Sunday, December 15, 2013

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!


 “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”
Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol 

PART ONE ~
Monday, December 23rd at 4:00pm, & 9:00pm Pacific 
(NOTE:  The 9:00pm session is by special request an on strem only. I will have the system up and running at that time.  If you log in after 9:10pm and there is nothing running, it will mean those who requested the reading were not able to log in.  Apologies in advance if that inconvenience occurs)

PART TWO ~
Tuesday, December 24th at 4:00pm Pacific

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use an enabling application. Don't wait till story time!: CLICK HERE for links to helpful sites to make certain you are able to listen to streaming audio on your computer

 . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before the posted start time.  

NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!

Available in Paperback just in time to fill your last minute gift-giving nooks and crannies. Click Here to go directly to the Amazon page

Short Story Author Judith Cullen presents a collection of collections!  All of the Trio Tales series of fiction monographs published in 2013 (Irish Tales, Cat Tales, and My Father’s Tales), plus additional short stories.


Visit the clueless, techno-savvy teenager from The Shadow by the Gate; experience the horrors of moving from a cat’s perspective in Travels with S; and be amused at a military convoy missing the mark in Flying Down to Coeur D’Alene.  Add to that the sensual delight of a toddler experiencing the world around him in Walking to the Music, and the award-winning ghost story Her Own Words in the additional material.


Tuesday, December 3, 2013

BEGGAR'S DAY Live Online, Wednesday at 7:00pm!

Friend, and fellow Indie Author, MJ McGalliard published his debut adventure Beggar's Day Book One: The Beggar Prince two years ago in kindle format.  Now, with Book Two on the way, I'm helping him celebrate the release of Book One in paperback, just in time for the holidays!

Join me as I simul-stream the beginning of the adventure in both Second Life, and streamed online, Wednesday, December 4th at 7:00pm Pacific.

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use an enabling application. Don't wait till story time!: CLICK HERE for links to helpful sites to make certain you are able to listen to streaming audio on your computer

 . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before the posted start time.

Friday, November 22, 2013

COMING IN DECEMBER . . . A Christmas Carol Live!


Have you ever heard Charles Dickens' classic in its entirety? . . . no dialogue excerpts, no rewrites, no commercial breaks?  Probably not. It takes about 3 hours and 20 minutes in total.  I know, I have presented it in live readings every year since 2009.  I usually present it in two (roughly) 90 minute sessions. This year, in addition to offering it in Second Life, I will be streaming it in live sessions in the days before the holiday itself.

Think of it!  The immediacy of a live reading in the comfort of your own home.  You don't have to make me tea, make sure I have a place to park, or worry that I'll be offended if you have to nip into the next room to shift the laundry.  You can tune in on your computer just like you would a radio and listen in while you deck your halls, wrap presents, finish your cards, or just sit back with the favorite holiday beverage or snack of your choice. You might even share it with your holiday guests!

Help me by taking my poll in the right margin, and let me know what time you might be most likely to listen in. It will help me decide how to program my time.  Then check back here after December 15th ti-o check the performance time(s).

The session will be offered freely, I have no resources to make it otherwise.  I am an artist, author, and performer trying against all odds to make ends meet.  If you enjoy the performance, I hope you will consider a tip into the donation button on  my page.  Every little bit helps keep the stories coming, and a roof over my head.

Happy Holidays, and Blessing to you and yours where ever you may be.


Monday, November 18, 2013

The "My Writing Process Blog Tour"



My turn! Today the My Writing Process Blog Tour passes through the simply creative borders of Ttown here at Judith Cullen - Stories. In the paragraphs below I’ll answer a few questions about how and why I write, but before I get started I’d like to thank my friend Jackson Arthur, author of PDA and other delightful paranormal science fiction works.

Jackson posted his writing process last week on his Portals – Jackson Arthur’s Universe blog, and I’d urge you to checkout his writing process by clicking here.

Time for the train to chug through this station as the tour thunders on!

What am I working on?

 

I am working at putting the finishing elements into Miracles: A Trio of Island Tales – the fourth and final installment in this year’s Trio Tales series.  It will be released this year, followed by an anthology of the 2013 Trio Tales series with additional short stories and possibly some poetry.  Then we start fresh in 2014 with a new series of short story collections!

