What i want to say is...

I have something to say, but it's hard when your there,
Your words they make me feel like I'm flying above;
Like I'm soaring and twirling and no one can stop,
What I'm feeling for you your my little white dove.

I feel joyful and happy when your here my dear,
I feel like i can do what i put my mind to.
There's no stopping me now I'm so in love with you,
In the dark all alone your my star your my moon.

Come with me be with me help me get through this life.
How can i win you over and gain all your love?
You've gained mine and much more; round you my world revolves,
Your my angel that lives in the heavens above.

I thank you, it's the end that's all i have to say
Yet there's still a bit more if you want to find out,
But those words won't come out till you get to my heart,
And then we'll be together and never apart.

angels and demons

The abyss that awaits her is laden with pain,
And the infinite doubt of just what could have been.
she disowned all her treasures and pride, sobbing peers
Rendered useless for what they had forcefully seen.

The narcotics were key to relieve her provoked
Soul. Still, people refused to accept. They persist,
They intrude on his weakened defences, she falls
To her knees, letting all see what they had dismissed.

The narcotics, relied on extensively, hide.
Even Satan dares not to invade. Past the point of
All return. She, the anarchist, screams. The pain
Overpowers her. She needed someone to love.

Now all is said and done, the pain starts to set in.
The acidic rain falls from their faces, it stirs
Up a dish best served cold. She is now smiling down.
It was only right now, she could figure who cares.

Christmas night

What is this that I see
With my very own eyes?
I came down for a drink
And was caught by surprise.

What a mess on the rug!
Didn't God give him eyes?
After helping Mum- Yet
He still eats my mince pies.

Then again, look at him
With his red rosy face.
Out of breath, never stops
Working hard, night and days,

In his workshop with elves,
And old Rudolph at hand
Giving presents to kids.
Father Christmas is grand!

Trapped @ Clichéfest. Beginner.

If i could escape the cage that i am trapped in
it would be out of the pan and it would be in-
to the fire. Double edged sword of cliché and the
obvious joke that I'm telling is wearing thin.

I am the kettle and i am the pot that is
made up of chocolate, I'll melt if you don't do this:
Save me from me and myself and the jester in-
side of my brain it's tormenting. You get the gist?

I'll slay the dragon, you'll rescue the maiden in-
side of the tower, the curse will be lifted but,
you will be frozen in salt because you looked back.
Iron doors to my imagination are shut.

Leave me here where i can dwell on the past because
it's all i have and it's all i can bring to life.
i'll never innovate, someones already tak-
en my ideas, and gotten through all my strife.


Sorry It's a Bit Late. I was out saturday evening and didn't wake up until afternoon today.
Hope you enjoy.

My Best Friend

Best Friend


You are close. Like my clothes to my skin. You are mine.
We go together ever so perfectly right.
You are better than others. You're something different.
You're so pure and comforting to all. You're my light.

We share trust ever strong and long lasting.
Our love bond grows all strong and belong ever more.
We have problems of course. But no; split we do not.
More over of course best friend you see I adore.

You have said many things, meaning full they always
Bring me up when I'm down, raise my sky; never frown.
Shine so bright by my side. Never cease to amaze,
I can be this lands king, you my queen wear a crown.

Memories are rare but with you it's not so hard
to make what can't be made with whoever is not
even close to being you. I protect you. Protect
me from difficulties. You are what they are not.

Fizzy

My Best Friend

You allow me to stay me; so close. You always
have the right words to say; you're forever my star.
We have trust, one that others may lack; you complete
me. So true. Us together could travel so far.

You're my guardian angel. You just light up my
world. You realise when something isn't right; you're my
rock. You're always up and ready to seeing me
smile. Us together could fly so high; to the sky.

You're my knight in armour; shining bright. You're my lust
for me living. You encourage me faithfully
to remain strong. You're my backbone when I'm weak; I
thank you. Us together work so sweet; lovingly .

You know throughout hardship to support me; you're my
other half. So whatever the weather I will
be there. On the other end of the phone you're there.
We are a bond so very strong, that none can kill.

Confused! Beginner

I have to do this frustrating task before twelve
everything's confusing, I don't know what to write,
am I boring you? Well sorry it's not my fault.
I'm sleepy and knackered, and arrived has the night.

Let me entertain myself with things from the past
those boys! Their swimming coach! A water wrinkled big
man, he warned them he would tell their parents, they laughed.
He was vicious, dull and could turn you into figs


He actually rose up near them like a merlion
or weary sea dragon king, his long soaked mane
now horrificly clinging to the sunburnt sides,
He was shouting at that boy to get in his lane.

The cheeky rebel tossed his head disdainfully,
the other sticking out his tongue like a finger!
He threatened something awful against their diseased
bodies. The first boy paused letting the sound linger!

Abused

It is beyond my knowledge of how to escape
In the presence of him. So what hope is there left
For me? Secrets too cruel to imagine, the rape
Was just one step too far. I know not of this theft,
Just the constance abuse I suffered form him. Man
Or a beast I know not the difference nor will
I deny the horrible truth. His hunt began
For my pure and clean soul just a year ago, ill
Sick, Vile. All I feel when I remember what he
Did. The scars a reminder of what he chose. Pain
Is all he brought to me. He took my heart, left me
Torn. His daunting smirk left in my head like a stain.

A simple Oak

As I watch it’s soft movements, I drool. I can’t stop,
Can’t imagine how simple life is as an Oak.
My roots anchored deep, leaves swaying slow, I don’t know
Why I love it so. As close to me as my folks.

I have only known City life as me, myself.
What fun will I reap from this new empathetic life?
Having zero care, just pure, simple, easy freedom.
I’ll have no need to run, no need to hide, No strife.

My leaves glazed on by the warm, calm, maternal sun.
My thirst constantly quenched by the merciful rain.
Unlike humans I can last over two hundred years,
Like a blip on a map, like a chocolaty stain

Oh if only I were an oak! I would live a
Tranquil, Undisturbed life of “coasting” and “floating”.
I would have the ability to watch over
My disciples, I stand among them. I’m hoping…

Task 33 - Distance

The distance it has grown and it left me alone.
And I’m falling to silence, with no one to hold
Me. I’m left with no choice but to hide on my own.
All the moments we spent are now left in the cold.

I’ll remember the past in my dreadful dark tears;
In the dark where my love is now left to survive.
It is true; I’m in search of your love to undo
The mistakes I’ve made, redness of pain seems alive.

I refused to believe I can go on without
You. My blood it is stirring in anger, my trust
Is destroyed and my smile it is fighting the truth.
And I’m living in lies that are covered in dust.

I’m so lost, with no hope and the past it remains
In my heart. You’re the answer my riddle has lost
And it’s only you who has the power to solve
It. I’m warm in a place full of crystal clear frost.

Yes. I trusted you, why did you break it apart?
All my thoughts of you; deadly virus in my mind.
You’re the piece that will fit in my puzzle of dreams
But my dream won't come true, but can't leave it behind.

Sorry

It's the word that won't live past it's sell by date; sealed
To some mould with no additives. Sorry? The word
Is a breath to you; effortless. Every dropped crumb
Left behind by that word is completely absurd.

It's the food that is sold with the fooling white smile;
It out-shines all the rest of it's kind. It's the pack
That you buy when you head into Tescos, the one
You'll consume when you need a good snack.

When your hunger is tamed, you go out to have fun
Whilst your sorrys perfect their aerobics. Inside
Your sick head you prepare the long speech that begins
With the sorry denials; you've lost before you've tried.

You are just like Mount Unzen, except it is you
Who will boil up more frequently. But you need
The insurance of sorry to aid your so wimpy escape;
Only sorry fulfills the completely wrong deed.

