Climb with me
to the top of the tallest cliff
where we will leap off
together
and fly away.
I am like you
hopeless
a romantic
terrified
and in love.
Fate
and circumstance
can either
ever
be overcome?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
No Greater Gift
There is no greater gift
that you can give another
than the gift of
unconditional
love
that you can give another
than the gift of
unconditional
love
The Planetary Orbs
The planetary orbs
will continue to spin
through time and space
my love for you
is fixed.
The shape of the wave
is a constant
but the variables of life
like you in mine
alter its intensity.
will continue to spin
through time and space
my love for you
is fixed.
The shape of the wave
is a constant
but the variables of life
like you in mine
alter its intensity.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Math, Music, Poetry, and @trreed
I am currently reading "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carrol to Jake, our 7yo. When I got to the part about the Mock Turtle I thought of a friend of mine, Thomas Reed (@trreed on Twitter) because he is a math teacher.
"The different branches of Arithmetic--Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision." ~Mock Turtle in Alice in Wonderland
On an earlier occasion I had told him that I would one day write a math poem or two for him. After reading the Mock Turtle's descriptions of his lessons, these silly couplets sprang forth:
To double you add twice as much,
Treble is a clef;
Math and music intertwine,
I think I'm going deaf.
You count the measure one to four,
Unless it has a three;
To take the measure of a man,
Is something else you see.
The numbers spiral up and down,
Don't let them catch you sleeping;
The wild ones will nip your toes,
And then you will be weeping.
Tame them all with signs and such,
Make them march around;
They'll do your bidding soon enough,
And then take you to town.
"The different branches of Arithmetic--Ambition, Distraction, Uglification, and Derision." ~Mock Turtle in Alice in Wonderland
On an earlier occasion I had told him that I would one day write a math poem or two for him. After reading the Mock Turtle's descriptions of his lessons, these silly couplets sprang forth:
To double you add twice as much,
Treble is a clef;
Math and music intertwine,
I think I'm going deaf.
You count the measure one to four,
Unless it has a three;
To take the measure of a man,
Is something else you see.
The numbers spiral up and down,
Don't let them catch you sleeping;
The wild ones will nip your toes,
And then you will be weeping.
Tame them all with signs and such,
Make them march around;
They'll do your bidding soon enough,
And then take you to town.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Insights on Art
I just finished listening to my friend, Paul E. Cooley's (of ShadowPublications.com) first con panel from ConJour, "Why Aren't Horror Movies Scary Anymore?" and I had some thoughts, not just on horror or movies but on writing and creating in general. In fact, the lessons I take away from this would probably apply to just about any form of creative endeavor.
1. Get an education in your chosen medium. Learn the history and immerse yourself in what has already been done. Figure out what you like and don't like and most importantly, why.
2. Get an education in art in general. No particular medium exists in a vacuum. Inspiration and points of reference are everywhere.
3. Have something to say. If you don't know what you are trying to express, how will you know if or when you have said it? Once you have figured out what you want to say, don't pussyfoot around; express your point of view and defend it if you have to. Then, be willing to listen to people's opinions and maybe learn from them. Art is a conversation.
4. Keep it simple. And, often, less is more. You may have a lot of things you want to express, a lot of things you want to try. That's fine, but if you try to do too much in one piece you will most likely confuse your audience or lose them entirely. Do one or two things, and do them well. Save the next couple of things for your next piece.
I have never been a huge fan of horror in the past so my personal knowledge of this genre is very limited. I am thankful that my friends have different passions and preferences from mine as interacting with them broadens my horizons. So, thank you, Paul, for the insight you and your fellow pannelists provided. Job well done.
Step outside your comfort zone. Read, listen to, watch, or experience something you usually wouldn't; make yourself think. Who knows, you just might enjoy it...
1. Get an education in your chosen medium. Learn the history and immerse yourself in what has already been done. Figure out what you like and don't like and most importantly, why.
2. Get an education in art in general. No particular medium exists in a vacuum. Inspiration and points of reference are everywhere.
3. Have something to say. If you don't know what you are trying to express, how will you know if or when you have said it? Once you have figured out what you want to say, don't pussyfoot around; express your point of view and defend it if you have to. Then, be willing to listen to people's opinions and maybe learn from them. Art is a conversation.
4. Keep it simple. And, often, less is more. You may have a lot of things you want to express, a lot of things you want to try. That's fine, but if you try to do too much in one piece you will most likely confuse your audience or lose them entirely. Do one or two things, and do them well. Save the next couple of things for your next piece.
I have never been a huge fan of horror in the past so my personal knowledge of this genre is very limited. I am thankful that my friends have different passions and preferences from mine as interacting with them broadens my horizons. So, thank you, Paul, for the insight you and your fellow pannelists provided. Job well done.
Step outside your comfort zone. Read, listen to, watch, or experience something you usually wouldn't; make yourself think. Who knows, you just might enjoy it...
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Words of Advice to a Writer
Words of advice to a writer
Working on a story
When the story in his head
Seems to want to be bigger than he had planned on:
Don't worry about what it wants to be
Let it do what it wants
You are not the story
You are just the writer
You do what it tells you
For now
Then we beat it into submission
Later
Working on a story
When the story in his head
Seems to want to be bigger than he had planned on:
Don't worry about what it wants to be
Let it do what it wants
You are not the story
You are just the writer
You do what it tells you
For now
Then we beat it into submission
Later
Saturday, March 05, 2011
From Better to Good
Moving from I want better
Through it will be better
And I'm making it better
To finally arrive at
It is good
Through it will be better
And I'm making it better
To finally arrive at
It is good
Just Clouds
Clouds slowly floating by
Cursed where swollen rivers flood
Blessed where arid soil crumbles
Either way
They are just clouds
Cursed where swollen rivers flood
Blessed where arid soil crumbles
Either way
They are just clouds
Thursday, March 03, 2011
I Have Chosen My Own Path
I have chosen
to disconnect
all the buttons
you have become so adept
at pushing
Each day
I take another step
away from you
toward him
and my future
I am still afraid
of what the future holds
but with every day that passes
and every time I hear his voice
my fear diminishes
Now, as I walk through life
I hold my head up high
and even if I stumble or fall
I see amazing things
and chose my own path
to disconnect
all the buttons
you have become so adept
at pushing
Each day
I take another step
away from you
toward him
and my future
I am still afraid
of what the future holds
but with every day that passes
and every time I hear his voice
my fear diminishes
Now, as I walk through life
I hold my head up high
and even if I stumble or fall
I see amazing things
and chose my own path
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