Suzzette Dawes's Blog, page 10
September 19, 2015
Writing Haikus Hollywood Artwalk 9/19/15
Still a hot evening
No breeze but humidity
At Hollywood Artwalk
Even the trees are still
Not swaying with a soft breeze
The last of summer
Waiting for the cool
And students are back in school
Autumn will be soon
Watching cars go by
A dark, cloud-filled evening sky
Bringing waves of calm
It was so humid
Sweat dripped off me like rain
Later the rain came
Playing in the rain
Catching droplets on his face
These last summer days
The night echoes with sound
Shrieking crowd scatters, drumming stops
With the sudden rain
Young lovers kissing
After the rain has stopped
After the movie
Copyright 2015 Suzzette Dawes
No breeze but humidity
At Hollywood Artwalk
Even the trees are still
Not swaying with a soft breeze
The last of summer
Waiting for the cool
And students are back in school
Autumn will be soon
Watching cars go by
A dark, cloud-filled evening sky
Bringing waves of calm
It was so humid
Sweat dripped off me like rain
Later the rain came
Playing in the rain
Catching droplets on his face
These last summer days
The night echoes with sound
Shrieking crowd scatters, drumming stops
With the sudden rain
Young lovers kissing
After the rain has stopped
After the movie
Copyright 2015 Suzzette Dawes
September 12, 2015
Art & Poetry
It was so cool reading poetry in an art gallery. I am grateful to Broward Art Guild and everyone who showed up on Saturday. So many good poems were read. Sally was on a romantic theme with her selections. Ellen had romance in her selections of poems. It really fit the whole human exhibits. Rick gave us his money poems. Mara was environmental in her poetry theme. I especially liked Lenny's second poem because it reminded me of the fine print of pharmaceutical yet he was talking about a poem. Sue gave us a poem about the TSA which I still recall with a chuckle. I wish I was better at recalling some of the lines so I could share but I really believe it would be better if you were there.
Here's one of my mind that I read:
Here's one of my mind that I read:
September 5, 2015
On Rhyming
What's wrong with rhyming? Modern poets seem to frown on poems that rhymes comparing them to nursery rhymes. But what do I remember more? Which is more memorable? Their poems or nursery rhymes?
Don't get me wrong: I do enjoy the imagery and other techniques of modern poetry but I still enjoy some rhyme. In fact, I love recognizing form and literary devices. When the rhyme is not forced, I find the poem divine. When I write, I don't always rhyme or use a form (not that I don't thrive to) as I mostly go with the flow.
Yet most of the poetry I remember from high school had rhyme. It made it easier to memorize. I recall Rudyard Kipling's "The Secret of the Machines." It was a long poem but I memorized it as part of the speech choir.
Maybe as I age, my memorization skill has faded so it's hard to recall memorable lines in modern poetry (sorry Ezra Pound, T.S. Elliott and Amy Lowell).
In my poem this week, I used repetition, imagery and some rhyme. Do you recognize any other forms or literary techniques? If yes, share in the comments below:
Don't get me wrong: I do enjoy the imagery and other techniques of modern poetry but I still enjoy some rhyme. In fact, I love recognizing form and literary devices. When the rhyme is not forced, I find the poem divine. When I write, I don't always rhyme or use a form (not that I don't thrive to) as I mostly go with the flow.
Yet most of the poetry I remember from high school had rhyme. It made it easier to memorize. I recall Rudyard Kipling's "The Secret of the Machines." It was a long poem but I memorized it as part of the speech choir.
Maybe as I age, my memorization skill has faded so it's hard to recall memorable lines in modern poetry (sorry Ezra Pound, T.S. Elliott and Amy Lowell).
In my poem this week, I used repetition, imagery and some rhyme. Do you recognize any other forms or literary techniques? If yes, share in the comments below:
August 29, 2015
Kokeshi Dreams
Friday was the opening reception and Art Exhibit "Dark Chocolate Japan" at Sunrise Civic Ctr. 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise, FL 33351. Carlos Aleman was the only artist exhibiting but he gave a nice variety although all Japanese influenced. He worked with various media including paper mâché, acrylics and other media.
My favorite pieces are the Kokeshi pieces:
Some recurring themes include space ships and tentacles such as in Attack, Wrapped Up in Tentacles and Encounter.
I got a chance to meet Catlos and asked only two questions. He was very nice. Here are my qJest ions:: How long will the display be here? Until October 10thDid you use any models? No, it was just imagination.
I was surprised because in some of the art, the faces seem so realistic.
Overall impressionI loved the style, vivid colors and Japanese influence. Some paintings had a surreal feel but with realistic touches even the one that resembled a graphic novel. I could easily see this exhibit fitting in at nearby Morikami gallery.
