Learning about Poetry (part 7): "Dream Flows" poem and comparison of Poetry to Myths or Fables

While the urge to do something with "go" rhyming words, I want to take several of my freewriting sentence words and create something simple by altering it. I also want to do something by making some phrases little more descriptive.

This will be my first entirely original rhyming poem.

Dream Flows

©2020 by Ken Wickham

All rights reserved.

This urgent hope could go. 

Where do peaceful dreams flow. 

You're not my mortal foe. 

In the moment will never know. 

So, I add this new simple 4 line rhyming poem to that one that I created through imitation several posts ago. Here is that first imitation poem for comparison.

Plague Across the Land

©2020 by Ken Wickham based on Emily Dickenson's "Hope is a thing with feathers"

All rights reserved.

I've seen across the entire land,

All victims of the plague,

In a world looking strange and vague,

No, I don't want to beg.

I now have 2 poems written: "Dream Flows" and "Plague Across the Land".

Poetry writing it is fairly strange and unfamiliar. In 2nd grade, I remember doing a few poems for classroom activity, but those are now long forgotten to time.

Writing these poems are as unfamiliar to me as creating those 2 myths and 1 fable back in 2017 in the mythology series. It does give me a greater sense of breadth with writing styles although my skill level with poetry is only beginning.

Poetry is the art of sharing experience. In these two brief and little poems, it does feel like "Dream Flows" and "Plague Across the Land" do share some sort of experience. The mythology was more of a fictional creating experience than when I created "Blood and Water - Begin", "From them all become", and "Bird takes Snake to the Moons". Very little of me are included in those myths and fable. Instead of including any emotion or evaluations, my myths were more logically constructed.

Learning about Poetry (part 6): Muse #4 Freewriting (Random Prompt)

The main tool for this exercise is freewriting. In exercise #1 we did some freewriting based on a random rhyming word set.

This exercise will differ in that first, instead of rolling for a rhyming set, I'll roll for one random result for each part of speech. I will then try to freewrite whatever comes to mind for 10 minutes, jumping from word to word or back depending on spontaneous thoughts.

Noun 1162 = compromise
Adjective 1785 = shopping
Verb 646 = prevent
Adverb 988 = yearningly
Interjection 499 = just kill me
Preposition 760 = prior to
Pronoun 77 = this
Conjunction 80 = supposing
Determiner 2 = the [singular]

Freewriting for 10 minutes exercise focusing on the above random words

There is no compromise. I must prevent laziness. Yearningly, I study poetry in hopes of figuring out the basics. If everything progresses enough, then poetry will be another form of artistic expression; supposing, that enough of the basics are adequate. THIS is the answer that has slipped through the grasp of scholars and politicians. THE end. Prior to writing this post, I was creating the next names book. Shopping exhausts me. But it does not prevent spontaneity. "Just kill me!" she said in a mocking manner. Yearningly, I typed each word wondering what would emerge. Prior to compromising during the deal, I shopped. Freewriting is a form of writing; supposing, that something inspirational emerges from all of the typing. But it should not prevent creativity. The fact of the matter is that I must type until the full 10 minutes is reached. this thought can go. I type and type until I know. Where does it go. How knows. Ouch my toe. I blow and row until tomorrow. You're not my foe. It will expose. 

Ok. I typed up some spontaneous stuff.

The orange highlights were attempts to mix the preposition with two words based on two other parts of speech.

When I reached the yellow highlighted section, I just suddenly felt like rhyming with go for some reason. I don't know why. It might mean something. Or it might mean nothing.

This is freewriting. There might be something here, especially with the rhyming "go" words.

In the another exercise, I might explore those rhyming words.

Quick edit on the yellow highlighted rhyming words

Next, I will look at, edit, and change the yellow words a bit

This thought can go. 

I type and type until I know. 

Where does it go. 

Who will know. 

Ouch my toe. 

I blow and row until tomorrow. 

You're not my foe. 

At the expo. 

That is enough freewriting for today.

Flash Fiction Day: "Necromancer takes on the World"

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/257894/Premium-Flash-RPG-Three-Conflict-RPG--Deep-Dive-Engine-allinone

This  flash fiction is property of Ken Wickham written for World of the Fifth Sun blogster by Ken Wickham. It is readable by visitors to this website location only—not as a PDF, HTML, JavaScript, nor program. It is intended in this version and future versions, to help bring website traffic and use to this specific section or other author cross-post location.

This game, parts, or resulting text may not be reproduced or shared in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, reposting, or otherwise for any other person—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

Today is Flash Fiction Day!

I'll use the Premium Flash RPG... version to make a flash fiction for Flash Fiction Day. I normally use just the three pack version when making a flash fiction unless I need the other resources found in the Story Mechanisms book.

