tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54628140693563684762024-03-22T12:19:40.881+08:00Conversations the Other DayAn archive of scribblings.Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-21772401785415546022015-04-05T19:47:00.002+08:002015-04-08T06:35:33.369+08:00Mountains are lessons in patience.<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
***</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Steep</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
but not unkind</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
a mountain</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
waits for me</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
eternal,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
patient,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
unfazed</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
by my fumbling</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
my missteps</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
scraping</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
against her</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
face </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
as I slipped<br />
again
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and again<br />
<br />
trying to find<br />
my way. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
***<br />
<br />
Shared on <a href="http://withrealtoads.blogspot.sg/2015/04/the-tuesday-platform.html" target="_blank">Imaginary Garden with Real Toads: Tuesday Platform. </a></div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-61020275016546639892015-04-01T22:27:00.000+08:002020-05-24T20:56:52.701+08:00A hole in the fence is a gateway to adventure.<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Someone has broken through the fence!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
made a wormhole</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
into a restricted zone</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-- a forest reserve to be kept
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
preserved from curious hikers</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
who only loved to walk
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
the soft native earth.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
They'd brush aside thorny vines that
catch them,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
rush through blades of grass that cut
them</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
just to find a way to get lost</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
in a patch they call 'nature',</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
to breathe in the green
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and bathe their heads
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
under the golden sunbeams
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
falling through the canopy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
*** </div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-29147306195325720932015-03-18T07:57:00.001+08:002020-08-19T11:19:18.560+08:00The dry season<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
***</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
close to the end of a dry season</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
i went to a park</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
sat on the grass</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
breath the warm breeze</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
that sweeps over the blue</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
reservoir waters, watch the waves</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
lap and overlap</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
i pulled out a notebook</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and pen, trying to</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
catch all in words</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
onto an empty page that was glaringly</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
white
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
the words</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
were reluctant<br />
having been quiet</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
left in the dark</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
for so long</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
i pressed the tip of the pen
against
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
the paper
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
forced out lines that brought</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
more regret than reflection</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nature is simpler</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
an ant in the grass</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
so i began again:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
an ant in the grass.<br />
<br />
<br />
*** </div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-29930077026203288822015-02-21T04:45:00.002+08:002017-09-13T17:55:22.892+08:00A bullfrog in a storm drain <style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
In
channels clogged with compose<br />
under the steel-fit manhole,<br />
a
bullfrog groans bass tone moans.<br />
<br />
Caught in last night's downpour <br />
while out on the
garden lawn,<br />
he went with the <br />
water <br />
<br />
<br />
-- because that's all
he knows<br />
from days of being a tadpole<br />
before he grew legs<br />
and things<br />
<br />
got complicated --</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
went with the flow, <br />
<br />
and
all the leaves<br />
that fell in heaps<br />
<br />
went with
him....<br />
<br />
In channels clogged with compose<br />
under the
steel-fit manhole,<br />
a stranded bullfrog longs<br />
for another great
rain storm.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
***<br />
<br />
A repost from 2012 NaPoWriMo. </div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-87803470790936288362015-02-14T06:57:00.000+08:002015-02-21T10:20:55.627+08:00Nature takes back everything<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;">Madras
pea pumpkin vines entwine </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;">a pair of
rusty shopping carts;</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;">rainwater
collect in
beer bottles </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;">and cans; wild
