#20

I really enjoyed reading over the new forms and their examples this week. When I was looking them I really wanted to try them all. Unfortunately, I do not have time to do that but I feel that I will try the few that I wrote down in the near future. I was really surprised how well everyone created these new forms. I was equally surprised by everyone's attempts at others new forms.

On a different note, the sestina form I was complaining about earlier is coming along quite nicely now. At least I think it is. I'm pretty proud of the work I have done so far on it but it still has a long way to go. I wonder if anyone else has had a hard time of keeping the lines close to one another in length. This has been something that I have struggled with this time.

#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.

#18

Light Space

Glitter dances
upon the shimmering
ripples if iridescent blue.
Specs of glass-like
granules dance
through the breeze.
Rush, Thrust, Pull, Recede
Breaking free of this
world, stands a lonely

peak of plaster.
White as the sun
stained with blood
colored varnish.
Spiraling planks
fill the interior
of the dome shaped
architecture.
Shine, Rotate, Illuminate, Blink

I wrote this piece last semester. For some reason I really like it. However, I need some advice on how to format it and I despise the title. PLEASE help a chick out.