Genre 3 = Drama or horror
Setting 6 = World
Conflict 4 = Overcome...obstacle...
Vs Foe = 4 = Person

Gamestory flash fiction concept
A malevolent person is trying for world domination by leading an army of undead soldiers to take over major cities.

Attribute Test 3 =  Body
Attribute Value 5 = +1
Difficulty = 5 Terrifying

Body = Forceful

Character = A more forceful soldier

A malevolent necromancer is reaching for world domination by leading a vast army of undead soldiers to take over major cities. A more forceful soldier is try to combat the undead swarm to overcome this terrifying host obstacle with a small group of freedom fighters. Will he be able to muster enough force to fight through the undead army and eliminate the necromancer?

Conflict test result = roll of 4 + 2 (more forceful) = 6

Through awesome effort and forceful skill, the soldier is barely able to fight through the undead hoard to the central base and defeat the malevolent necromancer in a spectacular manner. Although pained by difficulty, some loss, and injury the soldier group extremely grateful for their perseverance. The survivors cheer for the soldier hero's victory.

"Necromancer takes on the World"

By Ken Wickham ©2020

A malevolent necromancer is reaching for world domination by leading a vast army of undead soldiers to take over major cities. A more forceful soldier is try to combat the undead swarm to overcome this terrifying host obstacle with a small group of freedom fighters. Will he be able to muster enough force to fight through the undead army and eliminate the necromancer?

Through awesome effort and forceful skill, the soldier is barely able to fight through the undead hoard to the central base and defeat the malevolent necromancer in a spectacular manner. Although pained by difficulty, some loss, and injury the soldier group extremely grateful for their perseverance. The survivors cheer for the soldier hero's victory.

117 words, 721 characters

Learning about Poetry (part 5): Muse #3 Reading (Metaphor & Simile)

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me.

By Emily Dickenson compiled around 1861.

The poetry lines and content below is created by Ken Wickham, based on the poem above.

©2020 by Ken Wickham based on Emily Dickenson's "Hope is a thing with feathers"

All rights reserved.

Metaphors and similes compare one thing to another.

A simple exercise, I'll practice using the Emily Dickenson poem again, except the first line which does not rhyme.

A metaphor is something that refers to one thing by writing or saying another thing figuratively rather than literally.

Hope is soaring flight.

A simile is something that compares to something else using the words like or as.

Hope is like rolling dice.
Hope is as flying birds.

Now, to try fitting the sentence with a different topic. I like the first simile line better than the 2nd. Let me see what other word besides hope that I can use. Maybe change.

Change is like rolling dice.

Learning about Poetry (part 4): Muse #3 Reading (Imitating)

In the last post, I researched different poems that contained words from my random rhyme set. In this post I will try to mimic a portion of a famous American poem by Emily Dickenson.

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune without the words,

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me.

By Emily Dickenson compiled around 1861.

To me, it looks like the rhyme scheme is the following for the entire poem.
Each letter represents a possible rhyme ending. I've highlighted in different colors the pairs that I think might rhyme.

A, B, C, B
D, E, D, E
F, G, G, G

So, taking some of the 9 words and focusing on only one portion of the ED poem, I'll try write something similar—yet different.

#264 egg, leg, beg, peg, vague, plague, keg, bootleg, nutmeg

I've heard it in the chillest land,

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It asked a crumb of me.

Plague Across the Land

©2020 by Ken Wickham based on Emily Dickenson's "Hope is a thing with feathers"
All rights reserved.

I've seen across the entire land,

All victims of the plague,

In a world looking strange and vague,

No, I don't want to beg.

Learning about Poetry (part 3): Muse #3 Reading-Research Rhyme Use

In this post I will research the 9 rhyming words found in the eg/ague set rolled in the part one.

Instead of trying to imitate anything in this post, I will working with one poem in the next post. This post is just to research how some songs and poems have used these rhyming words. This is mainly to help me read and get a feel for how they could be used.

Here are the nine words

#264 egg, leg, beg, peg, vague, plague, keg, bootleg, nutmeg

And here are examples of how they are used in songs and poetic forms—mostly songs.

"Cancelled Check" by Beck
Reaching out for a rotten egg
I dont want to beg

"Disaster Cake" by Cher
You gotta break an egg
If you wanna be in show biz
Then you gotta break a leg
Babe you're heading on a journey

"C.Y.F.M.L.A.Y?" Terence Trent D'Arby
Dont make me beg, dont take me down a peg
Shake a leg, break an egg

"Egg Man" by Beastie Boys
Humpty Dumpty was a big fat egg
He was playing the wall then he broke his leg

"Christmas is A-Comin" Bing Crosby
Christmas is a coming, the ciders in the keg
If I had a mug of cider I wouldnt have to beg

"Party at the Leper Colony" by Weird Al Yankovic
Finger food and an ice-cold keg
It wont cost you an arm and a leg

"You're So Fine" by Whitesnake
Tight skirt, skinny leg

You make a bad dog sit up and beg

"Treat me like the Dog I am" by Motley Crue

At the dog pound make me beg
Got me with my tail between my leg

"The Big Square Inch" by Sammy Hagar

Less skirt and a lot more leg
Down on your knees and beg

"Follow You Home" by Nickelback

You can shoot me in the leg
Just to try to make me beg

"The Beleaguered City" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I have read, in some old, marvellous tale,
Some legend strange and vague,
That a midnight host of spectres pale
Beleaguered the walls of Prague.

