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".

Karina's Alphabet Soup #1 - A is for...

Updated: The letter "A" will remain open until October 31st, at which time, you should begin work on the letter "B", which will go live on November 7th. So you still have time to participate!

See below for links to the participants.

Here we go everyone! The first official helping of Karina's Alphabet Soup. For the rules, please click HERE. If you are participating, please leave a link to your blog in comments below. I realize I promissed a Mr. Linky but uh...that's not going to be happening, so just leave your link in comments, and I promisse to incorporate it into this post Friday when I get home from work, then everyone can visit everyone all weekend long.

This week's letter is the letter A. I'll tell you what, you would think that as the creator of this meme, I would have thought ahead and been more prepared, wouldn't you? Ah, but then you would think wrong!

And I spent the last week looking around and trying to find something, ANYTHING that started with the letter A that I wanted to photograph! The closest I even came was with this:


An American Flag...but, still, I wasn't thrilled with it. And then I remembered something. I took a photo last Friday, actually, I took a bunch of photos last Friday that fit the theme perfectly. Photos of what?




Photos of the audience at the New Kids on the Block concert. (There are more photos and a review here, if you happen to be curious).

And so, that's where I'm going with this. Here's my poem:

In Love with a Myth

He sings the love songs
You want to hear
The melody so sweet
His voice is perfect
The words just right
The intention oh so clear
And you could fall in love
All over again

He’s always had that way
About him
The one you can’t resist
It’s in his walk,
The way he moves
He can just draw you in
And you could fall in love
All over again

He looks your way
And reaches in
To the very depths of you
A look so piercing
A crooked smile
Making you weak in the knees
And you could fall in love
All over again

He makes the promises
He tugs at your heart
He looks you in the eye
Your heart is beating
Your palms are sweating
Your head is spinning
Out of control
And you could fall in love
All over again

But
You have heard all of the songs
You’ve seen those moves before
Those eyes have told you lies
He’ll break your heart
And you’ll be left
With nothing but a soundtrack

The show is over…walk away.

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Okay, that's that...now get to it, post your links! And thank you so much for joining me!!

Here are the participants:

Lissa - Alone

Callista - Active

PBNJM - Apples

BlogJem - Amazing

Karina's Alphabet Soup

In my travels to some of my favorite blogs, I’ve come across so many fantastic memes. Photo memes, poetry memes, and all sorts of other memes. And I’ve had this idea brewing in my head for a few months now, just waiting for the right time to give it a proper send-off. Now’s the time, I think.

I want to combine an idea I’ve seen, with one of my very own. One of my favorite bloggers in the whole wide world (love you lisa) participates in the A-Z Photo Challenge. I love the idea of doing an “alphabet” photo thing, and I’ve wanted to jump on board, but I’m loathe to start something in the middle of anything, so I’d have to wait for the next go-round, or go it on my own from the start.

I opted for the “go it on my own” version, but then I decided it would be a brilliant idea (because I’m such a genius, let’s face it) if I combined my newfound love of photography with my longtime love of poetry and creative writing. See? Genius!

And so was borne Karina’s Alphabet Soup, a monthly meme allowing you to express your creativity in not just ONE, but TWO very fun ways. Starting with the letter “A” each month we will move through the alphabet, and with camera’s in hand, head out and photograph any and everything we can find to fit that month’s letter. Then, armed with our very own, individual photographic inspiration, we will use our photos to guide us on a writing extravaganza. You can use one photo, and from that, draw your inspiration for a haiku, or use 10 photos and write a short story. Use 5 for a story or 12 for a poem, it really has no limits, knows no bounds. The rules are simple and flexible. The fun is in the ability to stretch first your physical eye, to see the letter of choice all around you, and then your inner eye, to see the magic your muse can create with what you come home with.

Then, on the 1st Friday of each month, I will post my own entry, and a Mr. Linky, so you can post your links back to your own entries on here. That’s it. You will then have a full month to work on next month’s entry.

Let me know if you’re interested, and I’ll set up a mailing list so that I can send out reminders one week prior to the posting date.

Oh yes, and I know there are some of you grumbling because you either A) don’t take photos or B) don’t write poetry/fiction, but would still like to play along. FINE, this is how flexible I am with the rules, if you don’t take photos, take a gander over at flickr or some other photo hosting site and do a search for photos based on just the LETTER assigned, find a photo or ten that inspire(s) you, and write from those (just be sure to credit the photo(s) appropriately). If you don’t write, but want to take on the photo assignment portion of the project, do so, and then just give us a few words about where the photo(s) took place, what they inspire in you, or whatever else looking at those photos make you feel.

See? EASY…

Oh, right, also, if you could grab the badge and include in your posts and post it on your sidebar (pretty please?), taht would be great!

I realize I need to figure out how to work out the html code so you can do it the easy way, so if anyone out there can help me with that, I would appreciate it..... THANKS!

