We are nothing (and that is beautiful): Alok Vaid-Menon at TEDxMiddlebury

A Bit of Magic

Heavenly light

Delicate and ethereal

A subtle vapor

Airy fairy

~Faycin~

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 31: The Road

The Road

We took ourselves a trip

A little expedition

Driving up into the country

To do ourselves some fishin'

An innocent excursion

A little midnight drive

A young and carefree group of friends

Feeling joyful and alive

Our trek into the back woods

Became a voyage of the damned

We were hit from behind by a tractor

Into the cornfield our car was slammed

Image Source

Image by Narcotic Nightmares

Our weekend ride no longer

A happy pleasure jaunt

The terror of a nightmare

That cornfield rose to haunt

Our trip now a cruise to terror

The scarecrow demon said

Your journey isn't ending

Although you'll soon be dead

So now I spend each Halloween

Looming o'er the cornfield with my kind

Exploring the depths of my wickedness

As I scare travelers out of their minds

~Opal~

Note:

The OctPoWriMo crew asked us to reflect on our poetic journey this month. Sorry, but I couldn't pass up the chance to write a spooky little Halloween poem instead. We appreciate the gift you give us. Here is some candy!

Here's a little bonus treat for our Real Cie, because in fairness, the "pleasure trip" line (which I changed to pleasure jaunt) was ripped from this song. I was thinking of you, Darlin', and of the dear fellow who inspired us all so much.

I couldn't resist.

With Deepest Sympathy

Our hearts go out to Georgia "Bastet" for her husband's sudden passing. We are so very sorry.

Our hearts grieve for you

With our sincere condolences

We wish love and peace

Team Netherworld

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 30: By the Light of the Moon

Image by Beverly Tan

Waneta Gerard reacts to Carlene Washington-Baruch's confession regarding her relationship with Waneta's undead brother, Willy

By the Light of the Moon

Zoraida Robles is a fool

But some of what she's saying rings true

She says that you and my brother

Have become lovers

That you are breaking the rules

It is fact, the young necromancer revealed

I cannot disguise how I feel

It was not my intention

To defy all convention

But my love for your brother is real

The Counsel brought Willy to Uncle and me

To see if we could help his spirit take leave

His soul is trapped by a spell

Cursed within his corpse to dwell

Moving only when the full moon sets him free

The voice of his soul I could hear

To me he is so very dear

I was present when he rose on that night

Moving through icy embers of the moonlight

The breeze came through the window so clear

Then it hit me like a hand 'cross my head

It's only his body that's dead

He's been kinder to me

Than anyone else ever could be

While I love him, I can never feel dread

I love your brother so very well

For him I'd endure any hell

They smear my name with mud in this town

Into the puddle I'd step and drown

Before allowing my feelings for Willy to quell

Dear girl, I said, I understand

I'll help in any way that I can

But make no mistake

They'll burn you at the stake

If they learn you have an undead for your man

Now I must think of a way

To keep the young sorceress safe

Though short in her sight

Her intentions are right

I can't decide if she's foolish or brave

~Wanda~

Note:

This poem goes with a story that I began creating after our Real Cie told me about a strange dream she had. 

The story takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic society in which magic has replaced technology. The protagonist is Carlene Washington-Baruch, an apprentice necromancer. She and her uncle Lester Baruch agreed to assist soldier named Willy Gerard, who, along with Carlene's parents, was killed under suspicious circumstances. Les raised the orphaned Willy as his own son in years past.

Les insists that the town counsel bring Willy's body to his home, as Carlene senses that his soul is still attached to it and there is danger of Willy becoming a revenant unless he can be assisted through magical means. While his body is in safekeeping with Carlene and Lester, Willy's spirit begins communicating with Carlene and they form a forbidden connection.

Lester and Willy's sister Waneta are sympathetic to Carlene and Willy's plight. However, the couple have many more enemies than friends.

The story is in its formative stages. Something about the prompt and the picture triggered this poem.

Cie and I just started a blog for the story, By the Light of the Moon, which can be found here.

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 29: The Ending Does Not Fit

The end of some lives

Seems gravely out of balance

 Not at all deserved

Notes:

This 5-7-5 poem is a collaboration between Cie and Misty. 

