Writing 201 – A Reading Writer

WRITING 201: Evacuate

October 13, 2015October 13, 2015 areadingwriter68 Comments

Oh so dark sky

in a starless night

Still I brave the road

with a single flickering light

–

Oh so cold water

bathe my tired feet

Still I pursue our lane

flooded at 3 meters deep

–

Oh why so quiet

usually noisy neighbors?

Still I head home, and

saw a scene I will not savor.

–

Oh so quick

we have to move.

Still the flood rises high

in fast, full groove.

——

Photo credit: shutterstock

In response to Writing 201 Day 7 assignment:

Day 7: Neighborhood, Ballad, Assonance

What do you think about when you think about your neighborhood?

Whether it’s your block, a favorite store or coffeeshop, or just a general sense of community (or lack thereof), keep today’s poem local, within the radius of a leisurely stroll from your home.

I re-imagined that fateful October night when we are forced to evacuate due to flood.

It was unforgettable, not just for me and my family but to our whole community.

WRITING 201: Faces of Love

October 12, 2015October 12, 2015 areadingwriter44 Comments

Love’s strength lies in its contradictions

while contradictions strengthen love.

Love lasts because it changes

while changes last because of love.

—–

Photo credit: evolvingloveandlight

Bold and italicized lines are from: Manuscript Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho

Manuscript Found in Accra

In response to Writing 201 Day 6 assignment:

Day 6: Faces, Found Poetry, Chiasmus

Before we learn how to read words, we learn, intuitively, to read faces. In today’s poem, take a single face or a multitude of them as your point of departure.

It doesn’t even have to be a real-life, flesh-and-blood face you’re writing about. Faces are ubiquitous in the texture of our daily lives, after all, from portraits in the museum and the banknotes in our wallets to billboards and street art and online profile pictures.

I almost skipped this assignment because work’s very busy and the topic’s really hard.

Glad that I was able to come up with this short piece.

I hope it made sense.

🙂

WRITING 201: To the Holder of my life’s map

October 9, 2015October 13, 2015 areadingwriter86 Comments

I know you since I’m three or two

You know life’s hell that I’ve been through

Up, down, and up again

Rollercoaster life feels like I’m in vain

–

Surrender, that’s what I did

As I sink in the sea of grief

My dream is dead, I said to self

As I smell my failure’s stench

–

I let go, and let You lead

As my hope slowly fall asleep

At my lowest, you came finally

I touch the sky, on bended knee

—-

Photo credit: ilovehdwallpapers

Inspired by: Touch the Sky by Hillsong

In response to Writing 201 Day 5 assignment:

Day 5: Map, Ode, Metaphor

Maps tell stories — about places we know and others we wish to visit, about technology and the speed with which we can traverse vast distances, and about the things we’ll see (or avoid) on our way from point A to point B.

Whether you choose to write about an actual map, an imaginary one, or just about a particular route that means something special to you, make today’s poem about a space you inhabit (or wish to. Or would rather avoid).

After I read the assignment for today, I dig into my brain to look for inspiration.

I usually listen to music while I give the assignment some thoughts. “What kind of map should I include? To whom or to what should I write an ode for?”

Then it hit me. Words just flow through me as I compose this post while listening to the song that I embed.

It felt surreal to translate into words an ode to HIM who holds my map.

It felt right to give him back the honour He deserves.

It felt good to look back how HE picked me up when I am at my life’s lowest.

Yes, this is for HIM. To HIM who holds my map.

WRITING 201: Perfectly Unique, Imperfectly Regal

October 8, 2015October 8, 2015 areadingwriter58 Comments

They say fat is ugly, but

too skinny is not also pretty

They say short is unattractive, but

too tall is considered a bit gigantic.

Is there really a way to be called lovely?

We are created equal, so

let’s not be too visual.

Attitude and heart truly matters, because

actions go beyond any physical parameters.

You are lovely and indeed imperfectly, regal.

Photo credit: Myob

In response to Writing 201 Day 4 assignment:

Day 4: Imperfect, Limerick, Enjambment

We find faults in ourselves, in others, and in the world around us all the time. We may accept these imperfections or complain about them, try to fix them or celebrate them — whatever our attitude may be, they add friction and texture to our lives.

Today, write a poem about the imperfect nature of someone or something.

So I was again intimidated by these unknown terms, LIMERICK and ENJAMBMENT!

I am glad, though, to write, for the FIRST TIME, a poem with these intimidating Poetry terms. 🙂

Please leave your thoughts.

Either bad or good they will all be appreciated.

P.S. You may also want to read a poem I have written for WRITING 101 Assignment titled: Not sexy, but definitely happy. This poem is a bit personal for me. ❤

🙂

WRITING 201: Deep, Dark, Dreary

October 7, 2015October 8, 2015 areadingwriter52 Comments

Her heart ripped her apart. Now it’s my part to take all her wrath. Sharp as diamond knife cuts through me to end her life.

Oh, my pain, is it her gain? Oh, will this cut, erase her hurt? Oh, will this wound, do any good?

I froze as her blood flows. I feel the nerves died as her heart tries to decide. To beat or not to beat. To live or not to live.

Photo credit: Enkivillage

In response to Writing 201 Day 3 assignment:

Day 3: Skin, Prose Poem, Internal Rhyme

Our skin often announces (correctly or not) our age and ethnicity, tells stories of injuries, operations, and accidents, and conveys to our brain everything from the pain of a slap to the warmth of a hug.

Skins aren’t only a human thing: they protect animals, fruit, cheese, and more. For today’s poem, choose whatever meaning of “skin” speaks to you the most.

I never thought that I can tell a fictional story through poetry. Not until I have read some awesome poems from some of the great poets from Writing 201: Poetry class.

So inspired by your very well-written posts, I humbly present this another FIRST prose poem from yours truly.

Please feel free to give unbiased and truly honest feedbacks.

As a newbie I will surely appreciate it.

WRITING 201: Most precious gift

October 6, 2015October 6, 2015 areadingwriter65 Comments

Purchased gifts can be as expensive as caviares

Ready-made presents can be as commonly seen as night stars

Albeit precious gifts are monetarily impressive

Your soft whispered words are actually more effective

Enough of anything material

Resort to something that is truly more personal

Photo credit: Ignite Church

In response to Writing 201 Day 2 assignment:

Day 2: Gift, Acrostic, Simile

There’s a whole array of sensations and emotions attached to gifts, whether you’re the gifter or the giftee. The tension between packaging and contents, the joy of tearing through layers of wrapping, the surprise or disappointment of discovery once you know what’s inside.

Today, write something about a gift.

I know this is beyond this course but I am now asking you guys to give me the most precious gift, prayer, as my mom is currently at the hospital. 😦

Thank you.

WRITING 201: Purples and Whites

October 5, 2015October 5, 2015 areadingwriter52 Comments

Your colours speak words

That’s so loud yet so silent

Now my soul’s quiet

In response to Writing 201 Day 1 assignment:

Day 1: Screen, Haiku, Alliteration

There’s a 100% chance that you’re currently looking at the comforting, addictive, inescapable glow of a screen. Screens are everywhere in our life, not in the least when we read and write (and blog).

Today, write a poem about/against/in homage to the screens in your life.

Note: The photo included is my office computer’s screen-saver. 🙂

Photo credit: 7-themes.com

———

Phew!

I think twice in joining this course as I read the Day 1 task. I am overwhelmed by the terms that I have never tried writing before.

But after knowing that Fun Simplicity and Vijaya are in the same course, I am now taking another leap of courage! (But, mind you I am still nervous!)

Here’s to hoping I can finish this 2-week course!