Pensieve's Poetic License #11 - English Sonnet - Masked

Please click HERE for Karina's Alphabet Soup.

This months PPL theme is "Masked" and the form is an English Sonnet. To be honest, when I saw the theme and form, I wasn't really sure I'd be playing along. I always hated Shakespearan sonnets because they seemed too damn constricting with the iambic pentameter and all that crap. I think it mostly had to do with the fact that my 9th grade english teacher was evil, and turned me off the form due to her evilness, but there you have it.

Yet, I decided to tackle it anyway, and even managed to stay within the "10 syllable perline" rule. Here's my entry:

Dark Alley

Though I walk on without trepidation
Head held high, as I look you in the eye
Firm steps, so sure of my destination
Never hesitating as I walk by

Though I stand tall, and with my shoulders squared
My strides determined, not afraid at all
Confidence apparent, never look scared
My very presence anything but small

Though I smile widely, grin ear to ear
Give off warmth, welcome, a friendly hello
Make it seem as if I’ve nothing to fear
Inside is the truth that only I know

You frighten me more than words can express
And just walking by? A major success.

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Hmm...for other entries, visit Pensieve's. Also, today is month TWO of Karina's Alphabet Soup, I'd love it if you joined in...please click here to find out more and see my entry for the letter "B".

Pensieve's Poetic License #10- Autumn Cinquain

This month's theme for PPL is Autumn, and the form is a Cinquain. You can get all the details at Pensieve's by clicking the button above. I just realized this morning it was TODAY so I quickly threw the following two together...one's much more "pleasant" than the other...

The first:

Death
barren, empty
Falling, dropping, flying
The leaves make their exit

Ending

And the nicer one:

Colors
Oranges, reds
Changing, coloring, enhancing
God paints us a beautiful picture
Autumn

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Thanks for dropping in, and before you go, won't you PLEASE read this post, I'm starting a new meme myself - Poetry AND Photography all rolled into one and I'd LOVE LOVE LOVE it if you'd help me launch it. Pretty please??

Pensieve's Poetic License - Back to School

It seems that the only time I ever post here at Creative Karina lately is when I do Pensieve's Poetic License, so I'm really glad Robin is still hosting these things...otherwise, my poor little blog here would feel even more neglected.

I'm posting this from work (shh don't tell), so I don't have my PPL button, so I'm just going to tell you to head on over to Robin's to find out more about it.

This month's theme is "Back to School", and Robin gave us a break and told us to use whatever poetic form we wanted to. So, I fell back on my old standby, which is "no format at all". I just sort of let the pen do the talking, and see where it takes me. This month, it did something I don't usually do, and asked me to rhyme all the way through. Well, who am I to argue with the muse?

Here's mine:

A Situation

The butterflies doing an African tribal dance
In her belly
Were the only sign of her trepidation
With a new outfit, new shoes, new backpack
She stepped through the door
Ready to end her vacation
It was a new year, things would be different
Here
She was going to be part of a new population
New town, new friends, new high school
A brand new her
And endless summer preparation
She quelled the butterflies, took a deep breath
Marveled
At the incredible sensation
New beginnings, new opportunities, new life
Saying goodbye
To her old reputation
One foot, then the next, and she walked to her seat
There!
She had reached her first destination
New hopes, new dreams, new challenges
A sigh of relief
This was truly cause for celebration.

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Thanks for stopping in, be sure to go visit Robin for other participants.

Pensieve's Poetic License #8 - Pensieve for July

I haven't participated in a PPL in quite a while, but when Robin creates a WHOLE NEW form of poetry for the cause...well, how could I NOT participate?

This month's form is a Pensieve, and here is how Robin explains it:

What is a Pensieve? A titled, five-line poem; each line correlates to one of the five senses--sight, sound, scent, taste, touch--and describes the subject (title). The goal is for the reader to take on the poem as his own, being able to "experience" your subject through your words, by seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and feeling what you described.

Of course, right after she gave us that description, she posted a sample that was about 10 lines long...so, she's sticking true to her motto: No Rules, Just Write.

So, here's my attempt:

Final Dance

You can hear their hearts beat, keeping pace with the sound of the drums
Watch the lines of their bodies, pointed toes, extended limbs so agile
Feel the bass, the closeness of their bodies turning two into one
Blood, sweat and tears, poured into this final dance,
For a starved soul, sustenance, food, so perfect a meal.

Copyright 2008 - Karina

There you go...I don't know that I followed the rules exactly, but you know...whatever. I was watching So You Think You Can Dance as I wrote this, and gettig my heart broken (click here if you want to know why), so I just went with the inspiration.

Pensieve's Poetic License #7 - Clerihews in May

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So, the form this month is "Clerihew" and the theme is the month of May...so many different things the month of May stands for that we had plenty to choose from. Did you know that today, May 8th, is National No Socks Day? So, go on, take off your socks, let those toes come out to play, and enjoy the following:

There once was a girl named Karina
When she was young, she wanted to be a ballerina
It didn't work out, and now she's glad
Because having gnarly toes would have made her mad.

That's it, that's all I got folks. Have a great one!