grass blankets</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;">the ghost junction of railway lines</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;"> and wind-bent signs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;">At dusk, sun rays throw shadows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;">through rows of paperbark trees</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;">& just before receding,touch pieces </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;">of broken sand glass, reflecting </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;">lights :red
:amber :green.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: small;">... </span></div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-46504692738177425532015-02-10T06:32:00.002+08:002015-02-21T04:27:39.266+08:00Maybe....<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<b>The meaning of Maybe </b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">a peep of the sun</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />on the horizon<br /> the clouds gather<br /><br />so eager to greet </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;">the day with her<br />that everything there<br /><br />becomes grey.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUUGsjkvqpRO6kTocCA88DnGtg6725D-lJeSVFXrDpSqaEIKgI7UFMvUOLc4ThOP5AuPOLeC6isBADh1S8IeUQ8THncXQ8ggfFXqoyMzQm_NNQ-r1Qyvu7IZTHTqvR-KTGC1tI3743VM/s1600/6108860548_c4bdbcf1a8_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUUGsjkvqpRO6kTocCA88DnGtg6725D-lJeSVFXrDpSqaEIKgI7UFMvUOLc4ThOP5AuPOLeC6isBADh1S8IeUQ8THncXQ8ggfFXqoyMzQm_NNQ-r1Qyvu7IZTHTqvR-KTGC1tI3743VM/s1600/6108860548_c4bdbcf1a8_o.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"></span></div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-6259930805734921802014-04-01T19:45:00.003+08:002014-04-01T19:50:48.894+08:00Why see-saws are dangerous<br />
<br />
i do not want to play<br />
this see-saw with you<br />
<br />
first you go up<br />
and then i go up<br />
then you go down<br />
<br />
:up and down<br />
<br />
but you never<br />
let me down easy<br />
<br />
you leap in your seat <br />
to go up, up<br />
<br />
and i come down hard<br />
and it hurts<br />
<br />
i suppose<br />
i could suddenly get off<br />
the stupid see-saw <br />
<br />
if only i have the courage<br />
to hurt you<br />
<br />
<br />
*** Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-2863087064995823802013-12-18T07:08:00.004+08:002013-12-18T09:24:21.538+08:00Being caught***<br />
<br />
Entrapment<br />
<br />
/<br />
<br />
do spiders ever sleep<br />
<br />
or do they spend all night<br />
spinning webs <br />
<br />
crisscross<br />
each open path<br />
<br />
a lattice of<br />
silk strong<br />
as steel<br />
<br />
and by morning<br />
anticipate in shadow<br />
and shade<br />
<br />
a network<br />
of weave<br />
<br />
catch sunbeams<br />
en-golden <br />
<br />
catch me<br />
<br />
/<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/9735586273_a686c1d37b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7325/9735586273_a686c1d37b.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a spider web in the trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Somewhat more absent from the web known as the internet lately due to my current love of long walks along park connectors and through nature reserves. The year is coming to an end and it's generally been a good one, though seems I'm kinda lost when it comes to one's direction in life. I haven't any kind of "dream" if anybody were to ask me what it is. I've been blessed with kind friends this year, but might have also lost connection with a few that seemed unrecoverable. I discovered I dislike certain things yet tolerate them for certain relationships and it just doesn't work out as resentment builds. Funny how the older I get, I seem to be confused about how I am than ever. I love those nature reserves, those trees, the water, all the sounds; when I'm on those walks, just feels good.Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-7525800207218939922013-07-13T20:49:00.000+08:002013-07-13T21:19:34.416+08:00Note: Wordpress Blogs // Why reposting comments is a pain.I've tried to leave comments on a few wordpress blogs today and yesterday, and they have not seem to register. I'm very annoyed by this.<br />
<br />
<br />
Thoughtful comments<br />
<br />
i<br />
<br />
a prickling of emotion,<br />
a finger tip dipping<br />
a stagnant pool of memory<br />
<br />
a glass chain linking<br />
understanding <br />
carefully strung into words<br />
in response to words <br />
<br />
<br />
ii<br />
<br />
blind faith for words <br />
to be delivered. is lost<br />
because of a broken script<br />
in empty space<br />
<br />
<br />
iii<br />
<br />
what I said,<br />
I said so much<br />
it's hard to remember<br />
<br />
next time<br />
I will keep it simple<br />
<br />
just in case<br />
I have to say it again. <br />
<br />
<br />
iv<br />
<br />
I liked it. I was saying (why)<br />
I like it. and it has effect on me.<br />
and I'll remember it.<br />
<br />
<br />Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-2047548446958553132013-06-11T21:05:00.001+08:002015-02-14T20:35:22.088+08:00Games children play<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
***</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u>Pass the note, begin the silent
treatment</u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Let's pretend she's gone un-visible</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and talk about her funny eyEs</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
laugh at her
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
fu.n.ny</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
c</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
r y</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-- it's nothing to cry about</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-just-kidding around-</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
come on now;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
let's pretend to cry too/let's
pretend to be her friend/lets</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
give her a hug!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After lunch,
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
let's pretend</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
______ was never here.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
*** </div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-54608195910946832642013-06-02T17:15:00.006+08:002013-06-08T21:28:58.061+08:00Reptiles do not think as we do.<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(...)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A monitor lizard</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
,snake-like,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
tongue flicking at</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
the humid morning air</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
for molecules</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
