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.

U is for UP (Great Day for)

The Letter of the day is U. It was hard to find a U title to use, so I had to get creative and use a title that features the letter U. I will utilized my grey matter. The umpteen entries for words that starts with Un that I find, but I won't take umbrage with that. Maybe I'll just buy a ukelele and sing you this book? It just so happens that Dr. Seuss is good for that-alas I don't have a ukelele-with a book called, Great Day for Up.

A rousing tale to help you wake up and start your day. Although, I am just a tad cynical when it comes to early risers, or getting up in the morning in general. I tend to like my bed and being burritoed in my warm and comfy blankets. But get UP I do.

At least a Great Day for Up is a good book to write a pantoum about.

This book was (and still is) part of my collection, although over the years this said collection has shrunk some, and I absolutely love Dr. Seuss in any form. His way with words makes you want to read the books louder and in some cases faster. Dr. Seuss books were staples of my bedtime routine for years. And I am not afraid to admit that sometimes I will take out one of his books to read. They never get old! Green Eggs and Ham, On Beyond Zebra, If I Ran the Zoo, or Scrambled Eggs Super are just a few of my favourites.

Not much else to say, except that I am UP today!

Here's your poetic slice for today, Dear Readers. I don't try to rhyme when I write, as most times it comes off as trite. (Okay, you had that coming). So, I pose to you what are your favourite Dr. Seuss stories? Please leave me a comment below.

Cheers!

UP, You Say? UP!

This little book's wishes,

states hardly more than two dozen words

(I haven't counted though)

about the joys of getting up.

States hardly more than two dozen words,

mostly using that two letter word

about the joys of getting up,

usually when the sun slowly rises.

Mostly using that two letter word

to rally the troops to get them outta bed,

usually when the sun slowly rises,

but others will UP in the middle of night.

To rally the troops to get them outta bed,

because that is what you do, right?

But others will UP in the middle of night,

but it is still UP! UP! UP!

Because that is what you do, right?

I prefer to avoid the status quo, you know,

but it is still UP! UP! UP!

Faster and earlier each day.

I prefer to avoid the status quo, you know,

but taking my time to rise though

faster and earlier each day,

I will still slowly get UP in order to follow

But taking my time to rise though

(I haven't counted though)

I will still slowly get UP in order to follow;

this little book's wishes.

T is for Time Machine

Can you imagine time travel? Race through the time stream or vortex in electric blues and greens. Who decides the colour of time?

I'm sure you have seen plenty of movies and TV shows about time travel, with elaborate machine, telephone boxes, and such; maybe even read a book or two. The concept is fascinating and Wells' novella has been made into radio dramas and four different movies.

The Time Machine, which was written by H. G Wells in 1895 and my definitive version is the 1960 movie starring Rod Taylor and Alan Young. I have also read the novella at least three times. The story is of an unnamed scientist who builds a time machine and travels far into the future, the year 801,702 to be exact, where man has become child-like and innocent (the Eloi) and under the control of another race of humans called the Morlocks, who are subterranean. The Time Traveler learns the fate of humanity, but rather than return to his time, bring a bit of knowledge to the Eloi, the race of above race of child-like man, and thus build a new world out of what was left.

It is included in the Dying Earth subgenre, where the earth is naturally dying (End of Time), and not caused by an apocalyptic situation. It goes as far back as 1805 with Le Dernier Homme but Jean-BapisteCousin de Grainville, a story about the last man on a sterile earth..

It poses an interesting question by the end of the book and movie; what book(s) would you take to help rebuild mankind?

The Traveler's Path

Not standing still, but always moving

time has a way of never resting.

A traveler hurling through time,

beyond anything he knows.

Time has a way of never resting.

onward it travels, passing

beyond anything he knows

when the world has begun to die.

Onward it travels, passing

through minutes and hours

when  the world has begun to die;

after eons have passed.

Through minutes and hours,

now more than seconds and

after eons have passed

mankind dwells within the garden.

Now more than seconds and

the serpent is revealed twisted, perverted; and

mankind dwells within the garden,

and is mere fodder for the serpents, the Morlocks.

The serpent is revealed twisted, perverted; and

raising mankind to like cattle,

and is mere fodder for the serpents, the Morlock;

is the future of the human race.

Raising mankind to be like cattle--

A traveler hurling through time,

is the future of the human race,

not standing still, but always moving.

NaPoWriMo: Cursed Lineage

Today is Macbeth day; and all the love for Dunsinane and such...