I also started a project this summer which is turning into a novella length fiction piece, and will probably come out in early 2014, fulfilling my personal goal the develop the "chops" to write longer works.  It is a romance and  fantasy involving a dark elf, a snow elf, and a diverse community of elves around them.  These are not wee elves that make cookies in trees. They are closer to Tolkien’s elves, had his narratives had focused on a working class.  It lacks a title yet, but I have hopes one will come to me before I actually “press play” on the release.


How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I am, at the moment, primarily a writer of short fiction.  I think of it as practice for writing longer chapter books.  I like publishing “fictional monographs” on a single subject, and that is what the Trio Tales series is envisioned to be: easy to read and share, suited for electronic devices. It also allows me to explore an array of different subjects and not get boxed into one genre.I am fond of saying I am an author in search of a genre, or perhaps avoiding one.

I haven’t decided whether this is a wise approach or a foolish one yet.  It is simply where I am.  I tell good stories.  The more I tell them, the better they get.  They bring me joy, and I am pleased that others seem to enjoy them as well.

Why do I write what I do?

There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy...”

So said Shakespeare’s damned Danish prince, and I agree.  I believe that we are granted all the magic we need in our lives, for good and ill both.  Call it God, the Universe, Karma, call it whatever you will.  It is all inside us and we have to make choices about how we use what we were given.  That is the journey we call life.  I do not pretend to take sides and make choices for other people.  

I tend to gravitate towards stories of self-discovery, stories that make you laugh, make you cheer for a character, and leave you with a lingering “hmm…” percolating in your mind.  That is what my stories do for me, and I hope those who read them feel the same. I like exploring new places and new environments in my work, and sharing those discoveries in my work.


How does your writing process work?

I have worked in theater and opera as a designer for a long time.  I recognize there that my best work starts with the germ of an idea.  It can be anything: a sleeve joint on a gown, a shape, a texture, a metaphor.  In my writing it is much the same thing.  What would the world truly look like from the cat’s perspective?  What if a technically savvy teenager was suddenly faced with very real legends come to life? What if the thing that haunted you were you own words?

From there the stories build.  I have written a mix of stories that are pure fiction, and fictional interpretations of real events.  What I have learned so far is that the story and I work in partnership.  If I wrench a story in to being, or have an agenda with the story to the exclusion of all else, the writing is not as good. My number one rule is “serve the story, not yourself.” If I open myself up, and remain open to the evolution of the plot, the words and ideas flow.

My best work is when I am emotionally engaged in the plot and its characters, not simply functioning as their puppet master.  It is especially fruitful if I am so engaged when I am in "raw text" or "first draft" mode.  My fingers will pound at the keys, and sometimes I will barely be able to keep up with where the story is taking me - the "passionate me" hard at it.  If the reader cannot connect directly with some character in the piece, whether empathetically or emotionally, the work is flat.When I follow up and refine in a number of subsequent passes, that is time for the "rational me" to be working.

I do my best writing early in the morning or late at night.  I need quiet and focus.  Because I write primarily short stories, I only use rough notes as outline, but I can already see from my novella project that I will need more structured outlines for longer works.  

Because my writing really sprung from my work as a voice artist and presenter of literature, reading my work aloud is crucial.  I need to hear it several times.  I also find I read it differently if I read it to someone, as opposed to muttering it to myself.  If there is a section that doesn’t scan or flow, it becomes obvious read out loud. 

I also have a few well-trusted proofreader/beta-readers who give me feedback.  I think that will be more and more handy the longer my written works become.  It has been a great journey so far, and I look forward to more adventures in that wonderful, ethereal world where it is just me, the ideas, and words.  My heart and soul are in my best works. There’s a lot of “Judy” in all my stories.

 ***

Thanks for taking the time to read about my writing process. Next week the tour will be visiting long time friend Amy Jarecki. Please be sure to look in on this fascinating and talented lady next week!

Next Week

 

Amy Jarecki: Amy Jarecki writes contemporary romance and Scottish historical romance. Her award winning romantic suspense, VIRTUE will be released on December 6th. For fun, she hikes, bikes and plays a mean game of golf. Born in northeastern California, Amy holds an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Visit her online at www.amyjarecki.com and visit her blog

Sunday, November 17, 2013

WHEW! Who Knew?!

I entered author Stephanie Mesler's Word Association Haiku Challenge in September, and had NO IDEA we'd be still doing it as we headed into the holidays!  I have to confess that there have been several times when I considered bailing, because of the pressures of other things that needed doing.  But I am glad I have stayed with it.  It is a great mind break, and I am really pleased with some of the pieces I have written.  Thanks Stephanie!

