Farewell (Writing 101, A Poem A Day)

Writing 101, A Poem A Day, Day 10, Farewell
Poetry & Photography

Write a poem about a farewell today: perhaps this image may bring back memories of loved ones who passed, or revive memories of those that departed from our lives. Or you could focus on the more mundane, but still powerful moments of your daily goodbye rituals, whether it’s a friend, partner, or member of your family.

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“Farewell, fair cruelty” William Shakespeare

Farewell

Farewell, good bye, so long
Everyone try to stay strong
Sadness, drama, comedy
Who said saying farewell was easy?

Farewell may be forever
But never say never
Our world is still round
And what is sometimes lost
Usually, can be found
After all, we are all bound
In this tiny part of universe
Our paths may once again cross
May we remember this verse

Farewell, good bye, so long
Consider life a song
Keep chanting and stay strong
Old friends may soon come along

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Graffiti Porvoo Style (Writing 101, A Poem A Day)

Writing 101, A Poem A Day, Day 8: Graffiti
Poetry & Photography

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“It’s Porvoo style – whoomph whoomph, whoomph, whoomph – Porvoo style!”

Graffiti Porvoo Style

I’m spraying my graffiti
Where ever it fits me
On the walls of suburbia
Bringing a sense of hysteria
There is no mystery
Of who I am
Just read my life’s history
Come and catch me if you can

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And now, for something completely different (Blogging Bootcamp)

Blogging 101, Commenting Bootcamp, Day Three: Ask Some Questions

It’s rare to read someone’s post and not have any questions at all. So ask!

Today, leave a comment in which you ask the blogger a relevant question or two.

People are naturally curious. From the first time we can enunciate the word “Why?” we question everything around us. Questions help us clarify, spark more ideas, and signal that we’re approaching whatever we’re reading with care.

Even the shortest post can provoke a question, from the substantive (“Why didn’t she tell him she still loved him!?”) to the simple (“What does that word mean?”)

Ask someone a question or two! Anything at all — just make sure it’s honest, and relevant.

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“I blog, there for I am”

And now, for something completely different

I decided to turn the tables and answer a question rather than ask one.

Why?

Because, today I got this question when I posted my “800 followers marker”:

“Hi. I’m a new blogger. Just began two months ago.
The “800” tag is a big inspiration to continue writing.
Can you give me a few tips on how to go about it? Any help would be beneficial. Thanks!

The quote I chose for this blog also fits my current mindset.

I don’t remember a time I did not write or think about writing. The same goes for photography. Both near and dear to me since I was a toddler, almost, and now at fifty, I have once more concentrated on both things, with full force I might add!

I began my blog in February this year with one idea: Write about daily happenings with a humorous twist. The idea was to have a quote related to the storyline and a lessons learnt included. I did not blog often at first, but then I realized I could incorporate photography, poetry and other types of tales and homages, it all took off from there. And, I realized people were actually reading what I wrote. I guess the main inspiration came from taking part in my first Blogging U workshop and getting ideas and followers while socializing and sharing thoughts in the Commons.

But being social, reading and commenting on someone else’s blogs is only a part of the process. You have to actively give your audience more and often to make sure they return. I like to dabble in many things; poetry, fiction, quotes, songs even and yes of course, photography. I also have plans for a few videos, but that will be later. So many ideas, so little time!

I also have a theme for almost each week day and I take part in some of the challenges on some of the blogs regularly.

Unfortunately like most of us, I have the excuse of my “paying job” taking most of my energy during the week days, sometimes even weekends. That being said, I made a promise a while back to at least post one poem a day. And now, mid December, and almost a thousand posts later, I can say I have kept that promise! Not even the time spent in the hospital for my surgery stopped my posting: I had scheduled posts for all three days I was laying drugged up in the hospital bed 😉

To sum things up: Post, post, post and then some. Write from your heart and snap yourself or borrow pictures to add to the look and feel where possible.
Keep calm and keep blogging, always!
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Beloved (Writing 101, A Poem A Day)

Writing 101, A Poem A Day, Day 7: Beloved
Poetry & Photography

Something about the very word “beloved” causes a frisson in us. Out of the people that matter to you, who matters the most? Whom do you love, or whom have you loved more than anyone else? What does the word “beloved” summon up in your imagination? What songs, poems, stories, movies spring to mind? Who is your beloved?

