Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Poem. Feng Shui

Feng Shui

I looked for some loopholes
marveling how a little
convex mirror over
the front door
could drive away 
the bad chops of a 
neighbor or passerby.

I marveled at how 
a handful of rice thrown
high in the air could
cleanse and bolster my
health and peace 
of mind.

If I am at the stove
my back is to the door.
I need a mirror to see behind
or a chime hung with
ribbons in multiples of 9
to protect me while I
stir the soup.

Chi can escape down
your toliet
or sink.
So keep the bathroom 
door closed
and the seat
down.

Signature's 2017 Ultimate Writing Guide - Signature Reads

Signature's 2017 Ultimate Writing Guide - Signature Reads

Monday, October 30, 2017

100 Word Story. The CUE word given was POINT

Shena was the unfortunate victim of a birth defect. Although perfect in every other way, her head came to a sharp point.

Teased at school without mercy or care for her condition, Shena would hide her deformity with a large, Afro wig or a thickly knitted, wool cap when she ventured out.

Her teen years were painful, and she had little hope of finding employment or a life partner.

Shena turned down dozens of lucrative offers to headline in sideshows, but made an excellent, sustainable, living, as she became the object of desire and devotion to thousands of Hollywood fetishists.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Home • (b)OINK

Home • (b)OINK We publish first-rate, experimental, edgy, dark and fun fiction, poetry, CNF and a monthly column called VOICES.

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Saturday, June 17, 2017

100 Word Stories, given the cue word "SHELL"

I came out of my shell when I turned 80. I was a shy girl for so many unhappy and unfulfilled years. Things changed when I learned how to write and when I adopted a pack of miniature, Italian greyhounds. I struggled with the writing, joined a couple of writing workshops, and soon found my afternoons filled with joy and new adventures. I designed costumes for my dogs, and matching outfits for myself.
Last Saturday, while at a local farm supply store, I made some new friends. Today, I am joining them in their commune at the edge of town.
2.
The Shell, as described by The Master, is opaque film we surround ourselves with when our state of mind is disturbed by words and actions of the lesser species. The shell ultimately shields us from the doltish words and thoughts of those that are primarily occupied with their own, imagined greatness. Many of these beings have hypnotized themselves, and they believe they are skilled, imaginative, and far beyond their adopted minions. Under this haze of delusion, they find their way to lead many by sheer persistence and intimidation. I find this a common trait of office managers and popular bloggers.
3.
At the beach a few years ago, I held a large, pink, conch shell to my ear. I was surprised by the grand sound that emanated from the conch. It was the London Symphony, I’m sure. It was O Fortuna by Carmina Burana. I was stricken. I was dizzy. I stumbled and lost my balance. I called out to my friend, nearby, to come and listen to the shell. I put the shell to her ear, and her face lit up. She laughed. She was listening to Chelsea Clinton describe the correlation of diabetes and childhood marriage with climate change.

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Thoreau's green desk.

Thoreau paid a DOLLAR for this writing desk that he used for years and years.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

two of the saddest words in the English language

The late Carrie Fisher said two of the saddest words in the English language were "what party?"  

Friday, April 28, 2017

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

FOURTH FRIDAY READINGS

FOURTH FRIDAY READINGS
Friday, April 28, 2016 – 6:30 pm

At The Lodge (Media Room)

660 Evergreen Farm Way (off 5th Avenue), Sequim
FEATURING
CRAIG ANDREWS
Plus 5-Minute Open Mic Reading

Thursday, March 9, 2017

100 Word Story. The assigned cue word is DRY

He was an expert at promotions and artistic events, 
and his next exercise would be at one of his favorite 
coffee houses. 

He asked the owner permission, and was 
given the go-ahead to throw a 
dry humor party.

The dry humor wit describes the act of 
displaying a lack of, or 
no emotion. Delivery is meant 
to be blunt and sarcastic.

The exercise would be by invitation only,
and those that wished to participate would
 join with the regular patrons, not indicating 
their participation. 

They would speak a little louder than usual 
so everyone attending would be able to hear.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

POETRY 2014 — IWP

POETRY 2014 — IWP

This MOOC-Pack provides the core content of our past MOOC How Writers Write Poetry 2014.

MOOC-Packs — IWP

MOOC-Packs — IWP







If
you have ever wanted to browse the archives of our past massive open
online courses, the MOOC-Pack Library is the place to go. You are
invited to use the MOOC-Packs to teach a class or lead a discussion
group in your area. And you are very welcome to use them on your own to
further your personal writing and educational goals.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

We Real Cool BY GWENDOLYN BROOKS

        The Pool Players.
        Seven at the Golden Shovel.


            We real cool. We
   
            Left school. We



            Lurk late. We

            Strike straight. We



            Sing sin. We  
 
            Thin gin. We



            Jazz June. We 
  
            Die soon.  

Imagism

These principles are not new; they have fallen into desuetude. They are the essentials of all great poetry, indeed of all great literature, and they are simply these:—

  1. To use the language of common speech, but to employ always the exact word, not the nearly-exact, nor the merely decorative word.
  2. To create new rhythms—as the expression of new moods—and not to copy old rhythms, which merely echo old moods. We do not insist on "free-verse" as the only method of writing poetry. We fight for it as for a principle of liberty. We believe that the individuality of a poet may often be better expressed in free-verse than in conventional forms. In poetry, a new cadence means a new idea.
  3. To allow absolute freedom in the choice of subject. It is not good art to write badly about aeroplanes and automobiles; nor is it necessarily bad art to write well about the past. We believe passionately in the artistic value of modern life, but we wish to point out that there is nothing so uninspiring nor so old-fashioned as an aeroplane of the year 1911.
  4. To present an image (hence the name: "Imagist"). We are not a school of painters, but we believe that poetry should render particulars exactly and not deal in vague generalities, however magnificent and sonorous. It is for this reason that we oppose the cosmic poet, who seems to us to shirk the real difficulties of art.
  5. To produce poetry that is hard and clear, never blurred nor indefinite.
  6. Finally, most of us believe that concentration is of the very essence of poetry.


Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Movie: Paterson by Jim Jarmusch

Starring Adam Driver as Paterson. Every poet should see this film, as I guarantee the quality and substance of the film about a poet and his work in Paterson, New Jersey. Read what the Internet Movie Database has to say, here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5247022/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Fwd: Fourth Friday Readings - Mark Your Calendar


FOURTH FRIDAY READINGS
Friday, January 27, 2017 - 6:30 pm
at The Lodge (Medial Room)
660 Evergreen Farm Way (off 5h Avenue), Sequim
FEATURING
HARLEY DAVIDSON AND CLAIRE NAKAGAWARA
plus 5-MinutE Open Mic Readings
Bring poems, short-stories or memoir/novel snippets.
Rehearse in advance. Readings are timed.
Sing In to Read.
Guidelines available:  heidi@olypen.com
Arrive early for coffee and snack at The Espresso Bistro
Sponsored by Writers on the Spit