Esther Spurrill Jones's Blog, page 29
October 13, 2013
OctPoWriMo 13 - The Song of the Spheres
Today's
prompt
asked us to choose a letter and craft a poem using as many words beginning with that letter as we could. I didn't feel like doing that, so I'm rebelling today. I wrote an alliterative 4-stress poem (Tolkien was known for using this form). It's still something to do with letters and alliteration.
The Song of the Spheres
We shall sing the song of the spheres
Painters, poets, players, people
All together giving thanks
For love and life and light and loss
For freedom from fear
With the words of the winged ones
"Holy, holy, holy, holy"
Stars and streams and storms all sing
Let us join the joyful praise
Still my soul shall sing
"Holy, holy, holy, holy"
The Song of the Spheres
We shall sing the song of the spheres
Painters, poets, players, people
All together giving thanks
For love and life and light and loss
For freedom from fear
With the words of the winged ones
"Holy, holy, holy, holy"
Stars and streams and storms all sing
Let us join the joyful praise
Still my soul shall sing
"Holy, holy, holy, holy"
October 12, 2013
OctPoWriMo 12 - No Matter How Dark
Today's prompt is shadows, so I wrote a shadow sonnet. I love writing sonnets, but I find this form to be very difficult. Finding rhyming words that can begin and end the lines is just so hard.
No Matter How Dark
Shadows lengthen as the year ends. Shadows
Creep closer and closer. As the light fades, they creep.
Snows are coming. Cold and wind and snows
Sleep for now, awaiting our long winter sleep.
Dark looks like to be winning the war. Dark
Swells and spreads, growing like ocean swells.
Spark a flame in my heart—a tiny spark
Spells death to the dark; so small, yet they are magic spells.
Light is fading. And yet, my heart is light;
I’m not alone—I have you to hold, and I’m
Right where I should be, and everything is all right.
Rhyme with me, for you are my perfect rhyme.
You gave me a reason to live forever with you,
To be in the light, no matter how dark—to be two.
No Matter How Dark
Shadows lengthen as the year ends. Shadows
Creep closer and closer. As the light fades, they creep.
Snows are coming. Cold and wind and snows
Sleep for now, awaiting our long winter sleep.
Dark looks like to be winning the war. Dark
Swells and spreads, growing like ocean swells.
Spark a flame in my heart—a tiny spark
Spells death to the dark; so small, yet they are magic spells.
Light is fading. And yet, my heart is light;
I’m not alone—I have you to hold, and I’m
Right where I should be, and everything is all right.
Rhyme with me, for you are my perfect rhyme.
You gave me a reason to live forever with you,
To be in the light, no matter how dark—to be two.
October 11, 2013
OctPoWriMo 11 - Tick Tock
Today's prompt asks us to listen to the sounds around us and incorporate that into our poetry. I'm home alone today, so it's easy to hear things. I closed my eyes and listened to the living room clock for a few minutes and this poem took shape.
Tick tock
Tick tock
Silent tears and heaving sobs
Tick tock
Tick tock
Screaming rage and silent glares
Tick tock
Tick tock
Questions without answers
Hopeless accusations
Empty arms and hearts
Tick tock
Tick
Tick tock
Tick tock
Silent tears and heaving sobs
Tick tock
Tick tock
Screaming rage and silent glares
Tick tock
Tick tock
Questions without answers
Hopeless accusations
Empty arms and hearts
Tick tock
Tick
October 10, 2013
OctPoWriMo 10 - Around That Bend
Today's prompt asks us to write a reply to another poem. I chose Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken. It has always struck me how many people read it as a comment on how wonderful it is to take the less-traveled road, when if you really read it carefully he says clearly that the roads are equally worn. I believe he's gently poking fun at the idea that taking the road less-traveled is better.
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
~Robert Frost
Around That Bend
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less-traveled by…”
Or so I say with a sigh, yet I
Remember the other was “just as fair,”
And really the grass was just as green,
The fallen leaves were no more black,
No footprints marred either path.
I say, “It made all the difference,” yet
I cannot where know the other led.
Sometimes I lay upon my bed
And dream of what I might have met
If I had stepped around that bend.
~Esther Spurrill Jones
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
~Robert Frost
Around That Bend
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less-traveled by…”
Or so I say with a sigh, yet I
Remember the other was “just as fair,”
And really the grass was just as green,
The fallen leaves were no more black,
No footprints marred either path.
I say, “It made all the difference,” yet
I cannot where know the other led.
Sometimes I lay upon my bed
And dream of what I might have met
If I had stepped around that bend.
~Esther Spurrill Jones
October 9, 2013
OctPoWriMo 9 - Every Day
Today's prompt.
Every day I choose to love you,
Though, honestly, it isn’t hard.
I love you because of who you are.
From the moment that I met you,
Our hearts began to meld.
It took a while for me to realize
We were meant to be.
Every day I choose to love you,
Though, honestly, it isn’t hard.
I love you because of who you are.
Every day you make me smile,
You make me laugh.
I promised I would never leave you,
And I never will.
