Worth a Share

Here are some things I have found on the interwebs that tickled my funny bone, made me smile, or brought me to tears. Or any other number of worthwhile responses.

Blogs:

My good friend Jaimie Dawn Krycho describes her apartment complex in a manner that simultaneously makes me want to live there and makes me want to not. I imagine boring days are rare.

A beautiful insight from my sister-in-law. I'm glad to have her back here for now, but I know she loves her Arcata.

Another one from my friend and former classmate, Jaimie Dawn, who is apparently nearly ready to find an agent for her novel!

The Year of Less blog hit on a little gem I needed regarding gifts and stuff, and not being overrun by them. Encouraging without chastising. Beauty.

Art:

I think I'm adopting a mission to always be on the lookout for art. A couple months ago I found the painting La Mer by Vladimir Volegov, and I just love it. And basically all that I've found by Volegov.

Speaking of art, lightning-hand time lapse videos are fun, whether it's for something large and photographic or something smaller and cartoonish. Somehow I don't think it would be quite as cool to watch a time lapse of a writer. Though the facial expressions at high speed might entertain.

Stories:

This one takes a while to get through, but I think Legend of Zelda: The Return is the best fanfiction I've ever read, especially if you're a fan of the games.


What have you found that's worth a share? Let me know in a comment.

There Are Times

There are times

when the phone rings late

and I hear the tears

before I know anything else

When all I know is a friend’s hurt

and with her I ache

a chance lost

a hope drowned

a truth buried

With her I cry

wishing somehow

to take the weight away

to stem the bleeding

to apply the balm

But my temper flares

when I hear how she was hurt

and I’m ready for war

like a mother bear

God help me

I need to remember

You are in control

You offer grace

to those who don’t deserve it

including me

And I look back at my friend

my sister for years

covered with fresh and dried tears

and inside I break

and with her I weep

The night drags dark

but together we somehow know

we somehow still hope

the night will end

a new dawn will shine

and we count the hours

until then.

Public Domain Image

 

Oh to wax with eloquence

I tend to write more simply, more directly, more to the point. I think I write like a man, but with a me style to it. (Which might in part mean that I make certain jumps in logic, thinking those dots don't need to be connected. ...Did that make sense? Hm.) Well, my voice is and will always be attached to me, after all. But, oh to wax eloquent, and not simply think I am where I fail. So, I'm turning to poetry to learn a little more and see if I can improve my language skill.

It helps that my student in the Write Start class is highly interested in poetry. It seems to be her favorite style of creative writing we've explored. And it's something I've been interested in for a long time, too. When I'm bothered, really really really really bothered by something, or possibly very excited and happy about something, I write poetry about it.

But poetry...doesn't come easy to me. I like the flowery poetry for its use of words, but most of the time it's little more than that, flowery, pretty words. I have a hard time making sense out of it, even if the person sitting next to me follows along line for line, no big deal. If it's simpler, it makes sense easier, but I don't always like it as well for its simplicity. Alas.

I love imagery, but I need something to connect it all together. What? It flows perfectly. What am I talking about?

I guess I'm talking about my brain, but I didn't want to get gooey on you.

If I can feel or hear the rhythym (rats, I just can't spell that word) or hear a rhyme (yes! got that one!) I have an easier time connecting the current line with the previous line and remembering content from one verse to the next. Over all, I get a better picture of the intent. So that's how I usually think of and try to write poetry, even though there isn't only one set of acceptable rules and patterns can be picked and chosen as the author desires.

Enter this wonderful book that Rebekah found: Write Your Own: Poetry by Laura Purdie Salas. A children's book introducing some basics of poetry writing. Local library gold! I'm about halfway through reading it and I got it today. But I'm far from halfway through trying out the things it explains.

Here's to never ceasing learning and one more way to improve my overall writing!
Cheers


Chime in! What's your favorite style of poetry? Does it make sense or come easily to you, or are you like me and left behind without a hope to cling to?

Belated Valentine Sap

First, a word of wisdom from a young woman I know:

It's never a good idea to fall in love with someone you've never met. It always ends in tragedy. Especially if you never meet.

Second, a poem from yours truly:

He stands on the stage
Blind to those around
Singing his heart
Uplifting my own

He knows a good show
And keeps it sincere
His love pours out
All charm and treasure

It's impossible
And some dreams must
But I hope mine won't
Simply turn to dust

...Thoughts on Valentine's Day? Love it, hate it, apathetic, ignore it?

 

Warrior Matron

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Warrior Matron

by Dorathea Maynard

 

Go off, my love,

Accomplish thy tasks.

Come home to me, 

Day's end at last.

 

My work unseen,

You'll wonder what I've done.

But if not for me,

You wouldn't call this "home."

 

I work all day,

So you'll be fed,

The house clean,

And made, thy bed.

 

My tasks unending,

Yet rarely known.

My work is mending,

What all needs sewn.

 

I work for you,

My love, my champion.

Striving all day,

Against a battalion.

 

You fight in the field,

Where money wars wage.

The mouse, my enemy;

The dust, my plague.

 

You are my warrior,

And I thy matron.

This home is ours,

Our love unshaken.

 

 

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More poems at my poetry page.

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