tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7979492692820502582024-03-12T18:20:00.718-06:00Rod E. KokUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger463125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-89315114750041457342022-10-21T10:55:00.004-06:002022-10-21T10:55:52.464-06:00Tinnitus<p><i> Well dear reader, using the word prompts from Day 14, I expose a little bit more about me that you may not know. As you can judge by the title, this poem is about a hearing condition called Tinnitus. I have suffered from it for years, but thankfully I have hearing aids that provide constant relief. Please enjoy the piece from Day 14.</i></p><p><i>Rod E. Kok</i></p>Internal silence<br />is rare;<br />a high pitched<br />squeal<br />is constant.<br /><br />If it was not for<br />white noise<br />streaming into <br />my ears,<br />I would have gone<br />crazy<br />long ago.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BpLnnlO_nLD8kTGfcqdV-H9vTltTHUHjziMHG3ENA7qJdLDVAevIWKFLZbtriXdLINoCk-SejH_zOTjh9NdnCu1QacbWYc4P_Pb4tWWou_lXZUYyH1Qdt3J-5TBXvXxz5ie-ywsJ526QmfMyNshHZm_ztnCDV_qf3ouq5xiZAvRvXb2ZpUMwGL4nUA/s200/OctPoWriMo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BpLnnlO_nLD8kTGfcqdV-H9vTltTHUHjziMHG3ENA7qJdLDVAevIWKFLZbtriXdLINoCk-SejH_zOTjh9NdnCu1QacbWYc4P_Pb4tWWou_lXZUYyH1Qdt3J-5TBXvXxz5ie-ywsJ526QmfMyNshHZm_ztnCDV_qf3ouq5xiZAvRvXb2ZpUMwGL4nUA/s1600/OctPoWriMo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-37661462934216325192022-10-21T10:25:00.009-06:002022-10-21T10:25:55.669-06:00Family of Faith<p><i> Good morning dear reader. I won't get done 31 poems in 31 days. I am simply too far behind. Why? Because my motivation to write is severely lacking. And laziness. I have not put in the effort required to keep up. But, I will write 31 poems. It will just take me a few extra days. And that brings us to the word prompts from Day 13. This poem came out very raw, and exposes me in a light that some may not see. I have no doubts that those who know me will quite possibly look at me differently if they read this. And that is ok. My wall will keep me safe.</i></p><p><i>Rod E. Kok</i></p><br />A lifelong struggle<br />to embrace<br />what I was raised<br />to believe.<br /><br /><div>I do not deny<br />those lessons,<br />yet I find it<br />difficult<br />to believe<br />that I am<br />included<br />in the family<br />of faith.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BpLnnlO_nLD8kTGfcqdV-H9vTltTHUHjziMHG3ENA7qJdLDVAevIWKFLZbtriXdLINoCk-SejH_zOTjh9NdnCu1QacbWYc4P_Pb4tWWou_lXZUYyH1Qdt3J-5TBXvXxz5ie-ywsJ526QmfMyNshHZm_ztnCDV_qf3ouq5xiZAvRvXb2ZpUMwGL4nUA/s200/OctPoWriMo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4BpLnnlO_nLD8kTGfcqdV-H9vTltTHUHjziMHG3ENA7qJdLDVAevIWKFLZbtriXdLINoCk-SejH_zOTjh9NdnCu1QacbWYc4P_Pb4tWWou_lXZUYyH1Qdt3J-5TBXvXxz5ie-ywsJ526QmfMyNshHZm_ztnCDV_qf3ouq5xiZAvRvXb2ZpUMwGL4nUA/s1600/OctPoWriMo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-20042901355727619672022-10-13T20:25:00.007-06:002022-10-13T20:25:54.140-06:00Take Another Look<p><i> Well dear reader, the words are coming fast and furious tonight. This will be my third poem of the night, and I'm almost caught up for OctPoWriMo. This is day 12's piece and is probably the most relevant poem for me. Anyone who has followed this blog over the last few years know what I've endured. And as it turns out, those who judged me really aren't that different from me. I just hope they take another look.</i></p><p><i>Rod E. Kok</i></p><br />Take another look<br />into my open eyes.<br />Can you see clearly<br />the twisted illusions<br />that swirl behind <br />my iris?<br /><br />Take another look.<br />Go ahead.<br />Open your own eyes<br />and see your reflection<br />in mine.<div><br />Can you see it?<br />We really are <br />not that different<br />after all.<div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00GMA2G1wbM3ijftoHXLa0iaZtT7O8PyYy3on82ELGvzdKCh-fgfcbzDBt75DcBRiigc8ipomrPw73G8yDKOMUrPViO1zMPA51RIZTKikhpDFPBYsy8VeLOn5Z26jD2X0VujdCFKLf41741gJXNpTAbouwn9IEVXRnUFCvDs4d3L0isV0QsdCVPA0jw/s200/OctPoWriMo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00GMA2G1wbM3ijftoHXLa0iaZtT7O8PyYy3on82ELGvzdKCh-fgfcbzDBt75DcBRiigc8ipomrPw73G8yDKOMUrPViO1zMPA51RIZTKikhpDFPBYsy8VeLOn5Z26jD2X0VujdCFKLf41741gJXNpTAbouwn9IEVXRnUFCvDs4d3L0isV0QsdCVPA0jw/s1600/OctPoWriMo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-54049504414764205182022-10-13T20:10:00.004-06:002022-10-13T20:10:27.761-06:00Where I was<p><i> Hello dear reader</i></p><p><i>I'm really not paying any attention to anything except the words we are given as prompts. My words are borne from those words, regardless of what direction we are prompted to go. I think I mentioned it earlier; I am very happy going my own direction. Today's poem gives us a contrast in perspective. This was and is my effort for Day 11 of OctPoWriMo. Please enjoy.</i></p><p><i>Rod E. Kok</i></p><br />Bright lights,<br />warm vibes;<br />boundless energy<br />spins around<br />this room.<br /><br />Darkness;<br />cold fingers<br />grip my heart.<br />I cannot move<br />back <br />to where I was.<div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-TpodiBhg7Wj2HSb5QNWmsv00LvjXk_KEPTfXSrdXvC9759lRc_tW5QRoz9XbDP5wyJcJW5TYUaiwP3Z5ZH9Ff9t7LN4l8uSCw6dIDzteH_406SWyWwVkSnIabeRcmci74cAPHknycQbSDUPFOhMs-wkQwRj2oDgR4SNEbbz47cZ-LIgVK-6B4HWfA/s500/Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-TpodiBhg7Wj2HSb5QNWmsv00LvjXk_KEPTfXSrdXvC9759lRc_tW5QRoz9XbDP5wyJcJW5TYUaiwP3Z5ZH9Ff9t7LN4l8uSCw6dIDzteH_406SWyWwVkSnIabeRcmci74cAPHknycQbSDUPFOhMs-wkQwRj2oDgR4SNEbbz47cZ-LIgVK-6B4HWfA/w220-h220/Logo.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-65845110498986672042022-10-13T19:27:00.005-06:002022-10-13T19:27:32.063-06:00Never Give Up<p><i>Dear reader, the motivation to write has been lacking. Even the prompts are not inspiring me or my words. So if the next few poems seem forced, they probably are. And I apologize for that. But I will not give up on finishing OctPoWriMo 2022. It just may take me a little longer.</i></p><p><i>Rod E. Kok</i></p><p><br /></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-10e20b89-7fff-5ed8-1c7a-dc13e0f10128"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is no sadness</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">amidst the hope</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of change.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Turning that corner</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to a new</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">normal,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I promise now</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to never</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">give up.