OctPoWriMo: The Final Sprint! (Days 30 and 31)

I finished with 17 minutes to spare. Not really sure I ended the way I wanted, as I write the last 2 weeks of poems in haiku. It was fun, but I was hoping for more of a challenge. Though maybe with everything else the haiku was the better option. It did give me a chance to improve my haiku skillz. So, not a loss...

Enjoy!

Day 30 - Diary (Haiku)

Written words hide away,

I tell them to none, but me--

My sister still reads.

~~~~~

Day 31 - Goodbye Train (Haiku)

Loading up the train,

My vision, cloudy from tears--

Next time take the bus.

OctPoWriMo Day 29: Still On Track

Still writing haiku? You bet, Dear Reader!

~~~~~~~~

Day 29 - Paris (Haiku)

Dreams of Paris-serie

Wish I could say that

I traveled to your city--

The Champs-Elysees.

But no, I cannot

Boast such lofty adventures

Though I wish for it.

Viewing the lights glow,

Smelling the patisserie’s

Fare that is baked fresh.

OctPoWriMo Days 25 thru 28 (finally a day early): Haiku Around

Day 25 - Circle (Haiku)

Wrapping around you

See the path, walk on, Stranger,

And around you go.

~~~~~~

Day 26 - Heart/Aural (Haiku)

Beat, Beat, pounding beat

I can hear it rumble under--

Lub dub, Lub dub, Lub…

~~~~~~~

Day 27 - Wish/Wait (Haiku)