Task 33 - Bird Of The Heavens (Beginner)

Time that flies like a desperate bird, recklessly;
Carelessly; hence aiming to find her essential
Prey. Since she wants it. She needs it. Her life is it.
And that jigsaw of success is her potential.

Eyes drowned; lost in the telescope of her own fate,
But not seeing the right painting she wants painted,
Drives her to ultimately re- route paths life hold.
A portrait her soul desires is untainted.

The enchanting orb – a mirror of distorted
Lies. Manipulating the mind: a delusion
For the weak: a mirage for distinct failure.
That fool’s paradise is a world of confusion.

Her bed of roses, now in bloom, lies in the dark,
While they wait for their sombre sky of grey to clear.
Once the sunlight has taken off its coat of cold,
They know that their time to fully flourish is near.

A symphony of irregular heartbeats pound
On her soul.Is this the key to open that door?
It’s sublimely vandalised with gold elation,
And responds to your wishes in which you implore . . .

Task 33 - Christmas Letters

It was the night before Christmas and all through the house
Everybody was writing, except for my wife.
Though that may sound impressive, it’s not, for you see,
All our kids have moved out, leaving just her and me.
I’ve been pounding the keyboard for hours without rest,
In an effort to pen this in pure anapaest.
There are times things don’t turn out the way we had planned,
But it seems that my wife doesn’t quite understand.
She continually bugs me as I try to write,
“Are you planning to get one more thing done tonight?”
“Though it is time consuming,” at last I declare,
“Every word must be placed with the utmost of care.”
“Well, I’m sure you work hard not to make a mistake,
But I really think you ought to give it a break.
We have presents to wrap, and there’s food to prepare.
There are things you could do besides just sitting there.”
“It’s a type of a poem Dad told us to write
About Christmas. I hope to get finished tonight.”
“Then I think that you’re wasting your time. Don’t you know
That the prompt for that writing was two weeks ago.”

I had help from my older cousin, she helped me a lot because i was stuck for help!

With eyes that make my heart skip an important beat.

A smile with teeth that sparkle and brighten my day.

Hair as soft as velvet, brushing against my skin.

Just to see that face. Would wash all my fears away.

Skin as smooth as silk. Never touched by any hand.

Cheeks looking as precious as a babies soft head.

Every word spoken from their lips is like a gift.

Their lips, such a perfectly beautiful shade of red.

That face. In my dreams. Every night. As I sleep.

Such beauty, haunts my mind. Each moment I'm awake.

I wish to see a face as beautiful as that.

Every moment without it. My heart does.ache.

So each night as I dream of that. I don't think of

The moment I catch a glimpse of it, the moment

My dreams come true. I'll think of what's behind the face.

Was it worth it. Is it everything I dreamt?

THE SILHOUETTE OF DARKNESS

Seen from above the sky weeps, clouds float down here.
There shadows over human heads give earth sadness.
Still radiance new projects old but still no love.
On high the love brings the dark silhouette madness.

Then when it sights a babies face love grows calmly.
When sighting of a wrinkled hand reach out to love.
Silhouette “that wound pierced love out of my heart”.
Your heart might be black but your soul as white as a dove.

With a passion for us we could not return to,
Understand ways to feel happy and very free.
Laugh but the creature can kill you in a quick flash
As it spreads throughout city what o what could it be?

As I came to the edge of the mysterious
The creature-dying eye was falling glazed and dim.
To see within the darkened room no help no cry.
The creature walked as I caught sight of the torn limb.

No gasping breath no thank you the creature lay dead.
Disintegrated in the sand what was that thing?
Ways in which you understand not all must be known.
Maybe that was our long lost mutilated king.

Seasons entwined with nature (beginner)

When the shining sun shimmers, it shares its smile
When the birds sing their song, they bestow a charm of
Joy and happiness. When the breeze brushes by, it
Brings a cool and calming feeling from up above.

When there is blossom blooming on a dancing tree
When there are pretty, colourful, elegant flowers
When there is growing green everywhere to be seen
That’s the time of summer. The beginning of flower power

Winter
When the trees are stripped with nothing to spare.
When the colourful flowers have withered away.
When there is no trace of growing green to be seen
When the sky invaded by heaps of clouds turns grey.

When the bitter wind robustly comes out to play
When the lazy animals hibernate and hide
When a fluffy smooth white blanket, swathes the long streets
When frost is fierce. But it’s very different inside...

The season of lots of love and prosperity.
The excited faces of all the younger kids
Yearning for their wrapped up, expensive presents.
And of course Christmas dinner worth a thousand quid!!!!

By Lilmiz

Task 33: Anapestic Fun

For the last task of 2008, we are going to have fun with the ANAPEST.

So you can kiss that infernal iamb goodbye for the time being, and lock that sonnet in the cupboard for the foreseeable future. Some of you have cracked it completely and perfectly, and most of you are pretty much there. We will return to iambic pentameter - whether you like it or not - but the final task of 2008 is slightly different (and, I hope, FUN!).

If you have learnt anything from our recent tasks, your understanding of rhythm and meter will now be far more advanced than you realise. You will know the difference between a stressed and an unstressed syllable; you will know what a foot is, and what makes one iambic; and, hopefully, you will be starting to think and speak in feet. To add to that, you will also know all about enjambement, caesura and different types of rhyme.

So Task 33 should be easy! :)

You will probably have clicked on the hyperlink above already, and so will already have some basic idea of what an ANAPEST is anyway. But, nonetheless, I shall give you my own explanation:

An ANAPEST is a FOOT which consists of THREE syllables; the first two are UNSTRESSED and the last one is STRESSED.

In other words, whereas an iamb is dee-DUM, an ANAPEST is dee-dee-DUM.

Here are some examples of anapestic poetry:

"For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee." (Edgar Allen Poe)

"And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill,
And their hearts but once heaved, and forever grew still!" (Lord Byron)

"Not a word to each other; we kept the great pace
Neck by neck, stride by stride, never changing our place." (Robert Browning)

As with any different type of meter/rhythm, it's just a question of tuning into the rhythm with which you are dealing: dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM etc. (you get the idea...)

Now as for how many of these feet I am looking for in each line, I am expecting FOUR. In other words, you will be writing ANAPESTIC (using anapests) TETRAMETER (four anapestic feet):
dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM dee-dee-DUM

And I am looking for a minimum of four quatrains – or, in other words, a minimum of four sets of four lines.

Each quatrain should rhyme abcb (and the second defe) etc.

N.B. As always, enjambement, caesura, soft and/or internal rhymes and alliteration strengthen any poem – as does a reliance on imagery and, above all, ORIGINALITY.

And as for your checks for this task:
1. Does each line have 12 syllables?
2. Does the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th syllable sound correct stressed (and the others correct unstressed)?
3. Do you have at least four, 4-line stanzas (quatrains)?
4. Do the even lines rhyme in each stanza?
5. And, lastly, have you made any careless errors with spelling, punctuation, grammar or typos?

I will expect you all to conduct ALL these checks before you post, and, as always, your post must be submitted by the deadline, which is MIDNIGHT on SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER.

Lastly, as for your topic: ANYTHING you want... ☺

Here, as always, is my attempt:

My Family and Other Books

In the absence of father or mother to guide
Me and give me the sanctum of love in a home;
And without someone’s hand to hold mine, I was left
So bereft, with no choice but to seek out my own.

And where better to look than in characters born
On the page of a book? I could enter the how
Of the author’s creation and fashion myself
As a character too. I had family now.

I remember that Emerson taught me that why
Had an answer, and that was invariably yes.
I recall that Iago was bad but poor Lear
Was misguided and Hamlet was simply a mess.

