Sunday, September 30, 2012

A Toast: To Triangles with Jam

This poem is the work of myself and a fellow poet, who is the most random friend I have in many ways. Thanks for helping to write this one, B! #Respect

Our world is filled
with plans and schedules
We are all-consumed
with that inexplicable restlessness,
longing and sadness.
Hectic paces keep us
tired and stressed,
pulling us away
from everything that really matters

Everyone has a calendar
that religiously they follow.
But no one has the time
to jump in a rain puddle again,
the way they did
when childhood beckoned.

Whatever happened to blowing bubbles
just for the sheer joy of it?
For happiness, for bliss.
For sanity!
Why don't we ever shout
'I love you!' from a rooftop?

When was the last time
you walked aimlessly?
How long has it been since you
experienced a 'spur of the moment' moment?

We are great planners,
amazing schedulers.
There are countless apps
to control our lives.

Did your phone tell you
to hug a stranger ever?
Was that tri-tone alert
instructing you to sing just for the love of music?

I'd love to know
what happened to random and spontaneous…?
When did 'impulsive'
leave our world?

I propose a toast
'To the bride, to the groom'
'The business deals'
But more importantly,
TO TRIANGLES!!

Don’t ask me why,
just listen.

We run, we jog
from meeting to meeting.
And yet we completely missed
the gorgeous autumn colors.

Our suits are power,
the ties match perfectly.
The crease in our pants
lead down to our designer shoes.

Ever thought of trying
unmatched socks?
Or better yet...
clashing colors?

Are you smiling now?
Are you kissing a love one after too long?

Be bold! Be daring!
Your comfort zone
is hindering the true experience
of a life stress free.

Yes, it's a toast I propose
With butter and jam.
Here's to you and me
As random as can be.
Forever.

Written by:
Rod E. Kok
Boshika Gupta

For more of Boshika's writings, visit her blog at http://whimsandfanciesforever.wordpress.com/

Follow Boshika on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Smilingblues

Thursday, September 27, 2012

September 27, 2012

Don't tell the person who's paying my OT, but I am writing this during working hours. My role here is pretty much nothing...I only work if something breaks. And the chance of something breaking is slim. Now that I said that, it's gonna turn all bad. Now, the important stuff. Poetry. Writing. Yes I have been working on it. Not as much as I would like, but it's coming along. Keep tabs on my website, follow me on Twitter (@fifafan1969) and on my Facebook page. Thanks.
FF

Monday, September 24, 2012

Dear Moon

I gaze out my bedroom window
the night is dark.
God's creation is asleep...
well, except for a select few.
The moon is awake over here
gently lighting our world.
The moth strives for its heights
mankind has been there, done that.
Silence! The wind rustles the
dying leaves of autumn.
Aye, darkness prevails
aside from the pale shimmer.
And that light...the moon
grins down on me through
my bedroom window.
What does it know? The future?
Is tomorrow the day I go beyond
to Heaven? Does the moon know
that I will be higher
someday?
No, the barren gray rock
reflects light not of knowledge
but only of safety.
Shine on, dear moon. My path
is lit in the darkest hour.
Goodnight, dear moon. And thank you
for your time tonight.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

September 23, 2012

In what seemed to be the blink of an eye, the weekend is over and I am about to head into my sleep. I knew it would go fast, because I suspected how much fun I would have. And time flies when your having fun. And so it's over. And I would do it again in a heartbeat. Golfing in the mountains, having some time with my family, going to Church, listening to some music and doing some writing. I can't imagine what would be more fun. And all of it, in pieces and in whole, serves as inspiration. And I think that most of it shows in the poem I started writing tonight. I am excited by this one...I believe it has some real potential. Hopefully tomorrow I can do some work on it. But for now, I must sleep. Monday beckons with a crooked finger and a sideways grin. I sure hope I have fun...that will bring me to Tuesday so much quicker.
FF

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

September 19, 2012

Not much happening around here lately and it is kind of disappointing. I wrote a poem the other day, felt really good about it (still do), but I haven't written anything since. It is mostly due to laziness. And the pressure that I put on myself to come with 'epic' every time. I need to learn to relax and let the words flow naturally. And after a conversation with an author today, I decided that I should find a balance between writing poetry and writing stories (Thanks Lori). I don't want to burn out one and forget the other. What does this mean? It means that Lionel is coming out of the closet. Oh, um...NOT THAT CLOSET! No, he is coming back into my writing world. Good grief, I haven't seen Lionel for a while. I wonder how he's been. Stick around...I'll let you know.
FF

Saturday, September 15, 2012

September 15, 2012

So I built a new computer. It is fast....really fast. Today I went and started going through all my emails from over the years, and organizing them. Yep, I have emails going back to 2004. Not all of them, mind you. Now the trick is to go through them and decide if I really need to have them. Ah yes, the joys of being excited about a new computer...everything must be shiny and organized. I also get to organize my 159GB music collection. Hopefully once I get rid of some doubles I will bring it down by a gig or seven. Really, who needs that much music. Good grief. Oh and about this whole writing thing...I'm still doing it. As a matter of fact, I am about to jot down some words for a new poem. So, um....goodbye.
FF

Friday, September 14, 2012

Do You Remember

For my wife. 16 years later and still madly in love.
 
