Pensieve's Poetic License w/ a Cinquain-Autumn theme

Robin at http://pensieve.typepad.com/ has given us another license to wax poetically. I love it when she gets a chance to offer this challenge. Poetry, although I'm not nearly the best at it, is passion to me. I also love reading the other entries that are listed with Mr. Linky at her site for the PPL opportunity. You should click on her link and check them out.

Robin offers PPL to anyone, whether they consider themselves seasoned poets or brave first-timers. You'd be surprised how easy some forms of poetry are to write. Anyone can do it. Everyone should try their hand at it at least once. Below are my feeble attempts at a cinquain. Go to Robin's place for more details on PPL and how to write a cinquain. This offering, the theme is Autumn.

Autumn

dry, crackly

cooling, ending, coloring

excited about the hues, but the blues sets in

Seasons

Autumn

Summer's tail end

fast approaching--Wait! Wait!

Less light, shorter days sadden me.

Fall's here.

Who can tell I'm a late Spring/full Summer person?! I know. I'm in a small minority. Don't be surprised. I've always been the "different" one. ;)

FRIDAY FUN DAY WITH PENSIEVE'S POETIC LICENSE

So Robin, the inventor and sponsor of the PPL (Pensieve's Poetic License) says this:

"Oh, how I hope you've written a back-to-school poem for Pensieve's Poetic License! If you haven't already, it's never too late! This month's theme--"back to school"--could lead you in a thousand directions, and for once, you have freedom to choose poetic form!
Don't believe the lie you can't write poetry! My heart melts when writers step outside their respective comfort zones to tip-toe on uncertain ice, only to find the footing is more sure than they anticipated."

Okay, ladies (and possibly gentleman), what are you waiting for? I'll go first, and then, I expect for you to try your hand at it:). Go over to http://www.pensieve.typepad.com/ when you finish reading mine and see others' poetry submissions. I'm not sure if mine is even an official, recognized poetic form (although I can do those), but it rhymes. Works for me. Enjoy.

Just when I thought I was rid of one,

I get a another high schooler "for fun."

Then look around, a middle schooler. That's great!

One in fourth too--just my fate!

So, one out who should be in college,

Hopefully, he'll increase his knowledge.

Oh, I forgot. He already knows more than me.

After all, he's eighteen, you see.

Then there's Public School Pete,

Where our tax dollars pay for his seat

That he'd better stay in, and to his teachers listen,

Before we make that "back end" of his glisten!

That means we're left with two girls at home.

Where the Mommy Teacher doth roam.

Making sure they learn this, that, and the other,

And if they don't get it, we go no further.

We've got kids going in every direction.

I'm afraid of an insurrection!

I'm hearing "we've got fees for this and that."

Over my ears I want to pull my hat!

I may even hear, "Mom, let's leave the boys,

And home, and all the toys

For a homeschool field trip. Yeah, that's it.

Meaning at the park we'll skip, talk, and sit."

"Girls, don't give away our secret. Don't tell.

A rat the boys will smell.

They'll think we're not serious in our "learning,"

Our education we're not earning."

Whether it's home, college, or public schooling,

With our education, we're not fooling.

It's learning time, my dear, sweet babies.

Oh no, I don't mean maybes!

So let's pray and ask God to impart

His wisdom to us as we start.

I pray for a great school year for all,

While another round gets started this fall.

Have a wonderfully fun-filled Friday!

(Sorry folks. This wasn't supposed to be all run together, with no spaces in between the stanzas in the poem, but I tried to space while typing, tried to go into "Edit Html," you name it, and couldn't get this thing to double space, or I couldn't figure it out. If you know me, by now you know about my lack of computer skills.)

DEBUT OF THE PENSIEVE--A POETIC LICENSE TO MAKE HISTORY!