I am re-posting everything in reverse order and giving it its own page Click Here!


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

CELEBRATING VETERANS DAY! Monday, November 11th at Noon

Korean War Memorial from Wikimedia - photo by Lounger1963

"It was a simple trip over the mountains, if 'simple' can be considered an apt description for any military convoy.  During wartime, convoys are well organized groups of ships or motor vehicles traveling together for mutual support, often with armed defense support from aircraft.  There was a war being fought, but the convoy was stateside, not in Suwon or Wonju.  The Korean War raged miles away across the Pacific Ocean, but the only adversary this convoy was trying to navigate around was civilian taxpayers."  

~ Flying Down to Couer D'Alene

Celebrate Veterans on November 11th with two stories of life in "this man's Army" from the Korean War. I'll be streaming two of the stories live online from A Trio of My Father's Tales  - Flying Down to Couer D'Alene and The Skunk War.  Honor the commitment that our men and women in arms have made for centuries with stories that will make you smile, as well as remember.

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use an enabling application. Don't wait till story time!: CLICK HERE for links to helpful sites to make certain you are able to listen to streaming audio on your computer

 . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before the posted start time.

Tips/donations for making these sessions possible are gratefully accepted.(see the donation button in the right hand margin)



Saturday, November 2, 2013

WE PLACED! HUZZAH!

 Thanks to everyone who read and supported Her Own Words, this year's ghost story.  It was on two contests and placed in author Lissa Bryan's Ghostwriter Ghost Story Contest!  This is the first writing contest I have entered since I entered a DAR Essay competition in Junior High School, so this was a fun experience for me.

Visit her Contest Blog to enjoy the winning entry and the other submitted story entries.

This month will be a month filled with little bits and bobs.  Miracles: A Trio of Island Tales is due to be completed, plus the assembly of an anthology of this year's stories which will be available in paperback in early December. It will include all of this year's Trio Tales plus some bonus stories and a few poems. If you have enjoyed this year's stories, and have readers of such fiction on your holiday to-buy-for list, this just might be the thing for them.

I'll be celebrating Veteran's Day by reading from A Trio of My Father's Tales live on stream, November 11th.  Stay tuned for more on that and other live sessions.

Also stay tuned here for updates on The Dickens Project - Tacoma: a  simul-presentation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol in Second Life(c) and before a live audience in my hometown of Tacoma, WA. More information may be found on that by Clicking Here!

Happy November!  And don't forget to be thankful!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

HALLOWEEN STORIES ONLINE!


Seems I write one spooky story a year specifically for Halloween.  I love Halloween!  Always have.  It started out as amber-tinged remembrances of magical Octobers when I was a small child.  It became about Disney's Fantasia, oddly enough, and there are still parts of that movie's soundtrack that I associate with this time of year, and always play - Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony for one.

"Boo" as Pooh, waiting for his first treating
Later it became about being on the giving end of the treat train as my young nephew Brandon entered the world of costumes, and the fashionably acceptable wearing of the color orange. "Aunt Dede" spent a delight-filled decade mimicking Brandon's Mom's waaaaay cool Halloween doorbell: "bong, BONG, bong-bong Mwwwwahahahahahaaa!"

Now, Halloween is about stories.  ALL about stories. On Halloween I will be doing two sessions in Second Life, and a special online live streaming of my own stories at Noon Pacific.

Ever been haunted by your own words?  What if you were haunted by them literally?  A woman is pursued by words she wrote over 30 years ago, and struggles with how to end being haunted by HER OWN WORDS.   

Love can hurt.  Especially if it is a sweet first romance.  But what hurts more is falling off a cliff.  Find out how a young Irish girl has an encounter with a legendary Irish haunt, and finds the strength to return to her life with a new perspective from IN THE MISTS. 

UPDATE! More Stories. . .
 By request, I will be reading selections from Bram Stoker's Classic DRACULA beginning at 5:30pm Pacific on Halloween!

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use an enabling application. Don't wait till story time!: CLICK HERE for links to helpful sites to make certain you are able to listen to streaming audio on your computer

 . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before the posted start time.

Tips/donations for making these sessions possible are gratefully accepted.(see the donation button in the right hand margin)

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

HER OWN WORDS ~ Encore Live Online, Wednesday 10.23 @ 3pm Pacific

I'll be presenting an encore reading this story Wednesday, October 23rd live in Second Life (c) at 3pm Pacific Time at the Burn 2 Literary Camp AND also live, streaming on the web . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before the posted start time.

