of the letter Zed.

You should know there is a lot more than

what you already know.

At the bottom of the letter Zed,

there is a letter called a Yuzz.

What you already know

about life after Zebra?

There is a letter called a Yuzz,

the beginning of the 'after Z safari,'

about life after Zebra,

and all of the things that exist.

The beginning of the 'after Z safari'

will surprise you with it's diversity

and all of the things that exist,

beyond what you know.

Will surprise you with it's diversity

and maybe some rhyming,

beyond what you know;

maybe even want to know them all.

And maybe some rhyming

as you begin to explore the terrain,

maybe want to know they all,

like some sort of game.

As to begin to explore the terrain,

you should know there is a lot more;

like some sort of game

when striking the last line.

NaPoWriMo: Hidden Identities

Shakespeare Sunday and a pantoum for 12th Night. Enjoy! 

Also, I am a little glad that April and NaPoWriMo/Blogging A to Z is almost over I am a little whupped in the poetic department. It's been fun, and planning ahead as certainly helped, but I am ready to be done. Still, today was a challenge as I haven't actually read 12th Night all the way through. I hope I did it justice anyway, Dear Readers.

Hidden Identities

A hidden gender truth

from one who wants to find her way.

Mistaken identities run loose 

from the company in Illyria.

From one who wants to find her way,

is loved by a lady, who is also loved by the Duke

from the company in Illyria,

where a sibling lost has returned;

And is loved by a lady, who is also loved by the Duke,

but also finds the stranger in town familiar,

where a sibling lost has returned

and holds the fancy of the Duke's love.

But also finds the stranger in town familiar,

in his care for the lost Sebastian who,

and holds the fancy of the Duke's love,

a pentagon of love.

In his care for the lost Sebastian who;

a story of he loves she, loves her or him,

a pentagon of love.

Here's a clue, all works out in the end.

A story of he loves she, loves her or him,

mistaken identities run loose

Here's a clue, all works out in the end,

a hidden gender truth.

Y is for Year of the Flood (The)

The sequel to Margaret Atwood's dystopian series, The Maddaddam Series: The Year of the Flood takes the story of two new characters and their fighting chance to survive the world after the waterless flood.

Set in the same world as Oryx and Crake, you now get to see life in the city and beyond, how people ho have survived are surviving. There is Ren, a trapeze artist trapped in a sex club and Toby, former member of the cult God's Gardeners and is trapped in an abandoned spa. This is their story about breaking free and what waits for them on the outside. Imagine the world of Snowman and Crake's Children it is wild and dangerous, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Margaret Atwood's created a wild world that so invests your time and attention in the details, but not sacrificing the story.

Have you, Dear Readers, ever read Margaret Atwood? What books, or short stories? Wat do you want to read? The MaddAddam Trilogy is still my favourite.

Waterless

When there is nothing left,

after the flood has passed;

is not one of water that takes the lives

and leave the world's survivor left.

After the flood has passed,

what will you do;

and leave the world's survivors left

to inherit what's left of the earth.

What will you do?

Are you meek enough

to inherit whats left of the earth

after everyone is gone.

Are you meek enough,

to take on the wrath of Animalia

after everyone is gone,

and all that is left to eat are cocktail wienies?

To take on the wrath of Animalia

in the days after the flood

and all that are left to eat are cocktail wienies or

to eat something called Jolt Bars.

In the days after the flood,

locked way, safe and sound

to eat something called Jolt Bars

and avoid starving to death.

Locked away, safe and sound--

is not one of water that takes the lives

and avoid starving to death,

when there is nothing left.

X is for Xanadu

You want a trip in the surreal? Maybe with rock music? Someplace where ELO meets Big Bands...and Gene Kelly. Oh, and there's roller skating too!

Sound like a fever dream? Maybe...

It's Xanadu!

First a poem titled Kubla Khan in 1797 by a poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (belo w is the first stanza), it's about the Mongolian ruler Kubla Khan, the grandson of Genghis Khan dreaming in his pleasure palace;  a movie in 1980; and later musical in 2007.

In Xanadu did Kubla Khan 
A stately pleasure-dome decree: 
Where Alph, the sacred river, ran 
Through caverns measureless to man 
Down to a sunless sea. 

Xanadu is defined as an idyllic place, a place place of great beauty, luxury, contentment. From dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster online dictionary.

Xanadu is many thing all rolled into one. The primary story centers on the Greek muses, nine sisters and one muse in particular, Kira's (real name is Terpsichore. Clio in the musical.) and her adventures on earth. The funny part is the movie is adaptation of a movie from Down to Earth (1947), which is an adaptation of a play Heaven Can Wait. The movie is filled with rock music from ELO (Electric Light Orchestra), Olivia Newton-John, who plays Kira in the movie, and early animation from Don Bluth. Never mind that it is about a roller disco and features Gene Kelly in his last movie role; and one amazing scene that blends 1940s and 1980s music into the most intense mash-up ever.

It was also one of two movie nominated for the first ever Golden Raspberry Award, but lost out to the Village People movie, Can't Stop the Music.

It also needs to be seen to be believed.

A Musing Inspiration

Where is the inspiration?