You can stop here and just appreciate the poem as is, or you can read about our motivation.

When there are diseases that do this:

Turning a highly intelligent, very aware and introspective individual

Into a terrified, bewildered shadow of themselves

Then some fate or power needs a can of this opened on it.

In the meantime, the rest of us need to support research into outfoxing these malevolent mind stealing diseases.

When are we going to stop talking about it?

Not till a cure is found!

~Cie and Misty~

For this guy, and everyone like him whose mind has been stolen by dementia

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 28: Nope!

Image by Peter Hager

Nope!

It's a bright new day

To be doing things my way

But none of those things will be 

Reading aloud my poetry

I'm not confident enough

With my voice I'm not in love

That may make me inauspicious

But at least I am not vicious

Sorry for the gripe

But I'm not the sanguine type

Perhaps it's pessimistic not to try

But I don't want to--I can't lie

Flying into the wind with a smile

Is really not my style

I can't be buoyant at my size

I'm not the type to tell lies

It's not that I'm all negative

I try to live positive

But I don't much like the sound of my voice

So I'll write my poem by choice!

~Aurora~

Notes:

Dear Morgan, I love you and the wonderful OctPoWriMo challenge. However, sorry, but no way! The world will just have to miss out on hearing my voice recorded. Recording myself speaking makes me damn near as nervous as public speaking, which makes me light-headed with terror and I want to throw up. So, I'm going to be chicken and allow myself to continue breathing normally for a while longer!

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 27: My Happy Ending

My Happy Ending

Once upon a time

There was a fanciful fellow

With the fey he liked to play

Truth is, he himself was fey

He was quite a waggish sort

Playful and mischievous

But ultimately harmless

Ever so curious about the world too

He kept the truth about himself

Hidden from nearly everyone

Until he took his quizzical mind to college

Where it wasn't just books that gave him knowledge

Being a quaint sort of chap

He was sort of easy to take advantage of

Especially when he fell in love

For many years he allowed himself to be abused

He may well have continued to abide

The occasional slap or shove

But he could no longer tolerate the cheating

Or the words that cut him to the quick

He thought that twenty-one years

Was probably all that anyone was given to find love

And he'd thrown it down the drain

But he didn't want another of the same

Five years went by, and our fey fellow

Was quite used to being single

But then his sister invited him to a Halloween party

She said, just come and mingle

Being a fairly sociable sort, he accepted the invite

At least he knew there'd be beer and snacks

Then his sister introduced him to a fellow

With a smile so sweet our fey friend forgot his own name

Once our man regained his composure

He and his sister's chum began to chat

Several hours later, they'd not run out of things to say

So they made a date for the following Saturday

Everything was so perfect

Our poor fey guy was terrified

He remembered his former lover's lies

He was afraid to fall in love again

But this new man was patient and kind

He gave the worried fellow plenty of time

Plus kind encouragement and little tokens of affection

Things could only continue in a certain direction

Seven weeks after their first meeting, the wonderful gent

Asked our fey fellow if he wanted to take the next step

Oh, how he did, but he was so afraid

What if he was a disappointment?

He didn't want to lose this good thing he'd found

As the sun broke on the horizon

The fey fellow rolled over 

And looked into the beautiful blue eyes and smiling face

Of a sweet angel, who kissed him and professed his love

They moved in together five months later

Six years later they officially married

This year they celebrate their seventh anniversary

That sweet fellow's name is Dylan

He is the one that our fey chap--whose name is Adam--loves for all eternity

~Adam~

Notes:

Sorry, I can't see my monitor. My eyes are leaking.

Maybe it's not the best poem ever. But it's straight from the heart. I found the love that I thought only happened to other people. I love him more each day we're together.

I'm resisting the temptation to do any heavy editing on this. I want it to be real and raw, not polished or perfectified. Is that even a word?