Today, write a poem celebrating your beloved. It does not have to be a specific person — you could address an imaginary beloved from the future who’s waiting for you. You could take on the persona of a well-known mythological or historic character and address her or his beloved in your poem. You could create a new type of lover and beloved.

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“Every beloved object is the center point of a paradise” Novalis

Beloved

Mismatching socks and messy hair
Carefully watching, trying not to stare
Sitting in your favourite chair
Chewing on your meal without a care
My eyes fixed, I still feel the flare
Whom better with my life to share

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Upside Down or Opposite Day (Writing 101 Poem A Day)

Writing 101, A Poem A Day, Day Six: Fallacy
Poetry & Photography

Unsound arguments. Failures of reason.

Today, let’s write poems that are wholly illogical.

Let’s see how miserably we can get reason to fail; both our reason and the reason that guides our readers.

Try not to consider this prompt as a call to nonsense but rather a call to use your good (creative) sense to arrive at firmly misconstrued ends. Surprise yourself!

Alternatively, make poetry from known philosophical fallacies. Make that straw man stand by a red wheelbarrow, put the genius of the crowd to the test, or tell the tale of a (tautological) tub.

“Poetry…where magic is supreme and where therefore things happen which realistically-minded strangers find difficult to understand.” – Robert Graves

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“This is not the rhyming song!”

Upside Down or Opposite Day

Chocolate as a dietary measure
Which can be the ultimate pleasure
To get the same effect
From this heavenly confect
You would by eating a carrot

Oh don’t listen to the parrot!

At least double the amount
No no you don’t have to count
Per each pleasurable bite
When enjoying this healthiest of delights

Chocolate is the answer
Never mind what the question was!

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Some Social Media Bullshit (Repost for Blogging 201)

‘Connecting people – The artist formerly known as Nokia’

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Some Social Media Bullshit

You don’t have to like it, but have to be in there: The social media of the world wide web. After all, who wants to be a complete social outcast!

Here are a few examples of what can be used for keeping in touch with family, friends and even your favourite movie stars!

* Assbook: Like opinions, everyone has more than one
* Angstagram: I post photos of myself and my eating habits, therefore I am
* Bitter: You would be too if no one is following you, right?
* Benchpress: For every self aware blabber, but more artistic ;P
* Tiedup: A must for professionals, endorse endorse endorse until you drop!
* You-boob: You did something stupid, maybe flashed a body part usually hidden, it got on video and uploaded on the internet and now you are the star of your own show!

A typical modern person’s day

@In the morning
The alarm clock is going off, it’s time to get up.
What is the first thing you do?

#Pick up your phone from the night stand and:

A) Check your social media apps
B) Check your email

@Driving in the car to your place of work.
Listening to the radio and the DJ is urging you to snap a photo and upload it to their site:

#uploadfunnypic

A) You are snapping selfies and almost bumping into the car that stopped in front of you. (The other driver possibly doing the same thing as you).
B) You are twatting your social media buddies of what you just did.

@Lunch time everyone with their phones in their respective hands. Not one word is spoken to anyone ‘live’, but they all are:

A) Chatting (and oh yes, there are actually office use approved ones too: Yank!)
B) Updating statuses on various social media apps.
C) Uploading photos of what they ate (of course, a must for every self aware social medialite).
D) Someone shared a funny video and twatted the link to everyone else around the table.
E) Everyone watching the video.
F) Everyone twatting feedback to each other.

@Coffee break everyone is:

A) Uploading photos of coffee and doughnuts they will consume.
B) Chatting with the people around the coffee table.

Back home from the office.

@Dinner table the family is sharing a meal and their respective day:

A-F apply here too.

@Midnight, bedtime:

A) Time to recap today’s event in your “blab”.
B) Latest friend updates to be checked (so not to miss any important things such as what your friends ate or what they were watching on TV, etc.)
C) Twatting everyone

#g’night!

Sometimes though, you have to be more low tech. For example in the situation, where your respective spouse is not quite on the same level of enlightenment regarding the social conventions of the social media as you are. Then you have to resort to archaic methods like the SMS.