Uncle Sam taught me tons, as I waited for God
-ot and realised Kerouac had it in one:
That the journey is everything. Borges was right:
It’s the moments that matter, so why not have fun?

So when you look for guidance or seek the advice
Of a person who knows how to truly survive,
Friends and family, even your teachers reside
In the yellowing pages around chapter five.

P.S. If any of you want me to explain any of the many literary references in this poem, all of which have shaped my life to a massive degree, please feel free to email me and ask... :)

Pessimistic Love

They said love was forever enchanting;
unique. Yet some refuse to listen. Laugh,
they might. One day small birds will stop; not sing.
For love is not a cliche type of craft
in which you may indulge in each and all
demonic fantasy. Resistance is
left dormant, love and lust stand still. So tall.
A love like this may be eternal bliss.
Soon joy and passion melt away, enclosed
In broken hearts, oblivious, soon all
love turns to hate as pessimists supposed.
Is love a dream just waiting for your call?
Yet when reality destroys all hope,
it soon begins to wither, just like soap.

SO sorry for the late task. I've been having email issues which Mr Savage knows about. Sorry once again!

Broken

Streams of grief filter out of her forlorn
Eyes; piercing her sore, melancholy face.
Disintegrating her heart: cut and torn,
Whilst it weeps and bleeds her words of disgrace.
She's a captive - bruised, beaten and hated;
Silenced in her suicidal cocoon.
Her soul smuggled:now so desecrated
With depression which she is so immune,
While she yearns to love; embrace forever
That hallucination. Her conscience knows
Happiness she will never find; never.
Unless her demon-self falters and goes.
A dependence on harm, distress and pain,
Will only make a life slowly refrain...

Love Note

The first time I saw you my heart started
To beat - fast. A tickling sensation
Came down my back. I became fainthearted
Love, passion, affection, admiration.
It has started from then, my love for you
Huge and still growing. My heart's obsesses
With thoughts of you. My mind whizzes through
All the times we've spent together in the west.
I hope my love for you never reduce
As you are the only reason I'm
Alive today. My heart could not produce
The devotion we possess at this time.
The thought of us not being one slays me
Where will future take us? That's what we'll see...

task 32 - sorry

Task 32
Sorry
Accept forgiveness from me why won’t you,
I feel so empty without your warm arms
To wrap around my freezing body to
Keep me away from witches’ evil charms.
My life would be destroyed without your smile,
Still comforting me with your shining face.
I have been loving you all this long while,
Since first we worked together on this case.
My heart is fragile as your crystal cup,
The one we drank from there on our first date.
The words still blast my head, ‘PLEASE JUST SHUT UP’.
I still can taste your tasty meal I ate,
The most romantic meal it surely was.
I’m sorry for creating such a buzz.

I’m so sorry I posted it after the deadline.

Why?

You left me alone. No explanation.

My heart begging for you to turn around.

I watched you and the train leave the station.

Then I knew you were gone. I could have drowned
In all the tears that my eyes shed. You left

Me all alone. With no one to hold me.

In leaving me there, you committed theft.

You stole away all comfort you gave me.

All happiness that we had shared. All time

We had given was gone in a moment.

It left with you. Left on that railway line.

I thought what we had was like hard cement.

Stuck together forever. But then you

Left, and now I know your love was untrue.

Because i love you (intermediate)

If someone else had met me first, who knows?
Perhaps the lives we know need not have meant
So much to us. Forget the past, suppose
My heart belongs to someone else, content
It lies, now not with you, but in a hand.
a hand, so near to me yet far from you:
Alone and free. I stare and watch it stand.
No longer does it bare the scars, or glue
From our relationship. although it's clear
The cuts you left were worse than those from knives.
You made me love, you made me care. A tear
May fall, but this just compliments our lives.
So babe, if all goes well this bond will break
And you will see our love was true, yet fake.

Thank You (Beginner)

Life has no meaning without you aware
You've helped me through all hardships i have had
And taken me through all of my despair
I owe to you the fact i am not sad
You are my guardian angel sent by god
To make sure i have found a place to hide
As for the rest they're just a stupid lie.
You're there for me to help me rise again
Which makes me feel indepted since
You helped me see the bright side even when
The darkness in my heart' sins would not rinse.
I thank you my dear freind for all the joy
You let me see without the need for boys.


i finally got a chance to change my password....sooo sorry for the latness

Task 32 (Intermediate)

I wonder if you know how loved you are?
That I would climb high mountains, pleasing you
To show you just how much I care. A star
That shines to guide me through things. I accrue
A lifelong debt. Beholden to you, for
Stern guidance. Shelter from the many shards
Of glass that rain on me. Say, Is there more
That one could do? My soul a house of cards;
Just fragile. Always understood by you
The time you take just to be very fair.
Upon your shoulders carried me, saw through
The pain. I want a chance to show I’m care.
The sum is; buried deep that I’m so glad
For all the love you had to give me Dad.

The Lies In Love (Beginner)

This guilt upon my head has left me dead.
No friends to trust, my actions left me so.
This point in life was left to lie, ahead
I go to find this wrong, although no foe
Intended such a crime. I have attacked
With lies, with hate, with anger and true love.
Your soul's so sweet, so tender yet its packed
so tight. No wonder I'm impatient of
Revealing such an awesome might. A dream
Of mine to hold, to love a gorgeous gal.
I fight all day, to grasp your love. Supreme
you are. You hold the keys to hearts. I shall
regret the pact I made, the pact to stay
away. So now I suffer through the day.

Task 32 - A Mistake (intermediate)

My heart is frozen; will you keep me warm?
I’m left in darkness, cannot find the light.
You’ve gone but left behind a damaged storm.
A secret past; I thought it seemed just right.
The tears I cried, they hid away my smile.
The memories refused to go. I’m lost,
I stand with loneliness. You’re with her while
Mistakes have covered past with fragile frost.
I walk alone along a path; no rest.
The violent beauty of the sun, it turns
Towards me. Need you back, you were my nest;
A place of loving care. My heart it burns
In fury, suffocating me with blood.
Your love soon left me drowning in a flood.

DECEPTION! HURT! (AdVaNcE)

Do you remember that long lost love zone?
Your joy was mine; my warmth was true and whole.
You said you loved me, but I am alone.
I'd been enclosed in your hypnotic lull,
My truth, desire and all my lifelong trials
Are hidden, falling - all slipping away:
The love that I discovered only vile
The time we wasted, time that we must pay
As midnight comes, I cry myself to sleep
The stars gleam... But not anything like you
The shrouded cloud of night is far too deep.
I scream in pain, I need your love renewed.
It seems you can't begin to make amends
It's too late now. We cannot just be friends.

Confusion

You say you love me but you are unsure
What the effect those words may have on me
When I happen to ask you to secure
The doubts in my head you just guarantee
The fear that continues to grow inside
My head that tells me that you are confused
About the way you feel. I think you lied
And I feel as though I was then abused.
You told me that you loved me then you said
That our relationship was not ideal.
So that was left floating around my head
How do you think that really made me feel?
Why can I view what you have failed to see?
You need to tell the truth, if just for me.

Quantum of love.

A glance is all it takes to make my mind
Up. You’re the milk in my black coffee, you
Can always right a wrong. You’re just that kind
Of person. Lust is far too guilty to
Describe such fragile innocence. My soul
Is pining for a mate, and those are rare.
Such bliss would make my fractured heart a whole.
Cocooned within my chest would lie a lair
For me and you, protected by our love
For one another. Foes would not intrude
Past these wrought walls. Left scarred, from all above,
From their curse-riddled outbursts, all are lewd,
Some, rude. Yet love persists, and soon past foes
Are tossed aside, now overcome through prose.

