On a Theme

1.
Did you know that
once a poinsettia has blossomed
it may, in fact, turn green?
They are also
somewhat of an allergy
for cats
(both domestic and maneater)
but that said cats
will accomplish many feats
in effort to eat
green plants.

2.
Dead thyme smells
almost as delicious as living
thyme.
This is not a metaphor
but an actual
herb- a creeping thyme-
if you must know. But,
of course, you should know
that thyme can often look
dead but is actually
merely resting its eyes.
If you will,

3.
Basil plant, also dead, lived
to its lifespan and was
promptly eaten by
jungle cats parading
about my flat as
though they had come from
an animal shelter versus
possibly Brazil.

4.
Tiny pine tree
with penguin
also snowflakes
you were so much
cheaper than
your be-lighted
counterpart.
When you are big
you will ever so
sneakily be
planted in the dirt
outside my apartment

5.
The highlight of our collection
the potted herb garden
was actually cheaper
than another basil plant
all by itself.  Interesting,
since it has, according to the
label, five different herbs.
More interesting, the felines
ignore this plant altogether
despite the presence of basil.
Maybe it is just basil death
that they prefer.

Something... Dramatic!!!

Well, I've absolutely nothing interesting to write about whatsoever.

...

Have big plans to drop of library book tomorrow.  And do yoga.

Possibly some other things will go down.

On account of there are twenty-four hours in a day and those maybe take three if I'm moving at yoga speed.  (this is where you are meant to slightly giggle in somewhat awkward manner)

I'm pretty sure I can train one of my cats to dive into a box a la Maru.  He already does that but with a bag with a whole in the bottom.  We just need an appropriate sized box.  Also, it turns out he really will eat anything.  This whole narrative sounds a bit kinky.

...

I'm going to bed before I write something I really regret.

Good plan.

Therapeutic Unkindness

Sending unkind thoughts to a certain person but don't want to be too mean.

Thus, the following mini means are wished in recompense for a great cruelty:

• Premature balding
• Unanticipated reruns versus new episodes of favorite shows
• Strange song stuck in head for days on end
• Favorite pen run out of ink
• Misplacement of wallet and/or briefcase/keys
• Accidental buying of 96% brightness versus 100% brightness paper
• Clocks five minutes off
• Pillow mark on face all day
• Only decaf available
• Too much salt in dinner (unless will send back, in which case, retract)
• Unmitigated dust accumulating on desk
• Bird poop on car window (if no car, on bedroom window)
• Cowlick
• Strange noise of refrigerator that will go away after two days
• Food mess (not staining) on front of shirt
• Romantic comedy turning out to be horror movie that keeps up for at least an hour at night

I'm out.  I think that is a lot of ill will.  Feel much better though.  Le sigh!

Poem inspired by Frankie

Whose poetry is lovely.  There you have it.

A Flat Major, Treble, Four Four, Piano, Legato

One two three and a
One and three and four and
One two three and a
One and three and four and
One two three and a
One
One two three and a
One
One and a three and and
One and a three and
One and a three and and
One and a three and
One and a three and and

One and a three and

One and a three and and

One and a three and

One and two and three and

And two and three and four

And two and three and

Anyway, that's page one.  I'll get to page two later and complete it.  Not as exciting as it was in my head...

the third!

Continuity!

for the record, I can edit

I edit poetry all the time.  I think I just need to think of this novel as a chapbook.  Individual sections more than entire chapterpaloozas.

Right, will go section by section.  Bird by bird, right?

The trouble is, I've also got to remember the flow.  Because there's an unstated twist (that's how cool I am) and I want to make sure it's hinted at but not explicitly said.

Because it is a spoof on the noir detective story in the sense that nothing much happens.

In that way, the writing is more important than anything that happens, because nothing much happens.  I'm a poet.  Write? <--- pun!

Anyway, going to think as each chapter as chapbook and each subsection as poem.  Will rearrange in wild manner until each chapter makes sense, then go from there!

You are free to be impressed.

Stages of Editing?

Okay, so I just realized I've got Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, which is about the writing process.  The trouble is, I can't tell from the contents what chapter is about editing.  Or chapterssssss.  I'm pretty sure Part One: Writing is more about getting the piece out.  The second section is "The Writing Frame of Mind," which I don't really intend on ever reading...  The third part is "Help Along the Way" which tells me how to get other people to edit for me.  The last section is on publication...

In any event, Elizabeth tells me there are three ways to edit, and she is v. wise.  Those three ways of editing are:
1) copy editing
2) content editing
3).... the other one...

Well, obviously that cannot help me until she wakes up.  Will send out "wake up" messages via telepathy.  Maybe if I stare at her through the wall, she will wake up.  And it will be so effective, she will just tell me the third and I'll continue.

...

Anyway.  I've read the first page.  That is a start.  I am pulled toward copy editing because that's easiest.  But I must instead read for overall flow!  That must be the place to begin.  Make sure the thing makes sense.  Then say "y' need more 'ere, luv" or whatnot when such times approach.  And cut!  As needed!

The trouble is, then I'd have to go back through to edit for lame writing bits and make them shiny.

Then I'd have to read through again for copy editing.

This is assuming my first go throughs of stages work out well enough to continue.

Where is Ezra Pound when you need him?