Conference Inspires Me to Write Here Again!

The National Federation of Press Women held its 2009 conference in San Antonio, Texas, September 10-12. Desspite a few difficulties (see "Never too Late!"), I enjoyed many aspects of the trip. What inspired me to resurrect this blog, at least for a while, was the fact that I received two national writing awards, and the First Place award was for two posts to this blog: "In Defense of Self-Publishing, Parts I and II" (August 12,16 2008). You may read them below in the archives.

The judge commented, "Writer provides clear advice without preaching or ego. Offers something for every level of self-publisher, from the wannabe to those looking for new options."

Since the idea of self-publishing is scoffed at by many professional writers, I was elated to win first place and such a positive comment.

My little book of poetry, Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters, won second place. Of my three books, this is the least-read, yet everyone who has read it has praised it. Doesn't anyone read poetry any more?

Anyway, I liked the judge's comment: "I really enjoyed the use of the rictameter. Its use to describe the different parts of a life was really unique. A very good piece of work!"

If anyone is interested, Elder Expectations costs about $10 and can be ordered from Amazon.com.

Rictameter from a Morning Person

Mornings

Mornings:

"Time to rise and

Shine," they say. I do that,

Facing each new day with courage,

Anticipating challenges, new joys.

Why do some despise alarm clocks,

Resist the call of day?

Time to embrace

Mornings.

Copyright 2009 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Cultural Center Information Desk Routine: A Rictameter

Routine:

Comforting, not

Dull or dreary. Getting

Out to meet and greet the world of

Eager visitors who want to share the

Beauty of Chicago and its

Arts and culture. Here I'll

Sit, enjoy my

Routine.

Copyright 2009 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Guest Post: A Rictameter about Winter

Many thanks to Pat Murphy, an old friend and former neighbor (not the Pat from "Pat's Place") for today's guest rictameter. Pat is a fellow northerner who appreciates the season.

Winter

Is a respite

Under a white blanket.

We warm ourselves and we get strong.

There is a season when we can reach out

To meet the world with new vigor.

Everything will be fresh,

Until the next

Winter.

By Pat Murphy. 2009

Snow Again: A Rictameter

Snow Again


Again.

Snow fell last night

As spring hopes retreated.

It's hard to see snow's beauty as

February fades toward dreary March, with

Early flowers still far away.

It's time to write more poems

As winter speaks

Again.

Copyright 2009 by Marlys Marshall Styne

A Writing Challenge!

As winter slowly winds down, most of us reflect on its beauties and challenges as we eagerly wait for spring. Where you live undoubtedly makes a difference, but most of us have some winter thoughts to express.

How about writing a rictameter (or more than one) about winter? If you will submit them to my email address (there's a link in my complete profile here), I'll put them together for a mid-March collection. I'll consider other poetic forms as well. Let's celebrate the coming end of winter, share our winter disasters and/or our winter joys.

Thanks to Pat of "Pat's Place" for this idea! (http://atpatsplace.blogspot.com/)

Early Morning Musings: A Rictameter

Early Morning Musings

Morning.

Time to rise and

Shine, the cliche has it.

Tired? Perhaps, but life starts now.

New day, new challenges, new things to do.

A cup of coffee starts the day.

Who knows what adventure

Looms ahead this

Morning?

Copyright 2009 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Happy? A Rictameter

I have had a bad case of the winter doldrums, among other problems. If winter is getting to you too, why not join me in a poetry-writing project (choose your own form)? Guest contributions are welcome!

Happy?


Happy?
Yes, I will be.

Time to shed sad thoughts, to

Begin anew, awaiting spring.

Sun shines brightly, lake turns blue, buds appear

To bring renewal, brighter days.

These poems will ease winter's

Grip to make me

Happy.

Copyright 2009 by Marlys Marshall Styne

On Moving to a Senior Residence: A Rictameter

On Moving to a Senior Residence

Moving.

This is the week

To leave a familiar

Scene behind, with memories good

And bad, joys and problems, things to deal with.

Is anyone ready to move?

For me, a final choice.

Better or worse?

Moving.

Copyright 2009 by Marlys Marshall Styne

New Year Question: A Rictameter

New Year Question


New Year:

What will you bring?

Happiness and joy to

Make a year much better than the

Last, or problems big and small to make the

Year too much like the past one we
Choose to forget as soon

As possible?

New Year?


Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

On Visiting The Clare: a Rictameter

On Visiting The Clare at Watertower

The Clare:

Dream and promise,

Soon to come true as I

Plan my move for January.

Problems? Yes, but now I've been inside to

See reality, think ahead,

Hope for a happy life,

I welcome you,

The Clare.