The Greeks believed the Muses inspired,

giving mankind a leg up in creativity

in song, poetry, and dance.

The Greeks believed the Muses inspired,

nine sisters to grant humanity gifts

in song, poetry, and dance;

to create something out of nothing.

Nine sisters to grant humanity gifts,

although I prefer my gifts to be my own,

to create something out of nothing,

but maybe I am wrong.

Although I prefer my gifts to be my ow,n,

weaving words across a page or colours across a canvas,

but maybe I am wrong,

that gifts are given to us, for us make our own.

Weaving words across a page or colours across a canvas; 

that is our job, isn't it?

That gifts are given to us, for us make our own,

out of the spiritual ether around us.

That is out jobs, isn't it,

make the art that the world needs

out of the spiritual ether around us?

That might just be the gods bequeathing their gifts.

Make the art that the world needs,

giving mankind a leg up in creativity

that might just be the gods bequeathing their gifts.

What is the inspiration? 

W is for Witch (of Blackbird Pond)

This was a school book that I read in middle school. This is a book that I love so much I went out and found me a copy and reread it years later. This is a book that is worth the read, young or old.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond was written by Elizabeth George Speare and published n 1958.

The story is of one Kit Tyler, who after her Grandfather's death travels from Barbados, where she was raised to Wethersfield, Connecticut. After she becomes an orphan she finds  her Aunt Rachel and Uncle Matthew in the north and happen to be puritans. Kit is not! She's lives on atropical island with servants her whole life. Now she has to learn how to fit, smack in the middle of a colder and darker world, one that thinks anything different is wrong and she has to work to earn her way. She meets and befriends Hannah Tupper, a Quaker, and fellow outcast. The village believes is a witch. Kit tries very hard to fit in  and wants to help, but finds herself suspected of witchcraft. It is only because someone comes forward explaining that Kit was just trying to help, and Kit is released from her suspicion. Her name is cleared.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond is a wonderful story set in a familiar time period, but is told is such a way that you can picture what Wethersfield looks like, or Hannah Tupper's house, or the deck of the ship The Dolphin. I love livid imagery and wonderful detailed places, and yet it doesn't sacrifice the story. If you get a chance, you should definitely read. it.

Island Girl

Traveling across the ocean

to a cold and faraway place,

where you know no one,

and everyone believes you are wrong.

To a cold and faraway place,

where suspicion reigns eternal

and everyone believes you are wrong,

because you can swim.

Where suspicion reigns eternal

and everything is to be feared,

because you can swim

or teach Bible scenes through acting.

And everything is to be feared,

because if it doesn't fit with God's plan

or teach Bible scenes through acting

to the children in school.

Because if it doesn't fit with God's plan, 

like Quakers and girls from Barbados.

To the children in school

you are condemned a witch.

Like Quakers and girls from Barbados

who are a little different.

You are condemned a witch,

that is the end, you think.

Who are a little different,

where you know no one,

that is the end, you think;

traveling across the ocean.

V is for View (from the Cheap Seats)

Something occurred to me right before I started writing this; not all books need to be fiction, and  some books are better as non-fiction.

That is a strange statement coming from me. The person who prefers fiction to reality, some days.

It  was apparent that The View from the Cheap Seats had to be today's book. There was also a mess of thoughts about how even the stories of your reality, or reality is general, can be just as fascinating as any fiction.

When Cheap Seats first came out, I was all over it. It was a Neil Gaiman book, so of course I needed it. I needed to read it. It wasn't fiction, but there was something magical about reading Neil's thoughts on books, movies, comic books, favourite author, movies of his books, his hawt musical wife, and being famous; I ate it up.

I read every single essay. No, likely I devoured every single essay. I may not have read some of the pieces that Neil wrote about, but I really got to feel like I had, or that I wanted to. Personal favourites include his essays on Douglas Adams, Ray Bradbury, one titled "Some Reflections on Myth", and  another titled "Make Good Art".

The whole book should be read, honestly, as there is something for everyone.

I may not even get the cheap seats; sometimes I get nosebleed seats and need to bring binoculars. Haha! So, I wrote my own tribute to the man and his book that gave to me something special: a love of non-fiction and essays. No one has done that before. And I have read some really wonderful non-fiction, but this one is special.

So, from my own place in the nosebleed seats, here's to you, Neil!

Musings From the Nosebleed Seats

In a book upon my shelf,

full of mysteries to delve into; 

not all stories have to be fiction,

sometimes reality is stranger than fiction.

Full of mysteries to delve into,

from a man no stranger to fantasy.

Sometimes reality is stranger than fiction

in the lives that we choose to live.

From a man no stranger to fantasy,

a writer writing on writing.

In the lives we choose to live,

and the books we choose to read.

A writer writing on writing,

yet it is the nature of the writer

and the books we choose to read,

that build our mythologies.

Yet it is the nature of the writer,

to find these connections

that build our mythologies

and to wax philosophical.

To find these connections

between our fantasies and realities

and to wax philosophical

from the nosebleed seats.

Between our fantasies and realities,

I have uncovered my own truths

from the nosebleed seats,

that maybe there is still hope.

I have uncovered my own truths;

not all stories have to be fiction,

that maybe there is still hope

in a book upon my shelf.