Forget me

Forget the love I vowed to give you. Free
It from my bloody torture since it can't
Endure much more. Why don't, why won't you see
Destruction in the poison I enchant?
Forget the frost I sprayed upon your soul;
Forget me. Bring to life the aqua blue
That held the ocean hostage. Fill the hole
I dug so deep with someone else who's true.
But please remember every tingle that
You felt the day our heartbeats tangoed; don't
Forget the innocence that came and sat
Beside us; blow away the fears that float
Upon my dying valley. Please just see
It's all I wanted; try to just agree.

Im Sorry (Intermediate)

You slam the door, right in my face it hits.
You say you “can’t take any more of this”,
If you would leave, I might be forced to quit.
My life would spiral in a dark abyss.
My job, my independency would end,
In place of that would be an Icebox heart.
You bid farewell though I will Strive to mend
The damage dealt. I wish we could restart,
Repay you for the trust and love you gave.
Yet now without regret, you walk. Outdoors,
You dare not glance behind you as you pave
The icy floor with graceful steps on floors.
As now, you’re too far gone to turn your back.
I love you so that words can’t say, It’s Fact.

Irreplaceable

I flood my bedroom in a river full
Of tears.The bed's not warm but oh so cold.
As cold as death, more cold than death. So dull
And dark my life now is. The sun's not gold,
The sea's not blue. I'm colour blind without
Your light. I rule the dark, the dark is me
Now You're not here. But I am still devout
Towards You; worshipping Your memory.
However strong the memory may be,
I'll try my best to never let it go.
I'll clutch and cling as much as You decree.
I am a fighter, I'll fight death for You.
Well, if this loss of memory takes place,
You'll always in my heart have Your own space.

Battle: Intermediate

Anger, love, and spite swarm through this room.
Our brains want to submit and call it quits,
our hearts want us to fight through all the fumes.
To break the others spirit, we'll commit.
A tear will spill, retract it hurriedly.
Expel your love for anyone but you.
Don't step, don't walk, don't flinch aggressively.
Just sneak into her heart, and start the coup.
It's then I dropped my sword, fell to my knees,
she raised her blade and brought it down against
the floor. It whistled through the air, a tease.
To kill me there was not her sole intent.
She stayed there looming, hours and days i'm sure.
All thanks to her, I love when we're at war.

Sorry {Intermediate}

Sorry

Perception, illusion and deception.
None uncommon, in fact; typical.
So unfortunate it's all still fiction.
It hurts to say 'I won't cry'; I'm in denial.
I'll never know where I made my mistake.
Perhaps it was loving you; That was not
a choice though; not a choice for me to make.
Inevitable, yet still; an unknown plot.
If Love's a game; I'm certainly long lost.
You were a star; restricted, hidden star;
Eclipsed forever. Warmth: extinct, in frost.
Your memory; forever there; a scar.

I'm sorry, sorry still; perhaps, maybe

I've made you feel, only slightly, guilty.

- Fizzy -

WHAT LIES CAN DO?

Will you let me admit that i was wrong.
I want to say i'm sorry in a way.
Away from you makes me sing a sad song.
My mind is blank i don't know what to say.
As i began to talk my mouth went dry.
Im sorry please forgive and be my friend.
She then ignored me i began to cry.
I said, give me a smile,a hand to lend.
I tried to hide but i could still be seen.
I really need your friendship not your lies.
I made her sad but she was being mean.
This final time i will apologize.
I beg you please forgive me i can change.
I will not let our frienship out of range.

My sonnet (Begginer I aint even really sure I know what a sonnet is so please comment)

Briefly, I saw your smile in a crowd
The glance we shared will last until the end
But then my hopeful smile turned to a frown
I don't know if I'll see your face again.

I am forlorn and know not what to do
Because, in life, I'll never be with you.

Incase your wondering that sounds sort of like a song well your right its a sonnet about the song ' Your'e Beautiful ' by James Blunt.

Task 32: Your final chance

There's still a way to go for the majority of you with regard to writing sonnets - but I am DETERMINED you all crack it this week, some way or other!

I spoke to all those who attended the trip to Norwich on Friday, and they all agreed with me that it is pointless leaving sonnets behind now, when so many of you are so close to cracking them. What use returning to them in six months' time, by which point you will have forgotten loads and have to go back to square one.

However, the difference with Task 32 is that, BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR POST, you MUST either EMAIL it to me or SHOW it to me in school. I will then read through it and give you a few tips as to how to improve it further, so that what you eventually post on the blog really WILL be you at your very, very best. N.B. Any sonnets posted WITHOUT me checking them first will simply be removed from the blog until you have done so: which means it is more crucial than EVER that you don't leave things until the last minute this week!

I will not restate the rules again - you are all perfectly capable of looking back over Task 31 , Task 30 and Task 29 to see the most important criteria. But, most importantly of all, READ YOUR MODERATORS' COMMENTS. Therein lies most of what you need to become a perfect sonneteer.

The task this week:

• A sonnet, following all of the rules previously stated. (Please make it clear again whether you are going for Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced, and don't sell yourselves short in this regard!)
• Your sonnet should be directed towards someone you love or to whom you are really close. It should be making an important point to them; maybe it is an apology; or an attempt to encourage them; or to tell them off; or to beg for something.

The deadline is, predictably, midnight on Saturday 22nd November.

As always, here is my attempt:

Sorry

Will you permit me to apologise?
I don’t know how to do so. Nonetheless
I will endeavour now to exorcise
The bond between us of this bloody mess.
As I trod water, sinking as I kicked,
And cried for help from any passing friend,
A cruel fate left you the friend I picked,
And everything on which I now depend.
I want you to believe me when I say
It isn’t in my nature to rely
On someone else to keep the pain away,
But yours is strength in equable supply.
I’m sorry for the role you're forced to fill;
I want to reimburse you, and I will.

Holistic Stardust

Enchanted glitter tattooed on the star -
Strewn midnight sky; soaring above freely
In a kaleidoscopic rainbow of
Light. Enduring a momentary life,
Whilst spreading her magic: overflowing
With psychedelic zest, elation and
Joy. Her existence is very short-lived,
However she holds more memories than
Each of our lives compiled together.
Her mystery; her enigma; her charm;
Her allure. Pervading our ice-bitten
Souls to unite everyone together.
Until her cry of death reverberates,
She captures all our lives in her beauty...

Forever Friends

To find true friends can be extremely rare,

Luckily I’ve got you, that’s true.

No other can compare, but stop and stare,

At the friendship that we progressed and grew,

Our friendship is like the shining sun.

It will never ever begin to fade,

Even after the timepiece strikes one,

Your friendship is still pleasingly displayed.

Life with out you would be so awfully grey,

My heart would start to sink deep within me,

My soul would wither and wonder away,

My mind would sit waving thoughts, goodbye.

Hopefully we’ll be best friends, forever,

And we will constantly be together

Because

To find true friends can be extremely rare,

Luckily I’ve got you, that’s true

No other can compare, but stop and stare

At the friendship that we progressed and grew.

Really sorry It's late (It's my first)

Flowers - A Definite Beginner

I look with greed at beauty before me
I’m waiting eagerly to take my pick
Of beautiful small flowers. Little bee
Agrees with me, he buzzes for a fix.
Scents linger on my hands, with undisguised
Delight I pull and tug the ones I like
While trampling others underfoot. Surprised
To see me run so wild? To steal, to strike?
You shout, I stop, we stare at disarray,
A desolate landscape I helped create.
I mumble, my lip bitten in dismay
And hang my head; you go on to berate.
Softly I hold the flowers torn from stems.
This time so carefully like little gems.