Am I excited or what?!!! Okay Robin at http://www.pensieve.typepad.com/ is just plain old getting pretty famous!! She is the creator of the 40 Words or Less Photo Challenge I like to play on Fridays, and she is the creator of Pensieve's Poetic License, giving any and every one a chance to learn about, read about, and try their hand at poetry, all in a comfortable, non-intimidating, non-professional atmosphere. She simply wants everyone to learn to love and/or appreciate poetry.

Well, she has "one-upped" herself this time. This girl has created a new poetry form. That's right. You heard me. She has joined the league of those who created forms like the clerihew, the haiku, the senryu, the limerick, the sonnet, etc. The list can go on and on. Hers is titled after her blog title--it is called the Pensieve. Here's the really neat instructions on how to write one: Robin says...

"What is a Pensieve? A titled, five-line poem; each line correlates to one of the five senses--sight, sound, scent, taste, touch--and describes the subject (title). The goal is for the reader to take on the poem as his own, being able to "experience" your subject through your words, by seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and feeling what you described. (If you're looking for an alternate definition of "pensieve" and found this post via a search engine, please click here.)
The style is reflective and should leave the reader with lingering thoughts. The name for this poetic form is somewhat of a play on words: the subject is word-drawn from a memory (from the writer's "pensieve" :) ) and reflected upon by both writer and reader, pensively."

Now that Robin has spoken, let's join her for the Pensieve debut. Let's try our hand at this new poetic form. Let's help our blogging buddy go down in H*I*S*T*O*R*Y!!!

Can you tell that this poetry lover and lover of the "take a chance" or "live your dreams" spirit is excited?!!! YOU GO ROBIN!!

Anyhooty, my 3, yes, I said 3 (because I spent an hour yesterday at the park focusing on this before I had to pick my husband up from work--I hope my little "stinkin" work reflects that I put some time on it anyway) pensieves are below. No, they probably won't go down in history like the artform might itself, but I sure had fun at the park!! Without anything further:

THE CENTERPIECE OF THE COVENANT BANQUET

Nothing eyes had ever beheld would be as beautiful and magnificent!

She was to be a show-stopper, worthy of loud, vigorous claps.

Florally fresh roses and earthy hydrangeas would rain down her sides and overtake you.

Like Her Majesty, she was to be suave, smooth, regal, embellished, velvety.

While she never made the described debut, she won us over with her southern sweetness.

CHANCES WORTH TAKING

With big, silver flashlight in hand, I can now "escape" clearly in the dark

closet that pleasantly wreaks with cedar.

Quick! Close the book! Here comes the giant, thundering!

Punishment so near, I can taste it!

I cover the warm, bulb shield with my hand and crouch back. I think I'll go undetected.

THE CELESTIAL ORCHESTRA PLAYED DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE

He lifted his long arms with wand in hand, to command the players to play.

Wafts of dizzying freshness accosted the onlooker as the players rolled in.

The closer they got, the sound intensified, and it was pleasantly deafening!

They played so fiercely that the notes spewed forth what felt like...rain.

Oh taste and see that the Lord and His creation is good!

Guys, this was so fun for me! Robin, thank you, thank you, thank you! I never get away alone, and yesterday, thinking of what to do for this post, forced me to find just a window of opportunity to do just that, and it was so good. So, even if my pensieves are no good, my escape was well worth it!! Have fun as you go and appreciate others'.

TO THE TUNE OF TEA TUESDAYS #20

TEA ACROSTICS

Okay, you probably already know what an acrostic is, but just in case you don't, it's a poetry form where you write a word going down, like this

T

E
A

and then you insert a word or words next to each letter (the goal is to keep the words beside each letter down to a minimum like 1-3) that talk about or describe your acrostic word. Give imagery. So if I were to use the sample above, I would write:

Tantalizingly delicious,
Exquisitely hand-curled,
All I need!

So today, that's what I want to do. I want to mix poetry form and tea theme. I've done this before, but used a different poetry form. I'll do some that I hope you enjoy, and I'd like for you to try it too. Leave yours in comments. Your acrostic should be words for your favorite tea, tea ware, or tea moments. Now, don't be intimidated. Acrostics have got to be the easiest poetry form out there.