Ever been haunted by your own words?  What if you were haunted by them literally?  A woman is pursued by words she wrote over 30 years ago, and struggles with how to end being haunted by HER OWN WORDS.  

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use an enabling application. Don't wait till story time!: CLICK HERE for links to helpful sites to make certain you are able to listen to streaming audio on your computer


This story is entered along with 11 others as part of author Lissa Bryan's Online Ghost Story Competition.  You can visit the "Ghostwriter" Ghost Story Contest Blog and vote for HER OWN WORDS, or any of the other submissions.  The winning story will be announced on Halloween!

Stories streamed on the internet are free.  Tips/donations for making these sessions possible are gratefully accepted.(see the donation button in the right hand margin)

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

HER OWN WORDS - In This Year's "Ghostwriter"Ghost Story Contest - VOTING OPEN!

Author Lissa Bryan's "Ghostwriter" Ghost Story Contest is officially open for reader voting, and my newest original short story HER OWN WORDS is entered.  Check out my story, along with nearly a dozen others, and place your vote for your favorite. Voting is open now till the end of the month.  Check it out,

STAY TUNED for more streamed stories and new releases, especially come HALLOWEEN NIGHT!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

TUESDAY at 7PM Pacific Time - A New Ghost Story: HER OWN WORDS

I wanted to try and write a different kind of ghost story.  One without rattling chains or glowing spectral figures.  Just words.  Words can have tremendous power all by themselves.  Words can change lives.

Ever been haunted by your own words?  What if you were haunted by them literally?  A woman is pursued by words she wrote over 30 years ago, and struggles with how to end being haunted by HER OWN WORDS

I'll be reading this story Tuesday Night  live in Second Life (c) at the Seanchai Library at 7pm Pacific Time http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/46/211/28 

And also live, streaming on the web . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before start time.

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use an enabling application. Don't wait till story time!: CLICK HERE for links to helpful sites to make certain you are able to listen to streaming audio on your computer


 Readings in Second Life (c) are offered free to all residents with the invitation show their appreciation, if they desire it, by joining the Seanchai Library Staff in supporting their featured charity.  Stories streamed on the internet are likewise free, and tips to the Seanchai Library charity, or to the Storyteller (donation button in the right hand margin) are gratefully accepted.

Starting October 16th, this story will be part of author Lissa Bryan's Online Ghost Story Competition.  You can visit the "Ghostwriter" Ghost Story Contest Blog and vote for HER OWN WORDS if you like, or any of the other submissions.  The winning story will be announced on Halloween!

Thursday, October 10, 2013

COMING IN DECEMBER!

The next phase in last year's beta test of The Dickens Project is officially happening for 2013:  an expanded "next step" environment with more to explore, and a simultaneous performance in the real and virtual worlds, live .. to live audiences!

We even have a fresh new blog out about the performance!  The Dickens Project ~ Tacoma!

I am proud to be the host of the Tacoma audience, greeting them live in the historic Knights of Pythias Commencement Lodge #7 in downtown Tacoma.  While voice talents Kevin Lee and Shandon Loring will be performing with me, live from the virtual world of Second Life.

It is an exciting next step in the vast potential I see to use the virtual world as a tool for real world interfaces, not just for personal entertainment.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

BIT O' POE - Wednesday Night, October 9th at 7pm Pacific Time

It's the month of October, one of the BIG THREE greatest months for stories in the year. What would this month of spooky stories be without offerings from the Master of the Macabre himself?  Mr. Edgar Allan Poe.

I'll be sharing selections from his lesser known poems and stories including El Dorado, The Valley of Unrest, Hop-Frog, and more. Ravens optional., live in Second Life (c) at the Seanchai Library at 7pm Pacific Time http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/46/211/28 

And also live in streaming on the web . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before start time.

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use one of the following applications. Don't wait till story time!:
Readings in Second Life (c) are offered free to all residents with the invitation show their appreciation, if they deisire it, by joining the Seanchai Library Staff in supporting their featured charity.  Stories streamed on the internet are likewise free, and tips to the Seanchai Library charity, or to the Storyteller (donation button in the right hand margin) are gratefully accepted.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

PESKY POOKA NIGHT!