tastes my being</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
coming</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
before I
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
see him;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
he creeps</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
into a run</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
slithers</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
into the underbrush</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I look for him</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and I see him --</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
scaly earthy ancient</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
body and tail</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
thick</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
like the roots</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
of a sea-grape tree;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
a leathery stonehead with stygian eyes<br />
shiny stares at<br />
<br />
me</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
or is it just the green water</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
beyond?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I leave him be.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
***<br />
Updated: 8 June 2013 </div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-45103437038092653492013-05-29T05:13:00.004+08:002013-07-19T06:43:02.103+08:00Quiet, and where to find it in a city that sleeps very little.<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
*** <b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><b>The space to be</b></u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cars go by every few<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
sleeper's</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
exhale;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
in between</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
crickets, </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
in between</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
recalling trees
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and mountains.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
***<br />
<br />
Updated 19th July 2013 </div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-1279723361644832892013-04-30T06:19:00.001+08:002020-05-07T08:24:56.434+08:00How Bats Get Through the Day...<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(...)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Under a flyover's concrete span,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
fruit bats
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
hang upside-down</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
clinging together</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
in shadow, old-world
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
creatures rehomed
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
in an urbanized jungle.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The fruit trees
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
have been replanted,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
the forest reforested,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
nature is reserved;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
but the caves
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
are long-gone, dug through</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
for highways</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and high-speed trains.<br />
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<br />
Victoria has written an awesome article on the subject on poetic voice on dVerse Meeting at the Bar. "<a href="http://dversepoets.com/2013/05/02/your-voice-lets-hear-it-dverse-meeting-the-bar/" target="_blank">Your Voice - Let's Hear It.</a>" So lets. <br />
<br />
[updated May2020] </div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-4075502532143666822013-03-03T07:50:00.001+08:002013-04-22T06:26:18.937+08:00All the sweet candy of free games<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
[] <b></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Those little games cost nothing</b> <b>(usually)</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It takes a capable mind</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
to burn time</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
at both ends;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
where is the pause</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
when at every interlude</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
between calls</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
he plays a game?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>tap tap...</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Up, up score rewards.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>tap tap...</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
away the little spaces for thought.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
*** </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Submitted for DVerse Poetics. <a href="http://dversepoets.com/2013/03/02/poetics-an-evening-of-short-verse/" target="_blank">An Evening of Short Verse </a>is being hosted by Fred Rutherford. It'd be fun to blog hop today too. :) </div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-58103307414854445182013-02-27T21:35:00.004+08:002013-04-17T20:47:19.239+08:00It didn't used to rain like this in Feburary.<style type="text/css">
<!--
@page { margin: 0.79in }
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in }
</style> <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Going out after the rain has stopped</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rows of diminishing raindrops</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
hanging on park benches, fences,
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
leaves, occasionally falling</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>one-two</i>, </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> one </i> (<i>two&one</i>)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
falling into</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
joining</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
puddles</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
rippling the reflection</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
of retiring storm clouds</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
leaving town;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
a young school girl</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
holds out her hand</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