Cursed Lineage

Foreseen by Witches,

destined to be king,

but forged deep in blood,

a darkness most desired.

Destined to be king,

the Scottish Lord Macbeth,

a darkness most desired

by steel and blood is born.

The Scottish Lord Macbeth,

converses with Weird Sisters,

by steel and blood is born,

and King Duncan lies dead. 

Converses with Weird Sisters

about fates and lineages, 

and King Duncan lies dead

and more death lines up in wait.

About fates and lineages;

the Macbeth line is cursed blank

and more death lines up in wait;

of dearest Banquo and Lady Macduff.

The Macbeth line is cursed blank

with no sons to call his own,

of dearest Banquo and Lady Macduff

with strong and fertile lines will cease.

With no sons to call his own,

but forged deep in blood

with strong and fertile lines will cease;

foreseen by Witches.

S of for Stardust

A love story, a fantasy adventure, and drama with a fantastical theme, that is everything in the book (and movie) Stardust by Neil Gaiman. And this is a short entry, because I was out all day doing VERY IMPORTANT work! Enjoy the poem! Read the book!!

Yes I used the name of Captain Shakespeare in the movie, not the book which is Captain Alberic and the ship the Perdita.

Cheers! (cause I got this on time, meaning before midnight EST).

Stellar Love

When you wish upon a star,

does it make the star now fall?

And you now have a chance to impress

the love that you so want to address.

Does it make the star now fall,

because you willed it to?

The love that you so want to address

with a quest to prove that love real.

Because you willed it to,

now you can bring a treasure to her

with a quest to prove that love real,

but what you didn't plan for was...

Now you can bring a treasure to her,

a beautiful fallen star that shines,

but what you didn't plan for was

the love of Yvaine is a much stronger pull.

A beautiful fallen star that shines,

at first with anger, but then something like

the love of Yvaine is a  much stronger pull

after the chase, the witches and Septimus too.

At first with anger, but then something like

a dance on deck of the Caspertine

after the chase, the witches and Septimus too

when for a moment the guard is down.

A dance on deck of the Caspertine

and some lightening to sell,

when for the moment, the guard is down

that love spans across the universe.

And some lightening to sell,

and a visit to Victoria reveals

that the love spans the universe,

but not the wall, unless to dust she returns.

And a visit to Victoria reveals

that you have a chance to impress,

but not the wall, unless to dust she returns

when you wish upon a star.

R is for Round Robin

I had a huge collection of books as a kid, and I still have a bunch of the books including today's book, Round Robin by Jack Kent. It is the story of a very hungry robin, who eats and eats, and by the time winter arrives he, 'looks more like a ball, than a bird' (actually line from the book).

It's a funny little story with some pretty awesome artwork that chronicles Round Robin's attempt to get south by hopping the whole way. He is chased by foxes and cars, sliding on ice, conversation and generally fearing for his life, until surprise, surprise he is able to fly the last bit on his own, because he lost weight with all that Hippity Hop, Bumpity Bumping southward.

But my favourite was and is 'Hippity Hop, Slipity Slide'', when he is sliding down the road.

We are have felt like Round Robin, just a little more, it won't hurt anything. But in reality, it is a good lesson in moderation, or watch out for foxes!

Little Bird Eat

Little Robin where have you gone?

All summer pecking at the seeds,

eating your fill and then some,

til you  become more of a ball, than a bird.

All summer pecking at the seeds,

called Round Robin, as you go,

til you become more of a ball, than a bird

and now winter is coming.

Called Round Robin, as you go,

must to the south you will travel

and now winter is coming

and there is no more seed.

Must to the south you will travel,

but to flap and flutter, now you stumble

and there is no more seed,

so off you set, hippity hopping...

But to flap and flutter, now you stumble

as you travel southward, 

so of you set, hippity hopping

and before you know it...

As you travel southward,

eating your fill and then some

and before you know it

Little Robin where have you gone.

Q is for Quiet (Place, A)

Okay I have to cheat a little today. I haven't read a single book that starts with the Letter Q, and I'm slightly ashamed by this. A Quiet Place is today. Anyway, this movie was worth two novels, from the content to the acting. I usually prefer to have explanations for my characters and plot, but after re-watching Cloverfield and then seeing 10 Cloverfield Lane, I understand why storytellers will give you only a bare bones backstory (okay that was a lot of alliteration there).