Green liquid

Ready to steep

Evening sips

Engaging

Noticeably refreshing

Try porcelain

Engraved flowers

Assorted heights

Cold to touch

Undeniably beautiful

Perfect vessel

Plan ahead

Arrival of friends

Ready to chat

Tea abounds

Yall come back!

Alright readers and acrostic lovers, YOUR TURN!! Get creative!

(All of the letters of your acrostic word are supposed to be bigger or bolder than the words next to them, that describe them, but Blogger is only letting that happen on some of the words as you can see, and doing what it wants to do on others, although I did them all the same way. If somebody knows a trick that can fix that problem, let me know.)

JUST FOR FUN--15 WORDS OR LESS

All right, Laura Salas over at http://www.laurasalas.livejournal.com/ has a photo challenge that's just for fun. So why not give it a try?! Here are the simple, simple guidelines:

New to 15 Words or Less Poems? This does not need to be "good" poetry. No pressure here. For me, it's just a quick way for me to focus on something in my immediate surroundings every day and try to see it in a new way. It does not have to rhyme. It does not have to be poetic. What does it have to be? 15 Words or Less! The title, if you title it, doesn't count toward your 15 words. So, jump in and give it a try. Look at this week's post (photo below) and see what hits you. You can be moody, funny, serious, observant, whatever you want! How hard can it be? I spend 5 minutes or less per day on it. And if I can overcome my fear of sharing horrible, clumsy, pedantic, lousy pictures and poems, you can, too! If we share enough of them, it will be exhilarating instead of embarrassing!
Go to Laura's website (link above) and see how you can play!

And now, here is my thought or take on the picture:

Someday, I'll rise

Out of my fetal position.

I'll be able

To face the world.

FRIDAY FUN DAY WITH PENSIEVE'S 40 WORDS (OR LESS) AND A PHOTO

Folks, I knew I had to join this week's 40PC. Just check out the picture below. YUMMY!! Robin just asks that we look at her submitted photo, think about what comes to mind when we see it, and then write 40 words or less in a caption, phrase, title, poem, short story, whatever, about the photo. If you want more details and to see what others have said about the photo, hop on over to http://www.pensieve.typepad.com/ and join in the fun!! In the meantime, look below the picture for what I have to say about it. Too bad when we see the photo of corn on the cob, we have to limit it to 40 words. Lord, I could say "yummy" 40 times and still feel like I need to say it more. My family and I love corn on the cob!

Betty said you'd better butter those babies before I become bitter over Buster betting that Bobby could eat them before me, Betty, who believes that beautiful, hot, buttered corn is better than butter pecan bites in blustery Buffalo.

Don't ask me where this story came from in my head or why this form of poetry popped up, but I just attribute it to the fact that once I saw this picture, I just lost my mind!

MORE FRIDAY FUN WITH A POETIC LICENSE

JUNE'S POETIC LICENSE -- DIAMANTE




If you know me, it's all about tea and poetry...well not all, but I do love these two thing a lot!! When given the opportunity to do at least one of them, I jump at it! Look out below for details of June's Poetic License info. from Robin (who is always challenging us to do something; she's cool like that!) at http://www.pensieve.typepad.com/. Send some traffic and interest her way by clicking on the link. She'll be glad you stopped by. Anyhooty, she says:

This month's poetic form, Diamante, is Italian in origin, it's a simple, seven-line formula, and when it's complete, it will have the shape of a diamond (if centered). It's an easy exercise in writing poetry, and if you're a fan of haiku or cinquain, diamante is reminiscent of those forms.
Begin with a subject, in line four you'll transition using two words to describe its opposite, and the last line will be a single word for the subject's opposite.
As for this month's theme, once again, you have two choices: the great outdoors or emotions. If you're feeling particularly diamante-prolific, write two!

subject
two adjectives describing the subject
three words ending in "ing" telling about the subject
four words, first two describe subject, last two describe its opposite
three words ending in "ing" telling about the opposite
two adjectives describing the opposite
opposite


HERE'S MINE:


Anxious
Jittery, Nervous
Waiting, Watching, Thinking
Nerves, Stress, Tranquil, Bliss
Praying, Meditating, Wishing
Practical, Effective
Hope



Another one from me:

Forest

Green, Woody

Growing, Spreading, Hiding

Dark, Alive, Concrete Structures

Building, Housing, Rising, Surviving

Gray, Cold

City

Enjoy!