</span></p></span><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00GMA2G1wbM3ijftoHXLa0iaZtT7O8PyYy3on82ELGvzdKCh-fgfcbzDBt75DcBRiigc8ipomrPw73G8yDKOMUrPViO1zMPA51RIZTKikhpDFPBYsy8VeLOn5Z26jD2X0VujdCFKLf41741gJXNpTAbouwn9IEVXRnUFCvDs4d3L0isV0QsdCVPA0jw/s200/OctPoWriMo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00GMA2G1wbM3ijftoHXLa0iaZtT7O8PyYy3on82ELGvzdKCh-fgfcbzDBt75DcBRiigc8ipomrPw73G8yDKOMUrPViO1zMPA51RIZTKikhpDFPBYsy8VeLOn5Z26jD2X0VujdCFKLf41741gJXNpTAbouwn9IEVXRnUFCvDs4d3L0isV0QsdCVPA0jw/s1600/OctPoWriMo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-2950386602153751282022-10-11T09:22:00.004-06:002022-10-11T09:22:43.555-06:00Fear<p><i> Well dear reader, for Day 9's prompt I have decided to return to one of my all time favorite poetry forms. The Haiku. This one came to me very quickly. I'm quite pleased with it. The hardest part of writing this poem was titling it. Even as I write this intro, I do not have a title chosen yet. I'm sure it will come to me. Please enjoy.</i></p><p><i>Rod E. Kok</i></p><br />becoming afraid<br />she breathes life into my soul<br />silencing my fear<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTORYRGagibqfoi__rD4X8uvuIh7av6kFUk4IfZaj_8ps4WVv023HC0zTLhhJPsyDeJdqSt66QoN477aXeK5qDYdcY_Vu0fXlf_IJytMKuqO0aVxmX1hIue8jlz3h1uQ-mcPpcj5s1Mj4a6tb0FtBxqE2CT3yqGAJFZYvAtk184HaIgjlkSU_EWmv_kQ/s500/IMG_20150928_151453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTORYRGagibqfoi__rD4X8uvuIh7av6kFUk4IfZaj_8ps4WVv023HC0zTLhhJPsyDeJdqSt66QoN477aXeK5qDYdcY_Vu0fXlf_IJytMKuqO0aVxmX1hIue8jlz3h1uQ-mcPpcj5s1Mj4a6tb0FtBxqE2CT3yqGAJFZYvAtk184HaIgjlkSU_EWmv_kQ/w171-h171/IMG_20150928_151453.jpg" width="171" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-3926838303223884752022-10-11T08:45:00.005-06:002022-10-11T08:54:19.009-06:00Wonderfully Strange<p><i> Hello dear reader. I have fallen behind in my writing, but I promise I will make it up. For better or worse. I am finding that throughout this journey so far, I am using the word prompts, but not necessarily the 'vision' prompt. Nor am I using the form prompt. I think this is a good thing for me, for it allows me to really write out of my head and my heart. I hope you are enjoying this ride. Here is my poem for Day 8 of OctPoWriMo2022.</i></p><p><i>Rod E. Kok</i></p><br />In the quiet comfort<br />of darkness,<br />how wonderfully strange<br />it is<br />that my mind<br />goes <br />to unexpected places.<br /><br />How wonderfully strange<br />that I did not<br />go mad<br />with confusion<br />or doubt.<br /><br />In the quiet chaos,<br />I survived something<br />that was<br />wonderfully strange.<div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRycoj-YU4mxsQNZtBu3foFY-PTlyUD9Dp_XPJJN61Ok3EJov4KkWKz-2ymSforz8zG3YmXhAYtq5QvNHYReu-op6Vb-kXo_uCACCOCKIycBC-W849q7DPoxqY7Zmo6lrUY-whTXPshUUn5SO0rhnVuhxZkNf0NickJEfRpciImgvq025qIvt45MlhQ/s200/OctPoWriMo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRycoj-YU4mxsQNZtBu3foFY-PTlyUD9Dp_XPJJN61Ok3EJov4KkWKz-2ymSforz8zG3YmXhAYtq5QvNHYReu-op6Vb-kXo_uCACCOCKIycBC-W849q7DPoxqY7Zmo6lrUY-whTXPshUUn5SO0rhnVuhxZkNf0NickJEfRpciImgvq025qIvt45MlhQ/s1600/OctPoWriMo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-3467605605684406332022-10-07T12:28:00.004-06:002022-10-07T12:28:19.326-06:00Glass Floor<i>Hello dear reader. Today we have been challenged to write something about conquering our fears. Well, I immediately went back to the time I tried to stand on the glass floor at the top of the Calgary tower, and in more recent memory, the same activity in the CN Tower in Toronto. Neither was an event that I wish to repeat. I think you'll get that message through today's poem. Please enjoy.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Rod E. Kok</i><br /><br /> Glass floors<br />reflect a world<br />far beneath<span id="docs-internal-guid-bd022669-7fff-dbf0-2e49-53a122bb8eb6"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my feet.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am determined</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to trust,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to conquer </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my fear.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will tread,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">albeit lightly</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and with great</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">trepidation,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">upon that floor.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heartbeat increases;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cold sweat</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">breaks out.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One foot hovers</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">above what seems to be</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">certain doom.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pull back,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">willing my mind</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and body</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to fear not.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trust.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fear.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deep breath.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A glass floor</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bears my weight;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my body floats</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">above the ground</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">so far below.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A single tear</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">falls from </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my eye.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This once</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have conquered;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I never have to stand</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on a glass floor</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">again.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AXloPHAB2rExxDZ7F3gGd-G0y28Kln2x4_uXLvDnW2CirMOOlDfVXlTRdGWCL6KWCbwYJhZ68aPijroJqWI5cOgxxIdymQdXrTyK_rP31f0kmDDP9nbYB4l6hzdzBLLteQdkZ3EBa_-wNjWtyi-X2dZdTIJTvV-SeFNgWsqJJsiSzbeNjZvDfQGbZw/s200/OctPoWriMo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AXloPHAB2rExxDZ7F3gGd-G0y28Kln2x4_uXLvDnW2CirMOOlDfVXlTRdGWCL6KWCbwYJhZ68aPijroJqWI5cOgxxIdymQdXrTyK_rP31f0kmDDP9nbYB4l6hzdzBLLteQdkZ3EBa_-wNjWtyi-X2dZdTIJTvV-SeFNgWsqJJsiSzbeNjZvDfQGbZw/s1600/OctPoWriMo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-23178029058824964622022-10-06T20:22:00.005-06:002022-10-06T20:22:37.322-06:00My World<i>Hello dear reader. We are 6 days into OctPoWriMo and I'm still writing. After so much time away from poetry, this is a major accomplishment. Today's theme is about guilt, and ridding oneself from it. I didn't quite go there, but I did use some of the word prompts. My words today do not reflect how I feel today. Rather, they reflect a generalization of my feelings. Some days are better than others. Today is a good day. Please enjoy.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Rod E. Kok</i><br /><br /> I live<br />in this world<br />surrounded<br />by my own sin,<br />these failures<br />and faults.<br /><br />I live<br />in this world<br />weighed down<br />by guilt.<br />I feel<br />unforgivable.<br /><br />I live<br />in this world<br />unable to see<br />past<br />my wall.