"Two great tastes that taste great together" applies to more than Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

Tonight I'll combine two great tastes: The essay "Russborough and Rathbally" from Cailtilin Walsh & Alfred Hellstern's A YEAR IN TULFARRIS with my own "The Shadow by the Gate" from  A TRIO OF IRISH TALES.  Both relate to County Wicklow, Ireland around the Poulaphouca Reservoire.

"Poulaphouca" translates as "The Pookas's Hole."

I'll be sharing these, and possibly others, live in Second Life (c) at the Seanchai Library at 7pm Pacific Time http://slurl.com/secondlife/Imagination%20Island/46/211/28 

And also live in streaming on the web . . . CLICK HERE to be connected to the Shoutcast stream, which will go live 10 minutes before start time.

IMPORTANT NOTE . . . In order to be able to listen on your computer or device, you may need to use one of the following applications. Don't wait till show time!:

Saturday, September 28, 2013

WORD ASSOCIATION HAIKU THROWDOWN IS UNDERWAY!

Stephanie Mesler at  A Poet's Progress  issued an invitation weeks ago for people to participate in her first ever WORD ASSOCIATION HAIKU THROWDOWN Challenge (see her site for the details).  I signed up!  Lots of writing to do these days and haikus help me flex my muscles.

ROUND ONE ~
Right off the bat, I received the first challenge round.  Of course I am knee deep in a chicken soup malaise, so getting started was a challenge in and of itself.  But respond I have ... passing the baton forward to the next contestant.  The word challenged with was "Dig"

As some know, I am no longer capable of writing a single piece to a prompt.  Here's the first haikus I wrote, reflecting how I am feeling today ...
A dig in progress, North Pit, Alcoota fossil site, NT ~ by Mark Harmon


Too much to resist
the snide turning of the knife
not satisfying


I know it is there
spoon digs deep into the cup
noodle triumphant!

Here was my official response - "Dig"

Find what lies beneath
mineral, vegetable
or of the spirit

Next Challenge: "Beneath"

 ROUND TWO ~
And on we gooooooo . . .
The word challenged with was "Mistake"

Here's one:


Really a failure 
or adventures in “what if” 
I meant to do that 

Here was my official response - "Mistake"


Two thousand mistakes 
brought Edison to the light 
incandescent fails

Next Challenge: “Light”

 ROUND THREE ~
Swing yer partner, change up order . . .
The word challenged with was "Hope"

Bird song announces
new light, new day, a fresh start
warm plate full of hope

Next Challenge: "Plate"





 ROUND FOUR ~
Ah!  Now the attempts to stump begin …
The word challenged with was "Due"


That which is my due
is what I owe to others
kind, open, respect

Do what is due too?
do you believe it is so?
give to give alone

Here was my official response –

Man wanders and walks
guaranteed only a chance
due no time, no thing


Next Challenge: "Chance"


ROUND FIVE ~
This was a toughy as I couldn't quite decide where to go …
had to quiet my brain and relax - watched Kung Fu Panda, and it worked!
The word challenged with was "Mind"



One upon one more
thoughts multiply, complicate
requires mind stillness

Open up ones arms
embrace all that can be
this no one can mind

Here was my official response –

Deep, swirling green thoughts
imagination run loose
pranks of a dark mind

Next Challenge: "Loose"



ROUND SIX ~
The word challenged with was "Win"


The game all around
ambition, intrigue, ego
play is not to win

Luck, chance, or a whim
takes the skill out of the win
so what did you learn?

Here was my official response –
Change of heart and thought
to win as an exclusion
is a state of mind

Next Challenge: "State"



ROUND SEVEN ~
The word challenged with was "World & State

Look around my world
what do I really control
an elusive state
 







ROUND EIGHT ~
The word challenged with was seven verses total, one each for "Red" "Orange""Yellow""Green""Blue""Indigo""Violet"

"Colors"

A swell of brightness
is passionate one moment
and angry the next

Always looking up
a hue of optimism
or just the surface

Color to cheer you
sunny aspect quickly turns
running away fast

Growing hue of leaf
abundant, verdant but then
jealously guarded

Color me loyal
color me true and steadfast
changing to coldness

Exotic mind hue
intuit and contemplate
it is addictive

Expansive color
imagine all that might be
yet impractical




ROUND NINE ~
The challenge word for this round is “breath” or “breathe,” the verb OR the noun (used in any tense, conjugation or declension).  We are challenged to create a single verse haiku using the word, breath or breathe, in all three lines of the poem.


