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Thursday, November 13, 2014

Suddenly ~ Blackout Poetry #6


unmistakeable
ever-present
sadness

     rendered
        even more poignant
           by choked emotions
           gathering as night falls;

     sequestered by
        enveloping anguish

suddenly

cried out in pain

lost
     in doubt and visions
        of nothing




A note on form:  Blackout poetry...Erasure poetry...Redacted poetry...by whatever name you wish to call it....  The above construction is formed by taking an already existing piece of work (whether from a book or newspaper or any other written entity) and removing words until you are left with something that hopefully makes sense.

About this series:  My goal is to challenge myself to unearth some semblance of sense through the use of blackout/erasure poetry.

Attribution:   Blackout Poetry unearthed from a page in Lee Smith’s novel, Oral History.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Where Colors Are Lacking

If I could paint you,
    I'd paint you
                        in heart

broad
           brilliant
                        splashes
imbued with compassion that understands thruths
infused with love that looks beyond perceptions
ingrained with generosity that awakens others eyes

If I could paint you,
    I'd paint you
                        in stain glass
                                 
tiny
        scattered
                        specs
forged with lost hearts squirreled away
fashioned with broken souls gathered close
framed with shattered minds secured together

If I could paint you,
    I'd paint you
                        in Equus asinus
                                 
stark
          intense
                      strokes
saturated with inspiring and enduring support
steeped with enduring and empowering strength
suffused with empowering and uplifting hope

If I could paint you,
    I'd paint you
                        a flickering light
drawn to the shadows
staving off the darkness
illuminating lost truths & shattered hopes



On fading thoughts resurfacing:  I've had two spells recently where a thought has popped into my head with the potential of being something more than it is...odd thoughts that don't quite fit into the world of reality, but have a way of finding themselves in a poetic frame.  Both (probably due to the fact that they came to me when driving) left me before really taking hold.  And then as if they were meant to breathe, something sparked them back to life.  Oddly...I did nothing with the rekindling embers...not immediately anyway.  Why do I bring this up, you ask...and if you don't, well too bad, I'm going to answer it anyway.  This piece is the fruition of one of those thoughts, which is encompassed in the first three lines of this piece.

About the blank:  Truth?  I can't find the right word.  Or maybe I'm looking for a better word than the one that first came to mind...though I'm sure the person who this piece speaks to would quite enjoy the use of the word.  I'm looking for something that speaks to being a shoulder one can lean upon, to being something that can help carry the heavy load...thus the words support and strength.  If something doesn't come soon, I will resign myself to my initial thought...you may wish to stop back later today to see what becomes of the blank...and trust me, you'll know whether I found the right word or went with the one still clinging to my thoughts.

Update:  So the blank is now filled...thus the above ramble seems pointless to most...I'm still not totally sold on my choice; I went with a variation on my initial thought...still I feel like I should just suck it up and go with my first instincts....I wouldn't be surprised if I came back tomorrow to...not sure what...

Update #2:  okay, I didn't even make it until tomorrow...the blank is back...I need more time to ponder...I know, it was barely up for a minute (okay maybe five) and now again you're curious...or perhaps not...I really do need to stop being an _______.

Final Update:  After much consideration and some pretty poor ideas for the blank, as well as a running argument over why my first instinct just didn't fit write, I have made a decision.  What finally sold me on it was the movie Couples Retreat.  And so, as my first update began, I will stick with my original word, but rather than using its generic name, I'm going with the more scientic name.



 

Thursday, November 6, 2014

The Switch ~ Blackout Poetry #5





the moon
was keeping time
with the sun

night
switched
pink to silver white
then orange
shinning all over

day







A note on form:  Blackout poetry...Erasure poetry...Redacted poetry...by whatever name you wish to call it....  The above construction is formed by taking an already existing piece of work (whether from a book or newspaper or any other written entity) and removing words until you are left with something that hopefully makes sense.

About this series:  My goal is to challenge myself to unearth some semblance of sense through the use of blackout/erasure poetry.

Attribution:   Blackout Poetry unearthed from a page in Lee Smith’s novel, Oral History.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

A Tale of Love (and Woe) – Lovers' Song #13

Princess #13

Knight #13



A note on form:  The above form has little (or sporadic) history.  Part of a long line of ancient Japanese forms from which come the sedōka, choka, and tanka is the katauta.  Depending on the source this poem (also known as a half-poem or half-song), is either 17 (5 / 7 / 5) or 19 (5 / 7 / 7) syllables long.  The feeling I get is that this form is meant to be one half of a conversation...perhaps two lovers conversing back and forth.  There is also note of this form consisting of a question-and-answer feel; the first poem posing the question, while the second poem answers it. 

About this series:  This series is a branch-off of a ten act ballad called A Tale of Love and Woe.  All odd numbered installations are initiated by the "princess" with a response from the "knight."  In each of these, the princess follows the 17 syllable pattern to which the knight replies in kind. All even numbered installations are initiated by the "knight" with a response from the "princess."  In each of these, the knight follows the 19 syllable pattern to which the princess replies in kind.