<br /><br />I have surrendered<br />to my reality;<br />I cannot <br />let it go.<br />My weakness<br />will not <br />allow it.<br /><br />I live <br />in this world.<br />I live.<br />And that is<br />my world.<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-3505617039436933762022-10-05T15:44:00.000-06:002022-10-05T15:44:10.103-06:00Not Enough<p> <i>Day 5, dear reader, brings us a prompt that I took 180 degrees from what the word suggestions suggested. At least, I think I did a u-turn on this one. It is the kind of poem I usually wrote in the past, so it flowed quite easily once I put my mind to writing it. Anyone who has read my works in the past will see that this is truly me. And it is probably not enough.</i></p><p><i>Rod E. Kok</i></p><br />Who am I<br />if I am not enough?<br /><br />Who would I be<br />if I did not doubt<br />myself?<br /><br />I would be<br />better <br />than I think<br /><br />and I think<br />I am<br />not enough<div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmza6seDblNRCUlKtXtnQInhIuoddj_ALfrgZtP___tgJHTN840khdQ7YY6zSBHeeDLZFJLKlj7zTmo0QTugwVGTez3qBvLNLdW_B5ZNacVwagWkfDxbjhmcBiiS3NV9Yid3o_G-yEQov3KnHLZ--mbmfuEZ9qPRvTUS36VHeXjcUFc3ZYerW4lU97A/s200/OctPoWriMo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmza6seDblNRCUlKtXtnQInhIuoddj_ALfrgZtP___tgJHTN840khdQ7YY6zSBHeeDLZFJLKlj7zTmo0QTugwVGTez3qBvLNLdW_B5ZNacVwagWkfDxbjhmcBiiS3NV9Yid3o_G-yEQov3KnHLZ--mbmfuEZ9qPRvTUS36VHeXjcUFc3ZYerW4lU97A/s1600/OctPoWriMo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-25605562749347822562022-10-04T07:53:00.006-06:002022-10-04T07:58:51.819-06:00Spring Park Bench redux<p> <i>Good morning dear reader</i></p><p><i>Jenni wanted us to to explore a past collaboration we may have participated in, and that led me directly to 2014. A project I worked on saw me paired with a British artist named Heather Burns. We came up with a piece called Spring Park Bench. I wrote, she drew. We inspired each other, and after many iterations of the piece, we came up with what I would consider a masterpiece. I will post the original Spring Park Bench to provide context, followed by my poem for today. I hope you enjoy.</i></p><p><i>Rod E Kok</i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21X0vj4L_7AlePh2pEDFXBlLzr4S5_2d1o7cM1wRKQaDo0b_2RqV0reJOP8mqtE1RMvhwyMw4gsqAmAqhiXUY3_Q12qeKHGeOSUI3YSJrAIMSclk_8g6vcEpSI6EppdyV2WptLd2JbQvVXA6rBRubYA6DfSrjIRyftH73afhtfDczKIFmwIWuoPQHzg/s1600/Spring%20Park%20Bench%20with%20poem1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21X0vj4L_7AlePh2pEDFXBlLzr4S5_2d1o7cM1wRKQaDo0b_2RqV0reJOP8mqtE1RMvhwyMw4gsqAmAqhiXUY3_Q12qeKHGeOSUI3YSJrAIMSclk_8g6vcEpSI6EppdyV2WptLd2JbQvVXA6rBRubYA6DfSrjIRyftH73afhtfDczKIFmwIWuoPQHzg/w432-h425/Spring%20Park%20Bench%20with%20poem1.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><span id="docs-internal-guid-6053398f-7fff-a858-1990-fe3baf483fa9"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What seems a lifetime,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">time has passed</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">since I sat</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on that park bench</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the spring.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What seems just yesterday</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">since we spoke;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">words and art</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">entwined together</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forever.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heather and drab,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you and I;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">passion for our</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">art</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ignited a wellspring</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of emotion,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of color.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What seems a lifetime</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">since we sat</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on that</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">park bench </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in the spring.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGA61QUXUnu_aCEdGh0JH5miNiKbU0IaI-pQLshJD75bqFxsgbSRjHoAmBpAiD3aRAGm7tMk3MoiR4SSC8gwBBmDm68CMrsJx1rCrobMIcmZ6hTr6LdFp15WF2dIEs2E3RGp--xioyphhcFafTXKi6JguLv6_WqF8-WlzRfL8RJoIhdQRXLb4OJiAIQ/s500/IMG_20150928_151453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGA61QUXUnu_aCEdGh0JH5miNiKbU0IaI-pQLshJD75bqFxsgbSRjHoAmBpAiD3aRAGm7tMk3MoiR4SSC8gwBBmDm68CMrsJx1rCrobMIcmZ6hTr6LdFp15WF2dIEs2E3RGp--xioyphhcFafTXKi6JguLv6_WqF8-WlzRfL8RJoIhdQRXLb4OJiAIQ/s320/IMG_20150928_151453.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-88644704492051789252022-10-03T21:56:00.005-06:002022-10-03T21:57:02.969-06:00shadows<p> <i>Hello dear reader</i></p><p><i>Day 3's words came late to me, but at least they arrived. Morgan gave us prompt dealing with shadows in our lives. What has us spinning and spiraling? I love writing about shadows, and mental health. I think that is reflected in today's effort. Today also marks my first piece that isn't free form. I wrote a Haiku today. And for me, it just works. I'm super happy with this work. I hope you enjoy it.</i></p><p><i>Rod E. Kok</i></p><br />abandoned shadows<br />left behind in a dark world<br />here they come again<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7VM2FCxR7riX5b-hSTXUe8TEhsaLHFpfQOzeWq0xkXaikqrMLIzu98Jh9VnsMiHemX_AiAK7u-A_M0u25hS42vKm_MXeItx4pZX3PrbbHhQJG7rE0qtM0mwGC1WdZhCJVRXhfg6uuZeeXFCsen48BEsaSHhUparBFdr5Quha3S82Ka13ghDT3puxYA/s612/Journal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="612" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7VM2FCxR7riX5b-hSTXUe8TEhsaLHFpfQOzeWq0xkXaikqrMLIzu98Jh9VnsMiHemX_AiAK7u-A_M0u25hS42vKm_MXeItx4pZX3PrbbHhQJG7rE0qtM0mwGC1WdZhCJVRXhfg6uuZeeXFCsen48BEsaSHhUparBFdr5Quha3S82Ka13ghDT3puxYA/w223-h223/Journal.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-78596184582484495682022-10-02T18:42:00.004-06:002022-10-02T18:42:35.183-06:00silence<p><i>Day 2 of OctPoWriMo brings us a prompt from Bianca. She spoke of a storm she sat through, and encouraged us to write a sonnet or an ode about storms we have been in. I chose to write free style, as I'm not quite ready to tackle a different form. That will come. But for now, I give you silence. Please enjoy.</i></p><p><i>Rod E. Kok</i></p><p><br /></p><p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is that noise,</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e8368aa5-7fff-6fe8-8123-60ce92923627"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">low </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rumbling…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that noise </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">which is fading</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">deep into</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my mind.