Tuesday October 7th, 2008

The exercise:

It's the same in the end.

Step one: pick a song with lyrics.

Step two: for every line, remove every word except the last. So if the line is 'hip hop', drop the 'hip', keep the 'hop'.

Step three: write a poem, with each line ending with the saved word. So 'hip hop' could become 'watch the bunny hop', or 'watch the one legged man hop', or what have you.

Mine:

Better Way - Ben Harper


Your eyes reflect the sunset
Your words seep into my bones
We step closer to the edge
And survey the waiting stone


Must it finish this way?


Are we really just two fools
Or is this decision wise?
Our love goes beyond this world
It can be seen without eyes


Must it finish this way?
Is there no other way?


I am proud to be your man;
With you I shall always stand
Listen not to the cynic,
He has no better plan


Must it finish this way?
Is there no other way?


The wind is biting and sharp
Your hair slices like a knife,
Like truths I wish not to know,
Like the lost hope of this life


Must it finish this way?


In pure silence we join hands
We step out and close our eyes,
Fall into a sweeter dream
Where our love can't be denied


Must it finish this way...
Yes, it is ending this way...
Yes, it has ended this way...

Monday October 6th, 2008

The exercise:

Today's prompt: flying.

Mine:

Feet leave earth, propelling me skyward. My eyes are locked on the stars, I don't look backward. I dodge trees and power lines, feeling awkward.

Birds are jealous, I'm faster than a rocket. I'll keep going until I can put stardust in my pocket.

Through the clouds I continue to climb, higher and higher. Suddenly I'm surrounded by angel fliers. They laugh and play with me - God loves a tryer.

Sunday October 5th, 2008

The exercise:

The starter for today is: feeding frenzy. I'm um... not really sure where mine came from. I'm in a good mood right now, I swear. I'm even listening to really upbeat, happy music... so, I have no idea.

Mine:

Splashing blood, cracking bones
Flashing mud, racking moans
Confused sight, banshee scream
Bruised fight, empty dream
Constant pain, blinding light
Instant strain, finding night

Saturday October 4th, 2008

The exercise:

The four line poem topic for this rainy Saturday is: slowing down. I tacked on an extra one from the expert on chill.

Mine:

There's no need for all this rushing around
Precious moments in this brief life abound
The destination is the same for all
Take it all in before you get the call

Jack Johnson's:

Slow down everyone
You're moving too fast
Frames can't catch you
When you're moving like that

- Inaudible melodies

Friday October 3rd, 2008

The exercise:

Def Poetry Jam Friday brings you flowmentalz and Constipation.

Mine:

It's been a bit of a long week, just wanted to end it with a laugh. I'll try to have something a bit more serious lined up for next week.

More flowmentalz joy can be found here.

Thursday October 2nd, 2008

The exercise:

I just want to say that the quote of the night from the federal leaders debate goes to Jack Layton for this comment towards Stephen Harper: you either don't care or you're incompetent, which is it? Also kudos to Elizabeth May and Gilles Duceppe for being the two most honest people at the table.

Anyway, today's starter is: constant interruptions. For the record, I had already decided on this one before watching the debate.

Mine:

I've been temping in the same office for the last few days and I've been noticing almost everyone that works in and around my area share a personality pet peeve of mine.

They are constantly interrupting each others speech. They'll hear five words, think they've figured out where the conversation is headed, and break in to finish things off. I'd say about half the time they're right... but that means they're wrong the other fifty percent of the time.

It's a pretty busy office, so I guess they're just in a rush to get the talking done with and get back to work. But half of the time the original speaker has to explain that no, that wasn't what she was going to say, this was. And suddenly the conversation is doubled or tripled in length.

Aside from this time efficiency business, there's also the fact that whoever is being interrupted can't feel too important. If you behave like you're too busy to listen, people will notice. There's a very large difference in respect between rushing a conversation to its end and telling someone that you don't have time to talk right now, come by later.

I'm usually a slow speaker, thinking as I go, so I tend to get interrupted a lot in general. It infuriates me to no end. Thankfully though, the people I'm working with at the moment are letting me speak, maybe because they don't know me as well or whatever. But it is pretty aggravating to listen to others being denied their right to speak and be heard.

Wednesday October 1st, 2008

The exercise:

Today's topic: proceed with caution.

Mine:

Harper with a majority?
What is our damn priority?
Do we love big oil companies?
Our children with no guarantees?

Go NDP or Lib or Green
Just... no more Harper - he's obscene
It's time to wake up Canada
Before we become Nevada