Wishing your spouse

#sweet dreams xoxo

Lesson learnt:
Getting anything done; 3% is talent, 97% is staying off the internet.

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Freedom (Writing 101, A Poem A Day)

Writing 101, A Poem A Day: Day 5: Freedom
Poetry & Photography

Freedom is a fundamental need. It is so powerful that nations go to war for it. People engage in both despicable and heroic deeds to gain it. In the name of freedom we suffer, make sacrifices, and attempt to perform miracles. For freedom we are willing to lose everything and risk our lives, since no life really is one without freedom.

What freedom means is open to interpretation, which is why it’s been a recurring subject in art. In today’s poem, share your take on freedom. While you’re at it, be fearless with your thoughts. Don’t hold back. Unleash your emotions and be honest with yourself. Uncensored writing coming from the heart often produces the most amazing read.

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“Life, Love, Liberty”

Freedom

Freedom is to be who you are without being ashamed
Freedom is to love someone without being blamed
Freedom is to walk home in the dark without being raped
Freedom is to say your thoughts out loud without being hated
Freedom is to choose whether you turn left or right
Freedom is to surrender without a fight

Freedom is,
To be who you are
Where you are
When you are
Let no one
Tell you differently

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Seconds (Writing 101, A Poem A Day)

Writing 101, A Poem A Day: Day 4: Seconds
Poetry & Photography

“Life moves very fast. It rushes from Heaven to Hell in a matter of seconds.” – Paulo Coelho

A new life sees the world for the first time. Simultaneously, another life takes its final breath.

A passenger that was supposed to board a plane was one second late. Hours later, the plane went missing, the passenger saved.

Unimportant as it may seem, a split second can change our lives in ways we can never imagine. So today, write about the basic unit of time, seconds. Reflect on those few seconds when a loved one was in a life-and-death situation. Relive the few seconds when you held your eldest child for the first time. Recount those seconds when you were waiting for big news that was about to change your life.

 

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“Even if it turns out that time travel is impossible, it is important that we understand why it is impossible” Stephen Hawking

Seconds

Heart beating
Time is running out
Only a few seconds left
For the ultimate request
Using a different route
Feels like cheating

Finally reaching
My own hideout
No time for rest
Only doing my best
No time for tryout
Parameter breaching

Safely in my blue box
Punching the clock
Time starts moving
Seconds removing
Going backwards
Against standards

They said
It couldn’t be done
But did I bet
And know I am gone
Back in time
Trying to find
…My future

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Reflections, Two

Writing 101, A Poem A Day, Day 2: Reflections
Poetry & Photography

On water, in puddles, in glass, in mirrors – reflections can clarify, blur reality, or fracture it altogether. They can serve up surreal images or a perspective that’s unexpected. Whether it’s street light-reflected raindrops or the sky distorted in a half-melted patch of ice, reflections are nature’s funhouse mirrors.

Reflections are not limited to non-living objects. Our bodies reflect our internal health and our clothes reflect our lifestyle. We also reflect internally upon our world, our physical state, or on ideas bouncing around inside our skulls.

Clear or distorted, in your poem today tell us something about the reflections you see — in the world or in yourself.

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“Style is a reflection of your attitude and your personality” Shawn Ashmore

Reflections, Two

Through the looking glass
Reflections from present and past
Mystified images mirrored
In your mind’s eye forever

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Reflections, One

Writing 101, A Poem A Day, Day 2: Reflections
Poetry & Photography

On water, in puddles, in glass, in mirrors – reflections can clarify, blur reality, or fracture it altogether. They can serve up surreal images or a perspective that’s unexpected. Whether it’s street light-reflected raindrops or the sky distorted in a half-melted patch of ice, reflections are nature’s funhouse mirrors.

Reflections are not limited to non-living objects. Our bodies reflect our internal health and our clothes reflect our lifestyle. We also reflect internally upon our world, our physical state, or on ideas bouncing around inside our skulls.

Clear or distorted, in your poem today tell us something about the reflections you see — in the world or in yourself.

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“Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing but of reflection” Winston Churchill

Reflections, One

Reflections on the walls
Reflections on the windows
The sunsets and sunrises
Reflected on each surface

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