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(a momentary reprieve</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">raging storms)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">silence</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">then it starts again;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rolling around</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my brain.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fading</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">relinquishing it’s hold</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on emotion.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now all around me</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">silence</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2xJo9k8PtQnRnvhJ8pGS9bWbQBZb7dObyr5SIdQuFr6R629ZHi4sLQ5yInFGl0J3UxD6EHauh0J8uDCbNnboo7QZjLjtk3tnBVd2sZTRQgG_EGwcpEaIVJlo4Ws7oiHV-Dr93R1m2BXAf20WfBpv9F2FPaIi4FDgcGjvLolJTw-5uZ2Tjyqg3lNqHg/s500/IMG_20150928_151453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2xJo9k8PtQnRnvhJ8pGS9bWbQBZb7dObyr5SIdQuFr6R629ZHi4sLQ5yInFGl0J3UxD6EHauh0J8uDCbNnboo7QZjLjtk3tnBVd2sZTRQgG_EGwcpEaIVJlo4Ws7oiHV-Dr93R1m2BXAf20WfBpv9F2FPaIi4FDgcGjvLolJTw-5uZ2Tjyqg3lNqHg/w210-h210/IMG_20150928_151453.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-47952851052782450192022-10-01T13:15:00.003-06:002022-10-01T13:15:55.338-06:00i am who i am<p><i>Hello dear reader. It is time. It is time to embrace my love of poetry once again. It has been a long time since I have participated in one of the Poetry Writing Months. Inspired by conversations with a couple of teachers at work, I decided that for better or worse, I would write this year. And I am truly excited by it, yet I approach it with some trepidation. I am not confident that my words are able to meet my own standards (which happen to be the only standards that matter when it comes to my writing). But I am doing it. I am writing 31 poems in 31 days. </i></p><p><i>Our first prompt, given by Morgan Dragonwillow, is about shining our light. Admittedly, this is probably not my best. But it is only day one. And i am who i am. I write what I write. Please enjoy (or not). Either way, OctPoWriMo is underway in a positive way.</i></p><p><i>Rod E. Kok</i></p><p><i>October 1, 2022</i></p><br /> i am who i am<br />faults and all;<br />nowhere near perfection,<br />not even close.<br />Mistakes glaringly obvious,<br />oft repeated.<br />Hard lessons have not <br />been learned.<br /><br />i am who i am<br />warts and all.<br />Many decades of experience;<br />years upon years of failures.<br />Missteps followed by deficiency<br />of effort.<br /><br />i am who i am<br />growing slowly<br />or not at all.<br />Faith is dying;<br />I feel I am not<br />trying.<br /><br />Yet…<br /><br />i am who i am<br />working hard to<br />be kind.<br />Do unto others<br />and all that<br />stuff.<br /><br />i am who i am;<br />I choose to look<br />forward.<br />I choose to be<br />influentially positive.<br />I choose<br />to shine<br />my light.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6JMLNYHaaTXpZ9MBmKaYY3FnhtZ4wTm7OA4Pg_R6LmK2ViK7iyGo_nVETpSPvl2c4b1SnU6V49EPtsCI0OqwjoRV6gCccM0VCzm9YoPXgOAvS0G7xiDQUYVCY1qjY6CUXj3OH0_3s8AV0oTLm4tnPFnw0yNyvLngi1itxYNiiiiQAU6a9ZILcd45Yg/s500/IMG_20150928_151453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6JMLNYHaaTXpZ9MBmKaYY3FnhtZ4wTm7OA4Pg_R6LmK2ViK7iyGo_nVETpSPvl2c4b1SnU6V49EPtsCI0OqwjoRV6gCccM0VCzm9YoPXgOAvS0G7xiDQUYVCY1qjY6CUXj3OH0_3s8AV0oTLm4tnPFnw0yNyvLngi1itxYNiiiiQAU6a9ZILcd45Yg/w186-h186/IMG_20150928_151453.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-24647135535729204102022-01-18T13:20:00.001-07:002022-01-18T13:20:04.311-07:00My Own Advice<p><i> Dear reader.</i></p><p><i>Remember me? Yeah, I'm the guy who used to semi-regularly post his sad attempt at poetry on this site. And true to the history of posts here, I will once again post another sad attempt. It's been almost 2 years since I've published a poem. It's good to finally write something I'm happy with.</i></p><p><i>Today's prompt comes from <a href="https://dversepoets.com/" target="_blank">dVerse Poets Pub</a>. The words I chose to use are bellow, tempestuous, dulcet, seethe and beseech. Please enjoy.</i></p><p><i>RK</i></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">There is no everlasting remedy</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">to the dulcet tones</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">of melancholy;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">nor is there redress</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">to the bellowing</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">of silence.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">All I know </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">is a seething mind</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">in turmoil;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">a tempestuous argument</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">between myself</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">and I.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">We beseech one another</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">to forgive.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">But I never heed</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">my own advice.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-46247791971463723742020-02-02T16:33:00.000-07:002020-02-02T16:33:16.568-07:00Walking back...Well dear reader, here I am again. It has been an incredibly emotional week. I have been all over the place mentally, which leads to a physical exhaustion. Thankfully I have had no sleepless nights. If you don't want to read the rest of this post, I will put a TL;DR at the end. If you're curious and want to know what I am going to write about, please read on.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am an emotional person. I do a lot of things out of an emotional response. I am also a passionate person. I write a lot of things as a passionate response. Sometimes my emotions and passions spur me to do things without fully processing the whole picture. It is who I am. Always have been, always will be. I make no apologies.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This past week has caused me to really evaluate myself and the work I do in photography. I still stand by the work I have done and shared. I feel no reason to be ashamed. What I have realized is that quitting is not the answer. Giving up something that I am passionate about, something that I can be proud of, and something that does so much good for my mental health does not seem like a good option. So, do I want to make this all about me and what is good for me? While that is very important, it is not the only thing I have to consider.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I don't want to ask the same questions in this post as I did in my previous post. Nonetheless, the questions are still valid and I encourage to go read them if you haven't already. I have asked myself these questions all week. I have tried to see through a different lens. But my answers come back the same. We have to live our lives within our own moral compass. Mine is based on my belief in God and in what I believe the Bible teaches. The Bible allows for Christians to have differing opinions from each other. We do not all have to have the exact same comfort zone. But is that all there is?<br />