Anticipation--

Breathing in and waiting for

A moment to come.

~~~~~~

Day 28 - Tea (Haiku)

Feel heat, emanate

From porcelain to clay cups--

With cream only, please.

OctPoWriMo Day 24: When I Almost Missed It...

The title says it all. A haiku before midnight keeps the muse at bay...

Day 24 - Balance/Load (Haiku)

Upon gilded scales

You can find out, unbalanced.

Is better to know.

 

OctPoWriMo Day 23: (To Cheat on Your Diet)

The title might suggest otherwise, but since today's prompt is open ended, open wide, and has no boundaries, I thought I needed a snazzy title. This of course means that I can write anything. Been trying to stay afloat with my projects-it has been hard. Going to take today to write something short and sweet, about something sweet, and call it my cheat day.

Day 23 - ANYTHING!!!

To begin again,

Must finish what was started--

Pass the ice cream, please!

Cindy's Poetry Corner: Morning Moment

Morning Moment

It's a little bit quiet
in the early hours of morning
When the light quietly  filters in.

Through cloudy damp ridden skies
the light still finds its way
to awaken the world.

The moment is ready
as the world turn from night
to day
this is the time when anything can happen.

The same can be said
of the deep night,
where the dark enfolds
you is a cold embrace.

There is a blood beating pulse
that courses through one's veins
in that coldness.

I feel more of my fingers and toes
when it's cold
and dark
and there is nothing confusing my senses.

There is an awareness
with the night
that is often pushed aside
and left for warm beds.
The night is far more alive
than the morning,
when the sleepiness rests
against your eyelids.

To me,
both are equally aware
and equally alive, especially during winter,
when the cold blows much harder
and you steel yourself from the bite
of Winter's teeth;
one is just arising
beating with a youthful exuberance,
while the night is a slow, demanding
rush to finish
before one gets too cold to move.

Either is valid
and just as strong in it's compulsion.
I am just glad to know both as I do.

12/26/2013   6:58 pm

Poetry Corner: the World is Asleep

The World is Asleep

The colours keep changing
The earth keeps rotating
in the gentle sweep of the year.
Soon it is wintertide
when the world is asleep.

None but the pine trees
that keep their green needles year round,
when the world is paled and brown
naught even the geraniums bloom
it's as though the world is asleep.

I can sit here
in the bleak early dawn
with the moaning wintertide wind rustling
through the spindly Box Elder branches
even when the world's asleep.

The best time of day
when  nary a soul moves
and my mind awakens
to the chill of the wintertide
when the world in still asleep.

12/23/2013
7:03 am

Use the following five words: color, earth, geranium, moaning, sweep. #amwriting #writingprompt #TCPrompts

Sonnet tribute to Gonzo the Great

It’s All in the Matter…(or Gonzo the Great)

from Muppet Wiki

It’s all in the matter of perspective--

A different point of view that you own

Of cannonballs and cream, is your missive

Or famous overtures of anvils flown.

You are not one to fit in precisely

No matter what you endevour to do.

The one you love with simple passion, she

Only deflects your courtly attempts true.

Now you nevertheless try to be bold,

To go the distance using your cannon.

With the love of the fairest fowl told,

To make your aspirations of fame run.

Know this, that after all is truly done,

You are uniquely the one that has won.

10/14/2013 6:01 pm

thanks to Muppet Wiki for the lovely picture of everyone's favourite weirdo!

Kinder Chocolate and Clouds

Tonight, as I walked the aisles of Wegman's with some friends after an evening of Illuminati: the Conspiracy and conversation, looking for dinner. I settled on a Chicken Pesto Sammich and Cranberry Splash Sierra Mist (and splash I did, all over me when I opened the bottle). We are a strange lot, wandering Wegman's on a Saturday Night. I was craving chocolate bad! Now, one of my favourite parts of Wegman's (i have a dozen favourite, by the way) is that they have quite the choice of chocolate available for consumer consumption. But what to choose? Hmmmm....I have a wide range of chocolate that I enjoy that ranges from Lindt, Black and Green, and Kinder Chocolate-of course I also include Dove, Skinny Cow, or Nestle.

Tonight was a definitely a Kinder Chocolate night! 

What exactly is Kinder? Well, it's an Italian Company that makes all sort of chocolatey goodness, some of which you have probably heard of already: Ferrero Rocher, Nutella, and even Tic Tacs (did not know about that one), but these are not the only products out there.

One day, some months ago, David and I were walking through the International Foods aisle. I spied some chocolate. I was hankering for some thing sweet and I figured-why not just pick something different and try them. As an avid fan of Brad Jones' work (Brade Tries..., Cinema Snob, 80's Dan), David and I thought it would be fun to just try something new. Well, I happened upon 3 yummy treats and tonight I decided to fill my choco cravings with the same 3 Kinder Chocolate treats, as I enjoyed them before.

All 3 are quite tasty, but I have my favourites. After a second try, the ranks go as followed: #3 Delice, #2 Country, and #1 Bueno.  

