Two Hands

I lie awake at night

Wondering what God has in store

     for me,  for the world...

And I stop to have a little chat

Echo fears and doubts

Express joys and triumphs,

     but I'm always thankful--

The wonders never cease.

Good and bad dancing--

Some majestic waltz

     swirling up and down.

Some delicate balance,

They weave across the floor

Guiding one foot after another:

     God's two hands at work

Realizations

Yesterday the clouds came
It rained all day and all night
And everything hid in shame
Dripping, gloomy, devoid of light...

Yesterday, the sun didn't shine
The trees blocked out the light,
I thought I'd lost my mind--
My goals drifting out of sight.

Yesterday, I didn't see beauty
Lurking in corners dark,
Or understand purpose and duty
Of setbacks, the beginning spark.

Yesterday I didn't understand
The clouds proceed the sun,
Things don't go according to plan,
But the game can still be won.

Clarity Pyramid Poetry

Synopsis

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The clarity pyramid was created by Jerry Quinn. I found it interesting because it is basically a poetic description or definition of a word. A more detailed explanation of the clarity pyramid origin and structure can be found at Shadow Poetry or Popular Poetry Forms. The structure is also given below. Note, clarity pyramid poems should always be centered.

Poem Structure:

line 1: 1 syllable (title of the poem)
line 2: 2 syllables (synonym clarifying the title)
line 3: 3 syllables (another synonym for the title)

line 4: 5 syllables (based on real life event, poetically related to title)
line 5: 6 syllables (based on real life event, poetically related to title)
line 6: 7 syllables (based on real life event, poetically related to title)

line 7: 8 syllables (in quotations, a quote defining the title)

My Tips, Tricks, & Opinions

Feel free to leave your thoughts, advice, questions, etc. in the comment section below!

Achieve the Unique

Poetry is all about the usage of the right word to invoke the right mood and image--connotation is everything. In this poem you get to define the connotation of the word you are using, which means you can actually change the connotation of a word for your readers! The combination of definitive lines (1,2, and 3) followed by experiences allows for interesting possibilities where metaphors are concerned.

Stating the Obvious

If you take this style too literally, it's possible that your poem will sound like a technical dictionary definition. Line 4-6 should be used to emphasize the personal connection the author associates with the word. For example, perhaps time (or clocks) reminds you of the smell of coffee in the morning or not wanting to wake up to go to school in the morning.

What I Like

Have you ever heard a song on the radio and associated it with a particular event, place, or person? Why should words be any different? For example, the word "liable" reminds me of my grandmother. Why? I have no idea; perhaps she was the first person I ever heard use the word, or maybe it's because of how she said it. Regardless, just like songs, there are words that remind me of places, peoples, and times. I like that this form allows the expression of fusing these personal experiences into a definition of a word. I also think this would be a fun way to learn vocabulary.

Examples

Blue
June 12, 2014
BLUE
calming
tranquility

painted bedroom walls
of childhood memories
flow quick like water in my mind

"soothes like an ocean breeze"

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More Sources:

[1] Poetry Styles Book 2
[2] Shadow Poetry: Clarity Pyramid Poetry
[3] Popular Poetry Forms

Lauranelle Poetry

Synopsis

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Recent Lauranelle Poetry List

The Lauranelle was created by Laura Lamarca. It is a combination of the Villanelle and Terzanelle poetry forms. Lauranelle's are made up of 22 lines of iambic pentameter (10 syllables alternating unstressed then stressed). Lines 1 and 3 are repeated at the end of the poem in lines 21 and 22 respectively. The first 6 stanzas are tercets with rhyming first and third lines. The second line of the tercet should rhyme with the first line of the next tercet (aba bcb cdc ded efe fgf). Finally, the last four lines make up a quatrain with the repeated lines (ggaa).

My Tips, Tricks, & Opinions

Feel free to leave your thoughts and advice in the comment section below.