If you can't make the art exhibit, check out his website at carlosaleman.com.
In honor of this exhibit, here's my first attempt at a tanka (Tanka is non-rhyming Japanese poetry form composed in five lines, in 5-7-5-7-7 format, 31 syllables in total. It consists of two elements. The first three lines (5-7-5) is called kami-no-ku (literally upper phrase) and the last two lines (7-7) is called shimo-no-ku (literally lower phrase).See more at http://vinayaghimire.hubpages.com/hub/Japanese-Poetry-Forms-Haiku-Senryu-Haiga-and-Tanka)
My favorite pieces are the Kokeshi pieces:
Kokeshi Mache - I was amazed at how it was made - looking at it I assumed it was more durable material but it is made of paper mâché and mixed media
A Kokeshi Story seem to combine many Japanese styles. I recognize a Samurai/Shogun that appeared to be woodblock print but I believe it was a painting because other styles were at play such as cosplay characters and even some realistic images. It seemed to be the crowd favorite as I couldn't get close enough to take a picture.He seemed very good with working on masonites whether it is mixed media as in Booboolan or Traveling Companions.
Some recurring themes include space ships and tentacles such as in Attack, Wrapped Up in Tentacles and Encounter.
I got a chance to meet Catlos and asked only two questions. He was very nice. Here are my qJest ions:: How long will the display be here? Until October 10thDid you use any models? No, it was just imagination.
I was surprised because in some of the art, the faces seem so realistic.
Overall impressionI loved the style, vivid colors and Japanese influence. Some paintings had a surreal feel but with realistic touches even the one that resembled a graphic novel. I could easily see this exhibit fitting in at nearby Morikami gallery.
If you can't make the art exhibit, check out his website at carlosaleman.com.
In honor of this exhibit, here's my first attempt at a tanka (Tanka is non-rhyming Japanese poetry form composed in five lines, in 5-7-5-7-7 format, 31 syllables in total. It consists of two elements. The first three lines (5-7-5) is called kami-no-ku (literally upper phrase) and the last two lines (7-7) is called shimo-no-ku (literally lower phrase).See more at http://vinayaghimire.hubpages.com/hub/Japanese-Poetry-Forms-Haiku-Senryu-Haiga-and-Tanka)
August 22, 2015
Memories
As summer vacation comes to an end and school starts next Monday, I look back. I look back at leaving later and reaching work on time, thanks to lack of school speed zone speed limit. I can zip on through. Damn. Question: why is it a speed zone when we have to slow down to a 15 mph crawl.
Monday brings the return of:Parents dropping off their childrenSlowing down for school speed zones and Waiting behind the school bus as students get on and get off.
So as I look back fondly at whizzing my way into work this summer, I leave you a poem influenced by fond memories:
Monday brings the return of:Parents dropping off their childrenSlowing down for school speed zones and Waiting behind the school bus as students get on and get off.
So as I look back fondly at whizzing my way into work this summer, I leave you a poem influenced by fond memories:
August 15, 2015
Hanging with Mommy
Sounds weird, doesn't it? Well, I was just going to stop by, see if she's there then be on my way but then I spent the whole afternoon and evening too with mom. We talked a whole gambit of topics but I was sure glad and it probably made me stay when she said that I was losing weight.
Usually it's watch your weight because of certain family straits and complications from certain conditions. Then followed by a lecture of eating right and exercise. I aim, practice for a week then fall into my old routine.
So when is the last time you visited the folks for no special reason? Do tell!
Here's a poem where I was spending time with my mom:
Usually it's watch your weight because of certain family straits and complications from certain conditions. Then followed by a lecture of eating right and exercise. I aim, practice for a week then fall into my old routine.
So when is the last time you visited the folks for no special reason? Do tell!
Here's a poem where I was spending time with my mom:
August 8, 2015
Politics: sometimes it's straight up bulls&@$
I don't get certain things in politics: why the ruckus for a presidential candidate born to an American mother in Hawaii and why no ruckus for a presidential candidate born to an American mother in Canada?
Isn't Canada another country?
I missed the GOP debate but that's one question I hoped the moderator would ask. I would have loved to read the headlines next day or hear the news commentary the next day. Who am I fooling? I just want to ask Trump where he stands on the birth issue of candidate Ted Cruz. If he is okay with it, I want to know why.
In the voting booth, I like independent and Green Party candidates but whoever gets the office, gets my respect. Now I don't have to agree with all their policies but our elected officials would be there to serve us.
Since I identify as Black, I find it funny at times and disheartening at times what people assume: when the Black President does a policy then all Black people agree. I got a glare one night from "Johnny" while he was performing His anti-Obama's presidency piece. The man kept glaring at me. There were other minorities but I was the only Black in there that night. After a couple rounds of open mic, I went back to my hotel and couldn't sleep right away and penned this:
Isn't Canada another country?