The rules, in bullet form:

· Get letter assignment; leave comment that you’re participating, preferably with email addy, so I can send you reminder.
· Take photo(s) of things beginning with said letter
· Write something creative using photo(s) as inspiration
· Return here on 4th Monday of month
· Link back using Mr. Linky

Got it? Good. Let’s get to it, you assignment this month is the letter “A”…get to it. We’ll see you here on the October 3rd. Yes, you only get one week for the letter A..get cracking!!

Go forth, be creative.

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

Want this button?

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

Things you give me

Thank You

Morning light
The songs of birds
The smell of spring in the air
Loving voices
Words of love
A silent moment of prayer
Every day
Some things I see
Others sneak up on me
Obvious blessings
Subtle ones too
These are things you give to me

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Friday 5 - #1

Well I picked a doozie of a time to join Friday 5, didn't I? We're working with made-up words this week. Here's what I've come up with, and let me tell you, it took a completely different turn as I was writing it. This one most definitely had a mind (and heart) of its own:

Third World

Run circles around me
To and fro in a frenzy
A screy of emotion
Too sudden to grasp
A cack and a holler
A bit of laughter too
My mind spins and spirals
A mozzle nudges my leg
I bend down to examine
A glureon of faces
Eyes intently on mine
Expectant yet patient
What can I provide?
Standing upright again
I open my caprussule
Dig in, find some change
Dole out what I can
They thank me and scatter
On to the next foreigner they glom
We give what we can
We hope it's enough
But we know in our hearts
It's all wrong

Copyright 2008 - Karina

For Friday 5, using the words: caprussule, mozzle, cack, screy, glureon

Poem In Your Pocket - That's Me

Today is Poem In Your Pocket Day. You can find out more about it by clicking the link.

I have a hard time with favorites, meaning, I never can pick just one favorite anything. But the poem below struck a cord with me all the way back in the day, when I watched Poetic Justice, the movie with Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur. Every few years I dig out a copy of it and re-read it, and send it on to all the phenomenal women I know to remind them of how amazing they are. Therefore, I couldn't think of a more perfect choice for Poem In Your Pocket Day.

PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say It's in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say It's in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

And here's my contribution to NaPoWriMo today:

I carry a poem
Have a poem in my pocket
Want to hear it now?

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Birthday Wishes

I have been a "Big Sister" (through Big Brother Big Sister) to Lil' K for seven years now. She is one of the biggest loves of my life, and words can't express how blessed I am for having her in it. Her birthday, her FIFTEENTH birthday is on Monday. This is for her.

Birthday Wishes

Eight years old
Shy as a newborn kitten
Holding tight to my hand
Frightened of the big bad world

And I fell in love with you instantly.

Little girl
Needing guidance and a friend
A little sister I never had
Almost a child of my own

Through the years, we've become family

Young woman
Fifteen years old this week
I've seen you grow and mature
Ready to do anything

All the things I know you can be.

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Happy Birthday Lil' K.

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!

Curtain Call - Three Word Wednesday #1

Still going strong(ish) with NaPoWriMo, picked up yet another meme, to help me along with inspiration. My first 3WW for the words: Funny, Remember, Theatre.

Stage Fright

Fear enfolds me
Butterflies
Funny feelings
In the pit of my stomach
Just a few moments more
Speak the words
Must remember
Where to stand
Don't look out
At the audience
Look above them,
OH God
The theatre is packed
They're all looking at me
What's my line?
Deep breath
"Hark, who goes there"
Step back,
The curtain lowers
It's over.

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Monday Mural #1

I'm trying new memes for inspiration while trying to do NaPoWriMo in April.

"Monday Mural will feature a picture/ artwork for you to lend your words (poem or story) each Monday".

I love this concept, and this particular piece of art is incredible, so I knew I had to jump on board.

This poem is a bit of a different piece for me, but I kind of like it.

Celebrity

Like wings
beating against the wind
frenzied movements
in their urge to take flight
her thoughts a whirl
her emotions chaotic
The flashes of light
calls for attention
"Over here, over here"
The endless barrage of questions
Like birds preying on roadkill
They move in, and peck,
peck away at her soul
"One more picture"
"Smile for the camera"
"Who are you dating"
"What are you wearing?"
Fame comes at you
with no instruction manual
but a hefty pricetag.

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Still Breathing

Last night's poem was the yin, today's is the yang. Still hanging in there folks, today begins the preparation for the job hunt.

Still Breathing

Deep breaths
A slow intake of air
let it settle within,
exhale the toxins
of the mind
Intake of hope
Expunge the doubt
Breath in the resolve
Blow out the fear
Absorb the acceptance of the challenge
Expell the feeling of finality
Deep breaths
Take in the opportunity
New beginnings,
Greater experiences
Breathe out.
Deep breaths.

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Marooned

Sorry for the downer on this one, but if you read my haikus from yesterday, you'll understand. I've lost my job, but I have not lost my hope...just momentarily stumped.