Bueno is is a hazel cream filled "trix" like bar. It it light and kinda of fluffy. Since I have a love affair with Nutella already, this is kind of the obvious choice. Now, Country reminds me of a Nestle Crunch bar with crispy rice, with the difference of white chocolate being on the inside, covered by milk chocolate. Finally Delice is basically a chocolate cake brownie thing and milky frosting covered in chocolate. It's kind of ordinary, but still very edible. I was not as excited as the last time, so it gets bumped to last place. Sorry Delice!

Ferrero is also the maker of the Kinder Surprise Egg, which is a hollow chocolate egg (milk chocolate on the outside, white chocolate on the inside, and a toy inside. While hugely popular in Europe/UK, they are currently banned in the US. Why? Not sure. Probably someone thought that American Children were stupid and would choke on the toy when trying to eat the chocolate egg.Kind of silly, but what can you do?

Anywho.....

Mix tapes are awesome in their own rite and they are especially awesome when you get one in the mail from one of your best friends from college. I blogged previously about one of my old college mix tapes made by the same friend. Now what you see (to the left) is the volume two of the same said mix tape. Behold the awesomeness of it! When I pulled it from the package, I was surprised by what I saw. Amy had called it a work of art.

Indeed! It is a work of wonderful art! It is kind of Steam Punk and Whovian blended together, with a bit of Steam Powered Giraffe thrown in.

The track list features a number of artists that are completely new to me and some tracks that I am familiar with, but did not previously have in audio format.

The bulk of the tapes includes the likes of Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman, actually 6 tracks.

Some of the tracks include Dolly Parton, Sarah Slean (whom I have seen in concert, opening for Moxy Fruvous once), Susan Werner, The Puppini Sisters, and Alicia Keyes. These are artists I am familiar with even if I might not have heard the songs before.

But there are a number of unknown/never-heard-of-before artists that I get to experience first hand and fresh, without a biased opinion: Bitter Ruin, Simple Pleasures, Wilco, Stump, Blur, and Biffy Clyro. Some really strange names, I will admit. I get a lot of people saying, "Oh you should listen to So-and-So, and the Such-and Suchs", but rarely do I take the time now-a-days follow through on the suggestion. I just don;t always have the time to devote.

In college there were many an artist that I added to my collection because of friends mix tapes or just hanging out in there dorm room listening to music. There was always time. In fact, that is how I acquired the eclectic collection I have. It has been a long time since I have added an artist on someone's suggestion, certainly nothing major since college. I don't normally hang out in dorm rooms anymore. This mix tape gives me the chance to experience the newness of these artists at my own pace, without feeling obligated. Besides, Amy has really good taste in music and she hasn't steered me wrong before. She did get me to NOT hate U2. :-)

Mix tapes are, in many way like a declaration of your IDEOLOGIES. I think it is very fitting that Amy named her mix tape, volume 2, Ideology.

Aggies dancing

Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd and Esmerelda

I have been rehearsing from "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (since July) with Elmira Little Theatre all week and having a blast (rehearsals are getting intense as we open in 3 weeks). The pieces have started to fall into place. Got to see the Aggies work on their number this week. I caught the tallest Aggie standing on the bench during rehearsal and now he looks like a glowing angel ~giggle~. It was funny because as the Aggies were getting ready to rehearse, all of the whores/ladies rushed to the front to watch. It was like something out of a chick flick with all the squeeing and giggling! I have a turbo dance rehearsal today at 2. Another busy day in the life if this writer! More to follow, with pictures and such...stay tuned.

I leave you with some awesome cloudage from last week. We had an impending thunderstorm at sunset and the colour of the sky was such a lovely a shade of salmon and violet (depending on the part of the sky you were looking at). While I was taking pictures you could hear the rumblings of thunder and flashes of lightening. It was brilliant.

I get terribly charged when there's a thunderstorm, in a good way. Often I get really hyper. There is something about the freshness that comes with rain. Not only that but have you ever really smelled the air before, during, and after a rain/thunderstorm? Probably one of my favourite smells ever, after chocolate or the smell of a new book. The world smells new, clean.

 

Growing Storm

When the fog descends
downward from the hills.
I come alive
as the twilight un-furrows
it's shadows.
In the folds of my couch
I can see the fog's path
coming near.
Here my cats
playing amoungst the
houseplants
as the night world comes alive.

I can smell the storm
that brings this fog
unto my door
this night.
Is it merry mischief sprites,
they clown with my fears
upon this night.

I am well aware
that tonight
the fogs grows dense.
