Poetry

Two assignments for my Intro to Creative Writing class here at UNC-W.

Assignment 1 - We were asked to respond with a poem to this painting: http://anagramseverywhere.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/hopperny-movie.jpg

“Painting Poetry”

His hateful words had chased her from her seat,

and snapping and snarling, they burned her ears.

She cowered now, their prey, with her back pressed against the wall.

A frown bruises her delicate features

as the sharp edge of the wood-paneled wall presses itself against the small of her back.

Deserving, she revels in the pain for an instant,

hyper-aware of the wall edging itself into the delicate space between her vertebrae.

The lamp above her drenches her face in light,

the yellow glow shining gold on her limp hair.

It might have looked angelic.

Gripped in her left hand is a tightly-rolled playbill,

the sweat from her palm softening the papery creases.

She clenches it tighter,

and feels it give way beneath her fist with only a rustle of protest.

She buttons her woolen blue coat to her neck,

and the dampened hem nudges her exposed ankles

like a mangy cat.

Assignment 2 - Here we were asked to create a poem writing about someone who has influenced our view of ourselves / world view / philosophy, drawing upon specific conversations and recalling their words. The style is an homage to this poem: http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2003/09/30

“What She Told Me”

I will tell you what she told me

with her gentle hands alit on my heaving shoulders

those two cool reminders that this wasn’t the end

it’s been worse, she whispered

you’ll get through this

we’ll get through this, we always do, her shaking voice said

maybe to convince herself more than anything

that still night the world stopped spinning

and the air tasted thinner and didn’t satisfy our hungry lungs

and nothing moved in a huge house,

but no one noticed the ear-splitting silence

a heaviness so foreign to us loitered in our space

bearing down and making my skin tingle and my insides squirm

like worms in a bucket, wriggling to be free from a place too crowded

but her warm chocolate eyes invited me back

with an insistence that was motherly

in the way that I needed

I wouldn’t be here without you, I croaked

through cracked lips that I couldn’t quit chewing

and I’d never meant it more.

Interesting, certainly. Enjoy?

Love and light,

S-

pimp juice

I’ve been wanting to write more, but for some reason every time I sit down to do so my mind goes blank, and words refuse to flow onto paper as smoothly as they do in my mind. Now I have my laptop with me at work, and for lack of anything else (interesting) to do, I decided to write. It may be clumsy and not convey my thoughts perfectly, but something is certainly better than nothing. 

Work was unbelievably busy tonight, and with just two of us on the clock, it was intensely stressful. As I sank into the familiar rhythm of politely serving customers, however, I felt the adrenaline rush through my limbs as I struggled to perform my duties with the ever-elusive balance of speed, efficiency, and politeness. Considering we were out of spoons for a short time as well as out of 18 of our 32 flavors, it was quite an effort to please customers. We managed to earn 17 dollars each so far in tips alone, though, so I’m pretty satisfied that we did a good job. I complain about this job a lot, but in truth I’m very attached to it. I wish Caroline realized (and appreciated!) how much M. and I do for this place, though. We both have invested so much heart into this shop..it feels like my baby sometimes! 

Well, it’s nearly 10:30 and I need to help M. clean up and close. I’ll try to add more later, especially considering there are many, many more things on my mind....it’s just that writing about work is easy. Write what you know, they say...

Best.xx

Home again, home again. As predicted, I feel no inspiration to write more...bummer. Perhaps later.

love and light,

S-

You just look like you're wasting away

I miss blogging -

I say that every time, I know, but it's true. I hope to keep it up on a more regular basis, since I find it quite therapeutic and wonderfully cathartic. 

It's been quite the summer. I've experienced things I know I'l never forget, met some simply amazing people, and learned oh so much. I can already picture myself years from now reminiscing on "that one summer, before freshman year of college...remember it? remember him and those nights, and that place..?"

It's gloomy weather out. Clouds hanging fat and sulking overhead, sky grumbling with thunder, and the wind whipping the tree limbs around and swirling the water in the canal into tiny waves, all producing an effect that I would probably find quite beautiful if I didn't feel so gloomy myself. I told him I wouldn't mope. I told him I'm not moping, yet somehow I know I am. I call it reflective, I call it pensive, I call it a variety of things, really. I just don't feel hungry, I say, I'd rather stay in than go out...but he's probably right. It'll pass, won't it? 

I've been invited out, so perhaps I'll end this here. I'm off to indulge myself with ice cream and see what the night holds.

best,

S-

SUPER SCHEDULE

FST 210: Moviemakers and Scholars
SPN 305: Spanish Conversation and Composition
PSY 105: General Psychology
PED 101: Lecture, Health and Wellness
PED 101: Lab, Tai Chi
UNI 111: Freshamn Seminar
CRW 201: Introduction to Creative Writing

SO STOKED!

like a boss

I keep finding myself aching to write, but thus far I have not been able to adequately represent my thoughts. I suppose this will be my feeble attempt..we'll see how I feel by its commencement..

Speaking of commencement, graduation is less than a month away, and I have only six days left of school. It's simply unbelievable. I'm somehow surprised I've made it this far. Sometimes I think back on moments from these past four years and can't believe it all happened in this lifetime. Makes me wonder how different things will be four years from now. What will remain the same?

I feel content.

This weekend has been stellar, as have most days throughout the gently rolling month of May. One school day slips into the next, studded with the interregnum of weekends like these, which are filled with laughs, relaxation, and his bright smile. All is well.

best,
Sus

update

I realized I miss blogging, even though few people read it. Perhaps especially because few people read it...
I find myself bogged down with negativity tonight, nearly on the verge of tears to be honest, so i decided it's time for some positivity. Gotta practice what you preach, so here goes:

Things to be thankful for:
-The friends who've stuck by me, who buy me mango Jarritos and flan, who spend lunch with me even when they don't need something from me, who love to see me smile and revel in my happiness with me
-The one who's made everything a bit easier, who's made every day a bit more filled with smiles, with happiness, with genuine joy, who has truly changed things for me
-Thomas Pynchon's latest novel, due out in August 2009
-Feeling confident about my AP exam performance
-CHHS dance concert
-Having the ability to focus on all that is good in my life
-My amazing, loving, supportive family!!!
-Being tucked in at night and having his bright smile being the last sight before sleep overtook my body
-The new friends I've met / the Q bldg /Monday night throwdowns
-Prom 2009!
-Graduating (we hope. xD)
-The view from my bedroom
-Having had the experiences I have.
-The bounty gained from Mum's trip to IKEA....mmm, Skarpor...!

This helped.
Love and light,
S-

pu$$y m0ney w33d

Oh, how I miss blogging.
I wish my bumpin' social life left more time for it..! :rolls eyes: It would be better if it left more time for LIT. HOMEWORK, to be honest..

Chalk it up to the perfect weather, this mug of warm tea, or whatever you will, but there's been a smile plastered on this face for quite a while now...I'm really starting to like it.

Life spent piling 8 people into the Lincoln, blasting music, smoking a Parliament Light through a sly grin is pretty ideal. Lounging on the grass outside Weaver Street, flirting with - hell, everyone - and stealing Mel's pretzels...Lying around practicing "DrewZen," enjoying dinner at the coolest Ukrainian household in the world, jogging for the hell of it, dreaming of /her/, stroking /her/ hair, teasing /him/ about his, picnicking with junkfood and 40oz's, holding hands, strolling through nature, falling in love..

It's working. It sure as hell works for this girl.

Love and light,
S-