Marooned

Suddenly feeling unanchored
Not accustomed to uncertainty
my whole world
Marooned
Questions of where,
When and how
Doubt seeps in
Insecurity overshadows
and a momentary moment of panic
breath catching
heart pounding
palms sweating
Not sure if the next breath will come
fear, anxiety,
a sense of loss
overwhelming even the smallest decisions
What in the world
will I do
This is it, this is the way it ends

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Poefusion #1 - Fortune

My first venture into Poefusion, as part of trying to keep up with NaPoWriMo, I thought I'd join some poetry memes.


Acceptance


Big things coming in future.
Only matter of time.
Eyes open, heart ready.
Soul unlocked by expectation.
Breathe the fresh air,
Take the first step into tomorrow.
Force a smile on your lips,
Wipe the tears from your eyes
The time for grieving has passed.
Shoulders back, head high
The world awaits your presence.
Participate eagerly,
Love completely,
Let go entirely,
And soon
All your sorrows will vanish.


Copyright 2008 - Karina

Faded

I'm un-officially participating in NaPoWriMo...that's National Poetry Writing Month, where you attempt to post a poem every day for the month of April. I'm only unofficially participating because I haven't yet figured out where to officially join up...and I don't think I'll really manage to do it anyway. But, I thought it was a good way to try and write some more...so what the heck.

Today's poem comes to you courtesy of an unexpected memory.

Faded

Inumerable calendars
Put up, taken down
The passing of time
Marked by changing images
Of landscapes, cartoons,
Whichever theme picked
On the spur of the moment
But time has passed
Too much time
And with each sunrise
The memory of your face
Grows fuzzier
Your smile
Less defined
Your eyes
Not as bright
The image blurs,
Then with concentration I bring it to focus again
Only to lose it as my mind wanders
To the present again
Most days, you don’t make an appearance
I don’t think of you, I don’t miss you
You were a passing phase
Vital to my existence, my progress through life
But a part of my past
No longer a necessity
But then there are moments
Small, barely there moments,
When a smell, a sound
Smacks me hard in the chest
And I remember
The way you’d look into me
The feel of your hand on my face
The sound of your voice when you spoke your dreams aloud
And for a second
I miss you, miss us
And I try to recall the crook in your grin
When I’d catch you looking at me
But it fades as quickly as it comes
I attempt to get hold of the scent of your skin
But it takes cover in the recesses of my mind
So I smile at the memories
As they fade away once more
Allowing them to withdraw where they belong
In the past, with the best of my moments
And I return to this moment
Let my present surround me once more
Taking it in, noting the details
Knowing one day, this too
Will fade, and blur,
Creep in unexpectedly
Remind me that I’ve lived
And loved
And lost
I’ve learned
Survived
And I wouldn’t change a thing

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Writer's Island #25 - Deja-Vu

Two prompts, two takes on the same scene:

Deja-Vu

She’s been here before
Many times at this door
Her hand on the knob
Her heartbeat a throb
Indecision stirring
Thoughts in her head whirring
Should she stay or go
Why does he hurt her so
Once again heart breaking
Once again soul aching
Promises made, then broken
Empty words often spoken
She loves him, she hates him
Apologizes, placates him
He tortures, he’s tortured
Her fortune, misfortune
Such passion and fire
Such anger and ire
And over and over they battle
The walls of their cage they rattle
She’s been here before
Many times at this door
But this time, this one
It’s over, she’s done.

Persistence

She’s been here before
Many times at this door
And this time, this one
Is it over? Is it done?
She refuses to accept it
She decides to reject it
They’ve had tougher frays
Always better the next day
He loves her, she knows it
So often he shows it
She’s valued and treasured
His love can’t be measured
His words, like a knife
Her own, taking life
They’re hurtful, enraged
But both, so engaged
He reaches for her, tenderly
“I love you my sweet”, don’t you leave
With tears in her eyes,
She drops back and sighs
She’s been here before
Many times at this door
But there won’t be regret
She can’t open it yet.

Copyright 2008 - Karina

Writer's Island #'s 22 and 23

I completely missed Writer's Island last week...I can't even give you an excuse as to why, it just slipped by unnoticed. Funnily enough, the theme was "Time Travel", so I'm going to travel back in time, and post my bit here, along with this week's entry, for the theme of "Second Chance", because I wrote the following haiku and realized it sort of fit both themes:

Do Over

If I could do it

All over again once more

I wouldn't change a thing

Copyright 2008 - Karina

And just one more for the Second Chance prompt:

Maybe we might have

Maybe we could have

Maybe so

But the distance of time

The haziness of my mind

Forces me to decide

That if given a second chance

Another try at us

I'm not sure I would have

Copyright 2008 - Karina

There is also a second prompt this week at WI - a new idea blossoming, based on movie releases...Matinee Muse...that prompt Perspective. I have the perfect piece for this prompt, written many years ago, but do not have it with me today, so I will save this one for later this week.

Happy reading, happier writing folks!