Cut-up Poem

 A grad school assignment. Randomly circle words that jump out at you from a few different articles. The end product would be pretty nonsensical, but it was about the construction of phrases and sentences. Funny thing is, without really trying, mine came together from my subconscious, and just seemed to mirror my life. I love it. It's one of my favorite things I've ever "written."

I loved a person who was mentally ill

Using my atlas, despite my humiliation,
I launch my plane down the runway of our cluttered apartment.
Rocking back and forth, he smiled at me,
Which is not easy; he is not a good man.
I am flying still
Like Hansel leaving crumbs in the woods.
It's pretty, hurrying on uphill with poisoned bait,
Alarmingly, in rain-filled boots
The perfume, the isolation
Could now indulge freely
(if sometimes guiltily).
A writer's experience onto a waking dream,
and in moments of crisis he forgets about God.
I couldn't keep my eyes off the hummingbird
with heartless compulsions-
Public legends
In their near-perfect absence
of ordinary love.
Look up; look out.
A love for Shakespeare,
Structurally sound, but filthy and decaying.
A faux brick dome at 3 a.m.
with pocket doors, yesteryear, and
dangling from his hand-
I say goodbye
With eyes wide open.

Remember when I used to write poetry?

I seriously used to all the time, and then someone, I'm pretty sure, made me think I wasn't good at it. So I stopped. But,using this template, I wrote something that is pretty good. Things are inside of me, and sometimes I can express them well with words.
Assignment: use the template of Billy Collins'  "Litany" and create your own poem about your relationship with someone. It was an exercise in metaphors.
Original:

Litany

You are the bread and the knife,
The crystal goblet and the wine...
-Jacques Crickillon

You are the bread and the knife,
the crystal goblet and the wine.
You are the dew on the morning grass
and the burning wheel of the sun.
You are the white apron of the baker,
and the marsh birds suddenly in flight.

However, you are not the wind in the orchard,
the plums on the counter,
or the house of cards.
And you are certainly not the pine-scented air.
There is just no way that you are the pine-scented air.

It is possible that you are the fish under the bridge,
maybe even the pigeon on the general's head,
but you are not even close
to being the field of cornflowers at dusk.

And a quick look in the mirror will show
that you are neither the boots in the corner
nor the boat asleep in its boathouse.

It might interest you to know,
speaking of the plentiful imagery of the world,
that I am the sound of rain on the roof.

I also happen to be the shooting star,
the evening paper blowing down an alley
and the basket of chestnuts on the kitchen table.

I am also the moon in the trees
and the blind woman's tea cup.
But don't worry, I'm not the bread and the knife.
You are still the bread and the knife.
You will always be the bread and the knife,
not to mention the crystal goblet and--somehow--the wine.

Billy Collins

and here is my version:

“Litany” Redone

You are the fire and the ashes

 The rose and the thorns.

You are the kite floating

And the clouds changing shape.

You are the unopened mail

And the spoiled fruit in the basket.

However, you are not the lit up porch light,

The fire in the hearth,

Or the dinner on the table,

 And you are certainly not the memory foam mattress.

There is just no way you are the memory foam mattress.

It is possible you are the actor on stage,

Maybe even the iceberg in the ocean.

But you are not even close

To being the glove on my hand.

And a quick look in the mirror will show

That you are neither the sand beneath my toes

Nor the breeze through my hair.

You might find it shocking to hear,

Speaking of the plentiful imagery of the world,

That I am the wildflowers in bloom.

I also happen to be the front porch swing,

The cup of coffee,

And the cream.

I am also the beach at sunset,

And the book with its page turned down,

But don’t worry, I am not the fire and the ashes.

You are still the fire and the ashes.

You will always be the fire and the ashes,

Not to mention the rose and—somehow—

The thorns.

Creative Juices Flowing...

I've started my Creative Writing grad class, and I am challenged and humbled and emotions are abundant.
First assignment: Can you tell a story in 55 words? Must contain a setting, characters, conflict and resolution.
Here's mine:

“Falling Fast”

                “Parties are awkward,” Mae thought as her eyes scanned the room for a familiar soul.  There was a double-take, piercing blue eyes, and a look that held on for dear life.  She took a drink of courage and a few steps toward him before gracefully tripping over a cord.  He leaped to her rescue.

I'm a bully...

I had to call the freecreditscore people today, and I had to be a bully. 

Ok, maybe I didn't have to be, but it was the only way to get a refund. The proof is in the conversation. Had I been nice, I would still be $40 poorer.

I needed my credit score to join mint.com (which is another story...), and I went to the most obvious place: FREEcreditscore.com. Now call me crazy, but they are blatantly advertising free-ness there. 

While at times I can be naive, I do realize there is fine print everywhere, and yes I may have stretched the truth a little on the phone when I said I didn't realize I had to cancel after my free report or it would automatically charge me after the free trial.

However, I did somehow get tricked into (and yes I used that word, along with "deceived") viewing three credit scores online. I had no idea this would charge more, and I never even recall an option. I feel like the three scores just popped up...

So, I am on the phone with a nice woman who is just doing her job, obviously reading off of a script, and obviously working on English as a second language. She put her foot down and said they are not authorized to do ANY refunds. I asked to speak to someone because I felt deceived by their website, and did not wish to pay. At this point, she says she CAN refund the $12 for the membership.

Oh. ok. so you CAN authorize refunds. It's at this point that  I realize she can refund the other $25, I just have to say the right things. I proceed with language expressing my discontent with the misleadings of the website, and who can I speak to about the second amount...to which I am put on hold while she "checks with her superior." I 100% believe this break was used to a. flirt with the guy in the cubicle next to her, b. take a smoke break, or c. pee. 

When she returns she says the superior has authorized her to refund the second amount. Shocking. We just went from absolutely NO refunds allowed, to getting exactly what I want. 

Bullying pays off. And that is your lesson today, kids.