Every day I choose to love you,
Though, honestly, it isn’t hard.
I love you because of who you are.
Every day I choose to love you,
Though, honestly, it isn’t hard.
I love you because of who you are.
From the moment that I met you,
Our hearts began to meld.
It took a while for me to realize
We were meant to be.
Every day I choose to love you,
Though, honestly, it isn’t hard.
I love you because of who you are.
Every day you make me smile,
You make me laugh.
I promised I would never leave you,
And I never will.
Every day I choose to love you,
Though, honestly, it isn’t hard.
I love you because of who you are.
October 8, 2013
OctPoWriMo 8 - Love is...
Today's prompt.
Love is...
♥LoveIs like fireBurning deep insideAll-consuming infernoLove is like crackling flamesWarm and comfortingMy hearth andHome♥LoveIs a stormSweeps me off my feetA whirlwind of desireLove is like gentle breezesThe soft kiss of windAnd I feelSafe♥LoveIs like wavesCrashing and breakingBillows rolling over meLove is a babbling brookA calm forest pondReflectingPeace♥
Love is...
♥LoveIs like fireBurning deep insideAll-consuming infernoLove is like crackling flamesWarm and comfortingMy hearth andHome♥LoveIs a stormSweeps me off my feetA whirlwind of desireLove is like gentle breezesThe soft kiss of windAnd I feelSafe♥LoveIs like wavesCrashing and breakingBillows rolling over meLove is a babbling brookA calm forest pondReflectingPeace♥
October 7, 2013
OctPoWriMo 7: Death and Cold
Today's prompt.
Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame. ~Benjamin Franklin
“I killed them. I killed them all. They're dead; every single one of them. Not just the men, but the women and children too…" ~Anakin Skywalker
Fear leads to anger
Fear leads to death
Death came for his mother
Death gave him power
Power for revenge
Power to kill
Kill them
Kill them all
All of them are dead
All of them—even the children
Children who had barely lived
Children who were innocent
Innocent he used to be
Innocent he is no more
More pain
More darkness
Darkness closes in
Darkness whispers promises
Promises of power
Promises of comfort
Comfort from his dreams
Comfort for his fears
Fears that he can’t save her
Fears that he is helpless
Helpless to protect her
Helpless like before
Before, just like his mother
Before, he was too late
Late at night, he dreams
Late again
Again his fear overcomes him
Again he looks to anger
Anger gives him focus
Anger gives him strength
Strength to do what needs done
Strength to see the truth
Truth that she betrayed him
Truth that he’s alone
Alone against his friend
Alone and broken
Broken in and out
Broken, wounded, burning
Burning alive
Burning forever
Forever alone
Forever cold
Cold as ice
Cold and dark
Dark...
Ice...
Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame. ~Benjamin Franklin
“I killed them. I killed them all. They're dead; every single one of them. Not just the men, but the women and children too…" ~Anakin Skywalker
Fear leads to anger
Fear leads to death
Death came for his mother
Death gave him power
Power for revenge
Power to kill
Kill them
Kill them all
All of them are dead
All of them—even the children
Children who had barely lived
Children who were innocent
Innocent he used to be
Innocent he is no more
More pain
More darkness
Darkness closes in
Darkness whispers promises
Promises of power
Promises of comfort
Comfort from his dreams
Comfort for his fears
Fears that he can’t save her
Fears that he is helpless
Helpless to protect her
Helpless like before
Before, just like his mother
Before, he was too late
Late at night, he dreams
Late again
Again his fear overcomes him
Again he looks to anger
Anger gives him focus
Anger gives him strength
Strength to do what needs done
Strength to see the truth
Truth that she betrayed him
Truth that he’s alone
Alone against his friend
Alone and broken
Broken in and out
Broken, wounded, burning
Burning alive
Burning forever
Forever alone
Forever cold
Cold as ice
Cold and dark
Dark...
Ice...
October 6, 2013
October 5, 2013
OctPoWriMo 5 - I Am
Todays' prompt.
I Am
I am a Christian who loves Harry Potter
I am a geek who loves Jesus
I am a woman who works with computers
I am a nerd who loves art
I Am
I am a Christian who loves Harry Potter
I am a geek who loves Jesus
I am a woman who works with computers
I am a nerd who loves art
October 4, 2013
OctPoWriMo 4 - Know Your Heart
Today's prompt.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” ~Galatians 5:22-23
In the midst of chaos, there is peace:
The gentle voice of Jesus speaking love.
Be kind one to another, tenderhearted,
Forgiving one another—this is good.
Wait upon the Lord for He is faithful;
Consider all your trials to be a joy.
The testing of your faith produces patience,
And by your fruit the world shall know your heart.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” ~Galatians 5:22-23
In the midst of chaos, there is peace:
The gentle voice of Jesus speaking love.
Be kind one to another, tenderhearted,
Forgiving one another—this is good.
Wait upon the Lord for He is faithful;
Consider all your trials to be a joy.
The testing of your faith produces patience,
And by your fruit the world shall know your heart.