Overview

I've never tried to write a Terzanelle--that's still on my to do list--but I have attempted the Villanelle. The hardest thing about a Villanelle is choosing the right word for the end of a line, because you know most of the poem has to rhyme with that one word. The Terzanelle eliminates this problem, but it adds the problem of iambic pentameter. I've always struggled with iambic meter. As a southerner,I find I often pronounce words differently which throws off my stresses. For me it takes a while to get into writing iambs, particulars in pentameter (it never fails that my "complete" line only has 8 syllables). Luckily, iambic pentameter in tercets feels a little easier than iambic pentameter in couplets. For me, this is one of the trickier types, but I did like the challenge.

What I Don't Like

This is one of the styles I need lots of criticism on. Content gets lost as I struggle to keep up with both the rhyme scheme and the meter. Before I could feel comfortable with this type I think I would need an "expert" critiquing the basic style so I could concentrate on content. Overall I think this is an interesting style and perhaps as I have more time I'll perfect my iambic pentameter for this style. In the mean time, I'll probably be leaving this style on the shelf.

Examples

Coming Soon

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Sources

[1] All Poetry: Lauranelle
[2] Shadow Poetry: Lauranelle
[3] Poets Collective: Lauranelle

Days

Every day
You wake up, get out of bed
You're just trying to live life
And every day
Something happens
Something grabs you--
Makes you realize, every day
The world isn't changing
The world is standing still.
And every day
Truth is something you don't want to hear,
Truth is something that always hurts
Because every day
Human beings are not acting like
Human beings are expected to behave
And every day
Mankind is ok with killing
Mankind is ok with doing the wrong thing.
Every day
Lessons are not learned from the past
Lessons are reactive and not proactive...
Because every day
We grow further apart
We grow in stubbornness
And every day
Is a day we can't get back
Is a day we didn't move forward.

Challenge Completed

One year ago, I started "The Challenge." My goal was to get back to writing by forcing myself to write a post every day for one year. It was inevitable that I wouldn't actually be able to write every single day-- sickness and school were the most common culprits--but I managed to get a post in on most of the days and even get perfect attendance for a lot of months.

So, now, at the end of the year the question is what did the challenge accomplish? Where do I go from here?

What did the Challenge Accomplish?

I spent the first 6 months or so using a random username under my personal email account until finally deciding that yes I do want to be a successful writer and yes that part of my life will have to be separate from my current field of study (Computer Science, for the curious). Now I have an official pen-name as well as an official email address and website for said pen-name. 

I also remembered that the only way you actually get better is receive critiques, try new things, and converse with other writers. I joined several poetry groups and while I have't been as active as I'd like to be, it's a start. I tried a few new styles of poetry (see the More On Poetry tab for details)--I even created a style all to my own.

I discovered that I have more free time than I previously thought. This discovery will hopefully push me to finish the two books I'm currently working on as well!

Where Do I Go From Here?

I love to write so its safe to say I won't be abandoning the blog. That being said, I recognize that some of my posts during the challenge were not of great quality as they were rushed or I didn't feel like spirit of writing at the time. Not requiring myself to post everyday will allow me to eliminate those kind of posts. My goal is to post at least weekly (though this semester I should be starting my proposal so I may become sparse near the end of the year).

Overall, it's been a great experience. Thanks to those of you who followed along, supported, gave feedback, etc. I look forward to continuing to grow, continuing the blog, and continuing to interact with all of you!

30 Before 30

I saw an entire blog dedicated to 30 things someone wanted to accomplish before her 30th birthday. Well I've got quite a few years before I turn 30, but I thought it would be interesting and a good time to start thinking about it. So here is my list (in no particular order):

1. Buy my own home (house/condo/townhouse)
2. Visit other countries
3. Publish a book
4. Finish my PhD
5. Go snorkeling
6. Attempt surfing
7. Find the right job
8. Switch back to a manual car
9. Visit the west coast
10. Ride the roller coasters at Cedar Point
11. Reproduce my aunt's macaroni & cheese
12. Pay off my student loan--or at least most of it
13. Become involved with my community (where ever that may be)
14. Find a manageable hair washing schedule
15. Improve my grammar skills
16. Be able to identify more constellations than the big/little dipper and orion's belt
17. Take vacations
18. Learn to fry turkey
19. Do something for new years
20. Go on a safari
21. Make progress on my family tree before my great-grandparents
22. Go to a wine tasting
23. Sew a quilt
24. Join a community band
25. Attend a Cirque du Soleil performance
26. Take a hike through nature
27. Go on a hot air balloon ride
28. See the northern lights in person
29. Take up some form of meditational martial arts
30. Stand under a waterfall

