Friday, February 26, 2010

#19

It's late. I am again attempting to conquer the Sestina. This form is extremely difficult for me. I'm not sure what it is that I keep doing wrong but my lines are not as uniformed as I would like for them to be. I feel that if I could find the "perfect" words for this form I would feel less frustrated. I feel that if I was able to get a good amount of sleep my brain would be clearer.

SESTINA SATURDAY: Ass On Cushion

To write sestinas, first I have to sit
And ponder on a topic. As I think
I take strange journeys deep within my mind
And memories, until at last I stop.
Ideas are tricky to pluck from the dark,
But till I do I really have no peace.

This one is all about my search for peace.
Twice daily I take time out and I sit -
Ere sunrise, a quick shower in the dark,
While eve'nings, it's my living room, I think
That is best for my effort to just stop
And tame the monkeys rambling in my mind.

For many years, I've given little mind
To anything that you'd call inner peace.
Too much to do; the chore list doesn't stop
Because I'd like to take the chance to sit
Without having to talk or write or think.
Lights out? I'd still be toiling in the dark.

But now I'm stumbling blindly in the dark
Most of the time, just trying to calm my mind.
Just for a little while, just not to think
About what's pressing me, a bit of peace
Is all I want. Still mostly when I sit,
My ass on cushion, I can't seem to stop.

But one day soon, I know that I will stop,
That I will find there waiting in the dark
Some things I need. Until then I still will sit,
And treat with patience all that plagues my mind.
(I'm sure among them is a thought of peace
That's way off base). That's what I hope and think.

I've spent a lifetime learning how to think,
'Twill take a long time, too, to learn to stop
My dwelling on the things that threaten peace
And quiet. But it's quite good to go dark
For its own sake meanwhile, and I don't mind
A little space and time to simply sit.

This poem was my chance to sit and think
About how much my mind just needs to stop
And let the dark sink in and bring some peace.
~Kate Sherrod

I actually found this on Blogger and liked it. I feel that it sums up the way I feel right now.

2 comments:

  1. When I'm lacking inspiration, I find it easiest to write about things that anger or upset me. Then try explaining that "thing" a few different ways. Note the words that are the same in each explanation. Those are the ones you can use at the ends of your lines to concentrate your content.

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  2. Nice little trick there Ashley. I think I will borrow that one.

    As for Brandy, you submit great work. I so wanted to comment on your sestina today in class, but alas we ran out of time.

    But,yeah, just try to write about what you know, what moves you, what you are passionate about.

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