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Some Realities About Writing to Heal

I've often written about the importance of writing to heal: from keeping a pen and paper near the sick bed to writing down your concerns and complaints for your caregivers. My recent hospitalization and nursing home stay (a total of nearly six weeks) should have provided an excellent opportunity for me to practice what I've preached.

It didn't quite work out that way. For one thing, I did not have easy computer access. I did, however, have a pen and a notebook. So why didn't I write much? Yes, I had a roommate and nearly continuous TV. However, there are other reasons, too. For me, writing is a reality of my life, and I seemed eager to escape from reality. I drifted into the routine of the institution, not thinking much about my "real" life. Writing was something I planned to do after I got home.

Did I write anything while I was in the nursing home? Yes, I wrote down a few notes for future writing, and then I wrote three rictameters. For me, an experienced user of this odd poetic form, this was tha perfect way to express myself. My three rictameters were "Kindness," "Patience," and "Painful." All three appear in my two blogs, this one and "Never too Late!"

So what is the message here? Poetry can be brief, direct, and meaningful (see "A Good Review Brings Cheer," below). When illness or injury makes one reluctant to write, a short poem can express a lot. As I look back, I notice that my three rehab rictameters tell the story of my experience better than more extensive writing might have.

If the thought of writing at length, especially in difficult times, is depressing, try writing simple poems: rhymed, unrhymed, free verse, or whatever. I found my magic in the rictameter, but there are many other possibilities. The idea of most poetry is to say a lot in a few words, and that's what I did. I seem to have redefined my understanding of writing to heal.

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Patience: Another Rictameter from Rehab

I wrote three rictameters while I was in rehab at a nurising home. See the first one below and the second in "Never too Late!" This is the third and last


Patience

Patience.
Prime need here in

Rehab hell. Everyone

Does her best to get things done, but

Waiting is required for help with all those

Things I can't do myself. I long

For independence, but

I need to wait.

Patience.

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Kindness: A Rictameter

Soon after I was transferred from the hospital to the nursing home for rehabilitation, I was feeling alone and desolate. Along came a member of the Clare staff to offer help. Here is the poem I wrote in honor of her comforting visit:

Kindness


Kindness.

Rachel came to

Offer help, advise, to

Care that I was helpless, hurting,

In despair. She answered questions, offered

Clothing, stamps, and cheer to make my

Day in this, my time of

Need. Thank you for

Kindness.

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Speaking to Illinois Woman's Press Association: A Rictameter

Speaking to IWPA

Speaking.

Saturday I'll

Talk of blogging: magic,

Mystery of words on screen, a

Window to the world, communication.

Speak or write? I'd rather write, but

There I'll be. Will someone

Listen to my

Speaking?

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Knee Realities: A Rictameter

Knee Realities

Knee pain:

Reality

For many years as I

Limped, arose from sitting with no

Grace at all. My walks got shorter, ended.

Too much recliner time became

Routine, so now it's time

For surgery,

Knee pain.

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Wednesday Lunch at the Signature Room: A Rictameter

Lunch views.

Sunshine, high place,

Eating with a friend to

Catch up on our lives while dining.

Salmon, wine, delicious. Happy time with

Conversation, scenery. Worth

Forty-five dollars? Yes,

To splurge, enjoy

Lunch views.

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Cubs Win: A Rictameter

Cubs Win

Ball game:
Cubs and Astros,
Lovely day at Wrigley.
At home, I watch TV at ease,
See, hear the young enjoying life. Alas,
No ballpark days for me this year,
Yet I can still enjoy
While Cubs win the
Ball game!

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

In Praise of the Rictameter

In Praise of the Rictameter

This form,
Rictameter.
Is it crazy to write

Such poems, to count out two, four, six,

Eight, ten syllables, back again, no rhyme?

But try it! Experiment, say

Many things, few words; great

Thoughts or small fit

This form.

Copyright 2008 by Marlys Marshall Styne

Another Review of Elder Expectations!

Thanks to Pat of Pat's Place for a fine review of my little book of poems, Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters. You may read it at http://atpatsplace.blogspot.com/2008/07/interesting-book.html.

Pat ends the review with a rictameter of her own:

"Thanks, Marlys, for encouraging me to self-publish a book of my own stories, and also for the gift of your rictameter poetry! Here is my own poem:

"Thank you,
Marlys, for the
gift of your poetry
that you have shared with us via
your lovely rictameters in your book,
Elder Expectations, and your
blog, where I first saw them,
then tried my own.
Thank you!

"They are tricky, but they are fun to work with!"