palm open to the sky:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
all she catches is sunshine.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
She steps out remembering
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
the umbrella in her bag.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
***</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Work has taken quite a bit of my energy lately. I've decided I'll just ride with the ups and downs.</div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-44839439974602903622013-02-08T21:55:00.000+08:002013-02-08T21:56:19.923+08:00Given that one has limited time in the evenings<br />
<b>Fragmented TV time</b><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
watching TV / playing angry birds</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
watching TV / i should read a book
instead</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
watching TV / waiting for the news</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
commercial / loo / water / snacks +
crackers</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
watching TV / surfing the web</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
watching TV / making a draft, jotting
down notes </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
watching TV / i shouldn't / what am I
watching</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
watching TV / checking facebook /
sketching / outlines for a poem</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
news is on / depressing, new document /
outrageous</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
watching the news / i need a break /
one thing at a time! / relax</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
watching the news / watching the news /
bored / just let me play / paint</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
watching the news / an object -finding
game / channel surf / so many games</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
watching the news / almost time for bed
/ already half-way there / tomorrow</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
**This was originally for one of the week's dVerse Poetics hosted by Brian I think. I didn't post it that time because I didn't know what I was doing with it. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-24346127755835977462013-01-27T18:29:00.002+08:002013-01-27T18:29:33.726+08:00The world is a stage, literally. (...)<br />
<br />
<style type="text/css"> </style><br />
<style type="text/css"><!--
@page { margin: 0.79in }
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in }
-->
</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Sock-puppeteer</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Sock-puppeteer</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
performing roles</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
siding debate</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
in his favor.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mocked and banned,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
returns again and again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Same hands. Same brain.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Different names.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">A <b>sockpuppet</b> is an online identity used for purposes of deception. The term—a reference to the manipulation of a simple hand puppet made from a sock—originally referred to a false identity assumed by a member of an internet community who spoke to, or about himself while pretending to be another person.[1] The term now includes other uses of misleading online identities, such as those created to praise, defend or support a third party or organization,[2] or to circumvent a suspension or ban from a website. A significant difference between the use of a pseudonym[3] and the creation of a sockpuppet is that the sockpuppet poses as an independent third-party unaffiliated with the puppeteer. Many online communities have a policy of blocking sockpuppets. - Wikipedia.</span></div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-89064452695673541952013-01-15T20:45:00.003+08:002013-01-16T06:38:32.647+08:00It's like things have been boxed away and forgotten...<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<style type="text/css"><!--
@page { margin: 0.79in }
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</style></div>
****
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(...)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dust blanket
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>the two of us</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> excavating in
the attic</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> of a teahouse </i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
break, fine-waltz in brownian drift</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
as windows are opened
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
and moth-ravaged curtains drawn</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
letting in the sunlight;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
the room remains stubborn</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
ash-dull.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i>artifacts
containing proof memories -- grandfather stories</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> we recalled in
bits</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> told to us when
we were children</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> when we can
believe anything </i>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i> yet possessed little attention</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
All the disintegrating</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
cardboard boxes</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
stale, rat-nibbled;</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
silverfish devouring the old
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
albums and scrapbooks, slither out</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
vanishing
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
into the cracks of the deadwood boards.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
****</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br />
Linked to <a href="http://dversepoets.com/2013/01/15/open-link-night-week-79/" target="_blank">Open Link Night #79 </a>at dVerse Poets Pub. A toast to all! (I initially draft this poem in response to Victoria's prompt last week "The Medium is the Message" for Meeting at the Bar. )</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-37104482728398179902013-01-06T10:05:00.003+08:002015-04-27T17:23:40.368+08:00The new verb ***<br />
<br />
<b>To "Unfriend"</b><br />
<br />
<br />