Do you remember
the day we met?
Quiet and shy
you stared at
your feet.
 
Do you recollect
all the firsts?
The smile, the wink
the touch of our hands,
the first kiss?
 
Walking by the lake
not close, but not far
apart,
wondering
what was happening?
 
Can you recall
our first intimate
conversation?
Was it then
we fell in love?
 
People talked
people stared.
The shaking of heads,
the clacking of tongues,
few approved.
 
But we didn't care
what they thought.
The warnings came
but amidst it all
we persevered.
 
We finally said I do.
And we did everything
that we promised
as we also continue
to do.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

September 13, 2012

In 6 minutes it will be the day of my wedding. 16 years ago I married my best friend, and today she is an even better friend. Much of my inspiration to write is drawn from her. She is the oil to my water, but I think that's what makes us work so well. We are so different that we are the same. 16 years. Who woulda thunk it. We did, and that's why we said 'I do'. We did, we do and we always will. How's that for a line in a poem. Watch for it...I may just use it. But in the meantime...happy anniversary Dianne. I love you.
*Posted at the stroke of 12:00*
FF

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

September 12, 2012

I know it looks like I haven't been very busy, but I have been diligently working on some new pieces. I actually have around 18 poems and partial poems...all labelled as WIP. I am slowly getting my muse back. I think I have said it before, that even if I write crap at least I am writing. Sure some of the WIPs will never see the light of day. Or maybe they will. I don't know. I keep them hanging around and dust them off every once in a while. You never know what you can do with recycled old stuff. If the muse is right, the words work. Rarely will I toss anything. Recycle yes. But not toss. Too much went into the words to abandon them. I can work with it.
FF

Sunday, September 9, 2012

September 9, 2012

I asked this question on my Twitter account, and I will ask it here. Is this the week I get some writing done? Is there a (good) poem coming soon? To answer, I say this: I sure hope so. I will try out some thoughts down and make them into a semi-coherent thought. And if poetry isn't going for me, maybe I will flip back to the story I am writing (or trying to). Remember Lionel? Yep, he still lives in the recesses of my mind, and his story will still be told. I don't know when, but he may get some attention real soon. His story is way too cool to keep bottled up. It will get told. But first I try get a poem out. That is my focus. Something will happen. I can feel it.
FF

Saturday, September 8, 2012

September 8, 2012

I wrote a poem today. Granted, it is a poor excuse of a poem, but it is a piece of work. With some minor or major editing, it may actually turn into something worth reading. I won't throw it onto the ash heap quite yet. Another totally cool thing is that my poem 'Dreams' has been recognized and about to be published by The Rusty Nail. It was a feature on the website a couple days ago, and it should appear in the print version of the magazine very soon. Anytime an author (and yes, I consider myself an author) gets published, it is a thrill. For me, it is validation. No, I am not going to try make a living on writing. That has never been the focus. I write because it is therapeutic. I write because I love words. I write because I can. I may not do it well, but I do it. And I like it. And I am about to be published.
FF

Thursday, September 6, 2012

September 6, 2012

It has been a very busy September so far. So busy, in fact, that my writing has taken a back seat. Even as I write this, I should be sleeping. I am constantly trying to come up with new poems, but I simply have had no time to put anything down. I will have to do some editing of my works in progress...that usually gets me going. But that won't happen tonight, or tomorrow night. Nope, simply no time. But on the bright side, I built a new computer today:). It is pretty smoking' fast. Not the fastest, but it is really quick. Tomorrow I finish installing core software on it, then I will take a snapshot in preparation for disaster recovery. Maybe a really fast new computer will help me churn out poems faster. Or not.
FF

Monday, September 3, 2012

September 3, 2012

And so, another summer ends. When we wake up in the morning, we will embark on a new school year...me at work and my kids attending. It has been a really good summer. The weather has been pretty good, I have golfed a fair bit, I have spent some real quality time with my family...yes, it has been good. And now, routine starts again. That's not a bad thing, because hopefully it also means a better routine of writing. Hopefully I can build up my repertoire of poems (is it a repertoire or a portfolio?). Inspiration is born of keeping the senses honed to the world around. Hopefully I will see it before it passes me by.
FF

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Leap of Faith

Whoever would have thought I could write a poem about a night of fun on a trampoline.

For Mark and Nelena.

Perspective is changed
from the upside down
tumbling, spinning
nothing seems the same.
We strive for normal,
feet firmly planted
yet we power as high
as we think we can go.
We launch our bodies
towards the heavens
around we go, head over heels
only to fall back down.
We land softly on the springy form
and catch our breath,
amazed at what we saw
when we took our leap of faith.

September 1, 2012

Pretty soon another school year is launched. Many things about this excite me, one of them being the thought of winter. Yes, I actually like winter. I love snow, I love the sight of frost on the sleeping trees and on our chain link fence. I love the look of my breath as it hangs in the cold morning air. No, I am not quite ready to be there yet. I want to do some golfing first. And it's just too early still. But, winter approacheth. I am really excited about trying to be a poet in the winter. There is so much beauty to take for inspiration...I long to know what I will write. Soon, humble poet. Soon enough it will arrive. And you'll then look towards longer days and warmer sun. Ah yes...I love the seasonal change.
FF