Sonnet (Beginner)

The sun in my face the wind in my hair.
I was so beautiful I envied my foe.
The boy hugged me like a grizzly brown bear.
He said I was his precious shining rose.
He kissed me so warmly my heart began to beat.
I returned the favour and let my self go.
I was nervous my face began to heat.
We took a boat slowly he began to row.
We walked to my flat and watched the stars.
Before he left I kissed him one more time.
I looked at his phone pictures of his cars.
He made me a poem but it did not rhyme.
It was the greatest night of my whole life.
Someday I dream I'll be his one only wife.

Freefall (Intermediate)

That very first leap of faith that jump of trust
Suspended in mid-air before the drop
I grasp at all the courage I can must-
er. I don't want to be washed off with a mop
at the bottom. The wind rushes past my ears
Adrenaline rapidly flows through me
Everything melts away including my fears
Courage can unlock this activity
I spread my arms and legs out far to form
a 'x' shape. I shout and scream in delight
I see the ground I remember the warn-
ing: always avoid the ground with all your might
How will I look on the ground squashed and flat
Thinking this I hit the floor and went splat.

Forgotten [Beginner]

Somethings I can't forget; the love we had.
I always thought the love we had was true.
Somethings however, look more good than bad,
My life's mistake remains that I and you,
Had never quite managed to pull ourselves
over and through our difficulties. But
now that is; upon thy towering shelves;
another forgotten memory, a cut,
one; surrounded by many others. I know,
even though I should have long forgotten, none
accompany me here, I live solo.
you played a part in the worst assumption;
the most haunting, annoying assumption.
I'm still trying to leave it: forgotten.

Forgiveness (Advanced)

I should have seen that I could not go on
With this charade that I had tried to play.
I should have chose to quickly act upon
The feeling that had grown inside from day.
I should have seen what I had found in you;
I loved you but we just were not enough,
To stop me from somehow being untrue’
So I decided to start calling bluff.
I cheated and I partied every night
Just for the thought of being somewhere new
I new that you would put up a good fight
So I decided on not telling you.
I know that you may not want to believe
That forgiveness is all I want to achieve.

Please be as honest as possible! If you feel as though i have asked to be marked in the wrong category please don't hesitate to either mark me in that category or tell me so through comments. Thank you!

Freedom (Intermediate)

Affectionate and amiable; you are
Among the most profound and perfect man
I could wish for. But lately our
relationship oppresses me than
Uplifting me. Your viral hold is stuck
To my skin like a horrid rash. No cream
Can ease the burning, nor can any luck
Remove the pain that makes me want to scream.
It hurts to be the one to tell you that
Our special marriage to cease now.
You want control and dominion but
I won't obey, curtsey or even bow.
With great remorse I want a divorce
And live freely away from your great force.

FaIrIeS (AdVaNcEd)

She had small plaits amongst her golden curls
Her crown was studded with tiny flowers,
The smoky fairy ran around in swirls
Starting to use her magical powers.
Her golden hair and long skinny arms
Her magical eyes were moonbeam and white,
The jewels in her hair were like sparkly charms
Butterfly bobbles and diamond clips bright!
She drifted away into peaceful sleep
The sprinkle dust was spread on her small bed,
She dreamt of a friend that was hers to keep
And on valentines day her dress was red!
She wished that her friends would keep her held tight
She wished that angels would keep her in sight!

Flowers (Intermediate)

They grow like infants; mature like adults,
Yet never seem to age as gracefully
as people do. At end with no results:
they waste and wither away so sadly.
Their petals represent soft beauty; Jade
floating in crystal water - blue. In all
true reality, the flowers do fade.
All imperfections revealed as they fall
off their stems, leaving nothing but a blank
canvas of no meaning - just a stem on
the ground. As if to say the jade had sank
and drowned in uneternal beauty: gone.
Forever gone! A moment we should dread
Really and trully, the flower is dead!

Fake (Beginner)

Red lips, white skin, brown hair, body twisted,
Stunning vision, staring out at me,
Desire provoked, revealed and listed,
You tempt me with all I wish to be.
Entertain my eyes, inspire quite,
Your faces are picture perfect, unique,
Swiss seconds of silver fuelled by light,
A dark romance, unattainably chic.
Buckle me, belt me, lace me, make me up,
White mother of pearl, let me find,
My worth in you, never wake me up,
Sanctuous dream, don't leave me behind.
What are the causes of my jelousy?
Glamorous advertising industry.

Failure (Intermediate)

A feeling so uncomfortable; the pain
of having failed you. Down the lane I walk
And coldness falls. I’m left to hurt; the rain
is sharing suffering with me. Less of talk,
I gave myself to silence; closest friend
I have. I’m lost, my thoughts are damaged. Sounds
Of failure ruins all. Is there an end?
My useless hope, I cannot treat this wound.
The past it’s living in my dreadful tears;
I’m fading slowly somewhere darkness can
Be light. I cannot share my fragile fears.
I’m searching for a way, I need a plan.
I cannot disobey my horrid fate
But nothing can be changed; I'm left to wait.

friendship (intermediate)

A fued takes place within my heart, yet still
The scars seek warmth beneath my skin; its clear
Im sick for love but still not seen as ill
Because we know that love can make us fear.
Sedating time to heal the wounds of life
Will only make the wound grow deep and beat
As though my skin was pierced with my own knife.
Oh how i feel alive yet incomplete
Without my friends; perhaps a life is best
When spent alone to live like the elite
Who left their friends,their life and flew the nest.
My hearts reclaimed its place of pride although
The price to pay makes joy alone: my foe.

Friend

Someone always there when I am alone,
There, when I am going through hard, rough times.
There with you in every shake of your bone.
Even when you are sick of doing rhymes,
There with you in times that are heartbreaking.
By your side in every step of the way,
Even if your heart is so badly aching,
Your are somebody who I will share my
Secrets, even the embarrassing one,
You’re my best friend in the whole of the sky,
I’d go to you when I’m in need of fun.
Nobody will be a good friend like you,
Even though I need a new friend, that’s true.

Foes and Fantasies

I sense the beasts inside of me. Displayed
Through bitter, blatant, bruising jeers and taunts
I feel their twisted hearts deny my craved
Emotions. Now enraged I try to flaunt.
I find myself subdued through vile blows,
They know not what they do! Yet through their front
Of pride, pizzazz and pain. The truth does show.
I conjure cupid from my soul, the brunt
Received? Beyond repair, the grin returns
Inhabiting a swollen face, I laugh!
Through this façade of ever scolding burns
A bloody soul emerges on a path.
Determined more than ever, crying love!
Accept and delve in happiness thereof!

Fear in Fantasy(Intermediate)

That clenched fist, as it came flying towards,
My chest. Felt like a dagger piercing my,
Heart. I fell, landing on the dark floorboards,
All feeling becomes lost. My mouth turns dry.
A blank screen of darkness, covered my eyes.
All noise seemes to fade into the darkness.
I try to gather my strenghth but my cries,
Just echo around the room, Loneliness
Is all thats left. My attackers are gone.
I've been left here on the floor. Left to die.
Then a light slowly shines. The light of dawn.
My eyes open but no to the blue sky.
But the ceiling of my room with my head,
against my pillow, lying in my bed.

Fish (Intermediate)

She keeps a tropic tank that boosts her self
esteem. She enters to the corridor,
applause ensues, but leaves them on the shelf
inside the aged volvic, they want more.
She makes quick work of her de-trousered spouse
he glances at his manhood in the clouds
a caged bear, is trapped within his house
they whisper, an aquatic choral crowd.
They speak, they question all about the queen
the tyrant that made history of love.
They plan to do things wicked, do things mean
they know that all they have to do is shove
him. He takes her head, he thrusts it in
she struggles for a minute. She won't win.