A Quiet Place is a story to be seen. It is not quite the horror movie that the trailers are promoted. I think it falls into a science fiction thriller. John Krasinski wrote this screenplay, and I seemed to have forgotten that he was on the office as Jim Halpert.

Although, I did have to remind myself not to jump at the jump scares. It didn't really work this time, sadly...I enjoyed this movie. But jump scares aside, this is a solid plot with a fascinating concept, and top notch acting, especially from the non-humans.

The actors really needed to be able to act with their faces and hands as there there is little to no spoken dialogue. The actress, Millicent Simmonds, who play the daughter is actually deaf. Her and John Krasinski were wonderful together.An entertaining movie and one I would consider buying on DVD, which says a lot  because I am super picky about the movie I buy on DVD.

And, A Quiet Place was shot in Pawling, New Paltz, and Little Falls, NY. Favourite shot in the moive is of Main Street in Little Falls, so creepy and beautiful, but I have a thing for things that are old and abandon, or at least made to look abandoned.

So, some of you are probably here for the poem. Okay, I can when you are humouring me rambling on about movies and such. Today's pantoum that is so silent, well, it might kill you if you make a noise while reading it, Dear Readers. A bit of humour for you today.

Enjoy!

Silent Steps

There is nothing left but silence

throughout the empty streets.

Don't say a word, walking silent steps,

because that is how they know.

Throughout the empty streets,

the soft footfalls muffled upon sand,

because that is how they know,

when your feet hits a creaky spot.

The soft footfalls muffled upon sand,

walking to town, gathering supplies leftover.

When you make a sound,

and forget the nightmare all around you.

Walking to town, gathering supplies leftover

when your are sick with a fever,

and forget the nightmare all around you,

on prescribed paths outlined everywhere.

When tour are sick with a fever

after all the people are gone.

On prescribed paths outlined everywhere,

silent, because they can hear you breathing.

After all the people are gone,

everything becomes a chore,

silent, because they can hear you breathing

and knowing that frightens you.

Everything becomes a chore.

Don't say a word, walking silent steps

and knowing that frightens you;

there is nothing left but silence.

P is for Peter and Pan

Things I remember about Peter Pan: Robin Williams will always be Pan, Banarang!, there was one time they made Tiger Lily's tribe multi-cultural (the movie Pan), Neverland in far under everything else in the Archipelago of Dreams (Chronicles of the the Imaginarium Geographica), and if you perform Peter Pan on stage you need to make Peter Pan fly (no matter how hard to try to get around it), Peter Pan flies.


Peter Pan was written by J.M. Barrie, born James Matthew Barrie. Some people wonder how someone like J.M. Barrie could write a story like Peter Pan. And most people probably don't know that Barrie wrote plays, a couple of them are renowned, Admiral Crichton and and Dear Brutus. It makes me curious to seek these out and some of his other novels.

Barrie received a shock at age 6 when his brother died and because of an over-baring mother retained a child-like innocence of the time before everything changed, which is a strange kind of sadness. It also make a lot of sense why he ended of creating the stories of Peter Pan and Neverland.

I finally read the book, Peter Pan, sometime last year or maybe the year before, and I remember it was more detailed than the plays and movies. That isn't to downplay any of the movies or the theatrical productions, there is just more presented in the book. It is a wonderful book though.

But, where some people read Peter Pan growing up, I was much older when I actually read it. It gives a different perspective when you do it in the order.

Morning Flight

It starts with adventure

in the late hours of night,

when the windows are open wide

and in sneaks a stray shadow.

In the late hours of night,

when you are supposed to be asleep

and in sneaks a stray shadow,

followed by the most unlikely boy.

When your supposed to be asleep,

but awakened by the sound of crying,

followed by the most unlikely boy

and a temperamental faerie.

But awakened by the sound of crying

and you don't know what is coming next;

and a temperamental faerie

blows you dusty kisses.

And you don't know what is coming next

as you float off the ground,

blows you dusty kisses

and fly so far away that time will forget you.

As you float off the ground,

think happy thoughts

and fly so far away that time will forget you,

and second star to the right, straight on to morning.

Think happy thoughts

when the windows are wide open

and second star to the right, straight on to morning;

it starts with adventure.

O is for Ox-Cart (Man)

O is for Ox, Ox-Cart, Ox-Cart Man!

It is a lesser known story, but one I am most familiar with. I am not even sure how many people remember the Ox-Cart Man written by Donald Hall. It was a staple of my youth, either reading it myself or having one of my parents. It was part of the Children's Choice Book Club that my parents subscribed to, and I received a book a month, I think.

