Writer Wednesday: Teachers Write 2018

Yesterday, Traci Sorrell gave a writing prompt at Kate Messner's blog for the second day of Teacher's Write 2018.  She asked the writer teachers to make a list of blessings and struggles they encountered during the last few months.  I was determined to write about a huge frozen custard I ate at Greenfield Village the other day, but a triolet about the past and present popped out instead.  Whoops.

The writing of it, as did the walk through the Village, reminded me that the past is filled with struggles and blessings--that affect us still today, so I'm going to to say I followed the directions.

Mostly.

At the Village

We walk the paths to see the past 
come back to life. In present’s shine 
we wonder what was built to last; 
we walk the paths to see. The past, 
a spark, reveals what forebears passed 
to us. As past and now entwine, 
we walk the paths. We see the past 
come back to life in present’s shine.
© Rebekah Hoeft

© Rebekah Hoeft 2018

Writer Wednesday ~ Spooked

Michelle, over at Today's Little Ditty, interviewed Carrie Clickard last week.  Carrie challenged the Today's Little Ditty readers to write a poem about a person, place, or thing that spooked you as a child.

There were PLENTY of things that spooked me as a child.  Basement stairs (oh, the shivers), a creaking house, shadows that looked like  shadows of evil but were actually shadows of coats, doors, toys, books...it was rough.  I sympathize with all the scaredy cats in the world because I was (AM) one of them.  Why be scared when you can be happy?!  I mean really--wouldn't you rather NOT have your heart thumping in fright?

Be sure to check out the other poems on Michelle's padlet, especially if you like spooky, creepy, heart-thumping poems.  I assume they are there.  I don't have the nerve to check.

Chores Are Fine. It's Fine. We're Fine.

On hard-packed, shaded, friendly road,

Our wheels were sure, we never slowed;

We moved in sync, with joy, we were a team.

We ventured farther down the lane,

Our goal a simple one to gain:

Avoiding chores at home was our sole scheme.

Our carefree ride was sweet but short 

For soon our habitat would thwart;

Our joyful jaunt was changed when past the stream

Our wheels found dusty washboard track;

We thought that we might double back 

As shade became a gloam; no sun did gleam. 

The houses took a cheerless turn,

The lawns were junkyards. Faces stern

We pressed on, moxie pushed to the extreme. 

With legs that shook and palms that sweat, 

We made it past that unkempt threat.

Our confidence the sunlight did redeem.

Now languid, rolling past a field

Our haste forgotten, jitters yield

To summer's warmth and ease but then our dream

Becomes a nightmare as a shriek

Is heard and heard again; we freak;

Our wheels they skid and legs run out of steam. 

But then we're supercharged with fright

For menace lurks just out of sight;

The farm with monstrous mischief-makers teem.

We peddle fast but tangle, THUD!

Our nerves are shot by curdled blood;

We race with dents and scrapes.  Relief supreme

When home is reached, our chores a sport 

We relish as to Mom report,

Who laughs (she gloats?!): "'Twas just a peacock's scream!"

©2017 Rebekah Hoeft

Writer Wednesday ~ Terse Verse Expanded Form

Yesterday, I shared information about a short poetry form called the terse verse (also known as a hinky pinky or higgly piggly)

To sum up:

The title is a question or statement.

The poem is two words that rhyme that answer the question or describe the title.

Yup.  That’s it.

I wrote the example:

What You Call a Dog Who’s Eaten Too Much

Hoggy doggy.

I like this form.

I really do.

Short and sweet.

Simple.  

Everything I’m not.

Which means that  of course I can’t just leave it at that.

So instead of one terse verse, I like to write a string of them to tell a story.

Because words.

And story.

I like to call this brand-spanking new form of the terse verse a:

Wait for it.

You’ll love it.

Probably not.  The name I mean.  The form is fine.  It’s just cheesy.  The name.  Not the form.  Let’s be clear here, folks.

And it’s probably not brand new because there is nothing new under the sun but I couldn’t find anyone writing strings of terse verses so I’m pressing on with my new-to-maybe-just-me form of poetry.  My apologies to someone who’s already invented/created/discovered the joy that is the:

HALE TALE TERSE VERSE.

I know.  I’m sorry.  Hale can mean hearty or robust which is kinda the opposite of terse and I’m telling a more robust story with my string of little poems and obviously I had to rhyme.

#rhymingislife #iloverhymes #nosuchthingastoomanyrhymes #alsoimnotopposedtoalittlecheese

#mmm #cheese  #hungry

Rules of the Hale Tale Terse Verse

Suggestions, really.  Take them as you wish and do what you may.

• Create a short story using two or more terse verses.  (Terse verse? Terse versi?  Arg.  Plurals hard.)
• Titles of each individual terse verse may be as long or short as you’d like but should only be one sentence.  Run-ons acceptable.
• Each individual terse verse still needs to have only two words in it
• You may choose whether to give the group of terse verses another main title.
• You may choose to capitalize both words of each terse verse or just the first or not at all.

In The Doghouse

What You Call The Puppy Who Looks At You Beseechingly Whilst You Eat A Slice Of Yummy Cake

Mooch pooch.

What You Call The Pooch Standing Nonchalantly On The Counter When You Come Inside From Playing A Super Fun Game Of Hide-N-Seek With Your Friends

Up pup.

What You Call The Mutt Who Ate Almost An Entire Cake Whilst Standing On The Counter Whilst You Played A Super Fun But Ill-advised And Regrettably Long Game Of Hide-N-Seek

Hog dog.

What You Call The Hound Who Also Ate Mom's Favorite Pair Of Slippers Presumably Whilst Pondering How To Conquer The Counter For Cake Whilst You Played An Actually Kinda Boring Game Of Hide-N-Seek.

Slipper nipper.

What You’re In When Mom Finds Out That She Will Not Get To Enjoy A Slice Of Mrs. Keller’s Cake Whilst Wearing Favorite Slippers Because Young Man You Forgot To Kennel The Canine Before Going Outside To Play A Not To Be Repeated For A Week ‘Cause You’re Grounded Game Of Hide-N-Seek Plus Guess Who Gets To Clean Up When He Gets Sick From Eating Almost An Entire Cake

Double trouble.

What Kind Of Dog You Have When You’re Sad And Grounded And Mom’s Still A Little Mad Even Though She Says She Forgives You

Hug pug.

Written by: Rebekah Hoeft ~ ©2017

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Writer Wednesday ~ Alexandroid

Yesterday, I shared how to write an alexandroid, a poetry form that The Society of Classical Poets introduced.  Easy-peasy, right?!

Here's my contribution to the alexandroid cause.

Apologies for verb tense abuse.  In my defense, it's hard to write about Star Wars because it all happened so far away, so long ago.    But also it is still happening every time we watch it here in the Hoeft House and each time a new episode comes out.

It's all very confusing.

In Which the Droids Say Enough Is Enough

So far away and once upon
          a time there were
Four Droids. With varied brains and brawn
          the foe deter.

The Empire, vile, oft crippled by

          brave, valiant crews;
Their vict'ries claimed with robots sly
          whose charms amuse.

'Twas thought the Jedis would outlast

          the Empire's sins,
But Dark Side's end will come at last:
          Droid Dream Team wins.

Written by: Rebekah Hoeft ~ Copyright 2017 ~ All Rights Reserved

I should mention also that I'm rebelling.  K-2SO lives.

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