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Pensieve's Poetic License #6 - Spring Haikus

The format for PPL this week is haiku, and the theme is Spring. I wrote my first haiku ever sometime last year, and since then have really enjoyed the format. Here's what I came up with today:


Quiet drop of dew
Making a pathway along
A new leaf on life

Hint of bright color
Slowly manifesting life
A blossom appears

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Be sure to click on the button above to be taken to Pensieve's Poetic License headquarters. Thanks for stopping by!

Pensieve's Picture Puzzler #5 - Limericks

I've been away from Creative Karina for a little bit, just been so busy it's been hard to be creative. But I wanted to make sure I didn't miss out on this month's Pensieve's Poetic License. The style this months is Limericks, and instead of a theme, we were given a list of words (green, Irish, leprechaun, shamrock, Easter, spring, kite, windy) to use within our limericks. We were told to use just one, or all 8, or anything in between.

Here are my two (yes two) limericks:

In March, it is windy, and sunny

If you're Irish, Leprechaun or Bunny

It's Easter, It's spring

But no shamrocks, no green

For me, it's my birthday, honey!!

or

There once was a girl from New England

Who was looking forward to spring and

She had in her sights

The flying of kites

And flowers, and Easter and green land.

Go to Pensieve's to check out more limericks!

Pensieve's Poetic License #4 - English Sonnet

This week's assignment is an English Sonnet. I've always wanted to tackle one of these, since my high school days learning Shakespeare, but never had the guts to do it. But thanks to Pensieve's Poetic License, I'm all over it this week.

The theme? Read below:

I want you to write about something you love. The catch? Instead of writing an expected love sonnet (i.e., about your spouse or babies or faith) I thought it'd be fun to write about a quirky-kind-of-love, paying tribute to something that could be characterized as your "precious".

Fun, right? Here's my offering:

Ode To TIVO

Oh, Tivo, how I love thee
Let me count the ways
Always a surprise for me
At the end of my work days
With your suggestions I know
You pay attention to my needs
And your season passes show
You are just full of good deeds
You learn my likes and dislikes
And deliver without expectation
Even during writer's strikes
You never take a vacation
This is why I love you so
My gadget, my TIVO

Copyright 2008 - Karina

I'm not sure I followed the "Sonnet" rules exactly, but hey, the PPL rules clearly state that there are no rules. Be sure to visit Pensieve's for other participants, and Happy Valentine's Day!

Oh, and stop on by my other blog Candid Karina, for a little quiz and giveaway.

Pensieve's Poetic License #3 - Terza Rima

What is Pensieve's Poetic License? A monthly meme designed to encourage EVERYONE to exercise their poetry gene. Everyone is born with one; sometimes you just need "permission" (or a kick in the behind) to use it.

Please click the button above for more information. This month we were given two themes: "Beginnings" in honor of the new year and "Favorite Snack Food" in honor of the upcoming Superbowl Sunday, the form: Terza Rima. For more information on what exactly this means you'll just have to head over to Pensieve's and check it out yourself, she explains it much better than I ever could.

Okay, so now that we've got all that business out of the way, let's get on with the poetry.

Snacktime

It comes in many shapes and sizes
and in unlimited varieties too
it can be plain or wear disguises
we're talking cream, cheddar or bleu
you eat it solid or melted, yum
oh the many things you can do
but wait, don't stop there's more to come
eat it alone, spread it on toast
and over a salad, just sprinkle some
Oooh, I am becoming quite engrossed
You really can do as you please
Certainly a snack I love the most
And you know I don't mean to tease
Of course you know I'm speaking of cheese.

Pensieve's Poetic License #2 - Cinquain

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Click the Button Above for more information about Pensieve's Poetic License.

This month's poetic form is a "cinquain" (and again, if you want to know what that means, click the button above). Of course, if I had read the instructions carefully (or perhaps at all), I would have remembered that there is also a theme, and this month's theme is "celebration".

Before I read the "theme", I wrote this:

Snowstorm
Cold, white
Blowing, blinding, accumulating
Quiet settles upon the world
Nor’Easter


Not really fitting in with the theme of celebration, is it? So...I guess that means I have to write another one:

Countdown
Loud, festive
reminiscing, anticipating, beginning
prelude to a new beginning
Finale

I'm pretty sure I broke the rules on both of these, but...eh...close enough! ;-)

Pensieve's Poetic License #1 - Thanksgiving Limerick

What is Pensieve's Poetic License? A monthly meme designed to encourage EVERYONE to exercise their poetry gene. Everyone is born with one; sometimes you just need "permission" (or a kick in the behind) to use it.

Please click the button above for more information. This month's theme is "Thanksgiving", the form: Limericks.

To get us going, Robin (Pensieve) gave us the following and asked us to provide the last line...here's my contribution to the last line:

The pilgrims, they started it all.
A feast fit for kings in the Fall.
Thankful were they,
Eating turkey all day
Who knew it would lead to a brawl?

AND, here's my Limerick for the month:

A day to give thanks it is said
With stuffing and turkey we're fed
We eat our share
But we truly care
Much more for the store sales ahead

This was so much fun...thanks Robin for creating this meme! I'm looking forward to next month's theme of Celebration in the form of a cinquian (which is what exactly you ask? Visit Pensieve and find out!)