Breathe steady and sure
sound of my breathing with yours
breath stolen by you



Fire flames breathing out
imagine the breath in mind
just embers breathe in

Here was my official response –

Quick and sharp the breath 

breathing in cool, ripe, crisp air
breathe the rich autumn

Challenge word – “ripe”



ROUND TEN ~
The challenge word for me this round is “die”

Thousand little ways

can chip away, crack apart

live instead of die

Here was my official response –

Choose how you will die

in pieces, drawn over time

or only the once







ROUND ELEVEN ~
A ten verse cycle, with one repeating line each verse.  Theme: halloween or samhain.

Blossom of summer
ripened to rich harvest gold
as the wheel comes ‘round

Damp, cold, and fall mists
creep in with bounty’s decay
as the wheel comes ‘round


Mortality knocks
beckoning our acceptance
as the wheel comes ‘round


Spirits known and not
rise to remind of the time
as the wheel comes ‘round


The veil is thinnest
invoke fire, gourd, spice and spook!
as the wheel comes ‘round


But none may you mock
these souls grimly remind us
as the wheel comes ‘round


Our time too shall come
life season curve to a close
as the wheel comes ‘round


Light the blaze to bright
see past veil, mold, clinging fog
as the wheel comes ‘round


For the wheel yet turns
there is no end, no stopping
as the wheel comes ‘round


Just a moment’s pause
living and dead face to face
as the wheel comes ‘round



ROUND TWELVE ~

Three Verses …Then, Now, Still To Come







The world wide open

endless opportunities

infinite time, then


The relentless clock
marking the death of moments
life has limits, now

Of the years yet passed
felicity or abyss
that is still to come
 


ROUND THIRTEEN~
Write a Haiku for Halloween of any length on the theme "The Horror Lies"


Into The Unknown - Version One





Marching time, to come
so swiftly present then past
what is it we know?

Ours is the control
or so we slyly believe
audacity brims

There is joy and fear
they are always a constant,
possible, lurking

Each moment has both
dark and light, joy and fear
ever in balance

And our mastery
Is an utter illusion
ourselves only fooled

The journey could be
dark or light, we know not,
there the horror lies

 Here was my official response –
"Nebel Alle Fog" by Greg Berdet from Wikimedia Commons
 The Unknown



What we see, we know
what we believe we affirm
confident and sure

If we disagree
we reject, ascribe to fools
again we see, know

In between is gray
it is neither dark, nor light
none are its master

It waits in shadow
unseating our certainly
there the horror lies




ROUND FOURTEEN~

The challenge word was "Mystery"
 

We look at the road
viewed through the lens of desire
seeking certainty

We want in our hearts
the confidence of the known
mastery of change

The journey observes
laughing at all our conceits
the need for control

Fate allies with glee
coiling and uncoiling threads
feeding our desire

They know the secret
that thing which we struggle with
in our need to know

The richest texture
is in the discovering
joyous mystery


 ROUND FIFTEEN~


The prompt word was “Life” and the haiku had to rhyme. I hate rhyming.  I have a single rhyming gene.  It becomes active for about 48 hours every decade, usually at the most socially annoying moment, and I become “rhyme possessed” for that period of time. As you can see from my submission, this is not one of those times.


Language is not rife
even armed with hunting knife
of good rhymes for “life”




ROUND SIXTEEN ~



Fours stanzas for Veteran’s Day in an ABA rhyme scheme on the prompt “Experience.”   



The Experience         
from the Department of the Navy via Wikimedia Commons


A reality
one’s self is changed forever
skilled maturity

Trained for all action
committed at high level
participation

Can we understand
their sweat, their blood given us
in a foreign land

Our best acquaintance
ever honor, and duty
their experience
 


 ROUND SEVENTEEN ~

The challenge for Round 17 is to write double haiku using the challenge words above.  Double haiku are two verses of 10,14,10 syllable lines - my prompt “Yearning”



“Yearning”


Thoughts that come unbidden to my commute
night time imaginings of the scent and the feel of you
your voice rumbling up my spine, held close, tight

                                                                                                                                               
Ghostly hands massaging my aching neck
grasping my arm, entreating me to come away from toil
a thousand sly glances and shared laughter
 
NOTE:  No more posting and scrolling - as of November 17th the haikus will be posted on their own page - CLICK HERE

 All Haikus (c) Judith Cullen