This Too Shall Pass

Nothing easy makes you happy,
     nothing hard makes you smile--
Sometimes tears have to be shed,
They create the river on which the yacht floats.
Can you imagine?
That moment when you board,
Ripples softly rocking
Smooth sailing under blue skies
But time spilled building that river
Hours, days, years just water
Unstable waves shifting...
Everything is moving, adjusting
     everything feels about to sink
But the truth is, everything floats.

Mind Games

Fear,
A reaction to the unknown
An instinct that drives
Heighten emotions
Blocks out the logical
Makes way for paranoia
Deceit, lies, fear...
They keep each other well
And the brain plays their game
A pawn--
In a match against
Itself.

World of Worlds

Dull gray bag
Tagging behind
A weary traveller
Juggling her things
And I wonder--
Should I help?

What's in the suitcase
Clothes and books--
Weapons and drugs?
If I help will I die
Because this is the world
We live in today...

Friendly faces
Once helped me
But I'm afraid--
Scared of the world
Around me
Stuck. Wondering
Should I help?

Moment of Truth: The Length Check

Most people who step away from relaxers to go natural set hair goals, and one of those goals is usually length related. When I decided to go natural, I wasn't particularly unhappy with the length of my hair so I didn't think about how long I wanted my hair to grow. Of course, any curly girl can tell you, once the shrinkage hits, length becomes a major concern. Even though your hair is below your shoulders, it may shrink to your ears! My overall goal is for my hair to appear the length it was when I started the natural journey in December 2010 (wow! almost 4 years now).

Needless to say, since my goal is for a length appearance and not a particular physical length, I don't often check the stretched length of my hair. Today, however I stretched a hair absentmindedly and became curious.So I did a length check. 

My hair grows in layers naturally so I have 3 lengths. The longest is just past BSL (bra strap length) almost to MDL (mid back length). The middle layer is about APL (armpit length) and the shortest is SL shoulder length. The longest layer currently appears the length I want it to; it doesn't shrink much though. As I'm waiting for the rest to catch up, I'm starting to hate the amount of conditioner it takes to wash that much hair. We'll see how I feel when I get there.

Are you on a hair journey? How are your goals going? I always say healthy hair first, but hopefully you're having luck on both fronts! Feel free to comment on your hair goals, struggles/successes, etc.

Hair chart reference for the curious.

Concrete Poetry

Synopsis

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Tips & Tricks

Recent Concrete Poetry List

In concrete poetry (also known as visual poetry), the visual presentation of words is equally as important as the words. Often, the words are structured and formatted such that they create a picture relating to the topic of the poem--such as a love poem in the shape of a heart. This form of poetry is often introduced early in childhood and is fun to experiment with.

Image from deviantart wallpapers

My Tips, Tricks, & Opinions

Feel free to leave your opinions, tricks, questions, etc. in the comment section below.

Tricky Situations

There are two keys to visual poetry: choosing the best image or shape and crafting just the right number of letters and spaces. With concrete poetry, there is the constant warring of the visual image and the poetic flow of the words. What may be the perfect word or phrase poetically, may not fit the image you are trying to create. Early on, the easiest solution is to sacrifice one for the other, but practice allows for mastery in both. When I write concrete poetry, I usually keep a thesaurus on hand for tight situations.

What I Like

This is one of my favorite poetic forms (and I'm still working on mastering this style). The potential to express both verbally and visually is quite fascinating. It's fun to create, not to mention the amount of pride you feel when your poem actually makes the image you were attempting to create!

Examples

Square
June 25, 2014
Boring--the sound
of your voice now
and forever, rings
hollow--in a room
Your voice shrinks.