It was also where I got Bread and Jam for Frances, Best Friends for Frances, Roland the Minstrel Pig, Corduroy, and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile just to name a few books from my youth. What stories do you remember from your childhood?

A Trip to Market

It was in Autumn,

when we loaded the cart;

all that was leftover from the past years work,

that will sell at Portsmouth Market.

When we loaded the cart

full of apples, potatoes, and maple sugar,

that will sell at Portsmouth Market

when the leaves begin to fall.

Full of apples, potatoes, and maple sugar

that will fetch a fine price,

when the leaves begin to fall,

but also will the cart that carries this load.

That will fetch a fine price;

the bull with a ring in his nose,

but also will the cart that carries this load,

one last time to Portsmouth Market.

The bull with a ring in his nose,

left with a kiss upon his nose.

One last time to Portsmouth Market

and a load of wintergreen peppermint in a black kettle.

Left with a kiss upon his nose,

the long walk back homeward

and a load of wintergreen peppermint in a black kettle;

a needle, a knife and some jingling coins.

The long walk back homeward

all that was leftover from the past years work;

a needle, a knife and some jingling coin;

it was in Autumn.

N is for The Night (Circus)

Speaking of traveling players, The Night Circus is a literary joy to read and even more fun to imagine. A  circus of dreams that is only open from sunset to sunrise, only to disappear one place, and then appear in another, it sounds like a dream, right? To some it is, but to others it is a nightmare. Frightening concept, right? Or exciting?

A beautifully, fantastical story, The Night Circus written by Erin Morgenstern is a book to be experienced. It feel very much like a Twilight Zone episode and a Neil Gaiman story all rolled into one. Fun fact, it was a NaNoWriMo novel-National Novel Writing Month-before it was a novel, which is really exciting for any  writing participant and/or aspiring writer.

In November every year,NaNoWriMo, a month-long challenge to write a novel is massive dedication by thousands of writers to write the daily word count of 1,667 words or more, which is harder that it looks. Trust me, I have been there. One must prepare outlines (they are your friends), plot, character sketches, and have an idea of what you are writing about. Inspiration is a must, however to acquire it! If you are interested, go to NaMoWriMo for more information.

I love the dream-like qualities of the Cirque de Reves-the circus portrayed in The Night Circus-and something about it make you want to go find yourself, or maybe just get lost.

So, hopefully today's poem will inspire you to go to the circus.

Impossible Circus

Dreaming of the impossible fare,

with high flying acrobats

and daring dos of bravery,

taming lions to jump through hoops.

With high flying acrobats,

and the wind in your face;

or taming lions to jump through hoops,

but what if you could walk on clouds?

And the wind in your face,

in an adventure most unforgettable,

but what if you could walk on clouds

or visit fantastic ice gardens that bloom?

In an adventure most unforgettable,

you can see things beyond your wildest imagination,

or visit fantastic ice gardens that bloom

and maybe catch a glimpse of a rare sight.

You can see things beyond your wildest imagination

that of living ice sculptures that breath candy floss

and maybe catch a glimpse of a rare sight,

of the speculated reverse rhinoceros.

That of living ice sculptures that breath candy floss  

and daring dos of bravery

of the speculated reverse rhinoceros;

dreaming of the impossible fare.

NaPoWriMo: Gruesome Players Be

A poem for a gloomy Sunday (here at least), and in keeping with the Sunday's Shakespeare theme.

Gruesome Players Be

A lordly prince to be

though at a loss of a father

to find oneself so lost,

that everyone is suspect.

Though at a loss of a father,

where now his ghost he sees

that everyone is suspect,

of grievous misdeeds.

Where now his ghost he sees

a plan germinates within

of grievous misdeeds

that will follow yon Danish Prince.

A plan germinates within,

a play to speak the truth 

that will follow you Danish Prince

and the garish players perform.

A play to speak the truth

of murder most foul, indeed

and the garish players perform

before the King's own eyes.

Of murder most foul, indeed

that young Hamlet does perform

before the King's own eyes

when all of the bodies hit thine floor.

That young Hamlet does perform,

the most gallant of deaths

when all of the bodies hit thine floor,

and Horatio is left standing.

The most gallant of deaths

to find oneself so lost

and Horatio is left standing

a lordly prince to be.

