The Chocolate Chip Country

I've done two poetry feasts and one nibble, and now I'm evaluating the possibility of doing more in the coming year.

Here's what I've learned:

Good poetry takes energy and time. I am short on energy in the winter, and work takes up much of my time. So, in order to do my best, I find that I take much longer to finish the poems than one day or even one week. While I eventually get to them all, it may take a while.

If I rush things out of a sense of obligation (self-imposed, but there nevertheless), then I end up writing sub-standard poetry (at least, by -my- standards). I think, if I were to simply go for speed, then I would have to cut the field down to something more like a "haiku day" or "limerick day", where I can quickly turn out simple poems with the same rules.

However, it seems that the people who have requested poems also don't mind waiting all that much, so long as I have a way to let them know their poem is finished.

There's also the question, what do I get out if it? And part of it is that I enjoy the attention (we all like to show off now and then). But mostly, I find that I'd like to write, but I am either short on ideas or can't pick out of the myriad thoughts available.

In short, my readers who put in requests are playing the muse, giving direction and some inspiration to the portion of energy I have to spend.

So, the conclusion I've reached is that poetry feasts and similar items are things I will do again, but I will probably include a short disclaimer to let people know that I work full-time and thus it might be a while before I finish. I think people are fairly forgiving on this aspect, particularly for free work, and I will be able to do a better job without the guilt hanging over me.

I have the day off today but I don't have the energy to go for a whole-hog Feast of Poetry. So I'm offering Nibbles instead. I will write a haiku or quatrain for anybody who comments.

Da rules, because there must be rules:
1) Choose a haiku or quatrain
2) Give me one or two words as inspiration
2a) Keep words PG-13
2b) You can use Proper Nouns, but try to avoid present day political subjects. Thank you! If you choose a specific person (say, Nikolai Tesla for example), please add a link just in case I don't know who that is.
3) One per person. Recommend this to friends if you want to see more!
4) You can link or reprint your poem, just credit me with it.

To start you off, here is a sample haiku:

This is a haiku.
Not a very clever one,
But still a haiku.

Edit: requests closed! Working on poems. :)

Here is your invitation to my feast of poetry! I have volunteered to cook one dish for each of you. All you have to do is ask.

The rules:
1) Give me ingredients! Either three words for a theme, or a link to an image or video. Please keep words and links PG13.
2) Give me a recipe! Tell me what kind of poem you want. It can be as simple as a rhyming couplet, or as complicated as a sonnet.
3) One per person. Spread the word if you know somebody who would like their own creation!
4) You can share! You can reprint or link to the poem, simply give me credit and link to my journal, please.

You can request a sonnet for your favorite lolcat, or a haiku for a sunset. Silly or serious. I promise to do my best.

I'm opening requests now. I won't start making poetry until tonight, when I get home. Please be patient- good food takes time.

EDIT: closing requests! So few!

The next 3 poems...

5) A memorial for Cuthbert the cat, for aefenglommung

No mother to tend him, but You were there.
You entrusted him into our care.
You granted us time, some years, some hours.
Though always Yours, he was, briefly, ours.

( Read more... )

Getting ready for work. I'm leaving the doors open for the Feast of Poetry today, after which I'll close requests. I have 9 requests so far, with 2 poems finished.

Poem number 3 is started. I've figured out the form and the conceit I want to use.

Someone has indeed requested the dread sestina. I haven't done one of those since my college creative writing days. Making a sestina is a lot like making a real black forest cake. It takes time and careful construction!

Well, we do these things not because they're easy...

Incidentally, the icon I'm using for my poetry posts was drawn by ninjahijinx on one of his free Icon Days.

Here's a challenge for you. Look around your room, pick something nearby, and write a limerick about it. Preferably one that won't make my journal turn into an adult-content site.

On my desk is a green batik pear,
Without a bruise or a tear.
This marvelous mass
Is made out of glass!
It's a pear your teeth should beware.

His Apologies
1932

Master, this is Thy Servant. He is rising eight weeks old.
He is mainly Head and Tummy. His legs are uncontrolled.
But Thou hast forgiven his ugliness, and settled him on Thy knee...
Art Thou content with Thy Servant? He is very comfy with Thee.

( Read more... )

The Advertisement
In the Manner of the Earlier English
--The Muse Among the Motors (1900-1930)

Whether to wend through straight streets strictly,
Trimly by towns perfectly paved;
Or after office, as fitteth thy fancy,
Faring with friends far among fields;
There is none other equal in action,
Sith she is silent, nimble, unnoisome,
Lordly of leather, gaudily gilded,
Burgeoning brightly in a brass bonnet,
Certain to steer well between wains.

-Kipling

The Wage-Slaves

1902


Oh, glorious are the guarded heights
Where guardian souls abide--
Self-exiled from our gross delights--
Above, beyond, outside:
An ampler arc their spirit swings--
Commands a juster view--
We have their word for all these things,
No doubt their words are true.

Yet we, the bond slaves of our day,
Whom dirt and danger press--
Co-heirs of insolence, delay,
And leagued unfaithfulness--
Such is our need must seek indeed
And, having found, engage
The men who merely do the work
For which they draw the wage.

From forge and farm and mine and bench,
Deck, altar, outpost lone--
Mill, school, battalion, counter, trench,
Rail, senate, sheepfold, throne--
Creation's cry goes up on high
From age to cheated age:
"Send us the men who do the work
"For which they draw the wage!"

Words cannot help nor wit achieve,
Nor e'en the all-gifted fool,
Too weak to enter, bide, or leave
The lists he cannot rule.
Beneath the sun we count on none
Our evil to assuage,
Except the men that do the work
For which they draw the wage.

When through the Gates of Stress and Strain
Comes forth the vast Event--
The simple, sheer, sufficing, sane
Result of labour spent--
They that have wrought the end unthought
Be neither saint nor sage,
But only men who did the work
For which they drew the wage.

Wherefore to these the Fates shall bend
(And all old idle things )
Werefore on these shall Power attend
Beyond the grip of kings:
Each in his place, by right, not grace,
Shall rule his heritage--
The men who simply do the work
For which they draw the wage.

Not such as scorn the loitering street,
Or waste, to earth its praise,
Their noontide's unreturning heat
About their morning ways;
But such as dower each mortgaged hour
Alike with clean courage--
Even the men who do the work
For which they draw the wage--
Men, like to Gods, that do the work
For which they draw the wage--
Begin-continue-close that work
For which they draw the wage!

The Comforters

"The Dog Hervey" -- A Diversity of Creatures


Until thy feet have trod the Road
Advise not wayside folk,
Nor till thy back has borne the Load
Break in upon the broke.

Chase not with undesired largesse
Of sympathy the heart
Which, knowing her own bitterness,
Presumes to dwell apart.

( Read more... )