(Side note: Apparently, I don't know what I'm doing I typed my diamantes in a diamond shape; they wouldn't post that way. I even re-edited them twice and space-barred them over back into place, and they still wouldn't save or post in the shape I put them in. Either it's this Blogger program or, more likely, me and my blogging ignorance. I apologize, but hope you like the diamante attempts I made anyway.)

FRIDAY FUN DAY WITH 40 WORDS OR LESS (Challenge #5)!

Okay, you all know the drill by now, but in case you don't, Robin at http://www.pensieve.typepad.com/ takes a cool picture, like the one below, and for a fun Friday challenge, she asks us to write about it in a caption, phrase, poem, title, what have you, in 40 words or less. What does this picture say to you? Oh yeah, you can play along too. Just click on her link and look for the green and black icon like the one above. Here's what I have to say about it...

Nothing but net! Wanna bet!

From this perspective, it would be easier for me to reach the sky.

But I can try.

Me trying to hoop is like putting the post of the goal

Through a small, nylon, net hole.

Okay kids, now your turn. I enjoyed this Friday's challenge once again!!

TO THE TUNE OF TEA (#12)

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS A GOOD MORNING, THE TALK OF TEA, AND GREAT RHYTHM?

Why tea limericks of course--Poetry about the cuppa. You all know me; love poetry, love tea. I had to do something with two of my favorites together. Yesterday I was pondering over what to post today and surfing the internet on a different subject altogether, and came across a web site (http://www.gree-tea-health-new.com/) that I wanted to look into more. Well, one of the pages on the site really tickled my fancy and was right up my alley! It inspired me to blend my favorites. Because I always want to share, I'm passing what I found along to you and hope that you enjoy them as much as I did. Then, at the end, I'm going to try my own tea limerick or two (or 3). I want you to join in and leave one in comments at the end of this post. Pay attention to limerick rhythms. They're easy to write. The pattern is an AABBA pattern, meaning all you have to do is make your first two lines rhyme, your next two lines rhyme (but different than the first two), and then make your last line rhyme with the first two. Limericks are supposed to be silly and funny, so, IOW, you're supposed to have fun with them. Let's see what we've got in store...

There once was a lad from Kilarney

Who suddenly lost all his blarney

But Gunpowder Green tea

For breakfast, then he

Soon swooned all the babes who weren't barmy.

Lu'an melon seed tea is a treat

for afternoon tea. Take a seat!

Have biscuits and jam

Or cream cheese and ham

What a wonderful reason to meet!

(This one from Jeannette @ Here Be Limerick Poems)

The Chinese believe in green tea.

It's a race I respect patently.

So developing taste

For infusions this chaste

Is exactly where I want to be.

(Last one)

A mountain-grown Spring tea for me

Exquisite to taste, as you'll see.

Darjeeling is best;

First flush is the quest

As far from hum-drum as can be.

Okay and speaking of drums, do a drum roll for me, because here are mine:

I just love tea, mostly green.

I have it when I arrive on scene.

I can tolerate black,

But I'd rather give it back

In exchange for the taste of light, crisp, clean.

I introed my girls to Darjeeling,

Assam, and the like; what a feeling!

They have a cup everyday.

What can I say?!

Our tea bill will be through the ceiling!

And my last, people (I know you want more, but I must end it somewhere:)

The Japanese give us Sencha Fukamushi

(Hey, I could probably drink that with sushi!)

