I feel like Ka. When it hits me, it hits me and I have to write it down. If I don't write it down the moment the Muse whispers in my ear, it moves on, leaving me alone and lonely.
So, here it is. My second attempt at poetry. This one is also based on a prompt from the Southwest Book Fiesta. It also revolves around food. The only restriction was to start with (though you didn't have to use) this opening line: "As I recall the meal I ate..."
"Last Meal"
As I recall,
the meal I ate was nothing worth recalling.
Baked potatoes and cube steak. Many years later,
I found that most eat their baked potatoes after baking them again.
From there they are drowned with soured creams and
bacon pieces. I only know how potatoes taste. They
probably have no idea.
The grit and stale flesh make my teeth hurt. Its escaping
steam the only moisture available.
Then there's the steak. Who
knew cube steak was something to be thrown
to dogs or added to sauces as flavoring. Not a main dish.
I thought I ate like a king in those days.
But I also thought everyone hated eating.
Rene Mullen
Fiction that makes you wonder
Monday, May 13, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
The Reluctant Poet
It's true. I've turned to the dark side of writing. The epitome of writing that will never get read, never get recognition, and never make me money. It all started during my stint at the Southwest Book Fiesta here in Albuquerque. I went to a bunch of writing workshops. Many of which had us doing creativity exercises.
One particular one, the one I will share this evening, was based on a writing prompt of: write either a grocery list or a recipe; try to tell a story while writing it. There are no other rules...you have 5 minutes.
So, without further hesitation, here is my first poem ever, entitled "Grocery List"
GROCERY LIST
--toothpaste
--paper plates
--soda
--quart of milk: 2%
--semi-sweet chocolate chips: can't get this one wrong
--cupcake papers: but not the paper ones
--light brown sugar: better get the name brand this time
--butter: get margarine again and there'll be trouble
--frosting: your choice--it's your birthday
One particular one, the one I will share this evening, was based on a writing prompt of: write either a grocery list or a recipe; try to tell a story while writing it. There are no other rules...you have 5 minutes.
So, without further hesitation, here is my first poem ever, entitled "Grocery List"
GROCERY LIST
--toothpaste
--paper plates
--soda
--quart of milk: 2%
--semi-sweet chocolate chips: can't get this one wrong
--cupcake papers: but not the paper ones
--light brown sugar: better get the name brand this time
--butter: get margarine again and there'll be trouble
--frosting: your choice--it's your birthday
Labels:
poet,
poetry,
reluctant poet
Monday, May 6, 2013
Book Review: "Snow" by Orhan Pamuk
Recently finished yet another novel from a Nobel Prize in Literature winner. This time it was "Snow" by Orhan Pamuk. As my readers know, I don't give synopses. For that, head elsewhere. But here are some thoughts.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Federal Funding of Science: Good and Bad
Recent Congressional activity has lead me to comment on public funding of research. The House Science Committee wants to put added criteria on what gets public funds via the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Friday, April 26, 2013
Steampunk Glorifies White Privilege
Steampunk is an alternate historical fiction genre.
But what sort of genre. It asks the reader to go back to a simpler time, a natural time, a pure time. But it's also a time that asks the reader to live in a world and time of women subservient to, and owned by, men. A time when slavery was acceptable, capitalism was still in the feudal stages, and the industrial revolution was beginning to enslave the few not yet shackled by wealthy Europeans. It thrives of a Wild West system typical of the U.S. background only. It stretches the culture when the sun truly never set in the British Empire. Colonization was not only acceptable or common practice, it was justified and moralized.
But what sort of genre. It asks the reader to go back to a simpler time, a natural time, a pure time. But it's also a time that asks the reader to live in a world and time of women subservient to, and owned by, men. A time when slavery was acceptable, capitalism was still in the feudal stages, and the industrial revolution was beginning to enslave the few not yet shackled by wealthy Europeans. It thrives of a Wild West system typical of the U.S. background only. It stretches the culture when the sun truly never set in the British Empire. Colonization was not only acceptable or common practice, it was justified and moralized.
Why You Should Write Shit. And Lots of It!
There are several distinct and actualizing benefits to writing lots and lots of shit. You learn to push through "writer's block", which for those who know me know that I don't believe writer's block exists. Also, you stress and pressure on most anything produces better results.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Rejection Letter #1!
Last week I received my first official rejection letter (email actually. Nobody uses snail mail anymore). With that rejection letter comes mixed feelings for me as a writer and as a person.
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