<br />
One question I did not ask myself is this: Can I do anything that would protect my neighbor from what may be a stumbling block to them? The answer is no. I did not consider this. In hindsight, I probably should not have made my pictures so readily available for viewing. We all have a choice as to what we click on, what we look at, watch, or read. There are things I won't click on, but you will. The opposite is just as true. Just as what may be a stumbling block to my neighbor might not be a stumbling block to me. Where do we go from here?<br />
<br />
I think the answer would be that while I can (and will) continue to work within my own moral compass, I will not put my work in such a place where my neighbor cannot help but see it. In other words, I will still shoot what I shoot, I will still put the pictures on my website, and I will still post some of them to my photography Instagram account. What I will not do is post my pictures on Facebook, or links to my pictures on Facebook. People can choose to follow my photography account, they can choose to browse to my website. True, they can also choose to click the links I post, but ultimately that is their choice. What I am doing is making the choice to not see my work a little easier. By taking this route, the choice is out of my hands. No links, no advertising. Unless you choose to follow my photography account or choose to navigate to my website.<br />
<br />
And so, my journey continues. I will continue to shoot pictures. I will continue to create concepts that intrigue me, and to find a model that will work with me in capturing these concepts in photographs. I will not guarantee that every concept or picture will fit within everyone's comfort zone. That would be impossible. I will shoot through my own lens. I will work harder at evaluating a shoot, but I will not apologize if it is not exactly what others think it should be. My conscience will continue to be my guide.<br />
<br />
This week has been difficult. But when I came to the decision not to quit, and when I talked with my wife about it, a weight was lifted off my heart and my mind. Discussions will continue regarding this subject. It can be controversial, only because we all have differing opinions of right and wrong. But I feel at peace. And I like this feeling a lot.<br />
<br />
Rod<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-81859783828473661642020-01-29T10:57:00.000-07:002020-01-29T10:57:27.025-07:00Walking AwayDear reader<br /><br />As I start to write this, I have no clue what the title will be or how long this will be. But isn’t that true of almost everything I write? The title is the last thing to be written and I write until I am done. One thing I do know is the subject of this article. Photography. No, this is not going to be a technical manual. It is not going to be a how-to guide. This article is going to be deeply personal, for that is the only way I know how to write. For those of you who don’t want to read the whole article, I will put a TL;DR at the end.<br /><br />Any of you who know me and have been following me on the different forms of social media over the years will know that I wear my heart on my sleeve. I have never been scared to reveal little bits of myself through my writing. I have never shied away from sharing the different paths I, along with my family, have been on. Cancer, depression...those are two of the longer paths. What does this have to do with photography? Hopefully that will become more clear as I write and you read.<br /><br />Roughly 6 months ago (that would have been the summer of 2019), I took a step into the world of fashion photography. Along with that came editorial photography, lifestyle photography and a bunch of other sub-genres that I am probably forgetting. What these all have in common is people. I started to take photographs of people. Specifically, I started having photoshoots with models. As of this writing, I have only shot female models but my first male model photoshoot is tomorrow. <br /><br />As I got into this genre of photography, I discovered that I had some talent. Maybe not much, but it was there. I also unlocked a passion for something of which I have never felt before with any hobby I have tried. Talent and passion...what could possibly go wrong? So through different methodologies I studied to improve my craft. Composition, lighting, camera settings...you name it, I studied it. I learned from a lot of different people, models and photographers alike. And continued all the way up until this very day. I am just as passionate about it today as I was 6 months ago. Maybe even more so.<br /><br />Photoshoot after photoshoot, I created art. Along with the models I worked with, I created something magical for both them and myself. Not every picture was as good as I wanted, but I learned from the mistakes more than I learned from the successes. We created art. The whole process was an adrenaline rush. From coming up with a concept, to finding a model, to planning the shoot and all that it entails, to post production...what a rush. I felt so alive. I dare say that the past 6 months have transformed me into who I really am, who I want to be. I want to be happy, positive. I want to use the talents God has given me and celebrate the beauty he created. My brain has a creative side to it, and this was an amazing way to use that creativity and keep my brain healthy.<br /><br />Two days ago, I made the decision to walk away from it all. <br /><br />WHAT? But...you just said all this stuff. It was positive…and, well, positive! .I can hear you all saying this and asking me Why?<br /><br />What I discovered over the past few days is that it is seemingly impossible for a Christian to work in this field. It is seemingly futile for a Christian to take pictures of models. I have run into what seems to be an insurmountable hill. Please, do read on.<br /><br />(Disclaimer: I am NOT pointing fingers. I do not blame anyone for anything.)<br /><br />People have opinions. Beliefs. Convictions. And I will always respect those, especially when they are different than mine. When I started into this world of photography, I set boundaries. Personal boundaries that I would not cross. I know what I am comfortable shooting, I know what I am comfortable sharing, and I will never be ashamed of the work I did. Never. I have nothing to apologize for, no one to apologize to. I will defend my work until my dying breath. <br /><br />But. <br /><br />There is always a but. But how can I continue to shoot if I have to constantly look over my shoulder, wondering who is going to be offended by my work? How can I work within my own comfort zone while also trying to fit everyone else’s in? How can I create my art when I have to wonder who is going to judge and condemn? Now, don’t get me wrong. I understand that my work is not for everybody. Many will not like the pictures I take. And that is fine. All art forms are subjective. I personally loved the banana duct taped to the wall. Brilliant!! One definition of ‘subjective’ is placing excessive emphasis on one’s own moods, attitudes, opinions, etc. There are no facts, only beliefs and opinions. <br /><br />Let’s be perfectly clear: I do not care if you like my work or not. That is your right, and I respect that 100%.