M is for Murder (on the Orient Express)

I will not give spoilers for Murder of the Orient  Express. I will not! (fights to insert Tommy Wiseau joke here) "Oh.Hai Mark!" Dammit, I lose...

Sorry, if you don't get the joke (but not really sorry, cause it was funny).

Anyway...today is murder day. M is for Murder on the Orient Express written by the Grand Dame of Murder. Agatha Christie is pretty much considered the queen of the murder mystery and has written a few in her days (33 novels and 54 short stories with Poirot alone). Two of them have even been turned into successful plays; one is STILL running at St. Martin's Theatre in London. Yeah, I know a bit about The Mousetrap, having directed it. I wrote a bit about during the late winter of 2015. Maybe I should do a ful post about it sometime. But, I did a blog post for And There Were None, the other famous novel turned play by Ms. Christie for the A to Z Challenge in 2015.

Now is the time to talk about her other famous murder mystery, on a train, in the snow, in the mountains, and all alone. Murder on the Orient Express that has been made into a number of number movie featuring the likes of Albert Finney (1974), Alfred Molina (2001) - that was a surprise find, David Suchet (2010), and now Kenneth Branagh (2017) as the quirky Belgian detective with zee leetle grey cells and a knack for solving the unsolvable crimes. This time he may have meant he match.

As for other actors who have played Poirot, and there are a lot, check out Book Riot's Kathleen Keenan, A Guide to Onscreen Versions of Poirot. I stumbled upon this one by accident. :-)

Murder on the Orient Express is an ensemble cast, where it is not just a singular person that stands out, but the whole cast. Okay, that is as far as I get with spoilers, but the real reason I enjoy the Orient Express is because it doesn't give you everything right away.  It lets you savor the story and the characters, quite a bit different than other Christie mysteries where the focus is on a few characters, and the rest of supplemental characters to forward the plot. That isn't bad thing, but it makes things interesting on the Orient Express.

Do you have a favourite Agatha Christie mystery, Dear Readers? Not counting Orient Express, I am partial to The Mousetrap, Death in the Clouds (which feels like Orient Express at times), or The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.

Now for some poetry...Enjoy!

How about some murder?

Once there was a train,

famous in name more than anything.

Drawing everyone to ride the length

of two continents and many mountains.

Famous in name more than anything;

when strangers board for the Orient,

of two continents and many mountains

and a little man with a wild moustashe.

When strangers board for the Orient

and gather together to break bread;

and a little man with a wild moustashe

asks for just the right egg, indeed.

And gather together to break bread,

before the night's respite begins

asks for just the right egg, indeed 

and meets his fellow travelers.

Before the night's respite begins

and the murder most foul appears

and meets his fellow travelers

with violent stab wounds.

And the murder most foul appears

and collects its suspects like carousel rings

with violent stab wounds; 

to begin to suspect every and all passengers.

And collects its suspect like carousel rings

in a deadly ring around the rosie;

to begin to suspect every and all passengers

includes Poirot's little grey cells.

In a deadly ring around the rosie

and a little man with a wild moustashe

includes Poirot's little grey cells.

Once there was a train.

L is for Last (Unicorn)

"Am I really the last?" spoke the Unicorn at the edge of her forest.

An iconic moment for the most beautiful movie I have ever seen, The Last Unicorn is book and movie that capture the essence of what fantasy really means with a hero's journey, love, and battle. The book is written by Peter S. Beagle, the movie follows the book quite literally in parts.

It is the story of the last unicorn in the world. She discovers from two hunters that are hunting in her forest that she is the last; later the butterfly tell her about the red bull of King Haggard has taken the unicorns. The unicorn plan to leave her home to search for her kin, while leaving her forest (and the animals within) unprotected from her magic. While traveling the unicorn learns that men cannot see her for what she is and is soon captured by Mommy Fortuna, a wandering carnival owner, who wants to exploit her. But there is help hidden Mommy Fortuna's Midnight Carnival in form of the bumbling magician, Schmendrik. He frees the unicorn, who in turn frees all of the other miserable beasts of the midnight carnival, including one angry harpy.

Then the unicorn and Schmendrik travel into the forest where they meet Captain Cully, his band of rogues, and Molly Grue. There Schmendrik conjures up real magic and distracts Cully and his men, only Mollie isn't to be distracted and joins up with them. Once they get to King Haggard's kingdom, which is a miserable and forsaken land, they encounter the bull and Schmendrik uses real magic. They enter into the castle in plain sight, while they are force to work for Haggard as well as look for the missing unicorns. A romance later, a conversation with a cat, and a snarky skull lead them to the bull and the unicorn must face it, and make a choice.