I missed the GOP debate but that's one question I hoped the moderator would ask. I would have loved to read the headlines next day or hear the news commentary the next day. Who am I fooling? I just want to ask Trump where he stands on the birth issue of candidate Ted Cruz. If he is okay with it, I want to know why.
In the voting booth, I like independent and Green Party candidates but whoever gets the office, gets my respect. Now I don't have to agree with all their policies but our elected officials would be there to serve us.
Since I identify as Black, I find it funny at times and disheartening at times what people assume: when the Black President does a policy then all Black people agree. I got a glare one night from "Johnny" while he was performing His anti-Obama's presidency piece. The man kept glaring at me. There were other minorities but I was the only Black in there that night. After a couple rounds of open mic, I went back to my hotel and couldn't sleep right away and penned this:
August 1, 2015
Vacation Mode
I was reminded about the hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses on my recent trip to New York City and that some cities don't have these great tour options. In the past, I've used this option while visiting St. Augustine, Key West and Seattle. The tour guides tell some tall tales at times. Sometimes they provide information not readily found in books or the Internet. Overall they usually give some entertaining history.
Enough of the banter! Daytona surprised me with the lack of a trolley considering it would provide a tour guide with much fodder considering Daytona's history.
Enough of the banter! Daytona surprised me with the lack of a trolley considering it would provide a tour guide with much fodder considering Daytona's history.
July 25, 2015
Detour
Today, downtown Ft. Lauderdale, there is an Art Walk at Fats Village, Flagler Village, Sailboat Bend etc. I am even hosting poetry reading today. A very busy day indeed!
Yet with all this hustle and bustle, they are repairing/preparing the tracks and have closed the tracks on Broward Boulevard. So plan accordingly either follow the detour or take another route but I hope to see you soon.
Yet with all this hustle and bustle, they are repairing/preparing the tracks and have closed the tracks on Broward Boulevard. So plan accordingly either follow the detour or take another route but I hope to see you soon.
July 18, 2015
Colonization: Then and Again
I have been thinking about space exploration recently especially since I've been imbibed by newspaper articles. Should I be happy that Pluto will regain its planet status? Next I read about the failed shuttle which burst open like a piñata over the Florida coast. It setback hopes of economic travel to Mars vacation and possible colonization. Before that I read about Venus and how it is earth like because they sensed active volcanoes. It had me thinking. Oh why not? Here are some thoughts which hopefully are poems:
Colonization then and again
Europeans wanted to colonize AmericaTo escape the wars and life of strife in Europe:Religious persecution and economic blightTo set up colonies far from the crown Then they made it their own.
They chased them and cornered them onto reservations.They took land and made it their own.They traded for them and made them work on plantations.They achieved a status in the new world like never before.
They want the status quo to stay but others demanded changeAnd wars were fought that brought about some rights.They cry that rights should never extend to allAs that should clearly cause the human race to fall.
Such as the right to marry should stay ordainedBut it always had a civil consequenceFor serious illness and who can visit in hospital.Then there is employer sponsored healthcareAnd even intestate where some states recognizecommon-law wife but not your domestic mate.
The status quo has never been the sameNot when Europeans crossed the AtlanticAnd Americans they became.So why do people expect things to stay the same?
Now Humans want to colonize Venus or even Mars
To escape the wars and life of strife on EarthReligious persecution and economic blightTo set up colonies on earth-like planetsTo explore new worlds and make it their own.
Will they chase the Venetians and Martians away?Or will they use them for slave labor?Will they create a new status quo?Will the human pattern repeat itself?
Colonization then and again
Europeans wanted to colonize AmericaTo escape the wars and life of strife in Europe:Religious persecution and economic blightTo set up colonies far from the crown Then they made it their own.
They chased them and cornered them onto reservations.They took land and made it their own.They traded for them and made them work on plantations.They achieved a status in the new world like never before.
They want the status quo to stay but others demanded changeAnd wars were fought that brought about some rights.They cry that rights should never extend to allAs that should clearly cause the human race to fall.
Such as the right to marry should stay ordainedBut it always had a civil consequenceFor serious illness and who can visit in hospital.Then there is employer sponsored healthcareAnd even intestate where some states recognizecommon-law wife but not your domestic mate.
The status quo has never been the sameNot when Europeans crossed the AtlanticAnd Americans they became.So why do people expect things to stay the same?
Now Humans want to colonize Venus or even Mars
To escape the wars and life of strife on EarthReligious persecution and economic blightTo set up colonies on earth-like planetsTo explore new worlds and make it their own.
Will they chase the Venetians and Martians away?Or will they use them for slave labor?Will they create a new status quo?Will the human pattern repeat itself?