<br /><br />Let’s be perfectly clear once again: Just because you do not like my work, does not make it wrong. Read that again. <br /><br />As I said, I set my boundaries of what I would and wouldn’t shoot. My criteria for these boundaries was based on my personal belief system, and what I think is acceptable in my life as a Christian. That is fair, is it not? I thought so, until it was pointed out to me that I cannot do something. I have been told on different occasions (not many, but still…) that I cannot take pictures of women. I cannot take ‘sexy’ pictures of women. I cannot take pictures of ‘sexy’ women. So I’m confused. Can I only take pictures of the ugly ones? That seems harsh and judgy. Who determines beauty? You? Me? Interesting. Or is the point that I cannot take pictures of women (or men I suppose) in certain clothing? How much skin can be seen? Knees down, elbows down and neck up? Who determines this? And is it different for male models than for female models? <br /><br />My point is that we all have different boundaries, different comfort levels. I agree that, as a Christian, there are certain boundaries I cannot cross. I am sure we would even agree on some of those boundaries. But I ask you this, dear reader: who draws that line between right and wrong? I struggle with this. Christians will say to use the Bible as our moral compass. And I agree with that 100%. And I have no problem whatsoever defending my work according to that compass. Others will have no problem condemning my work according to that compass. Do you see where my dilemma is? Who is right? Who gets to decide if my work is right or wrong? <br /><br />Let me ask another question: who is the decision maker as to what clothing is appropriate for a model to wear, and what is inappropriate? Or better yet...who decides what is appropriate for me to shoot and share? After all, the model may be comfortable in something others would condemn as being not modest enough. I may be comfortable shooting it and sharing it. But you may be uncomfortable looking at it. Who decides if what I did was wrong? Your level of uncomfortability? My comfort level? This is tough, isn’t it? After all, none of us are the judge. We don’t sit on the jury. And we certainly don’t fill the role of executioner. <br /><br />Dear reader, this is why I have walked away from photography. There are too many dilemmas that make it impossible for me to continue. For I cannot be me, I cannot use my creativity to create my art if I have to be held to someone else’s moral compass. It has been suggested to me that I start over under a pseudonym and not share my work. I suppose I could, and I have not totally discounted it. But to me it seems I would be hiding what I do. This is a personal struggle I have to work out. <br /><br />So this is my heart on my sleeve. I am heartbroken that I have to walk away from something that has done me so much good mentally. I could write a lot more about my mental health and all of that, but I won’t. If I can find a way to come back to the work I was doing, I will. But it will be on my terms, and nobody else’s (aside from my wife). Right now, I do not see a way of coming back. Maybe that will change. I told my wife during one of our many discussions on this that IF I do come back, the only people who will know are those I choose. And I will have to be extremely picky. I will need to protect myself from another heartbreak. I don’t want to have to go through this again. I do not expect you to understand. A few people have seen what effect this has had on me. I don’t think they like what they see. And frankly, neither do I. <br /><br />Rod<br /><br />TL;DR Stepping away from photography because I can’t work when I have to be confined to moral compasses that are not my own.<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-15553833540326746592019-05-08T13:26:00.000-06:002019-05-08T13:26:06.033-06:00Needing Life<i>As I go through my WIP folder, I discover poems that were completed long ago. These poems, if deemed ok in my opinion, will be posted here. For the ones I deem not acceptable, they will never see the light of day. As always, I hope you enjoy my poetry. If you do, please subscribe to get the latest updates. If you don't, so be it. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Rod Kok</i><br />
<i>May 8, 2019</i><br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">It used to be easy</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">to believe, to trust,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">to dance with sunbeams</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">as they radiated enthusiasm</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">through the window </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">to my soul.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-f1ab4bf4-7fff-b44c-1ee7-67070140bf16" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">But somewhere</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">on this forked road,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">light stopped penetrating,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">casting shadows which bled </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">into darkness.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I am overcome </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">by a mist, a cold embrace</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">drawing me down </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">to its passionless depths.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I am cold and shivering.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I feel naked and alone.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I am scared.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I need your heat,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">your love, your caress.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I need life.</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-62997840826627103812019-05-06T16:57:00.001-06:002019-05-06T21:49:21.125-06:00Escape<i>I wrote this a few years ago, and let it in my WIP folder. The message today is every bit as real as it was then. Nothing has changed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Rod Kok</i><br />