Though I too love Oolong,

(With it, you can't go wrong)

I can't get past how SF does do me!

(I know, all you English fanatics, the last line of the above poem is not grammatically correct. It's a limerick; it doesn't have to be. Fun reigns, remember!)

Go ahead; don't be scared; make my day--sip a cup and hear the poetry rhythm in your head, then...WRITE!

A SELECTION OF SPRING HAIKUS-WHAT FUN!

Robin over at Pensieve.typepad.com gave an opportunity for us to express ourselves with poetry once more, to write a Haiku or two, about Spring. I was excited about this as usual, so I did one or two, well, a few. Check out my little efforts below. I hope you enjoy them, and why don't you consider submitting a little something the next time she gives invitation. Haikus and many other types of poetry are really easy to write.

Invigorated!
Insects come from dormancy,
trying out their wings.


Sun, kiss my cold skin!
Swim suit, shorts, sandals, tanks, tees-
Body, come alive!


Beam me up SUNny!
Now, you control my body!
I need to feel hot!


Cold nights slip away;
Warm days on the horizon,
She is almost here!


She's confused...CONFUSED!!
One day hot; one day so cold!
I think Spring is SPRUNG!


Pleads to go outside
Tired of winter's cold prison
Kids make their exit.

FRIDAY FUN WITH PICTURES AND POSTS

Okay, so I'm trying to think of something to do for a Friday fun post and I got inspiration from several of my favorite blogs out there, so, I'm combining all of my newfound ideas into one...A PICTURE, A POEM OR A POST.

Here's how it's going to work: You view or re-view the pictures I've posted on my blog. There are a handful of them; just click on earlier or older posts on the left side of the blog page, go to previous months, or, more simply, click on the label "photos." Look at them very carefully. My desire is that you write a short, little, simple poem about it, preferably something funny, since it's Friday Fun day, but you can do something serious or just thoughtful. I like that too. If you just feel you can't pull out a poem (I hope you are not intimidated by that--we're talking just something simple!), then post me a thoughtful comment about what you thought when you saw it; what did it make you think of? What stuck out or surprised you about it? Whatever you want to say. I can't wait to hear your comments or POEMS!! I'll start us off. This poem will be about me in the mint green prom dress. Lord help me!!

She wore mint green to her prom.
Where did she get the idea from?
It was mermaid style.
I was so chic!
I wore it awhile,
While the prom hours did tick.
Finally I shed my frock
That I now view with shock!
Wait! No! For my time, my look did rock!

Find the post that has me in my mint green prom dress.

Have FUN this Friday. I'm outta' heah!!

TONGUE TWISTERS THIS THURSDAY

I will be so busy tomorrow, I won't get a chance to post on Thursday, so I thought I'd do it tonight so you'd have the benefit of still having something to read tomorrow. That way, we don't miss a beat. I'm in the poetic mode again, and I like poetry, so it doesn't take much to get me in the mood. I wanted to do something fun and challenge you to do so also. Tongue Twisters have always been fun, I think. It's poetry anybody can do; you don't have to be professional. Just have fun with it. There is no need to over critique your work. Come up with something fun, cute, clever, whatever, and post it as a comment at the end of this post. Be brave. Let's post for everyone to see. Just don't be intimidated. You'd be surprised what you can come up with; you'll be proud of yourself, and others will appreciate your efforts.

Okay, I'll go first, and you join in:

Terry Thompson taught tigers to tumble toward Tina triumphantly. (Okay, see if you can say that fast five times:)

I'll make this next one a little more difficult or longer:

Jerry jerked Jeckyll jokingly and just jeered jingling Jeckyll's jeans.
(This one hurt me just looking at it afterwards)

Okay, last one, and I'll try to make this one...IMPRESSIVE (Ha!):

How can Hannah hang her head heavily, heaving hoes, hoisting hinges, heeding His Word, and handling Henry's hungry hippo-help us heavenlies, help!
(Now say that one 5 times really really fast without tripping up and getting your tongue all twisted. Don't cheat!! Say it to your kids or spouse...or dog?)