My mind is tense,
my stomach,
it clenches.
The hollowing wind
raises my hackles.

Will it pass?
or will it stay?
The cats
are alert and ready.
The growing storm worsening
and my own hunger threatens
my ears,
in a growl so low
that the cats hiss back at my
cozy abode folded into the couch.

There is only one thing to stop
this madness,
as I recall,
there is leftover KFC in the fridge
and my hunger shall abate,
at last.

2/3/2012

How to write a Sonnet (the Easy Way!)

Sonnets are a lovely forms of poetry and a lyrical jungle gym, but when you know what a sonnet is and how it's made up then it's easier to take a crack at writing them. For me sonnets are like little stories. In many ways that's how Shakespeare presents his sonnets. Let's take one of mine and dissect it.

The first thing to understand about a sonnet is it's composition. Sonnets are made up of 3 quatrains (stanza with 4 lines in purple) and a couplet (a 2 line stanza in blue). There is a rhyme scheme in the sonnet that goes - quatrain #1: A, B, A, B; #2 C, D, C, D; #3 E, F, E, F; Couplet G, G. ie: SUPPORT = RAPPORT and OTHER = MOTHER

Built like children’s blocks to form a support A
They are so stacked one upon each other B
A towering form that has a rapport A
With the spine, as a child to a mother. B

Together they are made strong as a whole, C
But separate they know are wavering. D
Married by right in a love of the soul C
That only they are now both savouring. D

There is one course that could rip asunder E
A love true and so bodily in realm. F
A storm that has come and brought the thunder E
And a bolt of lightening that broke their helm. F

A divorce that neither would they have sought G
When those, the careless could have brought it nought. G

Now that we have the structure, let's discuss the Iambic Pentameter! OOOOO, big word thingie!!! Iambic Pentameter is not as scary as you would think. Yes, it takes a bit of practice. To break it down, each line of the sonnet, both quatrain and couplet, is made up of Iambic Feet (a foot is a stressed and unstressed syllable). Each line has 5 Iambic Feet, roughly 10 syllables, "Built like children’s blocks to form a support." Note how the each colour has 2 syllables, making each colour a foot.  After many tries I think I have balanced the unstressed and stressed syllables, but I also am still learning and am not quite the expert, yet. If you have tips, please share them in the comments box, on how to build proper Iambic Feet. I find that after a number of tries you notice the rhyme of the sonnet. It could almost be sung. This is a sign you have the idea, or the rhythm.

With that, the next step is to write. You can't very well learn to writ sonnets without actually writing. I would recommend just picking a topic and writing. Don't worry about rhyming or iambic pentameter, just write a basic poem in the outline of the sonnet (using the 3 quatrain and a couplet.). After to get your rough draft sonnet then go back and figure out the rhyme and the iambic pentameter. I like to use THE THESAURUS  (online version) and THE RHYMER (online version) to help with finding the right words and rhymes, you can use real books too. I also, spent a lot of time clapping out the rhythm of the lines. Use whatever means when help you to get the Iambic Pentameter right.

If jumping right in to write whole sonnets is a bit daunting, then start by writing couplets, using rhyme and iambic pentameter. Start simple and build up! You have the potential! I believe in you! So, go out there and write some sonnets! Let's bring back the art of poetry back into the mainstream! ~w00t~ Okay, well, I hope I inspired you to write. Feel free to post your own sonnets in the comment box. I would LOVE  to see what you guys come up with.

Here is one of the Bard's Sonnets (for more sonnets see Shakespeare's Sonnets):


SONNET 1

From fairest creatures we desire increase,
That thereby beauty's rose might never die,
But as the riper should by time decease,
His tender heir might bear his memory:
But thou contracted to thine own bright eyes,
Feed'st thy light's flame with self-substantial fuel,
Making a famine where abundance lies,
Thy self thy foe, to thy sweet self too cruel:
Thou that art now the world's fresh ornament,
And only herald to the gaudy spring,
Within thine own bud buriest thy content,
And, tender churl, mak'st waste in niggarding:
   Pity the world, or else this glutton be,
   To eat the world's due, by the grave and thee.

Poetry Time: Lady Cardinal

While I was cleaning the kitchen, I found a female cardinal munching on the seed that I had thrown into my yard to feed the feathered folk. There she was amongst the sparrows and chickadee, like a queen. I got inspired. First poem of 2013.

Lady Cardinal

How you rule

With your crown upon your head

Your subjects scatter around you

Chirping loud praise.

Oh, Master Jay!

How your suddenly appearance

Pester the Lady and make her blush.

You make the subjects fuss

And carry on so.

Within the barren cold

You too rule the plebeian sparrows

As you feast

Upon the seed in my yard.

I, who am like a God

To those feathered folk,

Lady Cardinal and Master Jay

Bearing  food in the bleak mid-winter.

With me, my guardians

Who are Cerberus to my Hades

As they watch the Lady and her subjects

On this, the Feast Day.

1/22/2013

1:00 pm