Fantasies

You promised. Incoherent stories plagued
With empty fantasies devoured my mind-
The silent murder of my soul. Cliched
Became the phrases said too much, you'll find
You raped them of their warmth. Reality
Became Necropolis, one only you
Could run from. I believed your fantasy,
Because I lost myself in, love. You knew
Enchantments that could sober me, and shake
Away the demons. Daring me to dive
In blind helped find the missing answers. Break
The hold on my reality, and drive
My emptiness away. The doubts? Well, you
Became the one to make them all untrue.

Love

My heart removed. I'm incomplete without
your love. Behind this face a tearful soul.
Is this emotion new to me? A dout
I have, for fear of failure but my goal
is to express my true emotions for
you. As I wonder deep inside of me,
I know you feel the same, today i saw.
Your smile, your laugh all in my fantasy,
this feeling feels so magical, a star
you are, my shooting star. I wish upon
you. Wishing for always you and not a car.
My heart would break to see you gone.
So now i know I have to speak the truth,
I will reveal my love and speak the truth!

Fear of the Ferrari (Intermediate)

The curves and splendour of the bodywork
Allowing us as drivers to observe.
Whilst underlying mischief crawls and lurks.
On the street it lays, Should I have concern?
It’s plan- it’s strategy, I’m unaware
What horror, pain and torment lie ahead.
I drive it anyway as I don’t care,
Tyres squeal in pain and turn a deep red!
The engine roars as down force gets to work,
An early death bed which of now I head,
The senses in me force a BREAK and JERK!
The chassis twists and writhes from left to right,
Along the long and narrow road, we fight.

Task 31: Another Sonnet

Whilst some of you are much further ahead than others, ALL of you could definitely benefit from more practice with your sonnet writing.

I think this is incredibly significant, on all sorts of front:

1. Master the sonnet, and I reckon you can master ANYTHING. After all, if you are 100% capable of writing IAMBS, then trochees, spondees, anapests, dactyls etc should all come easily.
2. There is NO point moving on to anything else until you HAVE all mastered this completely - otherwise the whole exercise is rendered pointless.
3. I remain convinced that if you ALL read, use and adhere to ALL the many, detailed comments you have been given, then there is absolutely NO reason Task 31 cannot allow you ALL to conquer this feat once and for all.

Now try to think what sort of 'sonneteer' you consider yourself to be: beginner, intermediate or advanced?

BEGINNER

To those of you still struggling a lot with iambic meter, please make sure that, before attempting Task 31, you:

• Follow every one of the suggestions made to you by your moderators recently;
• Go back over the earliest tasks on wordvoodoo (Tasks 2, 3, 4 etc.)
• Look at other people's attempts at Tasks 29 and 30 (and the comments thereon).

With Task 31, make sure that, as a minimum, you:

• write 14 lines;
• make sure each line has 10 syllables only and only the EVEN syllables which are stressed;
• make sure the rhyme scheme is followed (ababcdcdefefgg);
• avoid any and all spelling errors or careless typos.
  

Do NOT submit your sonnet until you have checked it with AT LEAST one other person (preferably workshop member); and make sure you read it aloud to them, deliberately exaggerating every EVEN syllable to see how it sounds. Get them to check the rhyming and count the syllables too?

INTERMEDIATE

And for those of you more advanced with sonnet writing, AS WELL AS everything I have said to the beginners, please could you also attempt to:

• exploit fully the potential of the octave/sestet split;
• make greater use of caesura and enjambement, making sure that the final syllable of each line is sufficiently significant to end the line;
• avoid archaism (old fashioned words/phrases);
• make sure the rhyme serves you (rather than the other way around).

ADVANCED

And, finally, for those of you ready to step things up a gear or two, in ADDITION to everything above, please try to:

• experiment with rhyme, in particular internal rhyme and soft end-rhymes;
• employ deliberate and effective alliteration;
• effect original and powerful imagery to enhance your content;
• play around with syntax, using sentence fragments and also questions/exclamations.

* * * *

I am available many lunchtimes and breaktimes this week, so if you are still totally stuck, or just want to run something by me, don't hesitate to ask.

The absolute minimum I require from you ALL this week (in addition to meeting the deadline AND the criteria outline above) is that I genuinely believe your sonnet is the VERY BEST you are capable of producing, and clearly the result of SIGNIFICANT time and effort. Should I suspect anything less than this, you can expect me to be having a serious chat with you about your future in the workshop...

Now for Task 31. Adhering to the relevant criteria above, you should write a sonnet with a title of your choice entirely, provided your title starts with the letter 'F' (i.e. it could be on anything from FOOTBALL to FEAR to FRIED CHICKEN).

The deadline is midnight on Saturday 8th November.

Good Luck!

As always, here is MY attempt:

Friendship

Inchoate yet invincible, a bond
Beyond and past the purview of my prose;
I have no words, they’ve all been said, no wand
To wave, no spell to keep it safe; it grows
Despite my pestilential clutch; too much
For me to tend, my friend, it perseveres
By virtue of your anodynic touch,
Immune to all that festers in my fears.
While reciprocity eludes me yet,
I will requite the comfort you bestow;
Find something to repay this ample debt.
How can I pay you back? I do not know –
I cannot comprehend – but I intend
To merit and deserve to be your friend.

Task 30 - Desperate

Desperate

I’m here, your there, you feel so far away.
I’ve got to get you soon, you are my heart.
My mind won’t stop; there’s got to be a way,
For me and you to have a brand new start.
I see I hurt you but for you I’ve changed
the way I live my life. I’m not the same.
Lets Live up to the vows we once exchanged;
forget about the man I once became.
My lungs won’t help me find the air to breathe.
My heart won’t help me pump the blood around.
My eyes won’t even help me to receive
The picture my brain has already found.
What I’m really trying to say to you,
Is, baby I am desperate for you.

embarassment

A scarlet storm clouds over my plump cheeks,
An angry red on a canvas of white,
Cold, my hands shake, they're sweaty and I'm weak,
I try to look calm, yet my muscles tight.
You have made anger, you have made me hurt,
You know you've punctured all my self-respect,
I'm centre of attention, I'm overt,
Talk my way out, alas with weak interlect.
I thank you. Look at me, I'm publics fool,
I look around, no one comes to my aid,
Right about now, I am two inches tall,
Now please forget all the trouble that's been made.
From red to pink to scarlet, I'm ashamed,
My emotion, embarassment is named.

ANGER!

I stare as the rain falls from upon the sky.
I shout and scream as I am told to go to sleep.
My fists clench knowing I've got school tomorrow, I sigh.
My heart pumps faster when I heard that you called me a creep.
My face turns red when you tell me I cannot play.
I explode when a killing is announced on the telly.
I look at your name on the grave and I know there you lay.
I don't understand why toilets are so smelly.
I go mental when you tease me just because of my race.
I hate it when you wake me up so early in the morning.
I hate it when I have to look at your revolting face.
Why doesn't anybody notice my talent to sing.
Why do the holidays have to end so quickly.
It is because the holidays are too short it makes me crazy.

LOVE!

