Mikiesboy

Touching. Maybe a little sad but not maudlin. I enjoyed this little slice of life; returning for a brief moment to the glory days before they close the doors for good. Nice piece. Thanks.

So sorry. i hope it is peaceful for her. xo

Off to work ... up two steps and around the table ...

7:23am Eastern

i think everyone who has some desire should try. Not everyone is a poet ... but there are other outlets. Blogs, automatic writing. This piece came from a prompt. But i wrote it as the first line and then just wrote, no thinking or planning. It's a fav of mine. But you can do the same thing by writing... for example, I am angry with Bill because .... and then just go. There are many ways to express yourself, if you need to.

I have opened a new topic about poetry for those interested. Not sure just how much will happen in there but i had a few things to say about poetry and writing it. The topic is here.

I know life is a great teacher Though sometimes the lessons feel hard We can leave gardens untended they grow wild then, but to stay strong, the irises need dividing There is a rhythm here, but no rhyme. Each line has 8 syllables. I'm not a huge fan of punctuation, but it is used in the 4th line to interrupt the rhythm of the poem. To get your attention, to show you the point of the message. The last comma also frames the final line.

So, yesterday i was joking about assimilating new people to the joys of poetry. Yes, tim, but what is it, exactly? Well, it is words, woven together with rhythm so that you can feel, see and understand ideas that may be too hard just to describe or explain normally. Poetry is not just sentences. Let's look at this simple poem: I know life is a great teacher Though sometimes the lessons feel hard We can leave gardens untended they grow wild then, but to stay strong, the irises need dividing There is a rhythm here, but no rhyme. Each line has 8 syllables. There is also a message. This poem is the end product of work you do not see and of patience and time. The original was written about 3 weeks ago. It was much longer at the beginning. It is rare that i write something that is immediately ready to post. It has happened but not often. So, what is the message? It doesnt matter really. It was what i felt. If you feel the same you'll get it. I love when people write what it means to them, because the answers can be so different. And that is more than okay. For me, the message was sometimes things can go on too long and left alone fester and don't do well. Sometimes to be strong we need to be apart. There's a personal reason i wrote this, which i'm not going to explain. But some people will feel something, but cannot put those feelings into words, that's fine. Others think, Pandemic. Whatever you think or feel is fine. You may feel like me because you're going through the same thing and that's fine too. Poetry can speak to you and for you. Frankly, not all writers or people can write good poetry. I'm not sure i can myself, though i continue to try. To be a good poet, you need to learn a few things. It's not easy to learn about feet or meter, rhythm and rhyme. But i learned it. I can decide on a syllable count and often just write it. I want 10 ten per line or 8 and i am usually very close to my goal. If you want to write poetry, look at the poets forum for lessons. There will be people who say you don't need them. Frankly, that makes me feel you're not serious and it's rather a slap in the face. Even free verse has rules. Or you can join the NaPoWriMo crowd. Who annually pump out what they call poetry. Forced and rarely good. I know, because i did it for 3 years i think. It becomes a job, not a labour of love. Your creativity is deadened not enhanced. But that's my opinion. So, this forum. I don't know what we'll do in here if anything but I had a few things to say this morning. So... here they are.

A place to discuss poetry for those who wish to.

Good night, friends xo

i'm so sorry to hear that, Fae. My grandmother went through a similar thing ... you'll know more tomorrow. xo

Article in the paper today about a healthy normal 19 year old who caught covid and was dead in a week. No underlying issues or anything. So, the thinking kids don't die from it isn't the case. Do you want your kid to be that rare one that does? I do not understand people who refuse to wear masks or think contact sports for their kids is a good idea.

i've heard about soaking them in soapy water which is what i do, but not heard anything about steaming them. Not sure that's necessary. I go out once a week to the grocery store that's the only time i'm near other people atm.

Wow ... i cannot believe the difference. Most parents here want more info before letting their kids back. Many wont send them and they have the option to not do so. There will be online learning. Get your flu shot as soon as you can. Michael and i will be getting them asap.

i keep my head in the box.. so it should be okay. LOL

Thank you, rick. i appreciate your thoughts xo

Sometimes meanings are clear, sometimes they are not. People who want to write what they think a poem means, can, but i've written what i feel or see. Because it is mine to do that with. Once it's posted and you read it ... it is yours. That you see or feel differently to me, or other readers doesn't make my work less.. in fact it is more and that is the beauty of art.

i think you're right, David. i am lucky to have my Husband and work. i would not want to go through this alone as some people have. Thanks for reading and for your comments. xo

thanks for posting Milton ... xoxo

most days i think there is always hope ... i hope you are doing well, thank you for your comments oxoxxo

thank you, molly ... as Michael said... you just being my friend is enough xoxo

i said this to @Wayne Gray earlier on .... i am the porg ..(poetryborg cube) I have assimilated another!!! ( @kbois hahaaha "You will be thoughtful. The porg will enlighten you. You will appreciate the gifts of the porg." (wayne said this...hahhaa)

Poetry is like art. Writing is an art, but poetry is closer to painting or sculpture than is prose. You like some, you don't like others. That's fair. I don't like all poetry and i'm a poet. People often worry about what the writer means, frankly what i meant when i wrote it matters only to me. It's what you feel or see when you read something that matters. Sometimes it takes me a few hours or days until a poem's meaning is revealed to me. I need to let the words settle in my head. You won't like it all, but don't be afraid to try it. It's not fattening at least!! Thanks for you thoughtful words. They made me smile today xoxxo

thank you chris xoxoo