Poems...come share your work.

[Kast]

It seems, at first glance, that he's a storyteller of sorts. Everyone loves a good story and I'm sure back in the times of old - these were the people that would stand around the fire at night and amuse, earn their keep by reciting a 'yarn', and were very much loved in the community... (gosh, my imagination - can someone catch it! - it's running down the path there...) lol

"Instructions
by Neil Gaiman

Touch the wooden gate in the wall you never
saw before.

Say "please" before you open the latch,
go through,
walk down the path.

A red metal imp hangs from the green-painted
front door,
as a knocker,
do not touch it; it will bite your fingers.

Walk through the house. Take nothing. Eat
nothing.

However, if any creature tells you that it hungers,
feed it.

If it tells you that it is dirty,
clean it.

If it cries to you that it hurts,
if you can,
ease its pain.

From the back garden you will be able to see the
wild wood.

The deep well you walk past leads to Winter's
realm;
there is another land at the bottom of it.

If you turn around here,
you can walk back, safely;
you will lose no face. I will think no less of you.

Once through the garden you will be in the
wood.
The trees are old. Eyes peer from the under-
growth.

Beneath a twisted oak sits an old woman. She
may ask for something;
give it to her. She
will point the way to the castle.

Inside it are three princesses.

Do not trust the youngest. Walk on.

In the clearing beyond the castle the twelve
months sit about a fire,
warming their feet, exchanging tales.

They may do favors for you, if you are polite.
You may pick strawberries in December's frost.
Trust the wolves, but do not tell them where
you are going.

The river can be crossed by the ferry. The ferry-
man will take you.

(The answer to his question is this:

If he hands the oar to his passenger, he will be free to
leave the boat.

Only tell him this from a safe distance.)

If an eagle gives you a feather, keep it safe.

Remember: that giants sleep too soundly; that
witches are often betrayed by their appetites;
dragons have one soft spot, somewhere, always;
hearts can be well-hidden,
and you betray them with your tongue.

Do not be jealous of your sister.
Know that diamonds and roses
are as uncomfortable when they tumble from
one's lips as toads and frogs:
colder, too, and sharper, and they cut.

Remember your name.
Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found.

Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped
to help you in their turn.

Trust dreams.

Trust your heart, and trust your story.

When you come back, return the way you came.
Favors will be returned, debts will be repaid.

Do not forget your manners.
Do not look back.
Ride the wise eagle (you shall not fall).
Ride the silver fish (you will not drown).
Ride the grey wolf (hold tightly to his fur).

There is a worm at the heart of the tower; that is
why it will not stand.

When you reach the little house, the place your
journey started,
you will recognize it, although it will seem
much smaller than you remember.

Walk up the path, and through the garden gate
you never saw before but once.

And then go home. Or make a home.

And rest."

[Kast]

Looking for something else, I found this:

Helping writers get inspired and find places to publish. Find calls for submissions, contests, journals accepting work, and publishers.

http://www.placesforwriters.com/


Places a writer writes from - Past and Present Tense:

http://tabwriter.blogspot.de/2011/02...ent-tense.html

"But if we mix the two, we get the best of both worlds. We get the reflection and the wisdom that comes with it, plus the immediacy of how the character is feeling at the time she’s telling the story. A definite win-win for both reader and writer. "


http://tabwriter.blogspot.de/p/artic...-and-lots.html

[cinderella]

I totally disagree with that analyzer - I don't write anything like this. I don't feel any rhythm or flow in his poem.

Originally Posted by Kast

It seems, at first glance, that he's a storyteller of sorts. Everyone loves a good story and I'm sure back in the times of old - these were the people that would stand around the fire at night and amuse, earn their keep by reciting a 'yarn', and were very much loved in the community... (gosh, my imagination - can someone catch it! - it's running down the path there...) lol

"Instructions
by Neil Gaiman

Touch the wooden gate in the wall you never
saw before.

Say "please" before you open the latch,
go through,
walk down the path.

A red metal imp hangs from the green-painted
front door,
as a knocker,
do not touch it; it will bite your fingers.

Walk through the house. Take nothing. Eat
nothing.

However, if any creature tells you that it hungers,
feed it.

If it tells you that it is dirty,
clean it.

If it cries to you that it hurts,
if you can,
ease its pain.

From the back garden you will be able to see the
wild wood.

The deep well you walk past leads to Winter's
realm;
there is another land at the bottom of it.

If you turn around here,
you can walk back, safely;
you will lose no face. I will think no less of you.

Once through the garden you will be in the
wood.
The trees are old. Eyes peer from the under-
growth.

