|
Post by Brigid Briton on Dec 25, 2012 15:01:03 GMT -6
OK, it's time for us, filled with holiday treats and good cheer, to lean back in our comfy chairs, and look forward to another year. We did have one gigantic accomplishment this year. Surviving the end of the world is not something to be scoffed at. So, I'm issuing a challenge to celebrate all the good things in life by writing an acrostic, using the letters from "Happy New Year" as the beginning of each new line, like so: Here we are, all gathered together, pleasantly stuffed with holiday cheer, pondering the good things that may be in store, yawning and nodding off. Now dreaming of ending all pain and wishing the best for this weary old world. Yes, it's that time of year again, each one of us hoping, as usual, to keep a least one resolution. OK, it's not a very good poem. But let it serve as an example, at least, of how to proceed with this challenge.
|
|
|
Post by diannet on Dec 25, 2012 21:58:35 GMT -6
Hi Brigid, oh I am nodding off today that's for sure... Happy New Year hey... my son was worried about the end of the world...had it noted but seemed to lighten up when I told him we'd lived through quite a few...he he... Anyway will see if I can think of a New Year tribute... it's raining so when the over indulgences wear off I might get to it!
|
|
|
Post by eiken on Dec 26, 2012 5:17:46 GMT -6
Brigid, I like your poem and will try to partake before we hit January. Happy New Year and less pain for all.
|
|
|
Post by diannet on Dec 26, 2012 17:38:27 GMT -6
Gosh Happy...that word...Happy. It hangs in the air around our everyday, “as long as you’re happy, that’s all the matters.” Whatever our decisions happiness is what matters most. It dangles off Christmas trees like a promise, crinkles in the paper ripped from presents, dancing in the music of joy filled carols and sticks like a pin into those who feel each letter has dropped from the air and floated down to land on the pathway at their feet. Happy...yeah... and I worked at it at the beginning of this year, trying to string smiling moments into a necklace I could wear and say see...there’s the proof I’m happy but the inside story mulled over and over, couldn’t deliver the sparkle of my necklace. Indeed it felt like a noose. An outward lie for others. I look back now and know in a cliché I lost myself. My life was moving on and me...the real me wanted to stay right where I was...or just go back a few steps to when my identity was strong. I didn’t want to struggle with the “what now” questions, I didn’t want to retreat to the ladies rooms at social gatherings...cry my self-loathing into the silence. I wanted to be left alone, to slap the “happy” letters from the wind and wallow. Indeed a strange year in which I hop scotched over happy for the most part, stood at the end of the game with nowhere to throw my pebble. The game wasn’t over, I just needed a new one, it took all year to chalk a new set of squares, sift the “what’s important” from the crap and move forward. So now I’m paused at the beginning of the new game...my pebble polished and shiny. There’s more than a glimmer because my world didn’t end and there are avenues untried before me. So as I toss the pebble into the first square I wish all a Happy New Year and then I’ll just...hop!
|
|
|
Post by SweetSilverBird on Dec 26, 2012 18:03:12 GMT -6
Sonnet before the New Year by Deborah Neher
High hopes perhaps is all one really asks As one approaches that auspicious day; Perchance among the whiskey shots and flasks Peculiar potions chase all fears away. You're waiting for the new year to begin.
No longer seeing things that went awry. Each person puts away the old year's sins; With a sad smile, but not without a sigh.
Young are the partyers making wishes. Each one is hoping for some form of joy. All of them wanting sweet New Year's kisses Received from baby New Year's girls and boys.
Don't quail before the coming of the year, You will survive if you can hide your fear.
There you go Brigid.. mission accomplished. A sonnet? Well, what else did you expect? LOL <hug> ;D
|
|
|
Post by SweetSilverBird on Dec 26, 2012 18:10:37 GMT -6
Gosh Happy...that word...Happy. It hangs in the air around our everyday, “as long as you’re happy, that’s all the matters.” Whatever our decisions happiness is what matters most. It dangles off Christmas trees like a promise, crinkles in the paper ripped from presents, dancing in the music of joy filled carols and sticks like a pin into those who feel each letter has dropped from the air and floated down to land on the pathway at their feet. Happy...yeah... and I worked at it at the beginning of this year, trying to string smiling moments into a necklace I could wear and say see...there’s the proof I’m happy but the inside story mulled over and over, couldn’t deliver the sparkle of my necklace. Indeed it felt like a noose. An outward lie for others. I look back now and know in a cliché I lost myself. My life was moving on and me...the real me wanted to stay right where I was...or just go back a few steps to when my identity was strong. I didn’t want to struggle with the “what now” questions, I didn’t want to retreat to the ladies rooms at social gatherings...cry my self-loathing into the silence. I wanted to be left alone, to slap the “happy” letters from the wind and wallow. Indeed a strange year in which I hop scotched over happy for the most part, stood at the end of the game with nowhere to throw my pebble. The game wasn’t over, I just needed a new one, it took all year to chalk a new set of squares, sift the “what’s important” from the crap and move forward. So now I’m paused at the beginning of the new game...my pebble polished and shiny. There’s more than a glimmer because my world didn’t end and there are avenues untried before me. So as I toss the pebble into the first square I wish all a Happy New Year and then I’ll just...hop! Diane, while this is not an acrostic - this is a fantastic write! What a unique point of view! Last week I would have joined you in that vision definitely. Today I feel more hopeful. I really love your writing. Your writing is every bit as good as your poetry. Brigid, I think your poem was okay. It was enough to make me write something too! fun stuff!