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 26: Every Bride Should Feel Beautiful

Image by Beverly Tan

Every Bride Should Feel Beautiful

Pretty as a picture

The bride on her wedding day

Picture what was in her mind on this most wonderful

Day of her entire life

Wonderful thoughts--you would think so

Life has not been that kind to every girl

So it started back in childhood, this insecurity

Girl is told time and time again that she doesn't measure up

Insecurity, at first a shadow tiptoeing

Up it rises in the silence of her mind

Tiptoeing round the corners of her soul

Mind needling at her more and more as she grows

Soul spirals in a cycle of doubt and shame

Grows within her soul like a seed

Shame as the world becomes more transparent with its message

Seed planted springs forth with full realization

Message that girls who look like her should feel shame

Realization may be subtle like the smell of petrichor

Shame may burst through her like a lightning strike

Petrichor, and the lingering smell of realization

Strike her down with the understanding

Realization that she is short and plump

Understanding that most people see her as ugly

Plump no longer a sweet, childlike quality

Ugly girls are all too common in this world

Quality girls are such a rarity

World where girls are taught to hate the way they look

Rarity for a girl to be able to be confident on her wedding day

Look at her, mired in self-doubt when she should be smiling

Day so full of promise, heart so full of trepidation

Smiling because she loves him so

Trepidation because she fears the spell will be broken

So why can't we make this a world where no girl feels

Broken and ugly on her wedding day

Feels instead like she deserves the best

Day after day, whether celebration or just a day like any other

~Sadie~

Note:

I was very happy on my wedding day. However, I was not an obvious beauty like the lady in the wonderful picture. I was a short, plump Filipina, and part of me kept expecting my husband-to-be to suddenly come to the realization that he was marrying someone that the majority of the world saw as quite homely.

Fortunately for me, my long, lean wizard has never come to see his princess as a toad. After 35 years together (married for 32 of those) we still love each other very much.

How to Loop 101: 

There are no restrictions on meter or syllables or rhyme schemes (YAY!)

BUT we have a few rules!

Take the last word of a line. Skip a line. Use that word as the first word of that line. 

I know, sounds harder than it is, so basically take the last word of the FIRST line and use it as the first word of the THIRD line. Take the last word of the SECOND line and use it as the first word of the FORTH line. Last word of the THIRD line is the first word of the FIFTH line. And it keeps going on and on like that. 

Some people do it by stanzas. 

There is also a variation where there's no skipping and the last word of the line simply becomes the first word of the next line. Simpler, but personally I think it's a LOT harder. 

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 25: Nostalgia

 

 Rainy afternoon

 Spent playing with Lincoln Logs

 My brother and me

~Cie~

Note:

It's a 5-7-5 poem, and honestly, I can't care what it should technically be called. Maybe that makes me a really shitty human being. I don't care about that either. 

I opt for the 5-7-5 form when I don't want my poem to become to maudlin. I can always do that in the notes at the bottom, and y'all can choose to skip reading that part.

My brother and I were very close as children. We are somewhat estranged at this point. That kid who loved her brother so much is saddened by this, and so I'm kind of snarky and find myself unable to care what the hell the exact name of this type of 5-7-5 poem is.

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 24: A Crew of Creatures and a Slew of Seasons

Image Source

A Crew of Creatures and a Slew of Seasons

Here is the imaginary tale

Of a little snail

Who slid off to find the summer

Image Source

I share the adventure of a frog

Who lived down in the bog

He fell off a log and into autumn

Image Source: Michael Stirling at publicdomainpictures.net

Here is the drama of a lizard

Who got caught up in a blizzard

She went underground for winter

Image Source

Like a living fantasy

Butterflies fly free

In a land of eternal spring

~Thalia~

Note:

Today's prompt asked us to create a story poem. I've always been the creative type, and I love doing this sort of thing. 

Sadly, I was never able to make a career of it. Happily, my niece and nephew always loved their Auntie Thalia's stories and even her drawings of questionable ability. 

They're getting a little old for story time now (nephew is ten, niece just turned twelve five days ago) but they aren't quite too old to be too cool for a tale just yet--happily for me!

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 23: Intergalactic Passion

Fair warning, Illsa's going fangirl.

Sorry, not sorry.

Feel free to skip this one if this sort of thing is beneath you.