Beneath a twisted oak sits an old woman. She
may ask for something;
give it to her. She
will point the way to the castle.

Inside it are three princesses.

Do not trust the youngest. Walk on.

In the clearing beyond the castle the twelve
months sit about a fire,
warming their feet, exchanging tales.

They may do favors for you, if you are polite.
You may pick strawberries in December's frost.
Trust the wolves, but do not tell them where
you are going.

The river can be crossed by the ferry. The ferry-
man will take you.

(The answer to his question is this:

If he hands the oar to his passenger, he will be free to
leave the boat.

Only tell him this from a safe distance.)

If an eagle gives you a feather, keep it safe.

Remember: that giants sleep too soundly; that
witches are often betrayed by their appetites;
dragons have one soft spot, somewhere, always;
hearts can be well-hidden,
and you betray them with your tongue.

Do not be jealous of your sister.
Know that diamonds and roses
are as uncomfortable when they tumble from
one's lips as toads and frogs:
colder, too, and sharper, and they cut.

Remember your name.
Do not lose hope — what you seek will be found.

Trust ghosts. Trust those that you have helped
to help you in their turn.

Trust dreams.

Trust your heart, and trust your story.

When you come back, return the way you came.
Favors will be returned, debts will be repaid.

Do not forget your manners.
Do not look back.
Ride the wise eagle (you shall not fall).
Ride the silver fish (you will not drown).
Ride the grey wolf (hold tightly to his fur).

There is a worm at the heart of the tower; that is
why it will not stand.

When you reach the little house, the place your
journey started,
you will recognize it, although it will seem
much smaller than you remember.

Walk up the path, and through the garden gate
you never saw before but once.

And then go home. Or make a home.

And rest."

[SingularNYCFemme]

Just posting this here to share it.

There is a lurching within
to realize that plates have shifted
beneath the ground on which I walk
my daily walk

The world seems less safe now
so many people less
all right
so many actions
so wrong

Breathe
I whisper to myself
deep and long
through the days and nights
with resurgence waiting
around a bend or two

Breathe and learn to be
resplendent in self
abide in the truths of
what was before
what is now
open these hands to
work and the world

[luv2luvgirls]

Thanks to the ones who posted links on analyzing your poems.. I really enjoyed seeing whom I write like

[SingularNYCFemme]

Based on the above poem, I write like David Foster Wallace. I find that fascinating and a real compliment.

[luv2luvgirls]

Originally Posted by SingularNYCFemme

Based on this poem, I write like David Foster Wallace.

cool! his name came up on one of mine as well.. just dont remember which one

that is a lovely poem

[SingularNYCFemme]

Originally Posted by luv2luvgirls

cool! his name came up on one of mine as well.. just dont remember which one

that is a lovely poem

Thank you so much. I edited it because I thought it was a bit much to quote a poem that was already posted right above that revelation. I like that different poems have different results; to me it indicates fluidity and movement in style and form. I need to go back and read some of your poems soon!

[Estella]

Our F&B Director asked me to write a preemptive thank-you to his department for what they're going to go through on Thursday, and this is what I came up with. If you've ever worked in the food industry, maybe this will resonate.


As the diners in (our restaurant) all relax and sip their wine,
They’re chatting with their loved ones and enjoying their time,
While the clink of glass and silver and the crackle of the fire
Ensure all feel warm and welcome, with everything they could desire.
And upstairs in the condos the hosts all beam with pride,
As their guests enjoy their turkeys with whatever’s on the side.
And even in the Ballroom there are families tucked away,
To indulge in all we offer on this extraordinary day.

It’s Thanksgiving at (fancy hotel) – on the surface it’s serene
With the city’s finest service and food fit for a king.
But peeling back the layers you don’t have to look too far
To get a clearer sense of just how nuts things really are:

The Kitchen staff is buzzing, from the heat and the caffeine,
Pastry’s hip deep in flour, but they insist it’s just routine.
Banquets are professionals, who consistently amaze,
Stewarding are troopers – but they haven’t slept in days.
And the Servers? Well, they’re smiling but they look like they’re in shock -
And the turkeys are already running for the loading dock.
It’s the ultimate team effort, with credit shared by all -
And there goes (Sous Chef), chasing turkeys down the hall.

If you ask me what I’m thankful for on this November day
It’s the care and dedication that you show in every way.
Only a team like ours could deliver such a feat
While making it look seamless, like you do this every week.
But what’s even more impressive is the attitude you bring
As you’re smiling through the chaos, and perfecting everything,
And doing unto others, as you would have done to you -
So thank you for your service, and Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.