Have fun with this one guys!! I can't wait for you to try your hand at this!

A POETIC FRIDAY

I must apologize to all of my regular, everyday readers (okay probably none:)) for not having a fresh post up yesterday. Yesterday was really busy in our home and lives. Sick kids, dr.'s appointments, waiting in the dr.'s office, waiting at the pharmacy, waiting, waiting, waiting, then...exhaustion. Typical day in the middle of "gunk" and "flu" season. Gotta' love the way those good old germs come in and wreak havoc, leaving behind the aftermath, while they move on to their next victim. Oh, at The Fall, at The Fall, where it all began. Thanks to our first parents. Yall know who they are.


Anyhoo, Since today is another gloomy day in Tennessee, I thought I'd do poetry. My Friday posts don't have a theme like some of the other days I post on, so we'll let it be our hodgepodge day. Anything to cheer us toward the weekend and celebrate the end of the sometimes monotonous work week. Let me give you a little history on me and poetry. I've written it and loved it since I was a little girl, elementary school age. I'm not sure if any of my friends were writing it back then, but I was and I really enjoyed it. I even checked out books by famous poets from the school library when I was that young. I used to try and interpret the really hard ones and memorize the easy ones. I still recall some lines from some of the famous poems by well known authors. I was really intrigued by poetry written by people of African American or foreign culture and descent. There was always lots of passion, vibrancy, feelings, artistic language, heart, and culture in them. As you read, you danced with the words; you were sometimes "there," you could "feel" the author, you were snatched into the poem itself. Okay, I really liked poetry and I still do!


At Pensieve.typepad.com (Robin's blog--she won the tea through my contest, remember?), there is a challenge to just simply write poetry once a month. There is always a theme, but you don't have to be professional and you don't even have to go with the poetry theme if you don't feel comfortable with it. I would encourage people to try the theme though. This month, it is sonnets. I love sonnets. Well, I love all kinds of poems, but for this month, I LOVE SONNETS. I wrote her two and sent them over. I'll share with you my two, and I want to challenge you to try your own. Send it to me in your comment at the bottom of this post. I'd love for everyone to click on comments to see what everyone else has written. It'll be bad if there ends up nothing there but mine, but, oh well...such is life! Just enjoy mine then. One of mine is serious, so it may not "cheer" you on toward the weekend, but the other one IS!! Just read them both for poetry's sake and be inspired! Here we go....

WHERE ARE YOU MY BOY?!

"I am desperately looking for you, my sweet boy!

Where has my little boy gone?

Come out of hiding son; don't be coy,"

Mummy's been praying since dawn.

"What were you running from? Where did you go,"

I asked once my sweet boy returned?

"He called me, Mummy. He beckons me so,

That I ran where my foolish heart yearned."

"Just ignore him, sweet boy. Stay near to mum.

We will keep you safe; all the more we'll pray."

"But if I don't go, mum, here he will come,

And then he will want to stay."

"Then we'll take our scrip, sweet boy of mine, and we'll look to Him.

He'll make small of him, in your sweet rest, once the lights grow dim."

The one above is personal to me. I still thought I'd share the poem itself with you. The meaning will remain personal.

CHEER FOR THE SONNET SOULS

I thought a sonnet only for Shakespeare;

For he is the man of soul with words.

I am surprisingly wrong, it appears.

You people are responding in droves and herds!

Keep writing dears; keep writing!

I love what I see and read!

The poetry bug is bitterly biting!

Think; ponder; write; take heed!

And now, my friends of new-found gifts,

Off I go too, to make a sonnet my solace.

I just have to come to grips

With the poetry plague that will befall us.

What is that from afar off I hear?

The song of a sonnet in my ear!

HAVE A WONDERFULLY POETIC, FRESH, FRAGRANT, FABULOUS, FRIDAY!!