Intergalactic Passion

Standing by the seascape

The spark lit between us

And so we danced in harmony

As if no one else existed

In the entire Universe

Take me on a journey

Across the entire galactic expanse

Please don't ever leave me

For my yearning would destroy me

Just a chip of you will never do

Illsa, channeling Rose Tyler

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 22: Cie Tells Two Lies and a Truth

Whispering to ghosts

Fabulously confident

Malevolent fiend

Note:

I guess that this 5-7-5 form is called a senryu, which is an ironic or satirical short poem. It's a term that I only learned recently.

I think the piece has a bit of Halloweentime flavor, which I like. It's sort of like a pumpkin spice latte with a shot of rum, which I wish I could have. 

Unfortunately, diabetes with a side of hypertension prohibits such enjoyment. I feel like a steaming pile of rombie ruh-roh when I drink alcohol, and the excess sugar from the pumpkin spice syrup isn't the best idea either. However, I may have an un-spiked pumpkin spice latte before the fall is out anyway, zombie pancreas be damned.

~Cie~

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 21: Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed

If I admit I'm feeling overwhelmed

Others turn away

Or tell me to keep smiling anyway

When I feel overwhelmed

I'd like to walk into a swamp

Let the brackish water engulf me

Let myself submerge beneath the muck

Too many obligations bury me beneath their weight

Slam into me like a flood following a deluge

Inundate my life

I can find nothing of sympathy anywhere

When I am overwhelmed, I become quite sure

That no-one cares a hill of beans for me

~Cie~

Notes:

Things these days are ridiculous. The common person can never get ahead. Many of us die buried under a mountain of debt and dead dreams, though not for lack of trying.

My health insurance costs $400 a month. This is actually the cheapest way to go. The other options involve insanely high deductibles. My deductible is $250 a year.

My son's student loans are about to go into default and I am helping him as he is not currently employed. He has issues with depression, anxiety and agoraphobia and is on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. Finding work is difficult for him. 

I have more car repairs coming.

I'm still paying for my own schooling per my contract, although I haven't been able to take any classes in a year.

I already work full time. I don't know how I could handle a second job along with my outside obligations.

I make well above minimum wage. I don't know how people who make minimum wage survive.

It's simply wrong that people have to strive to see nothing come from it.

My suicide ideation increases exponentially when I become this overwhelmed. Note that I said suicide ideation, not planning. Most of the methods I fantasize about using to off myself are ridiculous and impractical. 

If I went to the ER every time I experienced suicide ideation, I'd have to live there. Then I'd owe them money. Besides, I hate that place. It isn't very welcoming or comfortable.

I like my job. I love my family, although I seem to be a bad fit with them. They neither seem to like nor understand nor care about me. I love the things I dream up when I'm writing. I wish I could live in that world. 

I hate my life.

Please don't tell me not to be "negative." This is my place to let it all hang out. If one doesn't let negativity out, it eats them up from within. 

~Cie~

Afterthought:

Things have improved since the time I wrote this. I still have overwhelming money problems, but I don't feel as taken for granted. It is more important than people realize to feel as if you are somehow valued.

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 20: A Realist's Love Poem

Photo by Morgan Dragonwillow

A Realist's Love Poem

Love doesn't have to be

According to other people's rules

Because love doesn't follow rules

Chasing down a dream

Dreaming of tomorrow

Fondness in your heart leading to

Gladness or sorrow

Here's hoping your attachment is returned in kind

Intimacy should never hurt

Joy should always follow expressions of tenderness

Kisses should not be prefaced by lies

Love should cultivate feelings of endearment

Mindful of the other's hopes and fears

Never should love bring about sorrow

Only warmth and happiness and cheer

Please do not think I am so naive

Quite so foolish as to believe this to be true

Ruined lives have resulted from toxic love

Sadness bleeds from many a broken heart

Truth and desire do not always go hand in hand

Unhappiness is too often the outcome of love

Victory is rare and to be treasured

Wait and do not jump in too quick

Xanadu may be your dream

Yet it is most elusive

Zest must not blind you to reality

If red flags warn you that something's not right

Then what you believe is love may just not be

~Tempest~

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 19: Dear You

Fair warning: 

This will be really irreverent and possibly downright foolish. If that sounds way too inane to you, feel free to skip this piece! The form is described following the poem.

I've decided to do 26 lines, one for each letter of the alphabet. Some will be personal connections, some will be celebrities, some may even be characters. Dare you follow along? You have been warned, it may get pretty ridiculous!