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Code Form Poetry

Synopsis

Examples

On the Site

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Recent Code Form Poetry List

I actually made this style of poetry up myself (or at least I thought of it and haven't seen it any where else...). The structure of these poems is meant to merge computer programming language syntax with poetic meaning. Since there are a variety of programing languages there are an abundance of ways to structure a code form poem. Many of those I have included on the site are styled after C, MATLAB, or pseudo-code.

My Tips, Tricks, & Opinions

Feel free to share your thoughts, opinions, and questions in the comments section below.

Something Different

Many programmers prefer text editors that provide syntax highlighting--this feature eases the programming process by allowing the programmer to easily differentiate keywords, comments, and variables. This method can be added to the poem as well to emphasize the meaning of the work and to authenticate the style. Using this method you can add less choppy (ie more poetic) phrases in the style of commenting and/or call the reader's attention to a particular set of words.

But Something Familiar

As a computer scientist, I know all too well that code can quickly become unreadable. Bending the tranditional syntax may be necessary to clarify meaning and readers who have no background in programming may not appreciate this style. So far only my science-y friends have commented or given feedback on my poems of this style and I can't say for certain that someone outside of this background will understand much less enjoy this style.

What I Like

This style brings out the nerd in me. It's unique and it seeks to express emotion in terms of logic, which is a nice challenge.

Examples

Function of Love
June 24, 2014
function ( love ):
     love = time and effort;
     if ( love multiplies )
          love = friendship;
     while ( love )
          life = happiness;
end

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Acrostic Poetry

More Synopsis

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On the Site

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Recent Acrostic Poetry List

Acrostics are one of the more commonly known poetry types--I was taught to write on of these in pre-school. For specific details on how they are written, see [Shadow Poetry], [Young Writers], or [Poets.org].

Amazingly this form of poetry dates all the way back to at least biblical times. Psalms 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145, part of Lamentations, as well as Proverbs 31:10-31 are acrostics (in Hebrew of course). More advanced versions of the acrostic can be produced by adding hidden words else where in the poem as well, such as at the end of the line or in the middle of the line. A particularly complex example can be seen in "Behold, O God!" by William Browne.

My Tips, Tricks, & Opinions

Feel free to comment below with your opinions and/or questions about this style.

Achieve the Unique

The coolest part of acrostic poems is the ability to hide messages within a message. Playing around with where the message is contained, doubling messages (such as repeated a word or phrase via both the first and last letters of a line) can be both fun and rewarding. Using more complex structures allows for more intricacy and deeper meanings in your poems.

But Lookout For...

The tricky part of acrostic poems--for me of course--is making sure the poem doesn't sound or feel juvenile. Often I find myself needing to use unnecessary words to maintain the structure or breaking lines at awkward places to ensure the next line starts with the correct word. It's probably best to stay away from words that contain letters which are hard to find at the beginning of words (like X). Including letters like this make it difficult to maintain the natural flow of the poem.

Why I Like It

Acrostic poems remind me of my childhood. The combination of their simplicity mixed with the possibilities for more complex poems represents the journey of growth in poetry to me. This translates in to the deeper meaning of the poem. I also love seeing people's reactions when they realize (usually they have to be told) that there is a message or a word spelled out within the poem. It's like a secret or a present for the readers who know to look.

Examples

Simple Example:

Fun
June 5, 2014
Future events waiting for
Us to explore
Non-stop, never-ending joy

Alphabetical Acrostic Example

A Thought
October 28, 2005
Above all things in the world,
Beneath the hardships and pains of a girl,
Caress the tears that fall aside
Deep in the craters of a hard life.
Earn every step that you take, because
     Frauds only add to the heartbreak--
     Granted, there are no shortcuts--
Handle things with heart and soul, for
Idle minds never reach their goal.
     Justice waits for those it seeks,
     Knee-deep in the pressures of each week.
          Love the speckled wonders of the sky,
          Mirror their glitter in your eye--
Notice the things around you, and
Openly confess the things you do.
     Persevere when all is lost,
Quitters are left with only cost
          Remember me, my fae, my struggles, my fears
     Sing softly into my listening ears,
          Tell me your secrets, joys and pains
Understand my need to break free of these chains.
Value me, no matter the cause
     Without question, without thought or pause.
          X-rays of feelings will emerge
               Yearning hate and fear to surge
                    Zealously crying out their soft dirge.