When I close my eyes at times of darkness
My mind unclogs and I see your neat smile
When I am cold and I am defenceless
You make everything for me worthwhile
Your mystical presence is gently dear
So beautiful, comforting and so great
When you are with me I cannot feel fear
I am so fortunate that you're my fate
I knew that you were most definitely
Made just for me like I was made for you
You were written into my destiny
I love the way you're so honest and true
Every moment with you is a treasure
Keeping you in my heart is a pleasure


Sorry I'm Late Sir.. I Was Going To Post It Saturday Morning But My Internet Stopped Working..:S

Distance

Sonnet

I once was sure i loved you too; I did.
I undoubtedly dreamt of me, you and
The moon; on some lonely side street. A quid
I gave you, and you used your skilfull hand
to give me one very professional
Blow job; oh god forbid. It was indeed
only a dream. I loved you then I might
still do; depends on me and my small need.
Our future doesn't seem to be bright
Maybe because you are so many miles
Away from me. My love is not easy
to come across; it very rarely smiles.
Baby please don't, please don't forget; angry
is not something i intend for you to
feel towards me. Distance I can't undo.

Jealousy.

a jade surounding, smokey,dusty air
inhale the smoke, be trapped and feel the mist
a covering, uneven fatal snare
just swallow pain and you will get the gist
i longed, i hoped, my logic cast aside
each string was plucked with slinky, green aplomb
the monster turns it smothers me, it writhes
my sister sense, well she was truly gone
my purpose was to see what was not mine
it gave me fuel, momentum, space to breathe
my love for this it was both dumb and blind
intrinsic to myself like sword and sheathe
my toxic lungs, the swamp of misery
the fish that swim they masticate my heart
it bleeds flourescent green, the puddles form
in each one is reflected, jealous storms.

Task 30 - *Love*

I love you but you make it very hard.
The pain soon rips my soul; you turn away.
I’m tortured, twisted, shaken, sick and scarred.
The fiends of hell let loose in me; they prey
On love that’s true, enjoy its taste, it drips
And stains the floor with deep pools of dark red.
The red, oh red, my god the red, red lips
That smiled the sphinx’s smile; while I did bleed.
That enigmatic smile so quick to guile
Not me though, I sit alone on the chair
I’m hoping that they’ll leave me be. So vile
Are those that chase my dreams; I fall in prayer
Once more. I smile though blinded by the pain
And tonight ‘need’ binds me to you again.

*Chocaholic*

Pessimism

I look up but to see, a darkness, when
I wake up. Where all association
with life is dead. My love for him back then
was stronger than God's own fine creation.
I dream of days where all is unperfect,
Then wake up to find that dreams do come true.
My golden age came to an end; so wrecked.
Where ships may sink so deep into the blue,
Where fairy tales remain undiscovered,
legends, and myths remain myths, in which I
strive to find an answer; Is truth covered?
My mind, body and soul all gone may try
to escape from life wondering on why
he tried to make a blue girl like me cry.

Miss anonymous

How can you define such a perfect love?
My favorite feature; her long golden hair.
The perfect features on her face so fair.
A voice so miraculous like a dove,
She'll intrigue you 'till there's nothing to spare.
Through her exceeding tender, love and care.
We'd play fight and she'd give me a slight shove.
Every aspect so divine in its way,
It moved my heart to see her lovely face.
Everyone that judged her I made them pay.
I can't describe her she's a work of art.
Her as a person is another case.
My heart's telling me that we'll never part.
Nothing will come between us thats for start.

*Miracles*

Task 30

Never have i been so heart broken in my life.
I don't know I loved her with all my heart.
We were so close I thought wed never part.
That beautiful women she was my wife.
She fell pregnant we said wed name him Bart.
In the fair we met in a bumper cart.
When we rowed I'd threaten her with a knife.
She owes me back my hundred dollar hat.
I think of her she makes me cry and weep.
When she she left I snacked making myself fat.
When we parted it made Bart have to choose.
Every time we fought she'd call me a creep.
She stole my money to buy high heel shoes
I said is this the end of me and you

restraint

That seemingly ineffectual space
In time, was actually not at all.
And now, he waits, he dares to step apace
He hesitates, convinced he will soon fall.
Yet taunts from his subconscious drive him on.
Intimidation fails to stop him now,
He charges. Man or monster, from far yon
A fantasy, yet not quite sure just how
He will defeat a beast of such status.
The climax soon arrives. To his dismay,
All bloody services, for him, gratis.
A step too far? The price he had to pay
Proved that. Temporarily nonplussed he
Gives up, now left a timid devotee.

Love

Ill always crave the warmth of your embrace
and looks of your bewitching eyes, but then
as time goes by, I hate to see your face
and long to be myself and free, again.
The damage love can do should scare us all
but still we crave such love. It leaves us sick.
Although no cure for love is taught at school
we learn to heal its cuts and scars so quick.
My lust for you it seems I can’t destroy
because when we were bound i felt alive.
but lust is hate when it's deprived of joy
and joy is what we need: need to survive
If life is love then death is hate, I live
to use my love. is all that i can give

Grief

You have left me here. No longer am I
To see you again. Your voice lurks my mind.
The thought that you've left me can make me cry.
You left me alone. You left me behind.
Your face swamps around my head. Dreams of you
Haunt me every night. I loved you so.
Everyday you were here my love grew.
Then came the day I had to let you go.
Everything reminds me of you. Each
Noise I hear. Every man that I see.
Each dream I have of you. I try to reach
For you . But then you walk away from me.
But I wake up and remember you're gone.
My love for you will never be withdrawn.

Task 30 - Love

Why do you torture me so much?
You've taken my heart and dashed it against a wall.
Do you enjoy smashing my soul and such.
Your words pounded into me causing me to fall
Into deep misery, depression and agony.
I see your face at the back of my eye.
I cant eat cause your rejection haunts me.
Every time you see me you give this little sigh.
I know that forgetting you is the key,
But I cant, everytime you deny me I
Want you even more. You to be beside me
Forever. To have you by my side to hold my
hand. This vast wound you have torn open won't mend
But I will always love you until the end

Hate

A word that many say we should not use
Because the meaning is too strong.But I,
For many years, put up with your abuse
I even used to wish that you would die.
The way that you would walk into the room
Would make me want to run away and hide
Because one move would take me to my doom.
To know this now do you feel satisfied?
To know that it was you that left me down.
To know that I could not get over it.
For you made me the hate of all the town,
And then you cut me up in little bits.
So now that you are dead, I do not care
Because not I can live life with no fear.

Task 30 - Hurt

The deep, red blood which pumps inside my chest,
Is rushing up into my aching head.
It's telling me to take a long deep rest.
Please tell me that my body is not dead.
I feel hard, stinging pain that unleashed from,
Under my moisturized, clear, beautiful
Skin. I hope I can still go to my prom
Tonight, it was a plan so wonderful.
Until this horrible disaster came,
Silently and very quickly to
Take away my popularity fame.
My voice that know sounds like a quite moo,
Leaving me alone to die by myself.
Slowly I’m gone to the top of my shelf.

Task 30 - Love.

My love is incomplete; you’ve gone too far.
I’m left with pain, my blood burns red. I’m scared.
You left my love fragmented with a scar.
My big mistake was thinking that you cared.
The love I had, I need it back. It’s true
My tears drip memories; the lovely past.
A shattered view; we're not together. Two
Of us, my dream is gone. It went too fast.
The moon is magical, my love is too.
You loved me, now you hold her hands in yours.
A lie, it took my happiness I knew
I had. My love is death in all the wars.
I'll love you always and forever though
My tears are beautiful and cold as snow.

Optimism

The glass will always be half full, despite
The fact that you are not here. Walk away
Because it's what you're good at. I was right:
So now that you're not here to sway or fray
Me anymore, I'll learn to fend for my-
Self. Days are brighter, clouds seem fuller, now
That you're not here decaying them. You lie
Your way through my defences, I say "Ciao."
I see the world through different eyes now. You
The criminal, you rocked my world and shook
It into millions of pieces. True,
My life will only improve. But you took
My heart and dipped it in your acid lies,
My optimism brought to its demise.