Dear You

Dear Angus, thanks for the moon shot, it was a real eye opener. LMFAO!

Dear Ben, cheater cheater pumpkin eater. Disappointed.

Dear Cie, friends can tease each other, right? Prepare!

Dear Dylan, thank you for making my man Adam so happy. Hugs!

Dear Elvis, thankyouverymuch. Uh-huh-huh!

Dear Fae, I love you just the way you are. Acceptance!

Dear Gary Stu, I try not to write about guys like you. Sorry.

Dear Hank, I'm so glad you're my brother. Always!

Dear Illsa, you're always dreaming of naps like a sleepy cat. Lazy.

Dear John, wish you were still here to write more songs. Legend!

Dear Kitty, how do you manage to hog the entire bed? Cats...

Dear Leonard, thanks for all the great performances. Respect.

Dear Malcolm, I like you, but it's only platonic, because otherwise Cie would shank me. Ducking!

Dear Noobs on the Writing scene, welcome and keep at it. Encouragement!

Dear out and proud friends, way to fight the good fight. Bold!

Dear PANSI, the Netherworld still loves you. Diva!

Dear Quorthon, the world of music hasn't been the same since you went to the hall on high. Icon!

Dear Robert, the coffee was cold and so was my affection for you. Boring.

Dear Sarah, do you believe the world is better off without your brand of politics? Wingnut.

Dear Tom, it's too bad you turned out to be an asshole. Misanthrope.

Dear Ursula, I like Cappuccino, but I love you more. Sisters!

Dear Vince, the remake of Psycho wasn't bad, but that wedding movie was crashing fun! Cool.

Dear William, your sons made this world come alive. Electric!

Dear Xene, you mostly stay behind the scenes, but we still love you. Shy.

Dear Yeezy, you're actually not a bad guy but you'd be a better one if you'd shut your mouth. Ego.

Dear zany friends, thank you for letting me be a part of this insanity. Teammates!

~Illin' Illsa~

Notes:

From today's OctPoWriMo prompt

Hello again from your favorite structure anarchist! I yet again bring you something with form! Never fear, this one has nothing to do with counting!

Actually this is a form that I kinda made up one day for a poetry class in college, I call it the "Dear," form.

Once upon a time a friend and I were joking about our ex boyfriends at the beginning of poetry class and coming forth from that was what we wrote that day!

How to do it? 

Each line of the poem starts with "Dear (name)"

You get one line to say something to an ex or some significant love, example I did my ex boyfriend, my high school crushes, my (then) current boyfriend, my childhood love, etc. Anyways my list ended up to be about 17 names long.

For each name, you get one sentence plus one word (optional) Example: "Dear Steve, at least you made good coffee. Sorry."

Don't have a long enough list? You can go with a list like your bridesmaids, your best friends in college, deceased pets, etc. I've always liked doing this periodically with the same list to see if my feelings have changed towards any of the memories I have of these people. It's a nice reflective exercise I feel, personally I think it pairs well with a glass of wine.

OctPoWriMo 2015: Day 18: Our Secret World

Image Source

Our Secret World

The Netherworld is the place we run

To escape real world demands

It's the one place where we can truly be ourselves

It doesn't matter if no-one else understands

~Mo~

Notes:

Over the years, the members of Team Netherworld have heard how our blogs are "stupid" and "weird," and so are we. Our founder, The Real Cie, gets the brunt of this as she created the Netherworld blogs and is the member of our group who is the most active, even if much of what she does is behind the scenes as our editor, making sure that each post will adhere to the Netherworld mythology.

It is so hurtful to have your creative work constantly torn down. Cie is a sensitive person, as is everyone in our group. Most of us have had to deal with people who just don't get where we're coming from, who think we should just put our foolish flights of fancy aside.

This is a terrible thing to say, especially as in some cases, the flights of fancy may be the one thing that keeps a person hanging on.

The Netherworld is real to us. It may not be "concrete reality," but in some ways it is more real.

As the verse on our blog header at Dark Hearts Love Too says, it's "the only place where you can dream, living here is not what it seems."

Bless Steve Harris for writing those magical lyrics. He's been an inspiration to us.

~Mo~