<i>May 6, 2019</i><br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-fcbe350f-7fff-b119-faa9-d935be0e6541" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A battle is raging,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a war is being fought.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two foes fight</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">over one weary soul.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An epic contest</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">between Right</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and Wrong,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my head is in conflict</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with my heart.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Desire wields</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a sword,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">honed on a whetstone </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of Passion.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wisdom parries </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">what surely could be</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a mortal strike,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">while Reason’s voice</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is faintly heard.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A blow is struck,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not by arrow</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or blade,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but by Words, </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">penetrating through </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the vigilance of my Heart. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Circumspection leads</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a counter-attack,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">prevailing to gain an edge</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for Right.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conscience interferes,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">creating diversions</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wherever a foothold</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">can be found.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A battle is raging;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">my head and my heart </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">each claim victory.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But Conquest has not arrived,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">so this fight goes on.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deep in my soul,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lust is wrestling Purity.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Damnation pulls Salvation</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to the precipice,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">only to be denied</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by Sacrifice.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am weary;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grow tired of</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this confrontation. </span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I grow weary;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pray for peace.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I pray</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for escape.</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-33198975155353589112019-01-28T08:26:00.000-07:002019-05-08T13:30:42.724-06:00Epic Sigh or, This is how I feel about me<i>Here is my latest poem that I am willing to share. I wrote this after a session with my psychologist. No, she doesn't make me feel this way but she sure does make me think. And that is a good thing. Mostly. Please enjoy the poem.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Rod E Kok</i><br />
<i>January 28, 2019</i><br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I lack truth.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Seriously, I do not have</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a clue.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Am I supposed to have</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">all my sh*t together?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Because I don't.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I don't even have sh*t,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">never mind having it </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">together.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Insert an epic sigh</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">right here.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That is me,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">evaluating.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Ruminating.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I do not like</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the returns on this path.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I have been told</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">(yesterday even!)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that I am too hard</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">on myself.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Yeah, character flaw</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and all those other</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">evaluative (judgmental)</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">adjectives.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I get it.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">But seriously.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Am I really supposed to have</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">all my sh*t together?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Because I don't.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">And probably never will.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-45953294933585169672019-01-07T14:14:00.002-07:002019-01-07T14:15:07.386-07:00That Feeling<i>Happy new year, dear reader! May your 2019 be filled with happiness and poetry! Lately, my mind has been delving into darker themes (again). No, my depression is not driving my words but rather I am writing with eyes wide open. Maybe dark is the wrong word...let's use 'different'. I am trying to explore different ways to express. The poem I wrote today is borne from nothing personal (this time). But rather it is the offspring of thoughts that just sort of came together in a short period of time. This is the start of my exploration into 'different'. Please enjoy.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Rod E Kok</i><br />
<i>January 7, 2019</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Do you know the feeling of angst,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">sitting in the pit</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of your stomach?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Maybe angst is the wrong word…</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">call it whatever you want.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">But it is a feeling.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Like something is eating you </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">from inside out.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Yeah, that sensation. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I have it every time</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">my thoughts stray.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-82588578651902727482018-10-31T20:33:00.000-06:002018-10-31T20:33:16.342-06:00With Love<i>This is it. OctPoWriMo is over. My final poem is a Haiku, which still is one of my favorite forms to write. Thank you all for staying with me this month, for encouraging me. It has been an honor to write for you. Until next time, farewell.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Rod E. Kok</i><br />