|
|
|
Post by Brigid Briton on Dec 26, 2012 20:09:52 GMT -6
Hey Dianne, I agree with Deb that you've given us a great write but the challenge was to give us an acrostic! Oh well, since you expressed what so many of us feel about "Happiness", I guess I'll have to cut you some slack. Deb, yours is, as usual, a work of art. I'm taking the liberty of putting in some line breaks, just so the message of the acrostic is crystal clear. If someone challenged me to write a sonnet, that would be nearly an impossible task, but to write a sonnet that's also an acrostic, well, I bow down before the master! (Or the Queen of the Sonnet) Great job.
|
|
|
Post by diannet on Dec 26, 2012 21:13:34 GMT -6
Well aren't I the dufous like that's a surprise...missed it being acrostic how... I do not know but I shall rectify that right now... Howling dogs and cowering cats And some birds fall from the trees Pirouetting Catherine wheels Promptly bring them, to their knees Yells of delight ring into the skies Nips of brandy, champagne flows Engage lips to kiss in the year Whistles and cheers of hope grows Young hearts filled with love anew Each of us wishing for a future bright Another chance is before us again - to Rewrite our stories at the stroke of midnight Thank you Deb for your lovely comments on my last prose piece, I thought of last year...a little transitional year for me as you may have guessed Anyway thanks and you too Brigid. I agree with Brigid about making an acrostic sonnet Deb now that is masterful...and those last two lines full of wisdom...
|
|
|
Post by Brigid Briton on Dec 27, 2012 8:51:51 GMT -6
Hey, Dianne, That's OK, this way we get two gifts from you for the price of one! Love this very festive (and inclusive, animalwise) New Year's poem. You rock.
|
|
|
Post by Neal Allen (snowtracks) on Dec 28, 2012 6:45:40 GMT -6
Here is my contribution.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Hasten to my valley Apple green and ripe with sun Pluck with me the swollen fruit Plump nature’s work all done You and I together, now the new year has begun
No more separate you or me Ever one we’re going to be Where the mountains meet the sea, and wild horses run
Yes join me for forever Even as the coucal sings After this we’ll be together Resonating like two strings, and the harsh world we will shun.
|
|
|
Post by diannet on Dec 28, 2012 7:34:27 GMT -6
Neal a lovely well thought out acrostic...I was wondering is that a coucal pheasant...we get them here in autumn but I must admit have never heard them sing...could be different. I love them they're the strangest birds, so noisy and clumsy when in flight.
|
|
|
Post by Brigid Briton on Dec 28, 2012 7:38:12 GMT -6
Hi Neal, Thanks for adding a little romance to the mix. I wasn't familiar with the coucal, which is, as I learned, a relative of the cuckoo. I'm wondering if this one is the variety you're thinking of: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0D22EwszPjEA great entry into our New Year's festivities.
|
|
|
Post by Neal Allen (snowtracks) on Dec 28, 2012 8:28:14 GMT -6
Yes that's the bird. They call it the "Burchell's Coucal". I am not an ornithologist so I will not try to embellish.
|
|
|
Post by Brigid Briton on Dec 28, 2012 8:59:29 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by Neal Allen (snowtracks) on Dec 28, 2012 12:33:28 GMT -6
Thanks Brigid. What a pleasing article this is. I did not realize that the Coucal was such a predator but I guess that is the way of nature. It has an enchanting song
|
|
|
Post by diannet on Dec 29, 2012 2:13:54 GMT -6
|
|
|
Post by Brigid Briton on Dec 29, 2012 8:08:30 GMT -6
Hi Dianne, Well, since most of the rest of the forum went to the cats long ago, it's only fair these intriguing birds get their day in the sun. Thanks for sharing this with us!
|
|