Metrical Breaks and Line Variations

Poem with Metrical Breaks
Dew drops on a leaf
Clear rounded half-spheres
Provide some moisture
and life



It is Poem with Line Variations
Water buffalo is funny
 Laying in mud like a toad in the hot summer
But some days I wish that
I could join that buffalo in his slimy bath
Except the irking flies
Enjoy the cool air like the water buffalo.

In the first poem I kept the line to "and life" because water (in all forms) is very powerful. It can wear away at stone or power a whole factory, but perhaps its most valuable function is giving and maintaining life on earth. In the second poem my two meters are trochaic tetrameter and dactylic tetrameter (alternating). I thought that it seemed kind of random like the subject of my poem. Also, water buffalo go for long periods of rest and then short bursts of activity, characterized by the short lines and long lines.

1 Poem: 6 Ways

#1
My hand fell asleep
Now it tingles like static
Sharp poking as if
I held a cactus in my
palm. Just imaginary.

#2
My left hand has just fallen asleep.
Now it tingles like TV static
Sharp poking as I held a cactus
In my palm. My imagination.

#3
My left hand will cascade to numb
It tingles like TV quibble
sharp pokes as I hold a  hedgehog
in my still palm. Imaginary.

#4)
My left hand has fallen asleep
Tingles like a rumbling static
Sharp pinch as I hold a cactus
in my palm, but just a phantasm.

#5)
Hand on my left has just fallen fast obsolete.
Tingling like disturbing static on television.
Sharp poking pinches while I hold a cactus, small,
in my palm. but it's all just imaginary play.

#6)
My left hand has just  cascaded to sleepy numb
Now it tingles like television turbulence.
Small sharp poking all over; i hold a hedgehog
in my palm, but it's all just a  phony mirage.

I think i like the first poem the most, because it portrayed the original idea in the simplest way. However it was interesting how the restrictions on lines and syllables caused the meaning of the poem to change ever so slightly.

Examples of Trochiac Tetrameter and Anapestic Tetrameter

Trochaic Tetrameter
"Reason, in itself confounded,
Saw division grow together,
To themselves yet either neither,
Simple were so well compounded. " (41-44)
- William Shakespeare

Anapestic Tetrameter
"On the far-away island of Sala-ma-Sond,
Yertle the Turtle was king of the pond.
A nice little pond. It was clean. It was neat.
The water was warm. There was plenty to eat.
The turtles had everything turtles might need.
And they were all happy. Quite happy indeed."
- Dr. Suess (Yertle the Turtle)

Works Cited
Matchett, William H. "(41-44)." The Phoenix and the Turtle; Shakespeare's Poem and Chester's Loues   Martyr., The Hague: Mouton, 1965. Print.

 

Simmons, Jim. "The Complete Text of Yertle the Turtle." Three Rivers Episcopal. 5 Dec. 2008. Web. 27 Sept. 2011. <http://3riversepiscopal.blogspot.com/2008/12/complete-text-of-yertle-turtle.html>.

Sonnet #1

Oh I wonder how I can love my dog
I know he will die much younger than me
But he has much more spunk than a wet log
And he can turn anger into good glee
And his coat is like a field of gold grain
And he is more playful than a kitten
When I'm sad with tears that fall like sure rain
His presence warms me a cozy mitten
The way he swims splashing just makes me smile
He approves with tireless wags of his tail
Even though I've only had him for a while
I still admire him when he tries and fails
After all in my mem'ry he'll remain
And so I'll care for my dog 'til that pain

Blogging

If it weren't for creative writing, I wouldn't be blogging right now. I feel like a blog is a journel, but the writer feels the need to share their thoughts, feelings, and opinions with everyone on the internet. However, I do find that some blogs are helpful when looking for something like a book review. With that being said, I doubt I will be posting anything besides my creative writing assignments.