Poems: Standing Strong

Poem created in response to Poetic Bloomings’ prompt #428 “Again and Again“

This prompt was to use alliteration, possibly to use the Alliterisen form.  I got the alliteration, but will have to try the form out at a later time.

(form: lune)

Standing Strong

weary, weeping, yet
standing strong
damaged, defiant

(form: none/free verse)

Standing Strong
prejudiced people
playing at power
hiding their hating
bullying, berating
fail at breaking her spirit
standing strong with
courage and conviction
she shines her light on their lies

The more you read… – A Quote by Stephen King

The more you read, the less apt you are to make a fool of yourself with your pen or word processor.

As I was trying to figure out what to write about in my first post in two years, I came across this quote by Stephen King.  While it seems like longer than two years ago since I wrote anything, I have continued to read.  I have read many books in that time, some new to me, some that I’d read previously that sat on my bookshelf (some got donated, some retained their place in the shelf), and some re-reads of my favorites, which sit in prominent places on my bookshelf.  Hopefully, I’ll get back into more of a habit of writing.  Maybe, I’ll even get back on that path of trying to get published.  Most importantly, per this quote, hopefully, I’ve been reading enough to not make a fool of myself.

Review: Wolf and Iron

Title: Wold and Iron
Author: Gordon R. Dickson
Published: 1990
Author’s Wikipedia page: Gordon R. Dickson
Genre: Science Fiction

Review:  The Foreword by Harry Frank, Ph.D. pretty much sets the tone for this book. It explains how Gordon Dickson spent a good deal of time researching wolves and asked Dr. Frank to consult on his book to ensure he got Wolf’s behavior correct. Unfortunately, with this information in the back of my mind, I kept wondering if Mr. Dickson had decided to write a book on wolves, but wanted to make it fiction to try to reach a wider audience.

The book is well-written and has a decent premise for a “post-apocalyptic” story. Instead af a physical catastrophe, this story is set shortly after a global economic collapse and finds the protagonist, Jeebee, trying to get to his brother’s ranch. He tries to avoid contact with people since there’s no telling who’s friendly and who’s going to do harm. During one encounter, he finds himself leaving the town in the company of a wolf, who becomes a fairly constant companion for the remainder of the story. Jeebee has a few more encounters over the course of the story and, as I said, the writing is good, but not very exciting. For me, this could have been a novella, but I guess that wouldn’t have provided enough time to adequately describe the breadth and depth of wolf behavior.

Bottom Line:   I was fairly bored for most of the 468 pages. This one will not be on my re-read list and will be donated back to a used book store.

The magic exists – A Quote by Stephen King from the Dedication to “It”

Even Stephen King’s dedication pages have great advice, tidbits of writing wisdom.  In It, he dedicates the book to his mother, wife, and kids, and after naming their children, he adds this message:

Kids, fiction is the truth inside the lie, and the truth of this fiction is simple enough:  the magic exists.

This is really worthy of two quotes, but I’ll just hack on both parts here, as concisely as I can.

The truth inside the lie.  Yes, indeed. To more accurately complete that sentence, though, I’d have to insert ‘good’, as in ‘good fiction is the truth inside the lie’. It’s what makes the story believable, relatable. Regardless of how fantastical or far-fetched a story is, the truth hidden within allows us to connect with the story, the characters. Without that truth, we don’t ‘get it’, and the story is not believable…much like a lie. In order for a lie to work, there’s got to be at least a shred of truth to it, otherwise we discount it as untrue.

The magic exists. This could mean a number of things, and by throwing in ‘this fiction’, it muddies it a bit more. Does he mean specifically the magic in this story? The magic being that bond of friendship that transcends time, that bridges distance, that connects people together in ways that even blood can’t.  True friendships are able to withstand internal conflicts because the friends know they care about each other and, ultimately, have each other’s best interest at heart, even when a truth can be difficult to hear.  True friendships bring people together, regardless of distance, when they get that call in the middle of the night…just like magic.

 

Over joyed & The Under Overlord

Poem created in response to Poetic Bloomings’ PROMPT #283 – BETTING THE OVER/UNDER on 23 Feb 2020.

Form prompt: cinquain
Over joyed

Sometimes,
other people’s
put on smiles and forced mirth
have a bit more of an “Odor
to Joy.”

---

Form prompt: tanka
The Under Overlord

fools fear the night for
they believe it is the time
when he holds most sway
but the false safety of light
simply makes him more subtle

As grow our children

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A Memorable Engagement

Poem created in response to Poetic Bloomings’ PROMPT #282 – HOPPER INSPIRED on 16 Feb 2020.

Form prompt: Fibonacci

A Memorable Engagement

I
thought
it odd,
John asking
me out for a show.
We don’t often go when he’s not
on stage. Now, I’ve got butterflies and he’s so nervous,
checking his pocket, making sure
something is still there,
but why go
into
that
Booth?

No buffalo, just TwoTankas

Poem created in response to Poetic Bloomings’ Inform Poet prompt on 12 Feb 2020.

Form prompt: tanka

57577
What makes a tanka?
Just count out the syllables
no rhymes to reason
five seven five seven and
seven. Simple. Tanka-u.

inthestyleofmumblerappers
I’vebeenworkin’my
poetryworkin’defrhymes
sawthispromptandthought
Word!justlettheflowhappen
that’sthedopestuffrightthereyo

Stationary Bike

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The Trade-in

Poem created in response to Poetic Bloomings’ Inform Poet prompt on 15 Jan 2020.

Form prompt: Pathya Vat

The Trade-in
I’m thinking back
as I sit here
the sale so near
of my old ride

of the hours spent
of smiles of pride
of tears I’ve cried
of good times had

in that old car
which makes me sad
but just a tad
to say goodbye