Hi John,
Perhaps...Brenda is familiar....I used to think it rather uncommon, but lately I keep bumping into my own name.
I have been trying to place if we know each other from another board...if we do, you will have to help me out...because I have been going crazy trying to place the "where" so far I know 4 Johns on other boards..none of which match the same basic profiles as yours....it has been driving me insane all morning ....I have historically posted on Splash, and Poets (mostly threads) and PenShells.
No, Brenda I don't think so... TCP poetry site, had a Brenda, a poet whom I interacted with, Today's Woman has a Brenda, and so on.
An unusual name, Brenda, unusual yes, but for some reason Brenda's seem to pop up in the wake of my navigation though the rough and tumble of life and poetry. Perhaps, I should dedicate a poem to Brenda? Maybe, write a poem about the good ship Brenda? When I was drafted into National Service many years ago I trained in the use of a machine carbine built in Czechoslovakia called a 'Bren Gun' that was so accurate that, the gun, would put five hundred rounds a minute through the same hole, so to compensate they ( the government armoury had to make the gun inaccurate). Then in my youth, (hmm... my bald head, had curly ringlets then) I was romantically involved a with a Brenda. So, I'm well assured, that some time, somewhere... there won't be a candid camera, but assuredly, a Brenda.
RRRETRO***
*Hi brenda,
Hmm... a familiar name.
Reading your poem I imagine North of Alaska... Waaay up ^.
So, the scene-is-set
You found me out...I lived in Alaska from 1969-1975... my Dad lives in Anchorage now, he retired there. I take my daughter most summers...this summer we are planning to go back to the place in this poem...it is near near Fairbanks where I grew up...I am quite excited...
Midnight Sun (version 3-tweaked on 5-07-07)
Wonderful Brenda. I knew your poem was a documentary. I find first hand knowledge is an incentive to bring out the best in us all.
Sometimes, Brenda, I'm severe, I hope you don't mind.
Shafts of pure light >>> Delete 'pure'. Pure in a poetry context is a definition of water. 'Shafts of light pour down into white' is like an explosion. The adjective 'pure' is not needed, it is excessive and detracts and meets my eye like a before-thought. pour down into white.
Take Tennyson's. 'The Charge Of The Light Brigade.'
Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.
What a great start to verse poetry.
Note, the charge, full of action; except for one other feature: 'the valley'. No wasted adjectives here.
I am in love with the absence of color. <<< A great line (singlet) very good pinkpanther.gif except for 'I'm in love' maybe more imagination, Brenda. One thing you've got to keep in the back of your mind is one day you will become famous, you want your poem to reach it's pinnacle 'I am in love' may let you down
Thanks for the Tennysons...and the poetry 101, as I never know for sure what words are considered poetic symbols other than a few of the more obvious ones...Is there a book? This makes me laugh....I can not imagine that someday I will be famous...but I like the removal of "pure" , I have to think about the "I am in love", a more imagitive one doesn't bubble up yet...but I am still pondering..
Hmmm.... We'll see what eventuates.
The silver wolf and I feel the pull of the moon calling us. <<< Now, this is good. This is pure Brenda, this is original. Everything you've said grips the reader as poetry.
We howl. <<< Ha, an infinity, good, very good, gal. Another cross on the wall for the sake poetry.
Its ripe face chases us from darkness into the lake where ashen bark reflects cool, still waters.<<< Whooee, good mind imagery here for me Brenda. My hand traces its glow,<<< Why singular? 'My hands traces the glow,'
a cup of moon spills through my fingers; Ripples on water, reflecting stars.<<< THIS POINT in your poem is beautiful. this is the best part I've read , so far. 'a cup of moon spills through my fingers; ripples on water, reflecting stars.' A Disney Land graphic. A cartoon at it's best.
May stick with hand singular, as i think of kneeling by a lake with one hand in the water...except I use cup of moon, and generally hands cupped as in plural...will think....too Disney? wasn't what I was going for..just how it was in my memory.. fae skimming water.
This is my magic place- where at the age ten and one I answered the call of the moon; an affair whispered in mountain winds, baptized in crystal waters and <<< 'baptised'. covered by a blanket of stars. <<< the use of 'stars' again might be overdone. 'baptised in lucent waters and covered by a blanket of crystal.'
Will think on this...the stars...I love stars...I miss the stars of my youth...nights so clear the stars so thick..I live in a large city now...and we are within a light dome..meaning we can't see the stars...so on a good night I might can only see 15 stars...will fix the spelling and am thinking on lucent....I am a little partial to crystal...as in Alaska the streams are rock bottomed, and in still water you can see your toes!! Here in Texas we have mud bottom lakes... perhaps crystal water and twinkling blanket of light.
I know where I'd like to be.
One summer solstice I became the watcher of a world with many suns. Orange and violet dance across the horizon. The sun never rests. <<< Mate, this is very good. This is a statement full of emotion, exhilaration and realisation of life.
Breaking all the rules
I'm waiting for the revision.
Regards,
John
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