I watched a friend devolve <br />
on the assembly of white boxes,<br />
parading for egos addicted to sharing;<br />
<br />
and now she's playing tag --<br />
sharing names with strangers<br />
and best-forgotten ex's;<br />
<br />
hurling insults in pixel print,<br />
the monsters escape<br />
and all anyone can do is like it.<br />
<br />
I remind myself, these specters<br />
are contained behind the glass<br />
but still <br />
<br />
I hover a finger over her name,<br />
unable to decide <br />
the kind of friend I'd be.<br />
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=unfriend" target="_blank">definition of "unfriend"</a> according to the Urban Dictionary.<br />
<br />
Posted for <a href="http://dversepoets.com/2013/01/08/openlinknight-week-78/" target="_blank">Open Link Night #78 at dVerse Poet's Pub</a>.<br />
<br />Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-44494905982236334812013-01-04T23:08:00.000+08:002013-01-04T23:08:09.048+08:00Scent of Tears(...)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The scent of tears,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
its salty breath<br />saturate the air,<br /><br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
move waves,</div>
black the sea;<br /><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
swim in and drown, </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
otherwise, stay </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
on the beach,<br />watch the
waves,<br />breathe in the salt.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
***</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The original was written quite many years back. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-70348268567521240552013-01-03T20:57:00.002+08:002013-01-03T21:01:35.476+08:00Our constant search and labor(...)<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>A lack of muse is no excuse</i></span></span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;">begins a trip to nowhere;</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;">starring down a grey wide open empty
road stretching long and sure towards a peach and strawberry suns<span style="font-size: small;">et,</span> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;">and everything, even a sewer cover, turns
into gold.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
***</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You might have come across pictures of sewer covers in Instagram and wonder why people take them, if not why they suddenly seem interesting. </div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-62708917380384983062013-01-02T07:50:00.000+08:002013-01-02T14:02:39.654+08:00Set on automatic ***<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><u><b>PreMonday Start-ups</b></u><br /><br />watching clock ticks flick<br /><br />gear shifting back to numb-state automaton<br /><br />safe-keep poetry heart under lock-key<br /><br />re-routing to routine workday cycle<br /><br />batteries fully charged to go<br /><br />forcestart system at 0600 in the morning<br /><br />login suits by 0800 ironed and ready<br /><br />logoff day at 1800 in the evening<br /><br />sleepmode set from indefinite to 2200 at night</span><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
***</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
(edited: Jan 2, 2013; 1400hrs)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-33642931382619001482012-12-01T21:13:00.004+08:002012-12-06T20:53:12.733+08:00He-said-she-said, whose side are you on?*** <br />
(...)<br />
<br />
Enticing gossip. <br />
Garnish on the lunch.<br />
<br />
<i>{who's not here?<br />thank heavens, not us!}</i><br />
<br />
Spaghetti <br />
sentences <br />
<br />
twirled<br />
at the end of a fork<br />
<br />
manageable morsels<br />
dripping tomato<br />
<br />
sauce.<br />
<br />
Leviathan cravings growl words slice<br />
knifing into plaster silhouettes <br />
cut shred<br />
<br />
this, you can't eat<br />
sitting up straight<br />
<br />
<i>{are we all with us?}</i><br />
Let's huddle.<br />
<br />
<br />
Cold air whistles soundless between teeth,<br />
wine glasses in the grip of oily fingertips,<br />
the dark red tint eyes in dim corner light.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
Who doesn't like a bit of good gossip? But much like lying, if you do a lot of it, you gonna have to do a lot of needless remembering.. of who you told what to and what you not to say in front of whom. It must be human to love making things complicated.Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-39683918161791525262012-11-17T10:34:00.001+08:002017-11-09T08:05:39.012+08:00The silence that can be felt ***<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>The Quiet of Trees</b></u><br />
<br />
The trees listen, unmoved and all <br />
present<br />
<br />
as orioles and sunbirds<br />
court and duel<br />
<br />
songs and jungle<br />
rooster crows<br />
a spurring morning<br />
alarm<br />
<br />
crickets choir <br />
in the undergrowth <br />
<br />
a mother boar scours the grounds<br />
with her young ones<br />
for worm<br />
<br />
or ripe fruit lost<br />
<br />
to the grips of monkeys<br />
play-chasing above <br />
on shaky branches.<br />
<br />
The trees listen, unmoved and all <br />
present<br />
<br />
a monsoon storm is coming:<br />
bloated grey clouds<br />
bringing drums and crackers.<br />
<br />
Whipping sea winds <br />
rip through the forest --<br />
stir, shake and push,<br />
snapping weak wood.<br />
<br />
Let fall <br />
<br />
warm drops of rain,<br />
and pour forth rivers!<br />
<br />
The birds<br />
are hushed now.<br />
<br />
The trees listen, sway in the storm and all <br />
present.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5TRbTSEooXg" width="560"></iframe>Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5462814069356368476.post-23224919247732975942012-10-03T07:11:00.001+08:002012-10-03T07:11:14.793+08:00The obssession with using other people as mirrors of self<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJRyH2RKKQ_0fXChu3_SpMHEa5uJJwECumZrojVWbYXapp9SOjRLTEed6LavLlkVrxF89lt_RCRfn3GsjHJL17O6c4eZAoHz5ZK7_q6BYR-BLvWFOnrZRCoci4sn_Cgb_lcyg_zkxHNg/s1600/me+graphics+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJRyH2RKKQ_0fXChu3_SpMHEa5uJJwECumZrojVWbYXapp9SOjRLTEed6LavLlkVrxF89lt_RCRfn3GsjHJL17O6c4eZAoHz5ZK7_q6BYR-BLvWFOnrZRCoci4sn_Cgb_lcyg_zkxHNg/s1600/me+graphics+copy.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
****<br />
Shared on <a href="http://dversepoets.com/2012/10/02/open-link-night-week-64/" target="_blank">dVerse Pub's Open Link Night #64</a>.<br />
<br />
I might not be able to visit very many today. And it might take me a while to return visits this week.<br />
<br />Ravenblackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07408808375869234480noreply@blogger.com23