I don't want to give a lot of spoilers, because this movie is best watched fresh and new, with as little preconceived notions, if possible. Sneaky, well maybe, but the story is really beautiful that it needs to be experienced. You can pick whichever version to prefer to, book or movie, but I leave you with this, "No unicorn was ever born with regret, but I do, I regret. And I thank you for that one..."

Many people have watched the movie growing up, which is where I first encountered The Last Unicorn. Later I read the book, and fell in love all over again. Seriously, go and check it out...

Oh, and for you graphic novel fans, The Last Unicorn was made into a graphic novel in April 2010. Also, amazingly beautiful.

Peter S. Beagle has written a number of other novels and short stories that are also wonderful, the short story collection The Line Between is a favourite.

What are your favourite fantasy, or sci-fi fantasy, or sci-fi stories, novels, movies? I have the top four (five): Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, The Princess Bride, The Neverending Story, and Stardust.

Now for the pantoum, Dear Readers.

Mission Unknown

Standing alone, along the edge

where she sees all, but  doesn't speak

there is no one to speak to

"Am I really the last?"

Where she sees all, but doesn't speak

this is her domain, but man has intruded

"Am I really the last?"

she asked in an echo to the men.

This is her domain, but man has intruded

speaking of red bulls and lost unicorns

she asked in an echo to the men

though they could not hear.

Speaking of red bulls and lost unicorns,

she asked the butterfly what he knew

though they could not hear

the questions that she asked.

She asked the butterfly what he knew

about the missing unicorns

the question that she asked

were left unanswered in fanciful song.

About the missing unicorns,

seek out King Haggard by the sea, but others

were left unanswered in fanciful song

One, Two, Three O'Leary...

Seek out King Haggard by the sea, but others

will find you in your travels

One, Two, Three O'Leary...

and away she goes into Man's Realm.

Will find you in your travels,

speak with the skull, My Dear,
and away she goes into Man's Realm

to the distant sea and the unknown.

Speak with the skull, My Dear.

There is no one to speak to

to the distant sea and the unknown,

standing alone, along the edge.

From the movie, The Last Unicorn

K is for Knots (on a Counting Rope)

I was a Reading Rainbow kid. I knew the theme song by heart, and almost all the episodes, especiallyKnots on a Counting Rope, written by Bill Martin Jr and John Archambault. It also had LeVar Burton camping by himself, which I don't remember as well as the story.

when they were put in re-runs on WNED 17 (my local affiliate in Chautauqua County). The episode featured is

It is the story of a native american boy and how he learns to cope with his blindness. He was born on a special night; a special omen appears to him and his grandfather in the form of two blue horses. That becomes his name, Boy Strength of Blue Horses. The boy's grandfather tell him this story and each time a knot is added to a counting rope. When the counting rope is full, then Boy Strength of Blue Horses will know the story well enough to tell it himself.

A beautiful story and with the most exquisite illustrations.

Did you know that Bill Martin Jr. didn't know how to read until he went to college? Taught himself to read by poetry books at Emporia State University. He also went on to get an Master's and a Doctorate in early education from Northern University. Not bad for a boy from Kansas, eh?

Bill Martin Jr is the brains behind the Brown Bear, Brown Bear style books with Eric Carl.

Today's poem is an hommage to Knots on a Counting Rope; and a little bit of a retelling too. Do you, Dear Readers remember Reading Rainbow? Do you have a favourite episode? Favourite story that was featured?

Tell It Again

'Tell me the story, Grandfather.'

'You say that so often my boy.'

'But you tell it the best. Please?'

'Alright, but only one last time.'

'You say that so often my boy,

tell me the story of my birth.

Alright, but one last time,'

"It was a dark night...wild storm..."

Tell me the story of my birth.

The wind was crying for you;

It was a dark night...wild storm

it was a strange night indeed.

The wind was crying for you

and when you arrived, it was suddenly silent,

it was a strange night indeed,

until the blue horses arrived.

And when you arrived, it was suddenly silent

and so they stood in front of you.

Until the blue horses arrived

we did not know of your fate.

And so they stood in front of you

nuzzling your fingers as you reached out;

we did not know your fate

except that you would have to cross dark mountains.

Nuzzling your fingers as you reached out...

But you tell it the best. Please?

Except that you would have to cross dark mountains...

Tell me the story, Grandfather.