Poetry: A Villanette based on Elizabeth Bishop

No, I shan't have lied. It's evident
that traditional poems are not in vogue.
Yet I'd swear by him--the ode familiar.

The onomatopoeia, alliteration, rhyme'
Old favorites, now passe, I must save for my ess-ays
But, I shan't have lied. It's evident

that heavy, rhythmic poesy, is ever so much e-a-sy
But obtuse modern angst is clever, dark and chic.
still I'd swear by him the ode familiar

no more rhymes on coupled lines
shall litter all these poems of mine
I shan't have lied. It's evident
I'd swear by him--the ode familiar
        My pet, the ode familiar.

Vera

Image by leonem via Flickr

The winter wind whisked her along Fifth Avenue
to Central Park. She stood above the lake
skimmed with ice. Her brothers hurling rocks
had hoped to make a hole that wouldn't freeze again.
Intent upon their burden, they ignored
a little girl who stood meekly at their side.

"I can break the ice so it won't freeze again."

"Tommy-rot," they said and shut her out.
But she could prove she was as smart as they.
A she leapt  from the bridge and her brothers learned
when Vera spoke, they'd better listen.

Are You an Author or a Dabbler?

We write. But why do we? Is it because we have a talent or a drive? Is it a pastime or a passion? Take the quiz and find out.

1. It's time to write but your desk is messy.
You straighten out the desk. A cluttered mind is unproductive.

You write. Once you're focused, you won't see the desk.

You organize your workspace as a warm-up, then begin to write.

2. In order to write you need:

a deadline 

inspiration 

something to write with.

 3. Your story isn't going well. You


          go for a run

write until you break through 

watch a movie and hope inspiration hits

4. To you grammar books are

dull 

useful 

as much fun as a Ken Follett novel

 

5. If you have an extra fifty bucks, you would

buy books that inspire you 

go out to dinner

save for a writing course or conference

 

6. At writing conferences you primarily

hit as many courses and editors as you can 

spend time networking with fellow attendees 

enjoy the dinner and hotel amenities

 

7. Rejection letters

Disappoint, but make you determined to do better 

Disappoint, but the editor didn't know what she was missing

Disappoint, so you scrapbook instead

 

8. If you hear a cute turn of phrase, you

use it yourself 

get jealous someone else thought of it

put your own twist on it.

 9. If you could write or peruse facebook, you

add more friends on facebook--after all, you're building a platform 

write 

discover the new games on facebook

 

10. If it was guaranteed your writing wouldn't appear in print, you would

quit 

share with my family 

 just write

 How do you know this is a passion or a pastime? Click the button and find out. Let me know other things you do that encourage you in your writing passion.