"Aint Talkin" by Bob Dylan
Aint talkin, just awalkin
Through the world mysterious and vague
Heart burnin, still yearnin
Walkin athrough the cities of the plague

"Indust" by Sick of It All
We cant ignore all the victims of the plague
Whove been fighting for a future
Thats looking pretty, pretty vague
We cant deny it, we can deny it

"King of the Hill" by Johnny Cash
You watch the girls and you drink bootleg
Get starved to death before you beg

Here are some of the uses of the last few words before the rhyme word from the examples above.
#264 egg, leg, beg, peg, vague, plague, keg, bootleg, nutmeg

rotten egg
an egg
arm and a leg
broke his leg
break a leg
in the leg
lot more leg
want to beg
make me beg
have to beg
knees and beg
down a peg
strange and vague
mysterious and vague
pretty vague
of the plague

I see that some mirror my idiom collecting done in part 2. I think that looking at idioms may help a great amount for inspiration.

In the next Poetry post, I would like to take one very popular short poem and try to play around with changing it just to get some hands on experience working with an established poem.

Learning about Poetry (part 2): Muse #2 Collecting (idioms)

In the last post, I used freewriting to write down some associations, feelings, thoughts, and relationships to words rolled for from d1000 table in Rhyming Fuel. Since I have not been keeping a journal, the freestyle let me capture a 13 minute look into what came off the top of my head for the 9 rhyming words.

In this post, I will be collecting ideas also based off of the nine keywords and the freewriting.

egg...chicken, birth, lay, breakfast, scrambled, oval, omelet, new, incubate, innovation, hot, cold

leg...broken, chair, walking, kicking, stand, standing, asleep, stable, sufficient, sore

beg...need, want, desire, must have, desperate, beggar, don't have, forgiveness, mercy, ask, motivated

peg...hang, place, hit, decide, fit, plug, mark, holt together, small fastener, home supply store, wooden

vague...unclear, murky, misty, foggy, dark, unknown, confused, brief, barely, unsure, unexplainable

plague...coronavirus, stay at home, walking pneumonia, hospital, contagious, communicable, sickness, long duration, antidote

keg... dynamite, beer, Cracker Barrel, barrel, container, holding, storage, filling, emptying

bootleg...unofficial, underground, copy, illegal, music, movie, 

nutmeg... spice, ingredient, French toast, cookies, baking, eggnog

Collecting, according to the open poetry textbook Naming the Unnameable, is writing down "images, ideas, and phrases" or sparks of poetry.

So for this exercise, I'll write down a few idioms based on the words above.

I like Idioms. In Grammar Fuel: 12,000 Phrases & Idioms, I collected 12,000 mostly American English idioms. Idioms are groups of words that carry cultural based meaning. Here are some idioms grouped together for each of the words.

a bad egg
egg on one's face
walk on egg shells
you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs
a nest egg
all one's eggs in one basket
lay an egg

kill the goose that lays the golden eggs

without a leg to stand on
cost/give an an arm and a leg
as fast as your legs can carry you
pull someone's leg
put one's pants on one leg at a time, just like everbody else
stretch one's legs
tail between one's legs
the first leg
get a leg up
be on one's last legs
fresh legs
break a leg

beg for
beg the question
beg to differ
beg, borrow, or steal
beg your pardon
beg for something
beg on bended knee
beg to disagree
beg something from someone

a peg on which to hang something
fit together like a square peg in a round hole
peg as something
have someone pegged
be knocked down a peg (or two)
take one down a peg (or two)
peg away at something

wake up in a vague fog like a cloudy mist

avoid someone or something like the plague
plague one with something

keg party
powder keg
sitting on a powder keg

bootlegged movies
bootlegged CDs
bootlegged software
This must be a bootleg copy—the quality is terrible.

a wooden nutmeg

That is pretty fun. Already after doing the freewriting and this idiom exercise, it feels like the foundation for a poem is already constructed.

The next muse in this series is Muse #3 Reading. In that post, I'll research some poetry in the past to see if I can build a small chunk of poetry fragments for some or all of the 9 keywords. I may even try to imitate those historical chunks.