Poetry

Meryl Streep reads “Morning Song” by Sylvia Plath

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“In February of 1961, shortly after giving birth to her daughter, Frieda, Sylvia Plath (October 27, 1932–February 11, 1963) penned one of her most unusual poems.” Quote from Brain Pickings. Read the complete article here.

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MORNING SONG

Love set you going like a fat gold watch.
The midwife slapped your footsoles, and your bald cry
Took its place among the elements.

Our voices echo, magnifying your arrival. New statue.
In a drafty museum, your nakedness
Shadows our safety. We stand round blankly as walls.

I’m no more your mother
Than the cloud that distills a mirror to reflect its own slow
Effacement at the wind’s hand.

All night your moth-breath
Flickers among the flat pink roses. I wake to listen:
A far sea moves in my ear.

One cry, and I stumble from bed, cow-heavy and floral
In my Victorian nightgown.
Your mouth opens clean as a cat’s. The window square

Whitens and swallows its dull stars. And now you try
Your handful of notes;
The clear vowels rise like balloons.

Re:

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Cynical Wordsmith

There are rules.
They’ve kept me alive,
They’ve kept me sane,
And I don’t remember
How I ingrained them so
Remarkably.

They were specific,
Meant to protect everyone,
Myself included.
Dire consequences
Require
Drastic measures.

But I can’t see for my fingers
At the path laid ahead of me,
And rains wash away
The notes etched on my arms.
Lost is a four letter word,
And here we are, again,
Searching cobblestones
Searching for anything,
Really.

I try and think of what’s changed,
But I’m rarely honest with myself,
So I’ll probably never figure it out.
Maybe only children are malleable.
Maybe I’ll figure it out in a couple years.
Maybe I’m just stuck on
Repeat.

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Book Review: Dog Haiku by James Weir

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A dog is a man’s (or woman’s) best friend. No companion is more loyal, more trust-worthy, and more devoted. They won’t judge you. They’ll love you if you’re rich, or if you’re poor. They love you when you’re happy, and when you’re sad. They’re always glad to see you. They won’t make fun of your clothes.But getting there isn’t always easy. Remember house-training? The chewing? The vet bills? The messes you had to clean up?Join us as we use funny haikus to celebrate the bond between humans and dogs. Get the human’s perspective, then get the dog’s response back. Bet you never thought about what they think about you. You’ll be surprised.

Amazon UK

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I read Coronavirus Haiku by James Weir a month or so ago and enjoyed it, so when he offered this book and Cat Haiku, I was happy to read a copy. Dog Haiku has a great format: a haiku from the human’s point of view followed by a haiku from the dog about the same subject. Some are cute and some are laugh out loud funny! A couple examples (I had a hard time picking just two):

Dog eats everything
Especially likes his cheese
Cheddar makes him nuts

Cheese! Cheese! I LOVE CHEESE!
You give me cheese and I will
Kiss you forever!

###################

Dog drinks from toilet
He thinks it is a fountain
Like he’s ‘raised by wolves’

Dad sits on toilet
That’s not how the fountain works
My dad is silly

One of our dogs is exactly like that with cheese. This is my favorite book of haiku that I received from James Weir. I definitely recommend Dog Haiku.

About the Author

When he’s not busy being a poet (and we use the term poet very loosely here), James Weir is a small animal veterinarian. In addition to clinical practice, he holds graduate degrees in pathology and in public health. He has also worked as a stand-up comedian. He has been published before, but mostly boring science crap. He has four works of funny haikus listed on Amazon, and is currently writing a book of funny stories from his 30 years in veterinary practice.

Book Review: Cat Haiku by James Weir

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Face it. There are people who prefer dogs, and there are those that prefer cats. While you can like both, it takes a special type of person to fully understand the weirdness of ‘the lion in your house’. Think of all you have to deal with – litterboxes, hairballs, bad attitudes, finicky appetites, the missing budgie. It’s a wonder that we put up with their quirks. Join us as we use funny haikus to celebrate the relationship between humans and cats. Get the human’s perspective, then get the cat’s response back. Bet you never thought about what they think about you. You’ll be surprised.

Amazon UK

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I read Coronavirus Haiku by James Weir a month or so ago and enjoyed it, so when he offered this book, I was happy to read a copy. Cat Haiku has the perfect format: a haiku from the human’s point of view followed by a haiku from the cat about the same subject. They’re cute and so true! A couple examples:

The cat stares at me
Never moves, never blinking
Really creeps me out

My mom stares at me
Never moves, never blinking
Really creeps me out

###################

The new laser toy
Loves to chase but never gets
Keeps wanting more

The little red dot
I’ve stalked you but never caught
Damn you little dot

Having had cats most of my life, I can appreciate these poems as would any cat owner. I definitely recommend Cat Haiku.

About the Author

When he’s not busy being a poet (and we use the term poet very loosely here), James Weir is a small animal veterinarian. In addition to clinical practice, he holds graduate degrees in pathology and in public health. He has also worked as a stand-up comedian. He has been published before, but mostly boring science crap. He has four works of funny haikus listed on Amazon, and is currently writing a book of funny stories from his 30 years in veterinary practice.

Sleep Talking

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Cynical Wordsmith

All alone,
Am I home?
I feel like I’m lost
In a place no one goes.
Fire’s out,
Full of doubt,
I wish I were blind
For the darkness is so deep.
Undecided,
Well confided,
Bearing the burdens of many,
But my hatred, no one knows.
Silent words
Go unheard
For the dead always lie,
Ever talking in their sleep.

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Book Review: Aches and Epiphanies by Aries

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A collection of poetry, prose and thoughts from poet and songwriter, Aries.
From love lost to happiness found; from pain to joy and vice versa. The words of the unspoken and raw human emotions come to the fore.
For those who have stood face to face with love and it has been terrifying or have hidden secrets behind closed doors. For those who find comfort in the hands of another, you will learn, page by page.
As the universe takes its last breath, it looks at you with glittering eyes and smiles. You were worth the destruction.

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I have come to appreciate poetry more and more over the years. This group of poems from Aries are separated in two sections: aches and epiphanies. I liked the poems, although the ones in the first section do fit the name. An example:

I have too much love inside me
to waste my time with someone
who won’t even look me in the eye
before he kisses me.
I am not just a body; I am a soul, too.

Even though this poem is short, it rouses a lot of emotion.

Then there are the epiphanies. Some of them are great and really hit home. An example:

Dear Body,
This has been a long time coming but I have begun to fall
in love with you at last.
I know God made you for me for a reason.
I think about the things I said before and it brings me to
tears.
You have loved me unconditionally and now; it is finally
time for me to do the same.
All my love


Aches and Epiphanies is definitely a book I recommend if you like poetry that makes you feel.

About the Author

Aries is a poet from Kuwait who currently lives in the UK. She is passionate about writing down feelings and turning the pain into something beautiful.

She has enjoyed writing from a young age, as well as composing songs, and is currently releasing music on several platforms.

Aries draws on personal experience as well as the experience of others for her work, and aims to express real feelings on paper to reach out to anyone who is willing to listen.