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Other Sources

[1] How to Write an Acrostic Poem
[2] Studies on the Hebrew Alphabet: Acrostics
[3] Psalms 119 Hebrew with English Translation
[4] Proverbs 31:10-31 Hebrew with English Translations
[5] "Behold, O God!" by William Browne

The Banana Split

Strawberry--the starting point:

Sweet and sensational,

With small chunks of fruit

Smoothing out the taste...

Safe...

Vanilla, covered in fudge 

Velvety and voracious

So plain, but vital to the mix

Vapid in its plainness

Victorious...

Chocolate--the cherry on top

Complex and complete

A careful embrace of taste-buds,

Carefree and delightfully refreshing,

Comforting.

Lost Children

Where have they gone?
Wide eyed innocent faces
Suddenly replaced with hostile gazes,
Playing tricks and putting on--
These so called sweet lads
With foul mouth and tongue:
Fresh faced, agile and young
Struggle to keep up with changing fads
Speak angry words for no apparent reason
Who are these wannabe thugs
Hiding behind facades unplugged
Giving way to this open season...
And who forgot to tell
These young ears are not safe
The targets of fire and strafe,
Of this image we can not dispel?
Common sense is a thing of old,
Lost to these young minds
Precious lives wasted, but reminds
Of bodies lying cold.

Hollow

Dirty mushy goop
Clogging up my insides
Until I scooped the muck away
Now I'm hollow to the core
Hollow, inside and out
Hollow in my heart--
I let go of harmful things
Stopped swallowing poison
Sacrificed being full, for sanity.
Cleared away the stupidity
Brushed away the cobwebs of pain
Left my inner self squeaky and clean.
Now there's room there, inside of me
Room to grow and to learn
Room for positivity.

Empty Dressers

All that glitters isn't gold,
But the glint of the jewels
Reflecting in the sun upon my dresser...
     diamonds are forever.
And I can enjoy those jewels
Knowing they won't last forever...
Pretend for a second
     my closet is endless...
Tiny crystals on chandeliers
Glamorous and flashy--
I'm have it all to spare
     if only in my dreams.
And its OK for the moment
To stop and imagine
To enjoy and to lavish
      dreams sparkle like gold.

Brave Girl

Brave girl,
Careful not to glance back--
The beauty of childhood
You must leave behind
Bend to the will of work
And fight for your freedom;
The choice is not easy:
Growing up
It is not for the faint...
Remember who you are,
Change is ever present;
Know where you've been
Root yourself in a direction
And move forward
Every step you take--
It will not be easy
But believe in you
And succeed.

Inspiration from one of my favorite movies: Spirited Away

As the Rain Falls

Warmth surrounds
As the rain falls
Cold and wet drops
Gray skies overhead--
But the sun shines on me
And I embrace the pitter-patter
Constant and comforting;
A smile creeps on my face
As the rain falls.

Look at the sky
As the rain falls
Muted light illuminates
Soft billowing clouds
Pass me by
But I watch in peace
As drops trickle down my face
Refreshing and cool
I enjoy the change of pace
As the rain falls.

Fear & Curiosity

I was afraid of the dark,
Of what lurked in the shadows
But something compelled me
To venture out and chase answers...
Follow the shapes outside my window--
Quietly, holding my breath
Light steps, the gentle trod of dainty feet
And I'm more scared
Of being caught...

But I have to know.

The glow of lanterns pass
And the forest's shadow lingers
Drapes itself over my eyes--
Shapes blend to bark and leaf--
The panicked thought
Of losing my way,
And I fear I won't make it back

But I had to know.

What secret did these shapes share
Here in the dark of the night
Away from the city lights aglow;
Here, where dangers prowled
And we were nothing but prey--
Or was it all a lie...
A fable meant to cage us in?
The silence of the stalking
Scares me most...