<i>October 31, 2018</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSN97CeoWmw6ET2oCLpJohY90-fzJgtf4ewcnfezYfHVKkSyofSlFmgGEO9mQMCnCsCBQg8Di6V2q91QVVEpiffJRSCF3xgdpg8b9EPRlf1Zz4VzSTBvkH1wY4oq_VXK226kBH3JR_kM9e/s1600/Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSN97CeoWmw6ET2oCLpJohY90-fzJgtf4ewcnfezYfHVKkSyofSlFmgGEO9mQMCnCsCBQg8Di6V2q91QVVEpiffJRSCF3xgdpg8b9EPRlf1Zz4VzSTBvkH1wY4oq_VXK226kBH3JR_kM9e/s200/Logo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Time has passed slowly</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">thoughts sewn together daily</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sharing words with love</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-65362520517385064252018-10-30T21:27:00.001-06:002018-10-30T21:27:14.072-06:00A Dance<i>Today is the penultimate day of #OctPoWriMo 2018. There are only two poems left to write. Today's prompt is Dancing on the Moon. I wrote the prompt just a little different, but I did write about a dance. I hope you enjoy.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Rod E. Kok</i><br />
<i>October 30, 2018</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlWxsYDF0RPbepQ9nCvKeFGY2uJaoy7kdPvYH-nn8siX75AmZg9r9ygVaONem6QuG_SGauiec8s0F-9Wa9wr2_UfC_dd4Ge36VNUUFAT_uLhJYrpZDkDNh7TBG2B_Aj4WYTBVu6U7Smup/s1600/Poetry3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlWxsYDF0RPbepQ9nCvKeFGY2uJaoy7kdPvYH-nn8siX75AmZg9r9ygVaONem6QuG_SGauiec8s0F-9Wa9wr2_UfC_dd4Ge36VNUUFAT_uLhJYrpZDkDNh7TBG2B_Aj4WYTBVu6U7Smup/s1600/Poetry3.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Under moonbeams and starlight,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">soft saxophones</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">jazz up</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">this dance floor.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">An embrace </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">for the ages,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">two lovers</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">sway in time;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">nothing else matters.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Eyes locked</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">on each other,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">holding a gaze</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">full of promise,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">radiating passion.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">A celebration of love</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">under glimmering light;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">time holds no sway</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">over those who dance</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">together.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-78952660699900212262018-10-29T21:57:00.002-06:002018-10-29T21:57:38.332-06:00Math<i>Today, dear reader has been my least favourite prompt. I do not mean this to disrespect Amy. No, not at all. I simply mean that today's prompt is about numbers. And I hate numbers. I am not a math guy. So I hope you will forgive me for what may be a lackadaisical effort. It simply wasn't my day.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Rod E. Kok</i><br />
<i>October 29, 2018</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi-ez073w_K8YYpHqJeemQ3VHl5mLoXZnUGS9OPlQf-FSyfS6hxr7DV_qM_oRyAIWz80cvNcG9TE2_JVgcfR1PlWhZmCp-6I86b3yQsiw7BgaEMrqCIc40SkT-jMXqT_YPtowXwVqsxFm/s1600/OctPoWriMo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi-ez073w_K8YYpHqJeemQ3VHl5mLoXZnUGS9OPlQf-FSyfS6hxr7DV_qM_oRyAIWz80cvNcG9TE2_JVgcfR1PlWhZmCp-6I86b3yQsiw7BgaEMrqCIc40SkT-jMXqT_YPtowXwVqsxFm/s200/OctPoWriMo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I am trying to dig</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">into hidden meanings</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">of numbers,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">but all I come up with</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">is that one </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">plus one</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">is two.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-797949269282050258.post-29604059471372575012018-10-28T19:26:00.003-06:002018-10-28T19:26:38.396-06:00From Darkness to Joy<i>Day 28 is almost over, and I finally penned a poem. I must admit that my creativity is waning. I hope I make it 3 more days. Today's prompt is Split in Two. Once again, I have made it personal, addressing my mental health struggles. I hope my words make sense.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Rod E. Kok</i><br />
<i>October 28, 2018</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi-ez073w_K8YYpHqJeemQ3VHl5mLoXZnUGS9OPlQf-FSyfS6hxr7DV_qM_oRyAIWz80cvNcG9TE2_JVgcfR1PlWhZmCp-6I86b3yQsiw7BgaEMrqCIc40SkT-jMXqT_YPtowXwVqsxFm/s1600/OctPoWriMo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoi-ez073w_K8YYpHqJeemQ3VHl5mLoXZnUGS9OPlQf-FSyfS6hxr7DV_qM_oRyAIWz80cvNcG9TE2_JVgcfR1PlWhZmCp-6I86b3yQsiw7BgaEMrqCIc40SkT-jMXqT_YPtowXwVqsxFm/s1600/OctPoWriMo.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Like a tree felled</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">by an iron axe,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">so I fell</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">into overwhelming</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">darkness.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-59f24fe4-7fff-e43e-1a6e-25e56d025e08" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Split in two,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I tried to hide</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">behind a mask.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Broken, despairing;</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I cried for help.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">As a seed planted</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">in fertile soil,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I was given a chance</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">to thrive.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Flourishing under</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">loving care,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">I grew in stature.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">Now I cry</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">for joy.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2