Guilt and Anger

It leaves me in a world of no mans land,
It swells up quick and strong within my chest.
My optimisms thin just like a strand,
A witches curse could do less harm at best.
Connections with my conscience truly lost,
The rage, the fury rip my soul to shreds!
I may try to contain it, it’ll cost
Unlucky souls whilst they feel pain and dread.
Alas! I cannot stop it gushing out!
My fist swings wayward as I charge towards
The soon to be unlucky hang-about,
All I can do now is pray to the lord
That the boy’s journey from above to floor,
Did not hurt him at all in face or jaw.

Task 30 Exemplar: LOVE

I love you. But those words sound incomplete
And guilty by association. Why
Does language tie my hands and bind my feet?
I cannot move. But how can I deny
The way I feel? As well say day is night
As profer moderation when the truth
Has burst its banks. My world is black and white
And hot with the intensity of youth.
My thermostat is wrecked. I like and so
I love. My heart won't take the bit between
Its teeth, shakes off the reins. I do not know
How feelings can be fettered. I have seen
The damage that I do, and I am scared.
Leave love locked up. It harms when it is shared.

Task 30

Yes. You guessed it. It's a sonnet this week.

But before you panic, please hear me out, and make sure you have done the following things BEFORE you begin to attempt this week's task:

1. Re-read your attempt at Task 29. Make sure you read it ALOUD - to someone else if at all possible. One of the moderators - Maria - had a fantastic tip as to how to do this, so check out the comment's on NIKA's attempt to find out what she suggests.
2. Now read each COMMENT that has been written about your attempt. These comments are incredibly detailed, and so they deserve to be read AGAIN AND AGAIN. They are literally dripping with nuggets of poetic advice which will make your poetry a million times better in just a few steps. But only if you DO WHAT THEY SAY.
3. Go back to your attempt and, on a piece of blank paper, try to rework it into a response which is as near to PERFECT as you can imagine. You could then just file that away somewhere or, if you wanted, you could bring it to me in school and I will tell you how close you have got.
4. Now have a look a the attempts from eternity_forever, Angel_K and shiningstar. These are not the only successful attempts by any means, but, if you read the comments as well, these should teach you some important lessons about how to make your own poetry better and better still.
5. Choose THREE other students on whose work YOU want to comment yourself. And try to make sure your comments are as useful and constructive as possible - suggesting at least one thing you LOVED and one thing you thought should be CHANGED. And be sparing with your textspeak - for old people like me! :)
6. If you are still unclear about how to write IAMBIC PENTAMETERS, it is up to you to book half an hour with me this week to go through it again. Email me or find me in school and we can easily fix up a mutually convenient time. If you don't do this, I will assume you are 100% clear on how to construct your iambic pentameters, and, therefore, ready to attempt Task 30.

Only when you have completed ALL of the above SIX steps should you begin Task 30.

Right. Task 30 here we come...

Please write a sonnet about an emotion (i.e. anger, disappointment, love, happiness etc.) of your choice. Please use your chosen emotion as the title of your poem (and your post).

I would like you to follow the following rules:

1. Your sonnet should consist of 14 lines only.
2. Each line should be written in iambic pentameter - i.e. 5 iambic (dee-DUM) feet.
3. You should make free and deliberate use of end-stopped lines AND enjambement/caesura as and when you think each is appropriate and effective.
4. Your poem should rhyme as follows: ababcdcdefefgg. Or, in other words, Lines 1 and 3 should rhyme, as should Lines 2 and 4, Lines 5 and 7, Lines 6 and 8 etc. And Lines 13 and 14 should rhyme with each other.
5. N.B. If you want to make it even more difficult, you could try dividing your sonnet thematically into a first OCTAVE (i.e. 8 lines) and a second SESTET (i.e. 6 lines), with a slight change of theme/mood/topic after Line 8. Only attempt this if you want to add that extra bit of challenge.

Please make sure that you:

1. Use what you (and other students) have learnt from Task 29 to make sure you do not make any of the same mistakes again.
2. Check your work CAREFULLY for any careless errors or typos. It could come across as a little arrogant or rude to expect the moderators to check work you have not even checked yourself!
3. Make sure you meet the deadline. I am giving you advance warning now that any of you who fail to do so will get only one more chance before expulsion from the workshop. (And two of you have already had your final warning, and so had better be especially careful.)

Your task is due by midnight on Saturday 25th October 2008.

MY ATTEMPT will follow later this weekend.

Good luck - and have fun!

Task 29

Darkness encloses as I write this
Its inky blackness overwhelms me
Creatures skulk around its edges
Shadows dance to and fro along the walls
The moon shining bright in the sky
Stars gather in clusters and shapes
Making pictures I can’t make out
I marvel at a passing shooting star
Speeding beyond the confines of my window
I wish I was like that shooting star
Free to stop and start when I wish
Through my window I can see Canary Wharf
It’s tiny light blinking on and off
A typical London night; as noisy as day
Cars and buses rumble loudly down the main road
In the pitch black trees look grotesque
All gnarled, crooked and withered.
The rare person scurrying home to get to some sleep
A clock chimes as it strikes the midnight hour.
It’s late now so I think it’s time for bed.

Outside the window
The sun rises. In the east
I watch it through my window.
What I’d like to eat
Boy am I hungry. I could murder
Five bars of choclate in ten seconds flat.
A Recent Dream
Thrashing wildly about. Cold sweat rushes
From my pores. I wake screaming.
Annoying Tasks Overdue
This was meant to be finished
Yesterday. I truly am sorry.
My body
My body has a secret. But I’m not going to tell you
Because if I did it wouldn’t be a secret.

Task 29

Part 1

I listen to the radio, the songs

they tell me that they love, they hate, the lie

i smell a certain odor, one thats fowl

Twas told that speeches, like a womans skirt

be long enough cover chosen theme

but short enough to be of interest

an android void of thought but feels at most

a paranoia great, but very closed

an innuendo blossoms or it bombs

a special flower, ruined by a man

a bishop, weak, abused by violent hand

a sea of beige, a coarse forbidden land

a plunge, a dive, an expedition south

with hats and caps, excited open mouth

mary poppins is my favourite film

a man he smokes, committed lungs to dooom

a formula it means the end of man

a doctor changes, now inverterbrate

he's japanese he moves through time and space

in the desert he paints his demise.

Task 29

Part 1:

1. Computer socialising distracts me
2. Annoying people get on both our nerves
3. I'm sleepy writing this; truly I am
4. I wonder how badly I am doing
5. Essentially, I have decided to
6. work whole-heartedly and finish this task
7. Coursework is seriously so stressful
8. Baby powder smells really really nice
9. Why does english have to be so complex
10. I want the telephone to ring right now
11. Technology is not only for nerds
12. After completing this I'll learn to breathe
13. Eastenders is truly getting boring
14. I'm sorry this is late Mr Savage :(
15. Chicken and chips have lost their taste and life
16. I don't know what else to mention right now
17. Iambic is just so DEE-DUM DEE-DUM
18. DEE-DUM DEE-DUM the sound of a heartbeat
19. Regret is such a sinful emotion
20. I fell asleep whilst just doing this task

Part 2:

Outside the Window.

People and cars continue to pass by
Me as I dream to be out there - and breathe

What I'd Like To Eat.

Chicken and chips are so cliche, they taste
Nothing of what they make it out to be

A Recent Dream.

I wish I could share with you my dreams yet
I just have no dreams in which to dicuss

Tasks Overdue.
Regret is an emotion of which I
Feel, for missing the deadline; truly sorry


My Body.
My body is tired and weak and so
dead in which I will have to say: GOOD NIGHT.