Monthly Archives: November 2007
Blond
She had straight blond hair and sharp features. She was writing in her journal. Her penmanship was a neat rounded print, and she was curled up in the seat of the metro car. She had a brown leather bag the color of burnt autumn leaves. She wore a black dress that hung between her knees propped up against the seat ahead of her. She had grey stockings and boots the color of her travel bag. Her face had the far away look of the travel weary. She would stare out the window in between writing in her journal.
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Christmas Creep: Nordstrom Opposes Christmas Creep Sweet. Because celebrating holidays too early dilutes the holiday robbing it of its meaning.
Lone Tree on a Gettysburg Hill, Gettysburg, PA
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Baseball Pitches Illustrated | Lokesh Dhakar
diagrams of common baseball pitches. nice.
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Outside In
how to turn a sphere inside out without pinching it or poking a hole in it. Will blow your mind a little. :)
Purple Mountains, Gettysburg, PA
The March of the Grey Standard
1) Far to the east, with the glowing sun bathing
A battleground strewn with many knights dying
A battle is fought, with the morning sun rising
Fought for fair Avalon, for the High Kings calling
2) Great are the knights, they are noble in bearing
Loyal and true, their fel swords are swinging
They fought against darkness, to see the sweet morning
Fought for fair Avalon, for the High Kings calling
3) But the knights of fair Avalon, their high banners flapping
Are sorely besieged, their courage is dwindling
They fight to the full, their whole hearts there giving
Fought for fair Avalon, for the High Kings calling
Knights look to the west, the western horizon
They come from the west, the golden sun setting
4) Six hundred spears in the golden grain flashing,
Glittering sunlight on their spearheads gleaming,
Six hundred men with their leather boots marching,
Marching toward Avalon, to the High Kings calling.
5) At the head of the column, a golden helm shining,
With his roan colored chargers dark mane streaming,
His back is straight, his noble gaze piercing,
Marching toward Avalon, to the High Kings calling.
6) Through the deep valleys, the high mountains crossing
The men of the column, their grey standard flying
They followed their captain, with strength in his bearing
Marching toward Avalon, to the High Kings calling
Knights look to the west, the western horizon
They come from the west, the golden sun setting
7) Now look to the north, a dark prince is screaming
His dark brutish horse, on the battleground rearing
He raises a challenge, his wicked sword swinging
Death to fair Avalon, and the High Kings calling
8) Behind him the legions of evil are roaring
Bent on destruction, pillage and whoring
They massed on the borders of Avalon swearing
Death to fair Avalon, and the High Kings calling
9) War engines were built, great stones they are throwing
Brimstone and fire, on the walls are exploding
Rampant fear runs, in the streets there is crying
For death in fair Avalon, and the High Kings calling
Citizens look west, to the western horizon
Hope comes from the west, the golden sun setting
10) The grey standard marched, they march to the calling
They come to the aid of a hope that is failing
Their hearts are full, full to the brimming
Full of fair Avalon, and the High Kings calling
11) Their eyes shine with courage as the dim light is fading
Their faces are set, there is hope in the gloaming
They come from the west, the call they are heeding
Full of fair Avalon, and the High Kings calling
12) Hark! hear the horn, the horn that is blowing
A golden helm high, a silver sword flashing
A roan colored charger, down the battlefield charging
Charging for Avalon, and the High Kings calling
Citizens look west, to the western horizon
Hope comes from the west, the golden sun setting
13) As the sun dawns on destruction, the grey standard is blowing
On the western horizon, the knights are still standing
Hope came from the west, from the west the came riding
Riding to Avalon, and the High Kings calling
14) They rode through the night, their strength was not failing
Their courage was strong, their resolve had no doubting
Through the dark and the fear, of the dark princes warring
Warring on Avalon, and the High Kings calling
15) They came to the aid, to the aid of the flagging
Knights who with courage, who had given everything
To stand till the grey standard, broke with the dawning
Arriving at Avalon, and the High Kings calling
Citizens look west, to the western horizon
Hope came from the west, the golden sun setting
16) Songs they are singing, and praises they are praising
How the golden helm met the dark princes raving
How truth clashed with horror, how courage met hating
Battling at Avalon, for the High Kings calling
17) Tell how the standard, it noble grey flapping
How bright burning spears bit into the writhing
Black hearted heathen of the dark princes gathering
Gathering ‘gainst Avalon, and the High Kings calling
18) Tell of the wounded, the brave ones whose fighting
Who stood against darkness, who fought the despairing
To see the helm rising, in the morning sun gleaming
Gleaming for Avalon, and the High Kings calling
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Some Notes From the Author:
I don’t often write epics, nor do I often wade in the sea of narrative. My talents lie mainly in that of description. But on occasion my imagination begins something bigger. This is one example.
Your thoughts are valued. In this case, the poem feels perhaps a bit rough. There are parts that I’m not sure flow properly. If you find similar places, feel free to point them out, and/or offer suggestions for improvement. I’m open for such things.
Thanks!
Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC
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northstar: They Didn’t Get The Memo That Slavery Was Over
“Cain Wall Sr. was born in 1902 into peonage in St. Helena Parish, La. He worked the fields and milked cows for white families while believing he had no rights as a man. Peonage is a system where one is bound to service for payment of a debt. It was an illegal system that flourished in the rural South after slavery was abolished. Mr. Cain was born into this system believing that he was bound to these people that held him and his relatives captive. Being unable to read and write also stifled any opportunity that may have presented itself to the Mr. Cain because he was unable to decipher anything. During World War II, Mr. Cain decided to runaway, but eventually was captured and brought back into slavery.”
Washington Monument and Flag, Washington DC
Thoughts on Music and Poetry recently posted to Twitter
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good harmony anticipates the melody, at times encouraging it, at times resisting it, but always anticipating it.
like harmony, the purpose of rhyme, meter, pattern and other poetic elements in verse is to anticipate the meaning.
harmony should never follow the melody blindly. in this way, it is like a marriage relationship. the melody should love the harmony, and the harmony should submit to the melody.
what separates poetry from prose is the explicit form. we use rhyme, alliteration, repetition and patterns to focus and add potency and meaning to the words. often this lets us be more concise, relying on the form to fill in the blanks.
Shell Building, Downtown, Saint Louis, MO
The Lark
Observe the lark, who flies from twig to branch
How he gaily lifts his head and wing
Observe his twinkling eyes and hear his chirp
How he proudly lifts his voice to sing
Sing sweet your song, O morning lark
Sing of the Creator and creature
Let peal your laughing jubilant hark
And greet the rays of the rising sun