But I need to know.

Crackle,
The sound of footsteps
Crunchy atop fallen leaves
Heavy and meancing behind me--
A predator enjoying my scent?
Bravery comes at odd times;
Should I be afraid to scream,
But I can't feel the fear,
I only see shadows,
Shapes before me disappear...

And now I know.

Book Review: The Way of Shadows

The Way of Shadows

by Brent Weeks

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book up. The Way of Shadows is the first book in the Night Angel Trilogy and follows Azoth (who later takes on the name Kylar Stern) and Durzo Blint. Azoth is poor, an orphan and has only two friends. The three of them are members of a guild and steal to survive. Like most crime organizations, Azoth has to report to the guild fist (the head honcho of the guild who beats those who don't pay or step out of line). Confrontations arise when Azoth attempts to become the apprentice of Durzo Blint, the best assassin (known as wetboys in the novel) in the city. Azoth soon finds tragedy has struck his only friends, which changes everything. Azoth takes on the world of magic and murder becoming entangled in the unforeseen politics of the city.

What I Like

The book does a wonderful job of submerging you into its setting. Once you begin reading, you feel like you're standing on the street or in the shadows with the characters. The characters while obviously not good guys are complex (and likeable) enough that makes you wonder.

What I Don't Like

As I said, The Way of Shadows  is book one of three, which means after 645 pages, you're left hanging off a cliff and there two more books approximately the same size waiting for you. I began the second book shortly after the first and it hasn't kept me nearly as engrossed in the story as the first book.

Overall

If you like action, this is definitely a book I would recommend (I'd also like to see it turned into a movie!). I will caution you that while it took me about two days to finish The Way of Shadows its been about 6 or 7 months since I picked up the sequel Shadow's Edge and I'm not even half-way through the book (granted I've been busy), so you may be disappointed by the follow up.

The Will to Reach

Every day a new idea--
Colors, words, images...
All spinning in my head
And I can't keep up.
I'm running as fast as I can
Plucking the berries within
Reach.

A vision of a lifetime--
Dreams, goals, desires...
Co-mingling with ideals
I can't quite piece together
So many limitations exist
So far out of my
Reach.

Well thought out plans--
Checklists, mazes, roadmaps...
Built beneath my feet
And I can't take the credit
But I'm following the path
With my arms continuing to
Reach.

When the Sun Rises

Out of my window, I see light break the shadow

Colors burst across the sky

A show of light entertaining my eye;

Gone away the cloud's endless white

The battle scars of the colors' fight

Stain the clouds if only for a while

To bring me the joys of a smile.

And though I know they'll soon pass away

I wish in vain for the colors to stay--

Break from mundane, oh beautiful skies in my window pane.

Rooted in my Dreams

People tell you to reach for the stars

Spread your arms to the sky

     and grab your dreams,

But the oak tree's strength

Lies in its roots--

Rooted in the ground, it stands

Strong, tall, proud...

     it falters not

     it lives long.

The Necklace

When I was in elementary school there was Native American owned store down the road from my house--I was dying to learn how they made their jewelry and my mom knew one of the ladies... She taught me the art of loom beading (of course now they have YouTube for these things) which was really awesome. I made a ton of jewelry from that point up through middle school. I even won a state-wide jewelry competition and received the honor of competing nationally!

Some time ago, I saw a necklace that upon first look was loom stitched and pretty neat. As I sat down to plan it out, I became quite confused at how they were able to taper off the ends of the rectangular loom stitch to create a diamond shape. The stubbornness in me refused to give up on the design, so I taught myself the brick stitch about two weeks ago. 

With all things, nothing ever turns out exactly the way you imagine. Mine came out a bit bigger than I'd hoped, but overall I found that I enjoy the brick stitch, which seems to be a bit sturdier, but also more time consuming than the loom stitch. Regardless, creating this necklace has rekindled my love for crafting jewelry and I hope to continue making pieces--I've thought of some interesting designs of my own as well.  Perhaps I'll post them to the blog.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.